James Franco & Anne Hathaway as Oscar hosts: What's the verdict? (POLL)

Anne Hathaway and James Franco host the 83rd Academy Awards on Feb. 27, 2011, in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles.

/ AP

(CBS) James Franco and Anne Hathaway are hosting the Academy Awards, apparently to get the younger crowd into the show. Hathaway even made a joke about it when she and Franco first appeared on stage.

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PICTURES: Oscars show highlights
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PICTURES: Oscar Hosts

Some of the bits have worked well. The opening montage had its moments - and appearances by Alec Baldwin and Morgan Freeman didn't hurt. But let's be honest: Hathaway's dance of the brown duck didn't really work.

And then Hathaway dressed up in a tuxedo and mocked Hugh Jackman in song. And it wasn't bad. But it wasn't particularly inspired, either. James Franco joined Hathaway in drag. Again, amusing. Not particularly inspired. But at least Hathaway had a floor-length flapper-esque gown that shook whenever she wanted it to.

But do we watch the Academy Awards for the hosts? (At least there hasn't been anything as awkward as David Letterman's "Oprah! Uma!" gag.)

How do you think Franco and Hathaway are doing? Take our poll and explain your view in the comments.

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Oscar show highlights

[voxpopulus]

I like both of them, but they were outside their areas of expertise or comfort. They were not good hosts, although they were game enough to try.

And I agree with the comment about Melissa Leo. She came across as phony and desperate for notoriety.

[szapper08]

There was no real chemistry between Anne and Franco. Johnny Carson and Bob Hope were the BEST. Billy Crystal is a close second.

[berwynil]

I agree with previous comments that there was little chemistry between the two co-hosts. Anne could have done the show on her own. She has the talent, she related to the audience and she has the personality.

The Oscar host should be someone who can think on their feet. Actors, for the most part, need a script. On the other hand, an actor who has a great deal of improv training would do well.

[Whatthef_]

They were terrible! Anne tried but James was hard to watch. Let the actors act and the comedians do their thing!

[07281974]

Ann Hathaway and James Franco were two different types of personalities as co-hosts for the 2011 Academy Awards. This is what made the co-hosts so interesting. This handsome young couple showed poise and looked great on TV and had a clean act.

Kind regards,
Anthony Joseph Lucchese

[chris0908]

Anne Hathaway & James Franco (never heard of him nor wish to in the future)were a totally uninspired choice, they were terrible and the whole ceremony lacked glamor, entertainment, imagination, it looked like it was put together in a rush. Gweneth Paltrow & Florence & the Machines???? Seriously? I was totally disappointed, it was very boring show and I could hardly wait for it to end. Thank God for Billy Crystal who managed to thaw for a few minutes the frozen atmosphere.

[lexibella11]

I'd like to thank the Academy for spending $9.95 on the production of the show and $100,000 on the backstage drugs.

And Anne Hathaway should have smoked something too because she was HORRIBLE...WOOOOO!!!

[tlouct]

Hathaway was o.k.; Franco looked detached, above it all, and smug. The Oscars need a comedian. Why they ever let Billy Crystal go is beyond me. When he came out on stage last night, he should have been allowed to take over.

[melfinmo]

The writing was terrible! The two hosts had no chemistry. As soon as someone won, I muted the sound because I was so sick of hearing Anne Hathaway yell "WOO" like she was at a Lakers game.

[critteress]

they were terrible.....i turned it off half way through