MARTIN & BALDWIN TO HOST OSCARS

Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin are joining forces to co-host the 82nd Annual Academy Awards, the telecast's producers Bill Mechanic and Adam Shankman said today.

Doubling down on comedy, the producers said: "Steve will bring the experience of having hosted the show in the past, and Alec will be a completely fresh personality for this event."

Martin hosted the 73rd and 75th Oscars in 2001 and 2003, respectively, earning an Emmy nomination for his first turn at bat. He's also been a presenter on a number occasions, most recently at this year's ceremony when he appeared with Tina Fey to hand out a trophy.

Although Baldwin hasn't hosted the show, he has appeared as a presenter, most recently in 2004 when he was nominated as best supporting actor for The Cooler.

The Academy hasn't relied on two performers since 1957 when Jerry Lewis and Celeste Holm made an odd-couple teaming. Technically, though, that wasn't considered a co-hosting situation: It was the era of bi-coastal Oscar ceremonies, and Lewis presided over the main event in New York, while Holm played the role of New York master of ceremonies, beamed in from a simultaneous affair in the Big Apple.

The only time two hosts have shared the same locale on Oscar night was at the first ceremony in 1929, presided over by Douglas Fairbanks and William C. DeMille.

The 82nd Oscars will be held March 7th at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland and broadcast live on ABC.

The Hollywood Reporter