2016 Oscars Will Be A Co-Hosted Affair

The 2016 Academy Awards are six months away, but the planning has already begun. While Neil Patrick Harris hosted the 2015 Oscars, he won't be returning to lead this year's ceremony. In fact, things are getting changed up in a major way. The 2016 Oscars will have two hosts!

David Hill, a former Fox executive and the co-producer of the show, told Entertainment Weekly, "There will be multiple hosts for sure — there will be two." When asked about the decision to have more than one host, Hill joked, "Two is better than one. Just imagine, you’re in there. One of your hosts drops dead from cardiac arrest. What do you do? Second host goes on! And you keep going … Note to self. Check out their heart rates."

The choice to have multiple hosts is in an interesting one. First of all, it means double the star power. Plus, two hosts means different perspectives when writing the show. However, the Oscars hasn't had two hosts since James Franco and Anne Hathaway lead the ceremony in 2011.

With a variety of hosts over the course of the Academy Awards' history, there's a lot that the to-be-announced duo can learn. Let's look back at some past groupings and what the future hosts can take away from them.

1. James Franco And Anne Hathaway (2011)

While James Franco and Anne Hathaway's hosting gig got mixed reviews, their opening monologue was full of jokes — including a reference to their appeal to a young demographic.

2. Steve Martin And Alec Baldwin (2010)

Two hosts playing off of each other is twice the comedy. Also, it didn't hurt that the duo descended from the ceiling.

3. Chevy Chase, Goldie Hawn, And Paul Hogan (1987)

Neither the studios, the industry, nor the audience were safe from Chevy Chase's humorous opening monologue.

4. Alan Alda, Jane Fonda, And Robin Williams (1986)

Poking fun at the ceremony itself can be hilarious, like when Robin Williams tried to read all the winners at once so everyone could go to the after-party.

5. Liza Minnelli, Dudley Moore, Richard Pryor, And Walter Matthau (1983)

An opening song can bring down the house, as proven by these four hosts.

6. Warren Beatty, Ellen Burstyn, Jane Fonda, And Richard Pryor (1977)

Sometimes a political monologue is more impactful. Richard Pryor called out the lack of diversity in the Academy in an opening that is still remembered today.

7. Sammy Davis Jr., Bob Hope, Shirley MacLaine, And Frank Sinatra (1975)

A little deprecation never hurts, as proven by Bob Hope's opening monologue.