There was never any doubt in our minds that Nikki Finke would have the scoop about the next Oscar host, even though the gap between her EXCLUSIVE post and this morning’s official Academy announcement is the shortest yet. The selection of Seth MacFarlane also means that there will be a Saturday Night Live imprint of sorts on the February 2013 telecast.

While outgoing Academy president Tom Sherak’s attempt to have Lorne Michaels produce and Jimmy Fallon host was unsuccessful, Finke thinks today’s choice connects logically to NBC’s storied weekend franchise:

It now looks like MacFarlane’s hosting stint on Saturday Night Live’s premiere for this fall season was a tryout for telecast producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron. He did well, especially during his stand-up where he sang and did voices and looked great and was thoroughly entertaining.

In one sense, it doesn’t even really matter how good MacFarlane turns out to be as he attempts to blow out the Dolby. The Academy has, for the first time in ages, finally chosen a person who will allow them and ABC to break through the 18-to-34 demo TV ratings doldrums. FishbowlLA applauds the selection and shares MacFarlane’s astonishment in the Academy release that he gets to jump to this after also recently hosting… the Charlie Sheen Comedy Central roast.

Previously on FishbowlLA:
Seth MacFarlane Steers Larry King to Promising Online Debut
FishbowlLA’s Oscar Host Suggestion: Nathan Lane