[King Gizzard]

Seth MacFarlane will host the 85th annual Academy Awards, reports Deadline.com's Nikki Finke.

Moments after the Deadline.com report, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences sent out its own press release confirming the news.

"We are thrilled to have Seth MacFarlane host the Oscars. His performing skills blend perfectly with our ideas for making the show entertaining and fresh," said Academy Awards producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron in a statement. "He will be the consummate host, and we are so happy to be working with him."

MacFarlane has enjoyed an incredible 2012. His directorial debut, "Ted," earned $434 million worldwide, making it one of the highest grossing R-rated comedies ever. MacFarlane also hosted the season premiere of "Saturday Night Live" and appeared on the 2012 Emmy Awards. As previously reported, during the Emmys, MacFarlane -- dressed in a white tuxedo -- started presenting into a microphone that wasn't on.

"It's truly an overwhelming privilege to be asked to host the Oscars," said MacFarlane in a statement. "My thoughts upon hearing the news were, one, I will do my utmost to live up to the high standards set forth by my predecessors; and two, I hope they don't find out I hosted the Charlie Sheen Roast."

About that: MacFarlane famously started the Sheen roast by reading the former "Two and a Half Men" actor's fake obituary.

For more on MacFarlane's selection, head over to Oscars.org. The Academy Awards will air on ABC on Feb. 24, 2013.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/1...usaolp00000003