Every year the Academy Awards take place, and pretty much every year the ceremony is too long, saddled with segments that should've been cut or are included because of tradition. And every morning following the Oscars, many commentaries point out multiple ways the show is dull or should be improved. Needless to say, the Oscars needs a serious creative rewrite, and Will Ferrell had a great idea and offered to host the 2012 show, and of course the producers said no.
The context: In November 2011, it was announced that Eddie Murphy would not host after Brett Ratner, the director who had recently worked with Murphy, was relieved of producing duties after he had used a gay slur. Brian Grazer then stepped in to take over the show, Ferrell's manager got in touch, and this is what happened.
"We [meaning himself and Zach Galifianakis; the two were making "The Campaign" at the time] will host the Oscars if you do a campaign that you can't find an Oscars host up...
