Izzard Loses Out On Oscars

Speculation that UK funny guy Eddie Izzard was in the running to host next year's Oscars has been brough to an end by the announcement that the prestigious job has gone instead to US Actor/Comedian Steve Martin. 'He'll be a wonderful host." Oscar producer Gil Cates told Reuters, 'he's a movie star, he's funny, he's classy, he's literate.' But Martin has never been nominated for an Oscar himself, a fact he's happy to acknowledge; 'If you can't win 'em join 'em,' Martin told the press. The 73rd Academy Awards will take place on 25 March 2001 in Los Angeles.