News Flash: Jack Donaghy, Navin R. Johnson Hosting Oscars

Well it looks like Award Season might be tolerable this year. First came the news that the always funny Ricky Gervais would host the Golden Globes, but now comes the word from Variety that Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin will co-host this year’s Oscar ceremony.  The news came down not long after it was rumord that Ben Stiller, Robert Downey Jr., and last year’s host Hugh Jackman all turned the gig down. Jackman delivered a ratings boost last year, and his opening number beat out Flight of the Conchords at the Emmys (yep, still pissed about that), but apparently it was too much for Wolverine to do again. The Hollywood speculation machine has already been cranked to a start with rumors that Baldwin’s 30 Rock co-star Tina Fey will help write the ceremony. I’m not sure how the two host thing will work, but Steve Martin is a comedic god and Alec Baldwin has been terrific on both 30 Rock and in his many stints as guest host of Saturday Night Live. But then again, the Oscars did chew up the always funny Jon Stewart twice, so we’ll see how it goes.