Is Hugh Jackman a Good Choice for Oscar Host?

Wolverine and Australia major motion picture star Hugh Jackman has been chosen to host this year's Oscars. Jackman has widespread visibility (everyone knows who he is) and a surprisingly positive public image -- unlike "snarky" comedians who have been chosen in the past, Jackman reportedly accepted the hosting gig on condition that he not be asked to tell jokes.

The selection of Jackman as Oscar host promises to bring a certain element of respectful, if bland, class to the widely televised event.

Previous Oscar hosts, such as Comedy Central's Jon Stewart, brought in the viewers but also an equal dose of controversy.

Also, the gig is expected to help Jackman's career -- his latest film, Australia, "flopped hard" at the box office according to USA Today. Many found the long and epic Baz Luhrmann film to be simply too long, and too epic, to the point of becoming tedious.

The Oscars ceremony will be telecast live on February 22nd on the ABC television network, so we will all know soon enough how Jackman compares to previous hosts such as Whoopi Goldberg, Billy Crystal, and Jon Stewart -- but I predict he will do an exceptional job, allowing the stars to shine and not overpowering the ceremony itself with jokes or snark.