Paul's take on the Oscars As host, Steve Martin really hit gold. Unlike that smug midget, Billy Crystal, he didn't rely on hackneyed effects or easy jokes. Crystal always comes off as too self-important, as if he's some sort of acting Zeus. Martin, on the other hand, was witty without coming across as condescending. Plus, he's actually a good actor himself.
People respect that.
When past hosts include Chevy Chase, Whoopi Goldberg and David Letterman, it's a welcome change to see someone who's excelled at the craft. I've watched Del Toro in a variety of movies, and while he's a long way from abysmal, he certainly isn't awe-inspiring. Except Mumbles didn't look like he was perpetually strung out. Anyone who looks that much like a corpse is sure to have presence. The Academy evidently aren't exactly the brain-trust, so for every deserving winner like Kevin Spacey, there's a Marisa Tomei or a Helen Hunt.