"Invisible Ellen" fails to show up

by Brian McKim & Traci Skene on February 26th, 2007

Adam Buckman, writing for the NYPost:

Ellen’s no stiff, however. And last night, she was as charming as ever.

It was her role as host that seemed irrelevant.

The critics today will note she offended nobody. For that alone, she will likely be asked back.

We were in Hollywood in the intense hypestorm that preceded Sunday night’s Oscarcast… and Degeneres was conspicuously absent from the coverage. Amazing considering that it was her first time hosting the event. (Compare this to the runup to Jon Stewart‘s turn last year. Or Chris Rock‘s. Or Whoopie’s.)

Is that Billy Crystal‘s phone we hear ringing? Was Jerry Seinfeld‘s presenting spot an audition? It would make a whole of sense. (If it was an tryout, it was pretty clear that the crowd wasn’t digging him. And he was obviously nervous. How very odd!)