Photo: Andrew H. Walker, Getty Images

The announcement that Eddie Murphy will be hosting the 84th Academy Awards doesn’t resolve any questions about what the broadcast will be like.

EW.com wonders whether it’s the wild or tame Murphy that will show up on Oscar night. In part, that has to do with what the Oscars has planned. Last year, the Oscars targeted the younger folks with hosts Anne Hathaway and James Franco, which seemed interesting. But most people thought the show was boring and the hosts were terrible (Hathaway too enthusiastic and Franco not nearly enthusiastic enough). In part, they succumbed to the cheesy material they were given.

As anyone who has planned an event with an emcee knows, it’s hard to tell what exactly will happen onstage until the night of when it’s too late to do much about any host mishaps.

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Melissa Leo accepting her Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her performance in 'The Fighter.' Photo: AP, Terrill

As Oscar hosts Anne Hathaway and James Franco mentioned during the (boring) telecast of this year’s ceremony, winning the coveted award can bring an actor prestige. It can also bring cold-hard cash.

We did an e-mail Q&A with Pete Kranik CEO of The CMO Club who talks about the dollars and cents of winning an Oscar, as well as the brand value it brings. Read on after the jump.

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With few exceptions, the Oscar awards broadcast gets the big ol’ thumbs down with a  side of the gas face. Actually, I thought James Franco and Anne Hathaway did the best they could with limited material provided by the Oscar folks. Above is a clip of the hosts doing their best Grease, which was cut from the broadcast (via the LA Times ).

From a reputation standpoint, does anyone get hurt by the negative reviews?

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If you were on vacation or delayed by the snow (we got three extra cold days in St. Augustine, FL) then you may have missed some of the news that brought 2010 to a close. Here’s a quick recap.

Vajacials made it on a “hot in 2011″ list.

We talked with Wagner/Junker Agency  principle Jeff Wagner about Wigibuy and with Thrillist’s Ben Lerer.

PR execs turned up on the New York Observer‘s Power 150 List.

New York Jets coach Rex Ryan stayed on message when asked about some foot fetish videos.

James Franco‘s grandma proved she’s one tough cookie.

The industry responded to a harsh Economist article.

Reader’s Digest announced the launch of BEST YOU.

The squeamish have steered clear of James Franco‘s latest film 127 Hours, about the stranded hiker Aron Ralston who was forced to chop off his own arm. According to the Daily Mail, some have even passed out during the infamous scene.

Now there’s the “I Kept My Eyes Open for 127 Hours” campaign, which features a website, Facebook page, and Twitter feed dedicated to the celebration of those who watched the movie from beginning to end and enjoyed it (bone crunching aside).

Below, Franco’s grandma shows her mettle. Warning: If you’re at work, you might want to turn down the volume.