Smash producer Neil Meron recently recruited Family Guy and Ted creator Seth MacFarlane to serve as host as next year's Oscar. MacFarlane hasn't made his love of Broadway secret, having performed showtunes on a solo album and making frequent references to musicals on his many hit animated series. So does Meron, who's produced the revivals of How to Succeed and Promises, Promises have any plans to eventually bring MacFarlane to Broadway?
“That would be a dream come true,” Meron told Broadway.com at the premiere of his Steel Magnolias remake. “The furthest thing from our conversations right now is for Seth to do a Broadway musical, but it’s a great idea. Now it’s in the forefront,” he said with a laugh.
Hey, if the South Park guys can become the toast of the Great White Way with The Book of Mormon, who knows what the Family Guy honcho might have up his sleeve. But first things first: The Academy Awards.
“He is the consummate host because of all his various talents," Meron said of why he and producing partner Craig Zadan picked the funny man to emcee the 2013 ceremony. "He is a great writer, he is charming, he has an acknowlgement of the past in terms of the traditions of the great hosts and he thinks forwardly. We think he can add a freshness to this job. He was the perfect choice."
With Meron and Zadan's experience on Broadway and the Grammy-nominated MacFarlane's singing talents, it's a given he'll belt out a tune or two during the broadcast, right? “He’s a great singer and he certainly loves it,” Meron said. “[It’s] too soon to tell. We are just beginning to figure that out now.”
The 85th Academy Awards are scheduled for February 24. Until then watch MacFarlane perform "Ya Got Trouble" from The Music Man below.