Mike Myers Set To Host MTV Movie Awards, Resuming Sorely Missed Tradition Of Actual Talent At Show’s Shaky Helm

The MTV Movie Awards have always managed to deliver one or half a dozen memorable moments worthy of YouTube legacy. But the host of the show has rarely been a factor in determining that year’s success story, until the producers’ decision to enlist Sarah Silverman last year finally lifted the program’s ratings. With last year’s success still fresh in their minds, MTV has announced that Mike Myers will helm the 2008 edition, signaling a definitive return to the program’s roots. Sixteen years ago, the show premiered with Dennis Miller at the wheel, followed by SNL alum Eddie Murphy, Jon Lovitz, two Jimmy Fallon appearances and of course, Myers’ own try in 1997. But recently MTV has rolled their dice with more commercially appealing faces like Lindsay Lohan and Jessica Alba. We took a look back at the show’s hosting history to figure out if the show’s host, like love, has anything to do with it.

With Sarah Silverman at the helm last year, MTV saw a 68% gain in the ratings compared to their 2006 outing with hitless pretty face Jessica Alba hosting. Alba’s try gifted MTV with a 26% loss in viewers, despite her aesthetic appeal. And despite Lindsay Lohan’s myriad costume changes during her 2004 hosting gig, ratings were still down from previous years. Apparently choosing randomly from the glossy pages of Us hasn’t done justice to the previously shockworthy show. We can only look forward to September, when a comedic talent like Myers takes the reigns over from tabloid fodder once again to prove that hosting duties require much more than a resume listing bikini-heavy roles in otherwise forgetful films.

• MIKE MYERS TO HOST MTV MOVIE AWARDS [People]