When the Academy signed Seth MacFarlane on as host, they were aiming to use the "Family Guy" creator's brand of provocation as an asset. Instead, his "edge" couldn't cut through many of the sleepily awkward, witlessly cruel and needlessly nepotistic minutes he had to fill as an entertainer with little knack for standup. He has the look of a host and added benefits as an energetic singer and dancer, but nothing could couldn't shake the cringe-worthiness of snide digs, at women in particular (see: "Boobs" song, Rex Reed/Adele's weight, flu "joke," "woman's innate ability to never ever let anything go" har har har). It's not that Hollywood pot-shots weren't there to be made or couldn't be made, it's just that they were just weak, and MacFarlane needed to sell them, perhaps in order to make his fraternity dues.

- Katie Hasty