Billy Crystal tweets: I'm "doing the Oscars"

Actor Billy Crystal speaks onstage during the 83rd Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 27, 2011, in Hollywood, Calif.

/ Getty Images

(CBS) Billy Crystal will replace Eddie Murphy as the host of the 2012 Oscars.

He tweeted the news, "Am doing the Oscars so the young woman in the pharmacy will stop asking my name when I pick up my prescriptions. Looking forward to the show."

Pictures: Billy Crystal

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences confirmed the news Thursday afternoon.

This will mark Crystal's ninth time hosting the awards ceremony.

It was unclear at first who would host the next Academy Awards telecast, after Eddie Murphy stepped down. Murphy's move came after Brett Ratner resigned as producer Tuesday amid fallout over an anti-gay slur.

Many names were being tossed around by the media, including Crystal's, Hugh Jackman, Steve Martin and Jon Stewart; there's was also talk about bringing in a first-time host such as Tina Fey, Neil Patrick Harris, Ricky Gervais, Justin Timberlake or Ben Stiller.

And non-human hosts were considered by some: There were Twitter and Facebook pages pushing Kermit the Frog and his Muppets pals as Oscar hosts.

After Ratner's resignation, Academy organizers tapped Brian Grazer, producer of "A Beautiful Mind," to fill the producer slot.

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[baileyccc]

Well they finally got the money right to get Crystal to return and they had too get it right after the debacle with Murphy.

[erasmus111]

Someone said he was 70, but he is 63.

[erasmus111]

YES!! Can't wait! I stopped watching the Oscars, but now that he will be hosting again, I will watch it just for him.

[Jaylah54]

I know a lot of people were actually hoping that Billy would be brought back as host even before Eddie was chosen.

[mollydtt]

If Billy Crystal is hosting, I will actually watch this year.

[scottpatrick1234]

Celebrities giving themselves more awards. Shocking! They are the most awarded human beings on the planet . . . for being good at pretending.

[longtree-2009]

ugh.

[hamiltongrad]

1983.