James Franco speaks up on what he thought about his Oscar hosting gig...

...and it's more or less what you think. The Hollywood Reporter has the story:

James Franco has been widely panned as the worst Oscar host since David Letterman in 1995, and now the Rise of the Planet of the Apes actor is revealing that he knew it wasn't going to work while still in rehearsals.

When the actor first signed to co-host this year's ceremony alongside Anne Hathaway, he was excited and thought it was a can't-miss gig. But once they started rehearsals, he started having doubts.

"It's hard to talk about because it's like assigning blame -- not a fun thing to do," he told Playboy magazine, as picked up by the Huffington Post. "For three or four weeks we shot the promos and the little film that played in the opening. In the last week, when we really started focusing on the script for the live show and did a run-through, I said to the producer, 'I don't know why you hired me, because you haven't given me anything. I just don't think this stuff's going to be good.'"

One of his least favorite bits was one in which he came out dressed like Marilyn Monroe. In fact, he almost sabotaged the whole thing.

"I was so pissed about that, I was deliberately going to fall onstage and hopefully my dress would fall off or something -- they couldn't blame that on me; I was in high heels," Franco said.

The original plan was to have him sing as Cher, and then have the Burlesque actress-singer come out onstage, but that idea was nixed once Cher failed to receive a nomination for best original song.

"I told them, 'Look, this is the thing people are going to talk about, the images they will take away from the show,'" he added. "I just didn't want to fight anymore, even when they said, 'You'll come out as Marilyn Monroe. It'll be funny.' Me in drag is not funny."

Meanwhile, Franco reveals that Judd Apatow was even brought in to write some material for the show -- "some very funny stuff" -- but that ultimately wasn't used.

As for criticism that Franco lacked enthusiasm, especially next to Hathaway, the actor said that was intentional.

The Academy denies talking to Oprah about hosting the Oscars...

...according to this in The Hollywood Reporter:

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences hasn’t zeroed in on Oprah Winfrey to host its 84th Academy Awards -- despite reports that hit the web Friday that had Winfrey in talks to take on the high-profile gig.

“The camera loves Oprah. Oprah’s a genius. But it’s not true, and I don’t know where that story even came from,” Academy presidentTom Sherak tells THR, responding to stories that began with a Chicago Sun-Times post that claimed “Winfrey is topping the list of candidates to host the 84th Oscars."

Could we see Billy Crystal return to host the Oscars again soon?

From The Hollywood Reporter:

Billy Crystal wouldn't mind hosting the Oscars for the ninth time.

The actor tells the Associated Press he was moved by the warm reception he received during his brief appearance on February's ceremony and "it might be fun" to emcee again.

"I think the show needs to change," he added. "There's too many awards and it has to sort of freshen itself up, and if I can be a part of that, that would be great."

Anne Hathaway and James Franco were widely panned as hosts of the show. Hollywood Reporter critic Tim Goodman wrote, "This year, the Oscars hit a new low. Like it fell into a hole."

Crystal offered advice to Franco and Hathaway in an interview with THR before the show: "Look like you really want to be there, and hope that something happens you can capitalize on."

-Joey's Two Cents: I'm sure he'll get asked for next year...the question is, will he accept?