When he turned out to be one of the few bright spots of an otherwise excruciating Emmys ceremony, Ricky Gervais was instantly surrounded by rumors that he would be tapped to host the Oscar ceremony, an awards show that could definitely use a shot in the arm of actual humor. But those jingoistic Academy Awards producers Larry Mark and Bill Condon aren't shipping the hosting gig overseas just yet.

"We haven't made one single phone call," Mark told Yahoo! News, in response to rumors that Gervais was being courted. "There has been no reaching out."

I think I speak for many of us when I say, "Well, step on it!" Though it baffles me that even Jon Stewart can bring in low ratings, Gervais seems likely to turn in an entertaining show, even if he's not exactly the kind of household name that would have people tuning in by the millions. But then again, would any household name be able to pull that off? Stewart has always seemed uncomfortable up there at the emcee podium, and Gervais seems likely to be not only at ease, but maybe lob a few jokes that aren't entirely softballs. So while the Academy still apparently has no interest in offering him the gig, I'm going to keep this rumor going. Trust me, its for everyone's own good.