Cirque du Soleil Will Perform at Oscars, Muppets Relegated to Presenting

Last week, the Academy handed down the news neither of the two Best Original Song nominees would be played at the ceremony this year, meaning the Muppets would not be taking the stage to delight us all with a rendition of their nominated tune, as everyone but Fox News hoped they would. Boo! But despite the childlike joy the Muppets would have surely shoved in our ears with the sticks that support their limp arms, there remained the hope that the decision was part of a grander plan for the greater good: maybe this was a sign the usual tedium of the show had been trimmed to make for a more watchable Billy Crystal-hosted experience than usual? Or maybe they just wanted to make some room for some garish acrobatics smeared with greasepaint. Yes, that one:

Beverly Hills, CA - Oscar® telecast producers Brian Grazer and Don Mischer have invited Cirque du Soleil to present a wholly unique and exclusive performance for the 84th Academy Awards, it was announced today. The one-time-only event will feature the largest Cirque cast ever assembled for a single act.

You don't have to bother taking Mom to see them at the casino anymore!

Anyway, all Muppet hope is not lost. The Academy has also announced Miss Piggy and Kermit will be presenters at the event, though, obviously they are under NO CIRCUMSTANCES to sing out there. If there is going to be any levity at this show, that's for Billy Crystal's tap number to decide.