Top 10 Worst Award Show Hosts Ever

In hindsight, these celebrities really shouldn't have hosted award shows. Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for award ceremony hosts who, despite all their talents, failed to be engaging, didn’t read the room, or put in a lackluster effort. Our countdown for the worst award show hosts ever includes Seth MacFarlane at the “85th Academy Awards” (2013), Chelsea Handler at the “2010 MTV Video Music Awards” (2010), Jo Koy at the “81st Golden Globe Awards” (2024), Kelsey Grammer at the “40th Annual Grammy Awards” (1998), and more! Who would you like to see host an award show? Let us know in the comments!
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#Award #Hollywood #Celebrity #Film #TV #Movies #Actor #Music #GoldenGlobes #Grammys

[@WatchMojo]

Who would you like to see host an award show? Let us know in the comments! For more content like this, click here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h53cYoewiZaEq6c Don't forget to play our Live Trivia (www.watchmojo.com/play) games at 3pm EST for a chance to win cash! The faster you answer, the more points you get!

[@danielsantiagourtado3430]

Love your content 😊😊😊

[@roxy5588]

Ariana Grande.

[@Jaime.Lannister]

You should be ashamed of putting Jo Koy because of Taylor Swift's cracked ego

[@TimLoyalToWifeHaterFreeZoneA]

Love It WatchMojo.

[@jcj268]

HOW DARE YOU DISS ANGELA LANGSBURY!!!!!!!

[@joenesvick7043]

Seth McFarlane was the whole reason I actually watched the Oscars that year

[@megalon73]

I thought he was the Best Out there to host the Oscars.

[@beyondview]

"We... sucked" 😂Anne Hathaway seems to be genuinely funny I don't know why she gets so much hate😂

[@marcuscyron7382]

She is female. More is not necessary for a lot of people.

[@megalon73]

As I remember, She did more the presenting. Then James Franco? Who Pop out randomly.

[@AJ-xc4qe]

I'm noticing a pattern of choosing random out of nowhere celebrities to host in milestone award shows: 45th Grammys, 40th Emmys, 75th Oscars, etc

[@gracestayner2033]

When Jo Koy described The Barbie Movie I was like wow, you’ve really learned nothing have you.

[@misterejire]

I think Che and Jost were pretty good. A room full of beautiful rich people that cant laugh at themselves is a tough crowd.

[@isaacmartinez6904]

Billy Crystal knows how to host the Oscars. I hope he does it again.

[@freiflug83]

That's the problem. Can't always be him

[@rrubio6660]

"Former talk-show legend." There's something not grammatical about that phrase. Is David Letterman no longer a "talk-show legend? It should have been the "legendary former talk-show host."

[@alexgrant191]

Just give Rick Gervais a 10 year contract for every award show & we are golden 😂❤️

[@roxy5588]

You should do a video on the Best Award show hosts including Ricky Gervais at the Golden Globes and Billy Crystal at the Oscars.

[@KD-xp2eo]

I loved Seth MacFarlane as the host. I thought he was hilarious.

[@StudySleepMeditation]

Bring back Billy Crystal and Steve Martin for one last hurrah!

[@jacobgriffeth3068]

Seth Mcfarlane is known for this kind of humor... I'm not really sure what you should be expecting? Not really his fault for doing what he is successful for doing?

[@MrGUnit27]

I'm surprised Neil Patrick Harris didn't make this list. He's such a talented performer (and did an excellent job hosting the Tonys a few years earlier), which makes it all the more disappointing that his attempt at hosting the Oscars in 2015 was such a swing and a miss.

[@thomaspiedmont]

Yes, totally agree. His hosting of the Oscars was a disaster

[@DanielleCalifornia]

The WORST Awards Show Host EVER is Sebastian Maniscalco at the 2019 MTV VMA's. UNFUNNY & BORING !!!

[@marcusdanelon8253]

why, what did he say or do?

[@MeganKoumori]

Screw the critics. I would give an organ to go back in time and watch Angela Lansbury at the Emmys. Not the gallbladder, they already took it, but I'm not using my appendix.

