'Family Guy' creator Seth MacFarlane to host 85th Academy Awards

Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane to set to host the 85th annual Academy Awards.

MacFarlane will head up the Oscars ceremony in Los Angeles on February 24, 2013. In a statement, he said: "It's truly an overwhelming privilege to be asked to host the Oscars. 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."

He also released a video of him telling his father that he is set to be the new host for the event. Click below to watch the clip.

This year the ceremony was helmed by actor and comedian Billy Crystal, who was hosting the awards for the ninth time.

As well as creating the adult cartoon show Family Guy, MacFarlane also provides voices for the show and last year he released the Frank Sinatra style swing album, 'Music Is Better Than Words'.

Over the summer MacFarlane's film Ted took £35 million on its opening weekend in the US. The movie, about a weed smoking, foul-mouthed bear, broke the box office record for opening weekend takings for an original R-rated comedy - meaning a film which under-17s can only watch if accompanied by an adult.

In other Oscars news, a new set of rules were recently put in place for the Academy Awards' Best Original Song category, stating that there must be five nominees up for the award every year.

Over the past few years, a complex voting system, in which songs on the longlist have to receive at least 8.25 marks out of 10 by voters, has meant that only a small number of tracks have made it into the final category.

This year, only 'Man or Muppet' from The Muppets and 'Real in Rio' from Rio made the final category. The award was won by Bret McKenzie of Flight of the Conchords, for the Muppets track.

Joaquin Phoenix calls Hollywood Oscar race 'total bullshit'

Joaquin Phoenix has expressed his disdain for Hollywood awards season, calling the annual Oscar race "total, utter bullshit".

The actor is considered a strong contender for the Best Actor prize at next year's Academy Awards for his performance in The Master. In the film, Phoenix plays an alcoholic war veteran recruited into a religious cult - apparently based on the Church on Scientology - by Philip Seymour Hoffman's charismatic leader.

When asked about promoting the film on the awards circuit, Phoenix told Interview magazine: "I think it's bullshit. I think it's total, utter bullshit, and I don't want to be a part of it. I don't believe in it. It's a carrot, but it's the worst-tasting carrot I've ever tasted in my whole life. I don't want this carrot. It's totally subjective. Pitting people against each other… It's the stupidest thing in the whole world."

Phoenix is already a two-time Oscar nominee. In 2000, he was shortlisted for the Best Supporting Actor prize for his performance in Gladiator, but lost out to Benicio del Toro in Traffic. Then in 2005, his portrayal of Johnny Cash in Walk The Line earned him a Best Actor nomination, but he was beaten by Seymour Hoffman, who played the title role in Capote.

Recalling the 2005 Oscar race, Phoenix added: "It was one of the most uncomfortable periods of my life... I never want to have that experience again. I don't know how to explain it - and it's not like I'm in this place where I think I'm just above it - but I just don't ever want to get comfortable with that part of things."

However, Phoenix's harsh remarks may not necessarily scupper his chances. In the past, actors Marlon Brando, Mo'Nique and George C Scott have all gone on to win Oscars after shunning the awards circuit.

Oscar voting pushed back amid growing concerns over electronic ballot

The deadline for voting in the Oscars has been extended due to growing concerns problems over the new electronic system.

The Academy Of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences, who run the annual film awards, were worried glitches with the newly implemented voting system would lead to a record-low turnout among their members who cast the all-important votes.

Members are now allowed an extra day, until Friday January 4, to cast their votes. The Academy said on Monday any votes received after the new deadline will not be counted.

Their Chief Operating Officer Ric Roertson said: "By extending the voting deadline we are providing every opportunity available to make the transition to online balloting as smooth as possible. We're grateful to our global membership for joining us in this process."

Reports of difficulty accessing the Oscars' first-ever online voting system and fears that it could be hacked have raised questions about balloting for the forthcoming 85th contest. Earlier this year, the academy and its longtime accountants, PricewaterhouseCoopers, partnered with the electronic voting firm Everyone Counts Inc. to develop the system.

"There's considerable concern from many members that voter participation will be at record lows this year because the people who wanted to take a chance on this new cutting-edge system are either giving up on it or worried they won't be able to cast their votes," said Scott Feinberg, awards analyst and blogger for The Hollywood Reporter.

In the past, Oscar voting has been compiled strictly through paper ballots sent through the mail. The new system allows members to choose between voting online or sticking with a traditional mail-in ballot.

Morgan Spurlock, the documentary filmmaker whose 2004 film "Super Size Me" was nominated for best documentary, posted on Twitter last week that he wasn't able to log on to vote electronically and his ballot was instead mailed to him.

He said: "The password they sent didn't work for my log-in – and they couldn't email me a new log-in, only snail mail."

Organisers have changed the unveiling of the nominations to January 10, just three days before those of the Golden Globes, often seen as a precursor to Oscar glory.

Almost 6,000 Academy members vote for the Oscars, which this year take place on February 24.

James Bond to be honoured at Oscars ceremony

James Bond is to be celebrated at this year's Oscars with a special tribute honouring the film franchise's 50-year history.

The ceremony, which takes place on February 14 from the Hollywood & Highland Centre in Los Angeles, will honour the British spy flick with a sequence which is set to "salute" the Bond franchise.

In a joint statement, Oscar producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron said: "We are very happy to include a special sequence on our show saluting the Bond films on their 50th birthday. Starting with Dr No back in 1962, the 007 movies have become the longest-running motion picture franchise in history and a beloved global phenomenon."

Skyfall, the 23rd bond movie which was released last year (2012), has been a critical and commercial hit. Starring Daniel Craig in the lead role as James Bond, the film was the first in the film franchise's 50-year history to take over $1 billion worldwide.

The previous highest earner in the franchise was 2006's Casino Royale – Daniel Craig's debut as the new Bond – which took just under $600 million from cinema box office when it was released.

Meanwhile, Skyfall, helmed by Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes, became the first 007 movie to make it onto the shortlist for the Best Film nominees of the Producers Guild of America (PGA). According to The Examiner, 75% of PGA nominees make it onto the shortlist for Best Film at the Oscars.

Christopher Nolan screwed again.

Not really. In my book, TDKR was the least artistically successful film in his Batman trilogy.

Wow, I've only seen 2 of the Best Picture nominees.

silver linings playbook has a nominee in all 4 acting categories.

i would have to think that is pretty rare.