Sorry, Kermit: Billy Crystal to host Oscars

Comedian tweets that it's the only way to have pharmacy employee learn his name

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Gary Hershorn / Reuters file

Billy Crystal will be hosting the Oscars for the ninth time, the comedian announced on Twitter.

By Gael Fashingbauer Cooper

TODAY.com

updated 11/10/2011 4:55:18 PM ET

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Too bad, Muppets. Your day will come, Neil Patrick Harris. Billy Crystal announced on his Twitter feed Thursday that he will host the 2012 Academy Awards.

Eddie Murphy had been chosen as host, but the comedian stepped down after his friend and creative partner, Brett Ratner, resigned as the show's producer. Ratner was criticized for using a gay slur in an interview.

Eddie Murphy drops out as Oscars host

Crystal's tweet of the news was quite subtle. He wrote, "Am doing the Oscars so the young woman in the pharmacy will stop asking my name when I pick up my prescriptions. Looking forward to the show."

Brian Grazer signed on Wednesday to replace Ratner as producer of the show, which will air Feb. 26, 2012.

Story: Brian Grazer steps in as Academy Awards producer

A Facebook and Twitter campaign had sought to gather support to have The Muppets, who have a movie coming out this month, to host.

Do you approve of Crystal as Oscar host? Tell us on Facebook.

Gael Fashingbauer Cooper is TODAY.com's movies editor.

Photos: November movies

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'A Very Harold and Kumar 3D Christmas'
John Cho and Kal Penn return as the two goofy friends in the third "Harold and Kumar" film. In "A Very Harold and Kumar 3D Christmas," Harold is married and the pals are estranged. When Kumar burns down Harold's father-in-law's Christmas tree, the two set off on more adventures, with Neil Patrick Harris showing up once again. (Nov. 4) (Warner Bros.) Share Back to slideshow navigation

Related video Watch 'A Very Harold and Kumar Christmas' trailer
'Tower Heist'
Can "Tower Heist" be the star-studded success that "Ocean's Eleven" was? Eddie Murphy, Ben Stiller, Matthew Broderick, Michael Pena and Casey Affleck are among the big names teaming up to find out. Ripped off in a Ponzi scheme, the group sets off to steal back their money from the man (Alan Alda) who ran the scheme (Nov. 4) (Universal Pictures) Share Back to slideshow navigation

Related video Watch the 'Tower Heist' trailer
'Immortals'
Greek mythology is always ripe for a new movie. "Immortals" stars Henry Cavill, Freida Pinto, and Mickey Rourke in a 3-D adventure about a war between the ancient gods. (Opens Nov. 11) (Universal Pictures) Share Back to slideshow navigation

Related video Watch the 'Immortals' trailer
'Jack and Jill'
Adam Sandler plays both title characters in "Jack and Jill," portraying both a male ad executive and his needy twin sister. When they get together for Thanksgiving, his life is turned upside down. Katie Holmes plays Sandler's wife. (Nov. 11) (Columbia Pictures) Share Back to slideshow navigation

Related video Watch the 'Jack and Jill' trailer
'The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1'
"The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1" begins to tackle the final book in the vampire romance series. Bella and Edward finally marry, but her unexpected pregnancy with their half-vampire, half-human daughter threatens her life. (Nov. 18) (Andre Cooper / Summit Entertainment) Share Back to slideshow navigation

Related video Watch the 'Twilight: Breaking Dawn - Pt. 1' trailer

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'Happy Feet Two'
The goofy penguins return in "Happy Feet Two." In this 3-D adventure, Mumble's son Erik, who doesn't like dancing, meets a puffin who thinks he is a penguin who can fly. We're sure it makes more sense in 3-D. (Nov. 18) (Warner Bros.) Share Back to slideshow navigation

Related video Watch the trailer for 'Happy Feet 2 in 3D'

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'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy'
"Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" is an adaptation of the bestselling John le Carre novel. Gary Oldman plays le Carre's legendary spy George Smiley, with Colin Firth, Tom Hardy, Ciaran Hinds and John Hurt backing him up. The film already led the British box office for three consecutive weeks. (Nov. 18) (Focus Features) Share Back to slideshow navigation
'Carnage'
How can a children's fight turn into such a huge ordeal? Roman Polanski directs "Carnage," in which two sets of parents find out. Kate Winslet, Jodie Foster, John C. Reilly and Christoph Waltz star as the parents, and Paris stars as Brooklyn due to Polanski's inability to travel legally to the U.S. (Nov. 18) (Sony Pictures Classics) Share Back to slideshow navigation
'Hugo'
Martin Scorsese directs "Hugo," a 3-D adventure about an orphan boy (Asa Butterfield) living hidden in a Paris train station. His adventures begin when he meets eccentric Isabelle (Chloe Grace Moretz) and a broken automaton. (Nov. 25) (Paramount Pictures) Share Back to slideshow navigation

Related video Watch the 'Hugo' trailer
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Related video Watch 'The Muppets' trailer

'The Muppets'
Jim Henson's beloved furry friends return in "The Muppets," in which Kermit, Fozzie and the gang must save the Muppet Theater from an oilman who wants to tear it down and drill. Their human friends, Jason Segel and Amy Adams, help them on the way, as does a new Muppet named Walter. (Nov. 25) (Scott Garfield / Disney Enterprises) Share Back to slideshow navigation
Related video Watch 'The Descendants' trailer

'The Descendants'
George Clooney, a landowner in Hawaii, tries to reconnect with his daughters after his wife falls into a coma in "The Descendants." While she's unable to communicate, he learns a devastating secret about their marriage. (Nov. 18) (Fox Searchlight Pictures) Share Back to slideshow navigation
Related video Watch the 'Arthur Christmas' trailer

'Arthur Christmas'
James McAvoy provides the voice for "Arthur Christmas," the son of Santa and Mrs. Claus, in this 3-D animated adventure. When a present is missed, Arthur must leap into action and take an old sled to make the delivery before Christmas morning. (Nov. 25) (Aardman Animations For Sony Pict / Sony Pictures Animation) Share Back to slideshow navigation

Sorry, Kermit: Billy Crystal to host Oscars

Comedian tweets that it's the only way to have pharmacy employee learn his name

Below:

Jump to photos November movies

Photos: November movies

'A Very Harold and Kumar 3D Christmas'

'Tower Heist'

'Immortals'

'Jack and Jill'

'The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1'

'Happy Feet Two'

'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy'

'Carnage'

'Hugo'

'The Muppets'

'The Descendants'

'Arthur Christmas'

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