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Hosts with the most
By Mary Pols

Oh, Hugh Jackman, what a burden the Academy has put upon your strapping shoulders. Hosting the Oscars is a brutal, thankless task, harder even than trying to convince us that "Australia" is an epic love story for the ages.

In Oscar's history, there have been seven ceremonies without hosts. Do we remember anything about those shows? No, the host is a necessary evil, a place mark for history.

But what makes a good Oscar host? A strong ego is key. If you're at all rattled, or too obviously out of your element -- talking to you, David Letterman -- it will show. A host needs to have enough inner confidence to be able to relax up there. In turn, he or she has to help relax the audience. Movie stars are used to being able to control their lives, but at the Oscars they're completely vulnerable, naked in Armani. They've got to sit there for hours, not knowing when or if the camera is going to land on them. (Unless they're Jack Nicholson, Clint Eastwood or represent a minority, in which case the camera will find them whenever old Hollywood or the issue of race is brought up).

For the length of the telecast, these people have got more pressure on them than mating pandas at the zoo. It's the host's job to turn the theater into, as Billy Crystal (one of the best and most natural Oscar hosts of all time) once said, "a living room." If Jackman can pull off that feat, he'll have work every February for the next decade. If he wants it.

Here are the 10 most notable hosts in recent (well, relatively, Bob Hope is on this list) Oscar history, ranked from worst to best.

Hosts with the most
continued

The nominee: Chris Rock

Hosted: once (2005)

The monologue: Rock has the requisite big ego, but he came into the job with a huge chip on his shoulder, the surety that his crass sense of humor would not play well in Peoria. He was right. His shrill opening monologue suggested that he has no use for the Oscars. That's fine, honey, but some of us losers out here very much look forward to swilling wine and shouting at the television. The last thing we want is someone shouting out at us.

Rock started off on the wrong foot by going on at length about Bush's re-election. Cardinal sin: bringing us down before the Dead Academy Member Montage. Political humor is great, but at the Oscars we want it in small, sharp doses, not as the icebreaker for the evening.

Some irreverence is necessary, but Rock's was so random. Picking on Jude Law? Was there trouble when they co-starred in "A.I." or something? Then there was that crack about Nicole Kidman deserving an Emmy for keeping a smile on her face the year Halle Berry won for "Monster's Ball." Ungentlemanly and untrue (if anything, Botox was responsible). Simple rule: The host has to play to two audiences, the one in front of him or her, and the one watching at home. While they can seem like very different breeds, they are composed of famous people and people who care about famous people. Make jokes for those people, not against them.

On the upside, Rock does get points for ticking off that grump Sean Penn, which is why Rock has been spared the designation of the absolute worst host of all time.

The envelope, please: Painful like a toothache.

Hosts with the most
continued

The nominee: Ellen DeGeneres

Hosted: once (2007)

The monologue: She brought us the kinder, gentler Oscars. I'll see your yawn and raise you a snore. DeGeneres admitted right off the bat in her monologue that she had been dreaming of hosting the Oscars since she was a little girl. Her whole approach was, I'm not one of you, but I'd love to be one of you. Who among us does not shudder when remembering that joke about pressing a script on Martin Scorsese?

No one wants the host to be an autograph hunter, even if we know it's just a routine. (We all know you know these people, Ellen. You've been in Los Angeles a long time.) For the stars it's probably embarrassing. For us, the insecure half-smile is a little off-putting in this particular setting. There's Ellen putting herself in our shoes, but would we be so gushy? No, and especially not on a night that calls for a little sophistication. We're at home here drinking champagne or, at the very least, wine out of a bottle, not Tab and Coke. Also, the white shoes and red suit -- actually, for that matter, all of DeGeneres' outfits -- brought Barry Manilow to mind. Troubling.

The envelope, please: Too fan-girl to be fun.

Hosts with the most
continued

The nominee: Steve Martin

Hosted: twice (2001, 2003)

The monologue: Martin looks like the perfect host. He has the silver hair. He's sharp in a tux and good-looking, but not distractingly so (look out, Jackman). He's quick with a comeback. And, Lord knows, he's smart. But there's a cold remove to him; it has always seemed like a lot of work to get those eyes of his to twinkle.

His first year on duty was pre-Sept. 11, back when a break with Billy Crystal seemed like a break with tradition. On the upside, irony was still kosher, and Martin rallied to do a perfectly decent job ("I wanted to wear my swan tonight, but to me they're so 'last year,'" he joked about Bjork's infamous outfit). Then when he came back for the 2002 awards in early 2003, irony was dead, the United States was about to shock and awe Iraq, and the entire country was tentative about everything, including whether or not it was OK to have a party. Ratings were as low as they've ever been and, by association, Martin took the blame.

