This year's Oscars are done and dusted, and even the hardest-core after-parties have wound down. So now we look ahead. We already had a crack at spotting some likely contenders for next year's awards, but now it's time to assess the possible hosts. Assuming that the Academy doesn't just return to one of the hosts they've had before (we're sure that James Franco will be sitting by the phone, just in case) we looked at some new blood that they might want to bring in, and asked Ladbrokes to give us their odds on these new contenders…
MINDY KALING
Odds: 5/1
She's smart, she's funny and she has great taste in dresses. Mindy Kaling is, basically, so hot right now. And she'd rock the Oscars! Part of her brand is her invincible (and entirely justified) self-confidence, so she shouldn't be intimidated by the audience. She might flirt with them, but that would just increase the LOLs. As an added bonus, the Academy would save a fortune because she could write her own material.
KEVIN HART
Odds: 6/1
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He's one of the biggest comedy stars in the world right now, selling out on tour and making films faster than Hollywood can count the cash from his last one. His stand-up background would help him come up with material, and means he's at ease in front of the biggest stars in the world. And, as his brief presentation this year demonstrated, he's capable of sounding sincere yet positive about the business' problems, which might be helpful if there's another scandal.
RU PAUL
Odds: 10/1
Just imagine how many outfit changes would be involved. Just imagine how fabulous they would be. All of the female nominees would be put in the shade, and the #AskHerMore campaign would finally get off the ground because no gown could compete with whatever the host is wearing. What's more, as the ridiculously entertaining Drag Race shows, Ru Paul has bags of charisma and endless sass, which would be a welcome change for the Academy awards.
LOUIS CK
Odds: 12/1
One of the highlights of this year's Oscars was Louis CK's brief turn presenting Best Documentary Short. It was an inspired riff that showed affection for the nominees but a certain healthy disdain for the Awards as a whole. So CK, another stand-up giant, could play the whole thing like Jon Stewart back in 2008 and slightly roll his eyes at the whole process.
AZIZ ANSARI
Odds: 14/1
Ansari's Netflix show Master Of None hugely raised his profile in Hollywood, but he's long been established as a comic force in the town. He is high-energy and extremely funny, and if he could channel a little of the confidence he showed as Park & Recreation's Tom Haverford, he should have no problem facing down the superstars.
JACOB TREMBLAY (WITH POSSIBLE BB-8 ASSIST)
Odds: 33/1
The runaway winner of all our hearts throughout this year's awards season, Room's Tremblay would be a delightful choice for the host. He could charm everyone with his praise for their comic turns in kids movies (as he did when passing Chris Rock to come onstage); he could continue his quest to meet everyone involved in Star Wars (someone please find him a role in that saga) and if someone could wangle it so he co-presents with BB-8, he'd probably do it for free. What's more, the ratings would soar.