[@robertawalsh2995]

Angela Lansbury was a talented actress, which is one of the reasons that she had such a long and successful career. The committee that did the hiring should take the blame for not hiring a standup comic to partner with her on that show.

[@MeganKoumori]

@robertawalsh2995 She was the OG Mrs. Lovett, so she was more than capable of being funny. Just not the kind of "funny" the Emmys wanted.

[@DannerBanks]

Bryant Gumbels idea of a good time is licking a postage stamp

[@DeAnimeJ]

😂

[@MORON_Gaming]

This is why I don't watch award shows

[@bighand1530]

They are a bore

[@ARTSONICFAN990]

Unless its the VGA'S. 😂

[@empoweredshemphoward]

I would rather watch paint dry.

[@jasonfamilia6479]

Same 🙄

[@Dehuel802]

DON'T US!!! LOL. I love and enjoy to watch Award Shows until now.

[@tyrannosaurusburke]

Justin Timberlake hosting the ESPYs in 2008 should have at least gotten an honorable mention.

[@tomosmarland4637]

Shocked there is no mention of Amy Schumar, Wanda Sykes and Reginal hosting the 94th Academy Awards (2022) wasn't included on the list. They trashed the movies that were nominated, pulled up men to 'perform a covid test'(the way that sketch was performed felt like borderline harrasment) and Shumar was rude enough to guests by referring to Kirsten Dunst as her seat filler. All in all, the trio did nothing more but drag a ceremony (which failed in being a short show, even if 8 nominated categories were pulled from the live show)

[@jaclynsanture6643]

Seth Rogen at the Oscars was one of the worst host, he was awful for me to watch.

[@bennywark3103]

I liked them. Wanda was hilarious

[@dannyaraya8017]

hosts are supposed to talk shit & be jerks

[@jaclynsanture6643]

@@dannyaraya8017 Sadly. that is the truth.

[@notperfectandneverwillbe4825]

​@@bennywark3103I agree. Wanda should have just hosted alone.

[@fantasticshitsandwheretota9460]

Bring in Gordon Ramsay. As long as he isn't roasting you, it's funny

[@geviesanta3631]

I feel like several of the marvel actors that played the Avengers putting in a joint effort of hosting an award show was definitely the best thing I ever got to see in a award show. No joking, it was so worth it.

[@ginaroman6803]

Who is Jo Koy? I never heard of him.

[@anniebanzon1471]

Jo Koy is a comedian, and he has his own movie!

[@hayeonkim7838]

Thanks for interesting and funny video as always 😂😂😂

[@sandarbhpandey7]

Jokoy seems like a nice guy but we also need to admit that it was not his day at 2024 81st Golden Globe Awards ❗ Comedy and making people laugh effortlessly and naturally is one of the hardest tasks, especially in today's world.

[@ferinate101]

dude was an a hole for throwing his writers under the bus like that. And the cringe when he said his jokes were the ones the audience were laughing at.

[@AntonXul]

⁠@@ferinate101 That was just another attempted joke to get a laugh. Clearly it failed, but that’s all it was. I don’t think he was trying to be an ass, it was nothing but a failed joke that went right over everyone’s head.

[@dcjoey26]

People are losing common sense these days. I hope Jo Koy will come back again as a host and roast all the softies. 😂

[@pyrokatarina]

​@@ferinate101he doesn't have his own writers. Its the golden globes writers, he wouldn't say that if that was actually his, and he writes his own jokes

[@dawnieb.7394]

@@pyrokatarina doesn't really matter though whose writers they were or weren't; awards shows are ALWAYS written by a horde, never by a single person. So whether he was trying to be an a-hole or not, the fact that he said what he did threw SOMEBODY under the bus. Not cool.

[@aaryamannambiar6677]

Jo Koy's gig at the Golden Globes made me wonder, WHY THE HELL didn't they give Jim Gaffigan a chance!? His 2 minute bit presenting an award was GREAT. And not to forget, Kristen Wiig and Will Ferrell are always great!

