Martin and Baldwin to host Oscars

(Meet your new Oscar hosts)

It sounds like a rat pack-era comedy duo, doesn't it? As if Dean Martin had jettisoned Jerry Lewis and picked up, um, author James Baldwin. Hopefully the Steve and Alec show will be funnier than that; it certainly won't be as risky. With last night's announcement that the white-haired comedian/banjoist (still beloved despite prostituting his immense talent in so many horrific recent films) and the smart, mercurial actor (newly beloved for his ongoing "30 Rock" brilliance) will share hosting duties for the 2010 Oscar ceremonies on Sunday March 7, Academy telecast producers Bill Mechanic and Adam Shankman have gambled on... well, nothing, actually.

These two will be very funny, very professional, and very comforting. Given the other announced changes coming down the pike -- ten best picture nominees for the first time in 66 years, honorary awards shunted off to an earlier banquet -- it makes sense that we'd get a pair of known quantities to guide us through the earthshaking changes. With luck, we should expect an extra-special, star-studded edition of "Saturday Night Live," a show that Martin and Baldwin have hosted a total of 29 times combined. With even more luck, Baldwin will have an unscripted hissy-fit when Dakota Fanning cuts off his Teleprompter sight line.