Billy Crystal is coming back to host the Oscars next year.
The comedian, who has hosted the show nine times, tweeted the news this afternoon.
“Am doing the Oscars so the young woman in the pharmacy will stop asking my name when I pick up my prescriptions. Looking forward to the show,” he wrote.
A spokeswoman for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences later confirmed Crystal’s tweet.
Crystal, who last had the job in 2004, takes over after a string of incidents left the show without a host and producer.
Brett Ratner dramatically stepped down this past Tuesday as producer after saying “Rehearsal’s for fags” at a Q&A for “Tower Heist” last week. He then made matters worse when he talked to Howard Stern about his eventful sex life.
His buddy Eddie Murphy then bailed as host.
Page Six reported today that Brian Grazer is taking the reins as producer. Reps for Grazer declined to comment.
In a poll released earlier today, Crystal emerged as the favorite to host the show, that will be held on February 26, 2012, at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, California.
Fandango.com asked film fans to vote for the star they’d like to see host the Academy Awards in February.
Crystal came in first with 16 percent of the vote, while Kermit the Frog and “The Muppets” came in second with 14 percent. Actor Tom Hanks came in third with 8 percent.