Billy Crystal to Host the Oscars for the Ninth Time

Billy Crystal will host the Oscars for a ninth time, the comedian announced Thursday.

"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," Crystal tweeted.

"I'm thrilled to welcome Billy back to the Oscar stage," Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences president, Tom Sherak, said in a statement. "He's a comic legend and Oscar icon, and it feels good to have him back where he belongs."

Brian Grazer to replace Brett Ratner as Oscars producer; Eddie Murphy steps down

News of Crystal's involvement with the 84th annual Academy Awardscomes one day after previously announced host Eddie Murphy stepped down. Murphy gave up his hosting duties after telecast producer Brett Ratner resigned. Ratner — who worked with Murphy on Tower Heist and was instrumental in bringing the comedian on — opted not to produce the ceremony after he came under fire for using a gay slur and making several other derogatory comments in the press recently.

"First and foremost I want to say that I completely understand and support each party's decision with regard to a change of producers for this year's Academy Awards ceremony," Murphy said in a statement. "I was truly looking forward to being a part of the show that our production team and writers were just starting to develop, but I'm sure that the new production team and host will do an equally great job."

Brett Ratner steps down as Oscarsproducer following gay slur

Oscar-winning film producer Brian Grazer (Apollo 13and A Beautiful Mind) has since replaced Ratner to produce the show alongside awards vet Don Mischer. "Like so many others, I've been eager to see Billy host again," Grazer said in a statement. "It's very gratifying that he agreed to do it with Don and me at the helm."

Crystal last hosted in 2004. At 63, he will be the oldest solo host since Bob Hope in 1978.

Are you happy to see Crystal host again?