[@stingrey1571]

Colín jost and Michael Che were funny.

[@Jeremiah_Rivers76]

What were they thinking by asking James Franco to host?

[@welcometothemovies9157]

I think it was their way to make sure he wouldn't win best actor that year

[@PoSiTiVe1993]

Now do one with the best award show hosts!

[@muckster57]

Top 4 would be Ricky Gervais

[@coldvoid]

Gervais #1 ez.

[@roxy5588]

Billy Crystal is the best Oscars host ever! The guy is so hilarious, his musical numbers are so amazing and his what the stars are thinking. Absolutely brilliant. Really want him to host this year.

[@dawnieb.7394]

After Crystal & Gervais, it's NPH hosting the Tonys. Top 3, hands down.

[@rebeccamcdermott9259]

Surprised the pair who hosted that infamous Brit Awards weren't included.

[@mskrisclark684]

Perfect timing for this list after the 2024 Golden Globes. And I still enjoyed Dave at the Oscars. I'll admit it.

[@calebsmith254]

The video was inspired by Jo Koy's latest blunder😊

[@meiray]

Letterman at least had some decent pre-recorded bits that worked.

[@dawnieb.7394]

Same! The Oscars just wasn't the right crowd for his humor. All these years later I'm still laughing at "Uma, Oprah!" "Oprah, Uma!"

[@dawnieb.7394]

@@calebsmith254 you're not wrong...

[@texasmade2082]

Jo Koy sucked before the awards, he was never funny enough to host his own show

[@ScoobyandShaggy5554]

Kelsey may have been nervous but his jokes landed

[@amandaredd3057]

I agree

[@WinsberryEntertainment]

I laughed at the few clips watchmojo showed in the video.

[@ScoobyandShaggy5554]

@@WinsberryEntertainment exactly

[@BlenderStudy]

Thank you for the update, WatchMojo..!! 2:10 I think the show host's sense of humor is a must-have feature for all award shows.

[@ZombieHunter37]

Billy Crystal is the best award show host ever. Followed by Ricky Gervais and Seth McFarland.

[@camecex]

Ricky Gervais period

[@marciooliveira5451]

I hate Crystal

[@harryboyes2812]

How come Amy Schumer isn't on this list? She sucked so hard trying to host the 2022 Oscars. She isn't funny anyway, but that took her awfulness to whole new heights. Or should that be depths? Probably, seeing as she started off hitting rock bottom and then continued to dig.

[@bluegold1026]

Perhaps you could follow this up with the top 10 BEST award show hosts ever

[@tajellyfishxo]

Yes and we KNOW that Ricky Gervais has to be there

[@TheRManProds]

LOL CHELSEA HANDLER WITH THE HOUSE ON HER HEAD!

[@Phoenix-nl2ut]

Jo made me laugh. Not his fault the room sucked

[@JulieDelahooke]

I thoroughly enjoyed Seth MacFarlane as a host. I thought he did a great job. He had one joke that I will never forget. He was presenting the next presenter, Meryl Streep, and he said, “This lady needs no introduction.” And walks off stage without saying anything, and then Meryl Streep walks out. HILARIOUS.

[@meiray]

That joke was good. Singing about seeing Jodie Foster's boobs in a movie about rape was... not.

[@StefferKatz]

So the conclusion we can draw from this is that no matter the choice, the audience will never be entirely happy. You’ll even get people who are upset by the hosting gig before it even happens (see: Kevin Hart hosting the Oscars). Awards shows keep experimenting to find the right formula and nothing ever works…at least not for very long. That’s probably why the GGs took so long to find a host this year: they were panicking about who to hire that would please the most people…and ended up pleasing no one. Plus you have the awards winners themselves that people also get upset about. So I wonder, why even bother?

[@viki6259]

They try too hard to find someone that makes everyone laugh, politically correct for everyone... and that's impossible. Solution is easy: stop trying that hard. Get on stage someone that can express respect towards all the amazing professional there, introduce the awards simply and elegantly, and the job is done.

