Seth MacFarlane brings laughs, jabs and music to 2013 Oscars

Host Seth MacFarlane speaks during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on Feb. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. / Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP

He sang, danced, made some insults and managed to be self-deprecating in his 15-minute-plus intro at the 85th Academy Awards.

Seth MacFarlane was arguably a "risky" choice as host for the sometimes stiff Academy. "What would he do?" many thought before going into the 2013 Oscars. Apparently, a lot.

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With an opening song, called "We Saw Your Boobs," the "Family Guy" creator did not disappoint in terms of edginess, calling out actresses who have gone topless on the big screen. MacFarlane also dressed as a flying nun in another taped sketch with "Lincoln" star Sally Field, which ended with the two kissing.

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Oscars 2013: Show highlights

"I honestly can't believe I'm here," MacFarlane said, adding, "It's an honor that everyone else said 'no.' From Oprah all the way to Ron Jeremy."

MacFarlane then went through the best picture nominees, lobbing jabs all around, including one at the Academy itself, which neglected to nominate Ben Affleck in the best director category.

"The film is so top secret that the film's director is unknown to the Academy," MacFarlane said to a lot of applause. "They know they screwed up."

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Oscars 2013: Red carpet

He went on to mention how winning an Oscar can lead to a successful career. "Last year Jean Dujardin won best actor for 'The Artist' -- and look now he's everywhere," MacFarlane joked.

When speaking about Quentin Tarantino's violent film, "Django Unchained," MacFarlane said Chris Brown and Rihanna would call it "a date movie."

MacFarlane also called out "Silver Linings Playbook" star Jennifer Lawrence, who had joked at the Golden Globes that she beat Meryl Streep for best actress. "Whether I win or lose, it's an honor Meryl Streep wasn't nominated," MacFarlane said about Lawrence on Sunday.

Things got more interesting when a video screen emerged onstage, featuring actor William Shatner as Captain James T. Kirk of "Star Trek," who proceeded to "look into the future" to forecast that MacFarlane would be dubbed the "worst Oscars host ever."

"Your jokes are tasteless and inappropriate, and everyone ends up hating you," said Shatner, noting, "I'm here to stop you from doing what you're about to do."

That prompted MacFarlane to show off his song and dance skills, performing "The Way You Look Tonight," with Charlize Theron and "Magic Mike" star Channing Tatum. Daniel Radcliffe and Joseph Gordon-Levitt then joined MacFarlane for a version of "High Hopes."

MacFarlane attempted to keep his humor going throughout the night, at one point joking that the Oscars ceremony, which is held on Sunday, is like church, "but only with with more people praying."

"Our next presenter portrayed a raging alcoholic in the movie '28 Days,' which is kind of a weird coincidence because I'm going to be playing one in about an hour and a half," he said when introducing presenter Sandra Bullock.

Later, MacFarlane managed to make an Abraham Lincoln joke, reminding viewers that actor Raymond Massey was an Oscar nominee for 1940's "Abe Lincoln in Illinois." "I would argue that the actor who really got inside Lincoln's head was John Wilkes Booth," MacFarlane said. "A hundred and 50 years later, and it's still too soon?"

"It's a balance between not being completely dismissive of the ceremony, but at the same time, injecting a little bit of a lighter sensibility than maybe we've seen in the past," MacFarlane told The Associated Press in the days leading up to the ceremony. ''The Oscars does have a history of taking itself so deadly seriously. And while it obviously is a ceremony that's important to the people involved, you know we're not curing cancer here. So if there's any subtle reminder that I'll try to inject into the show tonally, it would be that."

Tell us: How did MacFarlane do as Oscars host?

[ChrisBaron123]

McFarlane did a great job at keeping things decent while being edgy, and I would like to see him host again some time. He seemed to be knowledgeable about past and present Hollywood and he was pretty good in all of the musical numbers. It was a really fun night of awards, and I am so glad that I didn't miss it because I was working late at DISH last night. I love how my DISH Hopper records everything on ABC during primetime and saves it for a week, so I never miss anything when something unexpected comes up.

[pon115]

Worst ever without a doubt.

[Goldmel]

I'm with you, McFarkabe was boring and in poor taste, that had to be the worse show of them all. I never want to see him again.

[thepaulsmith184]

Your crazy, Billy Crystal is only found funny on the Upper East Side of New York City and synogougs.

