Alec Baldwin: Steve Martin and I Did "Great" at the Oscars
Credit: Michael Caulfield/WireImage.com
It was double the fun for Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin at Sunday night's 82nd Annual Oscars -- as the two stars shared hosting duties throughout the more than three-hour-long ceremony.
"I think it went great!" Baldwin told UsMagazine.com at the Governor's Ball in Hollywood after the Oscars. "I think it went really well. We decided it wasn't about Steve and me, it's about the nominees and the presenters. You don't need to see us!"
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Critics, however, may have wanted to see more of the two hosts.
The New York Post's Linda Stasi wrote that "the two seriously funny guys got seriously funny," adding that "having all the Best Actor nominees on stage at once was great because it gave the hosts a way to start riffing on them all as they sat down."
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Variety added that the hosts' opening "felt suited to a Vegas nightclub -- and not necessarily in a bad way." Variety writer Brian Lowry's favorite part? "The duo simply singled out and riffed upon stars in the audience, from 'That damn Helen Mirren' ('Dame,' Baldwin corrected) to Zac Efron and Taylor Lautner, who were warned, 'Take a look at us, guys: This is you in five years.'"
And although The Hollywood Reporter complained that the telecast was "still the same old Oscars" and that the hosts suffered from some "hit-and-miss jokes," writer Andrew Wallenstein warmed to Martin and Baldwin. "Their chemistry crackled a bit more as the night progressed. Neither can claim a particularly memorable performance, but Martin's final words might have been his funniest: 'The show is so long that 'Avatar' now takes place in the past.'"
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USA Today writer Robert Bianco also thought having both hosts "just joke their way around the room" was a good idea. "Like much (though not all) of what Martin and Baldwin did in their periodic appearances, the routine was agreeably amusing in a friends-joshing-friends kind of way, though considering the ages of the hosts and their friends, it probably struck some of the younger members of the audience as old-fashioned."
Tell Us What You Think
28Like most others, I wondered what was up with Doogie opening the show... it wasn't the Tony awards. Alec and Steve were way too rehearsed. And they let it run horribly over schedule -- it was the 82nd show and yet they still can't contain it to 3 hours??? Dump some of the more obscure awards... And what was up with that old bottle red headed lady rudely interrupting her co-producer mid-story. The whole thing sucked... The "I'm a woman hear me roar" played after Bigelow won was patronizing. Get Billy Crystal back for next year.
I loved them, they were hilarious, just their expressions made me laugh! And I'm young so no, the younger generation didn't find them old fashioned.
I didn't think they were that bad...they just didn't do much of anything, really...I always liked Billy Crystal. He was consistently funny and who can forget that mock-up of the nude scene of Diane Keaton in "Something's Gotta Give"
They were so great together. Funny too and yes, George was playing along. People are so stupid when they can't take a joke. Love Alec, he's hilarios.
Baldwin and Martin were the worst hosts in my memory. Billy Crystal is looking better and better after seeing Alec and Steve! And "why"??? was Farrah F. overlooked in the eulogy tribute Was Swayze mentioned! The entire political thing was pretty bad! D.
Clooney is a better actor than I gave him credit for! I really thought he was pissed...I thought they were ribbing him for being such a big Toyota Prius fan (was that the joke??); I wasn't sure bec. I missed the main set up of the joke.
alec baldwin looked like he was on psych meds and totally out of it. not looking good at all. this guy is in dire need of some real help, not drugged up so he has no personality.
I think they were awful hosts and I hope to never see them do it again.
The few funny moments were courtesy of Robin Williams and Steve Martin, and most of the rest was pretty lame, and worse, unbefitting for the Academy Awards ceremony. It's sad how un-classy this special event has become.
George took it in 'fun'... there's obviously some 'inside' joke about the 'stern look' Baldwin and Clooney exchanged... even if they might not be the best of friends. And the heck with what the younger members think of 'friends joshing friends'... what do they want, 'gushing' or more serious rips? The younger members looked bored, probably because it was basically a family night and not some rude party.
George has a wonderfully wicked sense of humor, of course he was playing along.....
Clooney was IN on the jokes from Alec Baldwin, people. That's why he was making those faces, he was in on it. Are you stupid on here or what!
Hated that Patrick Harris opened the show, how horrid was that! I almost turned the station right there! Fire whoever chose him, what's he got to do with movies and the Oscars, he's horrible, untalented, nasty. He ruined the start of the show, that's for sure.
FOOLS, it was a running JOKE with Clooney, he was IN ON IT. That's why he was looking like that and making faces, are you stupid or something on here?
Balwin's funny. I thought they did great and thought they should have done more jokes and entertaining. The show was pretty boring, they should have been given more to do. That opening act with Doogie was HORRID. WHY would they open the Oscars with him, he's NASTY. I almost turned the station right then, that was bad, fire whomever choose him! Martin and Balwin should have sang and done an opening act, why not, it should have been them, they were the hosts, NOT the untalented flaming freak, can't stand that guy, even if he were straight, he's nasty.
LOOOOOOOOVE Alec Baldwin!!! Thought they did awesome. And I loved how they suprised us w/Neil Patrick Harris at the top of the show!
Clooney, Martin and Baldwin all are friends-- George was not ticked, he was playing along.
they were amazing!!! they were funny and relevant and made the show fun to watch. to tessa: are you serious??? it was part of their act and clooney was part of it!
that is spelled especially. dang.
People... that was a planned set up on Clooney.... but, George, your hair pulled into your face still isn't going to make you look even close to the age of the babysitter you took to the party. Pick on someone your own age... chemistry wasn't there... she isn't interest in you... lights only!