He hasn't been back since, unless you count his appearance in that 2005 opening montage of Jon Stewart's, where Martin declined the invitation to return in favor of spending more time with his "kids" (a pair of blow-up dolls). Love that he can joke about his own weirdness, but there's the crux of the problem; the Oscars are a mainstream beast and Martin is not and never will be, no matter how many "Father of the Bride" sequels he makes.

The envelope, please: The wrong bedfellow, the wrong time.

Hosts with the most
continued

The nominee: Bob Hope

Hosted: 18 total; eleven solo, seven with others (1940-1941, 1943, 1945-46, 1953, 1955, 1958-1962, 1965-68, 1975, 197 cool

The monologue: Look, the guy did give everyone under 50 the creeps. I watched poor, teen-aged Brooke Shields standing next to him on that variety show as a kid and thought, "No amount of money." But, there is no denying that Bob Hope knew his way around a stage and an audience. He was Hollywood's ultimate master of ceremonies, as evidenced by the number of times he came back to the Oscars (it's also possible the producers were too terrified by his power not to; he owned practically half of Los Angeles County).

He was a contradiction, able to act the rube, but with an easy, natural grace, particularly when he was young. He could have fun onstage with just about anyone. To watch a clip of him and Humphrey Bogart, having an absolute gas at the podium together, clutching each other's faces for some nonsensical reason -- alcohol had to be involved -- is to get a glimpse of what life "inside" Hollywood was, back in the day. And Hope was supremely good with a quip, "I wish I had his ball bearings," he said, as Bogie headed off stage right. In his later years, Hope's self-deprecating wit tended to sound like the whine of an irritating elderly uncle, but in his hale and hearty days, it worked.

The envelope, please: There's a reason he had the career he had.

Hosts with the most
continued

The nominee: Johnny Carson

Hosted: five times (1979-1982, 1984)

The monologue: What made Carson so great? The man had an extraordinarily healthy ego, one that didn't require strokes from the outside world (kind of like Barack Obama). This was a man who had four wives and was wise enough to always crack the first joke about that statistic. He was a star, and elusive in his way, but always very human. Stopped for drunk driving in 1982, he had the good humor to show up at the "Tonight Show" the next week with a police escort.

He didn't need us, but, at the same time, it was clear he liked us quite a bit. The Oscars were important to us, and he understood that, but he never took it too seriously. He knew how to mock his Hollywood brethren ("I see a lot of new faces, especially on the old faces") in a style that was both wicked and gentle. His wit was remarkably self-deprecating, but never whiny (Letterman, take note) or snotty (ahem, Mr. Martin). Here's how he summed up 1983: "My personal life has been exactly like this year's Academy Awards. It started off with "Terms of Endearment," I thought I had "The Right Stuff," it cost a lot to dress her ["The Dresser"], then came "The Big Chill," and the past month, I've been begging for "Tender Mercies.""

From his many late nights in television, he had a keenly developed sense of the timely joke; returning from commercial break during the era of the Iranian hostage crisis, he said, "For those of you who have just joined us at home, this is Day 164 of the Oscar telecast. America has not forgotten you and President Carter is working on a plan for your release." He had a certain dignity -- the man could hang with Miss Piggy and not look ridiculous -- but mostly, Johnny Carson had serious cool.

The envelope, please: Legend, sorely missed, still.

The 10 Sexiest Men Over 40
These guys combine great looks with generous hearts.
By Sharon O'Brien

By the time we reach our 40s, most of us have figured out that being sexy is as much about who we are as how we look. No matter what the mirror tells us each morning, we want to feel a sense of accomplishment in our life, and we're drawn to that same quality in the people we find most attractive. So while this list of sexy men over 40 includes the usual chiseled features, great smiles and well-toned bodies, these 10 gorgeous guys also exude an extraordinary amount of talent, generosity and commitment to others.

George Clooney, 47
His combination of good looks and wry humor, plus his work as advocate for the people of war-torn Darfur, puts multi-talented George Clooney at the top of our list of sexy men over 40. Oscar-nominated for screenwriting ("Good Night, and Good Luck") and acting ("Michael Clayton"), he's not just another pretty face. Named by Time Magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world, Clooney also was named a United Nations messenger of peace for his efforts to publicize the atrocities in Darfur and to encourage government leaders to take action (including a recent White House meeting with President Barack Obama). Clooney devotes time to friends and family as well as his career, and he never takes himself too seriously. Plus, he's often unattached, which feeds the fantasies of women worldwide.

Denzel Washington, 54
The senior member of this list is multi-talented Denzel Washington—actor, family man, author, director and humanitarian. Critically acclaimed for acting, in which he often portrays characters who challenge rules and expectations, Washington has received three Golden Globes, two Academy Awards, and two honorary doctorates for his work. In 2006, he published the best-selling book, A Hand to Guide Me, in which famous people acknowledge their childhood mentors. A spokesperson for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, an organization he participated in as a child, Washington also supports children's charities in Africa. He also donated $1 million to re-establish Wiley College's debate team, which was featured in "The Great Debaters," a film he directed and starred in. And the cherry on the cake? This sexy guy has been happily married for more than 25 years—a near-record in Hollywood.

