Jimmy Fallon to host the Oscars?

Popular late-night comedian Jimmy Fallon is in discussions to host the Oscars in February next year, with “Saturday Night Live” veteran Lorne Michaels producing, sources said.

The Los Angeles Times reported that three people with knowledge of the talks said ABC had objected to Fallon as host due to his ties to NBC and the fact he competes with ABC's late-night show featuring Jimmy Kimmel.

A spokeswoman for the academy denied that talks with Fallon and Michaels were taking place. Representatives for Fallon were not available for comment.

Cinema Blend said that after last year's debacle with Brett Ratner and Eddie Murphy quitting as producer and host, to be replaced by "a very bland and very safe Billy Crystal", the Academy could be aiming to capture a younger audience.

Fallon is experienced in big awards, having successfully hosted the Emmy's in 2010. If he was to given the top gig on Oscars night, he would be following in the footsteps of talk show hosts such as Jon Stewart and David Letterman who have hosted the telecast before.