THR Poll: Oscar Viewers Want Eddie Murphy as Host

In the wake of Brett Ratner's sudden exit as Oscar producer, the question remains whether Eddie Murphy will fulfill his duties as host of the 84th Academy Awards.

our editor recommends

Brett Ratner Out as Oscar Show Producer (Exclusive)

Eddie Murphy, Drew Barrymore Top List of Overpaid Actors

Brett Ratner's Oscar Exit Sparks Passionate Reactions Around the Web

Brett Ratner, Allan Carr and the Home That Unites the Disgraced Oscar Producers

PHOTOS: Oscar Show Moments

Murphy was recruited for the job by Ratner after working together on Universal's Tower Heist, released last week. The Hollywood Reporter enlisted Penn Schoen Berland to gauge viewer interest via an online survey of 550 awards show viewers ages 13 to 59 taken Nov. 6.

PHOTOS: Hollywood's Memorable Mea Culpas

Results were compared against a sample of 450 viewers interviewed after James Franco and Anne Hathaway were announced as hosts in 2010.

STORY: Brett Ratner's 10 Offensive Quotes That Ended in Oscar Trouble

72%: Awards show viewers who support Murphy as Oscar host

▪ Only 54 percent supported Franco/Hathaway in 2010

▪ A strong 74 percent of awards show fans intend to watch Murphy, up from 66 percent for Franco/Hathaway

▪ Men and African Americans are much more likely to watch

85%: Tower Heist moviegoers who support Murphy as Oscar host

▪ 91 percent of Tower Heist viewers plan to watch Murphy host

▪ Viewers say Murphy will be "fun," "entertaining" and "over the top" compared to the 2011 hosts

▪ But they say the show will be less "stylish" and "classy"