The man behind one of the USA's most controversial comedies Family Guy, as well as its spin off The Cleveland Show, and American Dad, Seth Macfarlane will be hosting the 85th Oscars on Sunday 24th February, 2013. MacFarlane's latest work was ‘Ted’, the comedy about a mischievous animated bear voiced by MacFarlane himself and starring Mark Wahlberg and Mila Kunis.

The Academy Awards producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron said “We are thrilled to have Seth MacFarlane host the Oscars. His performing skills blend perfectly with our ideas for making the show entertaining and fresh... He will be the consummate host, and we are so happy to be working with him."

In response to this tremendous accolade, MacFarlane responded by saying "It's truly an overwhelming privilege to be asked to host the Oscars” and in true comedic tradition, followed this saying, "My thoughts upon hearing the news were, one, I will do my utmost to live up to the high standards set forth by my predecessors; and two, I hope they don't find out I hosted the Charlie Sheen Roast."

Predictions are already being made for who and what will be nominated at next year’s Oscars. The Guardian predicts that mostly films yet to be released, including Cloud Atlas, Anna Karenina and Les Miserables, will do well at next year's awards.

In a change of tradition, the nominations for the Oscars will be released before the Golden Globes, with a date set for January 10th 2013.