The speculation has been mounting. (Somewhere, I guess. Not really here, but we’ll report it anyway.) For a while, the hot rumor was Ricky Gervais as host of the 81st Annual Academy Awards, but didn’t you know deep down that was too good to be true? So who would it be? Surely not Whoopi. Please merciful Academy, not Robin Williams. How about Jon Stewart? We like the Jon Stewart. That sounds good, let’s go with…no? No Jon Stewart? Stephen Colbert, perhaps? No, the host of the 2009 Oscar ceremony will be…

Huh. Hugh Jackman. Well, that’s…really? Hugh Jackman? I know he can sing and dance, but can he deliver a comedic monologue? React quickly to televised faux pas? “With new producers, a new set director and even a new music director, the Academy has been hinting at an all new look and feel for this year's Oscars telecast on Feb. 22,” the AP reports. OK, fine. Just saying: Stewart would have been fine by us.