Brad Pitt, 45
Never one to rest on his genetically blessed laurels, Brad Pitt combines good looks with heart and commitment. A Golden Globe nominee for his work in "Legends of the Fall" and Oscar-nominated for "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," Pitt has aimed his significant charisma at creating and publicizing the Make It Right Foundation, which is working to rebuild the Katrina-ravaged Lower Ninth Ward in New Orleans with sustainable housing that honors the community's spirit. Pitt and his partner, Angelina Jolie, have donated millions of dollars and much of their personal time to publicizing and supporting projects in Africa and Haiti. A devoted father to his growing family, Pitt could easily win a "hottest dad" contest.

Barack Obama, 47
Younger and much more fit than many past U.S. presidents, Barack Obama is our sexiest chief exec since JFK. Obama combines a brilliant mind, a deep humanitarian interest and the ability to inspire people, topped by a great smile and a witty sense of humor. Long interested in human rights, Obama was a community organizer in Chicago working for low-income housing, and following law school (where he was the first African-American to edit the Harvard Law Review), he became a civil rights lawyer. Obama even won a Grammy for the audio version of his best-selling autobiography. He's handsome, he's smart, and he adores his family—what could be sexier than that?

Hugh Jackman, 40
Triple threat Hugh Jackman (he's an actor, singer and dancer) combines talent with the smoldering good looks and six-pack abs we like to see. Jackman may be best known as Wolverine in the "X-Men" movie series, in which he makes a bad attitude and claws look sexy. But he has won awards for his work on Broadway, including a 2004 Tony for Outstanding Actor in the musical, "The Boy from Oz," and an Emmy in 2004 for hosting the Tonies on television. In keeping with the hunks-with-heart theme, let's mention that Jackman is a strong supporter and speaker for the Global Poverty Project, which is working to create a grassroots movement to eradicate extreme poverty around the world.

Anderson Cooper, 41
With piercing blue eyes, a wicked smile and a smooth on-camera delivery, Anderson Cooper could make a news junkie out of just about anyone. Winner of multiple Emmys and journalism awards for his in-depth coverage of human and environmental crises, Cooper balances professionalism with empathy in a most attractive way. Born into a wealthy family (he's the son of heiress/designer Gloria Vanderbilt), Cooper does his best work in jeans, traveling the world in search of human-interest stories that tug at the heart and inspire us to get involved.

Van Jones, 41
A true enviro-hunk, Van Jones is a busy man. The author of the 2008 New York Times best-seller, The Green-Collar Economy, Jones is the founder of Green For All, an organization dedicated to creating green jobs in impoverished areas. He also recently joined the White House Council on Environmental Quality as special advisor to President Obama on green jobs, enterprise and innovation. Describing himself as a "bookish" child (his twin sister says he was a geek), Jones proves the theories that a) bald is beautiful; and b) smart guys finish first. Maybe we should have paid more attention to the nerds we knew in high school.

Hugh Laurie, 49
Cambridge-educated Hugh Laurie was a famous actor (and best-selling author) in England years before he became a household name in the United States for his role as the irascible and sexy doctor on "House." Long and lean, with smoldering blue eyes and a perpetual five-o'clock shadow, Laurie makes the brilliant, bad-boy doctor a genuine heartthrob. Laurie's American accent was so good during his audition that the director who cast him didn't realize he was a Brit, but he doesn't fake his musical expertise on the show. An accomplished singer, pianist and guitarist, Laurie performs with an L.A. group called The Band from TV, which donates its fees to worthy causes.

Gavin Newsom, 41
If Hollywood was casting the part of a big city mayor with Robert Redford-ish qualities, they couldn't do better than movie-star handsome Gavin Newsom, mayor of San Francisco. A poli-sci major in college, he turned his wine shop into a multimillion dollar business just three years after graduation, and was elected mayor just seven years after first getting involved in city government. Unafraid to take a stand for what he believes in, Newsom signed a plan to provide universal healthcare for San Franciscans, pioneered a program to provide city services to the homeless, and made headlines with his directive to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples (though it was later overturned). Now he's being mentioned as a candidate for California governor. Whether you agree with his politics or not, this is one sexy guy who knows how to get things done.

Javier Bardem, 40
One look at Javier Bardem in "Vicky Christina Barcelona," and we're willing to forget the psychopathic killer he played in "No Country for Old Men." With his smoldering good looks, the Spanish actor gives new meaning to the word smoldering, but he's not willing to bank on looks alone. The hard-working Bardem, who made his film debut has a child, has been nominated for numerous awards for roles ranging from a quadriplegic to a bullfighter. Along the way, Bardem has earned a reputation for immersing himself so completely in a role that he is often hard to recognize. Ever willing to speak his mind, this handsome hunk is also an outspoken critic of Spain's ruling party and an advocate for social reform.