[@katherineknapp4370]

LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA SHOULD HOST THE OSCARS BECAUSE HE'S A GENIUS AND HE'S HILARIOUS, A WIN WIN!

[@user-qt6sf6yl1f]

I like that the thumbnail is Selena Gomez expression after the host cringy jokes

[@amandaredd3057]

Awards shows are never good. And for Pete's sake, if you have Seth hosting why would you not expect his type of humor?? Of course he'll go overboard and be crass - that's what he does!

[@Panwere36]

The fact that Jo Koy and Chelsea Handler are both on this list is not surprising, as he used to "date" her. However, I am not surprised she is much higher on the list, as she never had any talent to start with. Being the poster example of what a "Wine/Vodka Aunt" is, she has always come off as fake and covertly miserable as well as overtly insufferable. Koy, on the other hand, actually has talent and still hits with timeless humor. However.. I think that the only reason he is on the list is because if he weren't, the "Swifties" would have conniptions.

[@Animeguy300]

This makes me not want to watch award shows anymore

[@manoftheusajones5147]

TOP 10 Ugliest Cartoons

[@Dehuel802]

You alone not us.

[@sekenamcmurren2217]

What's with Letterman's 100 year old beard and awkward James Franco and Ann Hathaway!! Now I know why many people don't watch Award shows anymore.😕📺

[@MarcLPlaskett]

the “yikes” at 3:37 cracked me up like y is it so visceral

[@oldkitten8598]

Colin Jost & Michael Che and Seth MacFarlane were the best award show hosts. If anything, Ellen DeGeneres just proved that the audience is too hungry to enjoy the show.

[@JMTE27]

I would love to see Whoopi Goldberg host another event😊

[@dandyirishplay]

Hosts' material/jokes are at least reviewed and need a pass from TPTB. So the fault is not only who selects the host, but the one who gives a pass to the material prepared. It's on a teleprompter for heaven's sake!

[@ShadyRK9]

The 2022 Oscars with Amy Schumer Not even Wanda Sykes could save it!

[@jasonbodine6033]

Who is Amy Shoulmer?

[@Z-Strike026]

@@jasonbodine6033 I think he meant Amy Schumer, a notoriously hated comedien.

[@Suarez05]

The Smith-Rock incident is the ONLY thing that made the night Relevant.

[@ShadyRK9]

@@Suarez05 True! Facts! Nobody would be talking about the 2022 Oscars if it wasn't for the Will Smith slap!

[@mimzyc9949]

I don’t watch those shows because I’ll learn everything about it after they’re over.

[@scottfarrar3463]

Not fair to include Hathaway. Franco gave her absolutely nothing!!!!!!!!!!

[@garveyneal1672]

Can you do Top 10 best award show hosts?

[@Goat-tz6gs]

Cool video :D

[@Southparkandanimefan2023]

This is why I want cartoon characters to host the Oscars sometimes

[@AndreaDoesYoga]

😮 Wow, some of these choices were really unexpected! 🎬

[@jimb.7523]

3:11 - *Yep. That's THE Spencer Grammer of "Rick and Morty."*

[@Swordtee40]

I stopped watching award shows since 2019.

[@MarcLPlaskett]

why is this video so funny !!!

[@trusha_tungare]

Amy Schumer from 2022 Oscars! I was pissed off by her hosting! She trashed movies, especially the last duel (a movie that bombed at the box office by was actually really really good. The audacity Amy had as a tash actor herself to insult the movie! Ugh! Also joking about the slap and also the Kristen dusk think! Like why is she not in the list!

[@wojtek1765]

Letterman biggest regret should be trying eat Jenifer Anderson hair , admit to having multiple affair live on air

[@mewtustyle]

Bianca del Rio should host an Award Show.

[@laurenconrad1799]

You should have included Kevin Spacey at the Tonys.

[@getmario64]

Amy Schumer, Wanda Sykes, and Regina Hall are the worst ones by far in 94th Academy Awards. These ladies ruined it for the triple host and don't host them please. It's cringe to see Schumer just stole jokes again in 2022 and then she almost embraced Jesse Plemmons compared to Will Smith Oscar slap to Chris like no no no no, Kirsten you're my permission to slap that, Amy.

