Oscars 2022 to have a host for the first time in four years

US comedian Jimmy Kimmel was the last to take on hosting duties in 2018

The Academy Awards decided to go with a no-host format in 2019 and 2020. AFP

The Academy Awards will have a host when the ceremony takes place on March 27. The announcement was made on Tuesday by Craig Erwich, president of Hulu Originals and ABC Entertainment, during a virtual press tour.

Erwich didn't share names of a potential host, however. "It might be me," he joked. ABC also said the ceremony will take place again at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.

Last year, the awards moved to the historic Union train station in Downtown Los Angeles with a small crowd of nominees and guests as a safety measure against Covid-19.

The 2019 Oscars was the first in 30 years not to have a host. Comedian Kevin Hart, who was originally lined up to present the live ceremony, stepped down after being slammed on social media for the homophobic tweets he had posted in the past, for which he later apologised.

That year, the Oscars opened with a performance by rock band Queen, celebrating the success of the film Bohemian Rhapsody. The reviews of the ceremony were well received, so broadcasting company ABC and the Academy Awards decided to go with a no-host format in 2020, too.

Amid the pandemic, the 2021 Oscars had a select number of A-list celebrities in attendance and the one-hour event was streamed across different times to accommodate time zones.

In 2018, US comedian Jimmy Kimmel was the last host of the Academy Awards, after also serving in the role in 2017. Other hosts over the past decade have included Chris Rock, Neil Patrick Harris, Ellen DeGeneres, Seth MacFarlane, Billy Crystal, James Franco and Anne Hathaway.

Ratings for the telecast have fallen in recent years, dropping to a record low of 10.4 million people in the US in 2021. Viewership of other awards shows has also declined.

Nominations for the 94th Academy Awards will be announced on February 8. The ceremony will take place on March 27.

Scroll through the gallery below to see Oscars hosts over the years.

In 2018, US comedian Jimmy Kimmel was the host of the Academy Awards, after also serving in the role in 2017. AFP

Jimmy Kimmel, right, at the 2017 Oscars, watches on while 'La La Land' producer Jordan Horowitz shows the card stating that 'Moonlight' won the Best Picture Award. AFP

Chris Rock hosted the Academy Awards in 2016, with an opening monologue criticising the lack of black acting nominees. AFP

In 2015, Oscars host Neil Patrick Harris did a musical performance along with Anna Kendrick. AFP

In 2014, the award ceremony's host Ellen DeGeneres clicked the star-studded selfie that went viral.

Seth MacFarlane opened the 2013 Oscars with a 19-minute monologue that was criticised by many as racist and sexist. AFP

The 2012 Oscars host Billy Crystal has emceed the event a total of nine times. AFP

James Franco and Anne Hathaway's hosting of the 2011 event was criticised as among the worst Oscar telecasts. AFP

In 2010, veteran actors Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin played hosts at the Oscars ceremony. AFP

The 2009 event was highly praised for host Hugh Jackman's opening musical performance. AP Photo