Was Ellen DeGeneres The Best Oscars Host Ever?

In the annals of Oscars history, it may be impossible to accurately crown one host as being the “best,” but Ellen DeGeneres did her utmost to put her name in the discussion with the likes of Billy Crystal and Seth MacFarlane (ok- maybe not Seth).

Ellen did not appear in any sort of pre-produced satirical skit or perform a choreographed dance routine when she opened the show, but instead performed her version of “stand-up” by simply giving shout-outs to many of the nominees. Ellen drew big laughs right off the bat with a deadpan joke about Los Angeles. “For those of you watching around the world, it has been a tough couple of days for us here. It has been raining. We’re fine. Thank you for your prayers.”

One of her best lines, albeit not one of her friendliest, was aimed at Liza Minelli, alluding to her being a cross-dresser:

“Good job, sir.”

When DeGeneres focused in on Jennifer Lawrence, Ellen went on and on about how she had fallen at last year’s ceremony. All the while saying how she hated how people always dwell on the past – and she would not be one of those people – even as she was doing just that. To prevent a repeat performance by Miss Lawrence, Ellen suggested, “If you win tonight, I think we should bring you the Oscar.

One slightly stinging observation had to do with the eventual “Best Picture” winner “12 Years a Slave.” Ellen noted two distinct possibilities: “Possibility number one: “12 Years a Slave” wins Best Picture, she said. “Possibility number two: You’re all racists.”

Finally, the most talked about skit in her hosting duties had to be when DeGeneres ordered pizza. There was only one snag to DeGeneres’ pizza plans:

“I don’t have any money. Sandy, you have money. You’ve got a lot of money. You can tip him right?”

The pizza delivery man, Edgar Martirosyan, talked to the Daily News about his sudden celebrity status: “I’m really calm. It’s good. I thought it was just a regular delivery. I didn’t know I was going to go on the stage.”

Martirosyan reported that Julia Roberts was his favorite star to deliver pizza to Sunday night. He said he had five drivers working Sunday night, but business was brisk, so he had to pitch in with the delivery to the Oscars theater.

“I took the order, I delivered, that was it.”

The good work by the delivery man helped propel Ellen into the conversation as to whether she just may be one of the best ever to host the Oscars.

[Images via ABC]