[Thinkbeforeyouwrite]

My opinion is Seth did a good job. I laughed many times. Humor is often on the edge of what's considered tasteful and it can upset people. Billy Crystal, who is loved by most people, had a few dingers at times, too. That is when he would say something "I'm only kidding" in that silly way he has. I thought the Boobs song was funny as actresses in different roles do go topless. If they had shown film clips from such roles, then I would say that went too far. I am a senior citizen and think some people do not have the sense of humor to watch the Oscars. It is not 1956 anymore, kiddos. I do see tasteless things in the news, TV, etc so I am not without misgivings about such things e.g. Tosh, which some of you probaboy love, offends me quite often.

[steeepe]

Things can be funny without being tasteless. I don't object at all to humor, but a bullet hole in Lincoln's head is funny? Maybe in 20 years the Oscars will be pornographic, anything goes. Maybe a song and dance about genitalia would be great for the kids to watch with their parents.

[Thinkbeforeyouwrite]

Steepe: You are exaggerating to make a point. I thought the Lincoln joke was stupid and I said he had a few "dingers".

[larkin1974]

We saw Boobs too. Seth!

[steeepe]

That guy was awful. Why can't the Oscars have a little class instead of being just crass? Do things have to be offensive and tasteless to appeal to a young audience? If so, doesn't say much good about America. Forget all the stupid song and dance routines and monologues. Who cares?

[mvanst]

At our annual Oscar party, with age demographics from 68 to 30, we all totally agreed that Seth MacFarlane was an excellent choice. We ALL howled with laughter in many areas. It was a refreshing change from past years. This sentiment was also enforced by discussions with co-workers, friends and other party goers today.

There will never be a host that everyone likes but from this Oscar lover - he was a hit!!!!

[honey240]

People are right when they say the Oscars is trying to appeal to a younger demographic. If you hadn't noticed, the younger viewers seem to decide what movies, music and television make the most money. Viewership for the oscars has never been stellar, and by hiring Seth they promised themselves quite the numbers from people being even curious to see what the off key comedian would produce. He was perfectly Seth if you ask me. What did people think was going to come from the man who has mocked or made fun of almost everyone in that building. Oscar GOLD was minted last night. Thank goodness for an Oscars show that didn't over sell how important actors are, and how us little no body's are. He made the viewers feel like their thoughts about how hilarious actress boob contracts are. If no one has noticed, every woman has boobs, and the famous ones get paid a lot to show theirs. He made it a joke. Well done Seth.
ON a side note, Totally loved the actors getting involved with the opening monologue. Charlize and Channing were beautiful. Daniel and Gordon were adorable. AND a big HECK YES to fellow cCanadian William Schatner. Never a bad moment when he is on screen.

[sallychicago]

He was okay, the songs went on too long though. It was a different kind of comedy, so you either got it you didn't. The Oscars takes itself too seriously.

[JimmerinNEPA]

With one billion viewers and one billion opinions: hosting the Oscars is a loosing proposition. I enjoy Seth and Yes, he's got a fratboy sense of humor at times. So what? The oscars are a not-so-delicate balance of nostalgia and self-promotion. Lighten up, its an awards show not a Presidential Address. As for tasteless? LOL. This Hollywood and show business. Whatever traffic will allow and create a buzz. As for bringing back Jay Leno please he's as dated as an 8-track.

Seth did a good job and as for his Lincoln joke: he got you to remember the show.

[dsjones26]

This has to go down as the most tasteless, stupid Oscar telecast ever. You're telling me that "We Saw Your Boobs", the comments on John Wilkes Booth & Lincoln, the Chris Brown and Rihanna a date movie joke where juvenile and only fit for a high school locker room was the BEST they could come up with. This is Hollywood & trying to appease the 18-25 demographics - you have to be kidding me - is the wrong message. The miscues were way too numerous - Paul Rudd & Melissa McCarthy bombed because nobody - even themselves - knew what they heck they were doing, the tribute to James Bond was a disjointed seeing the clips and not even one actor from the series & Shirley Bassey ended up saving the tribute. All in all the show was too long, too much Seth & what the HECK was the FLOTUS doing with the Oscars Best Picture reveal. What connection does she have to do with Hollywood? ***. Seth, the producers & writers did a disservice to the OSCARS and Hollywood.