Now that Seth MacFarlane won't return to host the 2014 Oscars, the new host has not been chosen but names are getting thrown around. Macfarlane announced on Monday that his schedule did not permit him to return. He recommends via tweet that Joaquin Phoenix should take his place. Other thinks Tina Fey or Alec Baldwin would be a great Oscars host.

The return to host the Oscars would take up too much of Seth's time. MacFarlane, one of the most successful writers and showrunners in television, finds his schedule even busier because of his now-bustling film career.

"Traumatized critics exhale: I'm unable to do the Oscars again. Tried to make it work schedule-wise, but I need sleep," MacFarlane tweeted. SO who wil take the hosting spot?

"I think that's too hard," Fey tells The Times over the phone, when asked if she'd take the job. "Too many dresses to try on."

"It's a really difficult room," Fey adds. "High levels of stress are shooting out of just about everyone there. The Golden Globes are less pressure. It's like an exhibition game for the real season."

Alec Baldwin said about hosting the Oscars, "everyone who has done it lately has been crucified. So they're not going to get anybody who is reasonably talented or special to take that chance anymore."

It does seem risky. While other awards shows like the Tonys, the Globes and the Emmys,  have enjoyed a solid string of successes in recent years such as Neil Patrick Harris and  Jimmy Fallon.  The Academy Awards have been more of a hit-and-miss proposition.

As 2009 Oscar host Hugh Jackman told The Times after his gig, "the best you can hope for is a big opening because after that, it's just a room full of people - increasingly upset people - who haven't won."

Seth MacFarlane had allegedly been asked if he will host the Oscars for a second time in 2014 and reports were unsure if he would. It is now official that he won't.

The 2013 and 2014 Oscar producers, Craig Zadan and Neil Meron extended the offer to the 'Family Guy' creator, Seth Macfarlane to be the host for 2014. They first brought on MacFarlane because he would appeal to a younger audience and because he loves musical theater. The producers will return in 2014 and had hoped MacFarlane would join them.

The 2013 broadcast was watched by over 40 million people, making it the highest-rated entertainment awards show in three years.

MacFarlane's performance at the ceremony earlier this year was met with some mixed reviews.  His comedy song 'We Saw Your Boobs,' which highlighted films in which the lead actresses took off their clothes, was funny to some but many women found the ditty to be offensive and tasteless.

Three of the actresses mentioned, Jodie Foster, Charlize Theron and Hilary Swank, were topless during rape scenes.

Actress Jamie Lee Curtis wrote in her blog:

"I'm sure public executions would get big ratings too, but is that what the Oscars are truly about? Ratings? When did they turn into a 'roast'?"

Producer Craig Zadan responded:

 "It was not about the women that were mentioned, the song was about him being a bad host and him being a juvenile, which was why he was a bad host. Everyone who complained missed the joke, it was satire."

MacFarlane was also criticized by the Anti-Defamation League over what it deemed Jewish stereotype jokes during a skit between Mark Wahlberg and MacFarlane's character Ted.

"I highly recommend the job, as Zadan and Meron are two of the most talented producers in the business," he tweeted. "My suggestion for host is Joaquin Phoenix."

He's kidding right? Do you think Joaquin Phoenix should host or is Seth just being a jokester?