[@maddalonefarms]

9:47 The actors were aware of this before it was live

[@Lucky13777]

If we would have Ricku Jervais and Dave Chapelle - this will be dope :)

[@rexlumontad5644]

Celebrity Award Shows are echo chambers nowadays.

[@TheNaturalPatHarris]

Who said Taylor Swift was off limits ? It’s not like she’s having a bad year. Hollywood needs to lighten up a bit

[@tjwash5118]

Jo Koy is number 1 of any awards show ever, and the whole reason MoJo compiled this list.

[@rexlumontad5644]

Jo Koy: *mentioned* Filipinos: *start typing on their keyboard or phones in the comment section*

[@Barbara_TQT]

Billy Crystal was my favorite host (Oscars)

[@aaryamannambiar6677]

I disagree so much with Seth MacFarlane being on this list. Sure, the monologue was a little rocky in the beginning, but he had so many great, bold jokes and elegant musical numbers throughout the Oscars. Far from one of the worst hosts at The Oscars.

[@maddalonefarms]

0:22 There’s a typo next to 2024

[@joepattersontheartguy]

Seth MacFarlane is my favorite of the hosts

[@colleen4ever]

0:32- Boy you guys do NOT believe in wasting any time, do you?

[@marshallsimpson9973]

I’m surprised the Wayne brothers aren’t on here from hosting mtv awards

[@Joydeep2000]

How about the Wayans brothers in the MTV Music Awards?

[@dr.rockzo]

Shaq & Chuck 2025 Oscar’s….book it!!

[@margarethmichelina5146]

Replace Seth McFarlane with Amy Schumer on the same Oscar year where Will Smith Slap happened. Seriously, who even like Amy Schumer and who even invited her as the host?

[@marciooliveira5451]

James Franco was the worst host I've seen in my life

[@braethenerd5109]

This is why normal people don't watch award shows

[@AirPop15]

Gabriel Iglesias

[@tarun894]

Jimmy Fellon, Kevin Hart & Ricky Gervais. But Ant & Deck could do so good at Emmys or BAFTA

[@zitrofeld]

Jo Koy did a great job ❤

[@freiflug83]

Keep drinking the Kool Aid bud 🙃

[@brighteyes4927]

@@freiflug83wow so original kiddo.

[@freiflug83]

@@brighteyes4927 ok boomer

[@olleselin]

Just so you guys know, the Emmys are happening on Tuesday

[@Krassus7101]

8:55 I actually laughed at that

[@cowetascore8476]

Move Jo Koy up about 8 spaces. David Letterman was miles ahead of that drek

[@criminalmindsgirl2936]

There are worst hosts than James Franco. I mean, Jamie Foxx was awful as the host of the 2001 MTV Video Music Awards

[@joelmartinezfantini9973]

Where tf is Regina Hall, Amy Schumer and Wanda Sykes in the 94th academy awards?? They were a cringey trash

[@abc.animal5143]

Jo Koy is usually hilarious but this years show wasn’t it.

[@jobrakai9395]

Award shows are shit anymore. THEY’RE IRRELEVANT

[@SirsasthNigam.]

Razzies gave themselves Worst actress at 42nd Raspberry Awards

[@michaelmonthey5974]

I don’t watch award shows to listen to hosts. Hosts are part of the reason why I stopped watching award shows because they try too hard to be funny, but they are not.

[@shahwalkhan5908]

Lets be honest, nobody watches these shows anyway

[@thecrowpit24]

I watched about five minutes of this year's golden globes and changed the channel. The jokes were so cringey.

[@Tavtav66]

Amy Schumer at the 2022 Oscars was the worst

[@timetodiveonin]

I didnt mind Seth's hosting.

[@COMPFUNK2]

I figured the biggest professional embarrassment of Letterman‘s life would be when everyone found out that he Weinstein’d women (a runner-up would be the Starland Vocal Band TV show).