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MacFarlane accepts assist from Shatner

Topics: From the Wires,

MacFarlane accepts assist from ShatnerActors, from left, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, host Seth MacFarlane and Daniel Radcliffe perform during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday Feb. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) (Credit: Chris Pizzello/invision/ap)

Seth MacFarlane accepted an assist from William Shatner to smooth nerves in his first time as Academy Awards host.

After telling jokes that included a poke at the Oscars for not nominating Ben Affleck as best director for “Argo,” a giant screen descended on the Academy Awards stage with Shatner, who said he was returning from the future to save MacFarlane from himself. He showed a headline declaring MacFarlane the worst Oscars host ever.

In explaining why, it freed MacFarlane for a few elaborate jokes that supposedly showed his bad taste, including a song naming the movies where famous actresses displayed their breasts, and a routine greeting Sally Field as he was dressed as the Flying Nun.

As creator of “Family Guy,” MacFarlane is best known for offscreen work.

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