While I ADORE Ms. Lansbury on stage and in film, I find her hosting style hasn't aged very well -- it's a bit old fashioned for my taste. It's not quite Lawrence Welk territory, but still...
But that was the way things were done, I understand.
Harris hands down for me. Funny, charming, talented and just the right amount of 'wrong' without losing too much reverence for the institution.
I honestly can't chose. Love them all. Ms. Lansbury is a pure class and brought something special to each ceremony she hosted. Jackman was born to entertain, he's just so damn charismatic and funny. Harris is so adorable and has the perfect comic timing. Really hope they would let him host the Oscars.
How dare we forget Mr. Lane- I loved the year that he and co-host the late great Gregory Hines did the Women's Medley (95 maybe?, if that was the Sunset year, then they probably needed a lot of filler)
Whoopi was great too.
Lately though I don't think you can go wrong with Harris- he's got a highly rated TV show, he loves Broadway musicals and I think he has done a really great job.
I would have loved to have seen what Billy Crystal would have done as host.
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
I would certainly watch any of Lansbury, Jackman or Harris (or any combination thereof), but Harris is the only one we seem to be talking about at the water-cooler on Monday morning.
Coach Bob knew it all along: you've got to get obsessed and stay obsessed. You have to keep passing the open windows. (John Irving, The Hotel New Hampshire)