THE OSCARS CEREMONY has a great history of being hosted by people who know how to crack a joke.

In years gone by, the host would almost invariably be Billy Crystal, a man whose presence was almost as reliable as his ability to crack family-friendly fun.

In earlier years, the show was hosted by Whoopi Goldberg – another comedic actor able to get the most nervous room in Hollywood into good humour. Other recent successes included Jon Stewart, Ellen de Generes, and the oddly brilliant combination of Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin.

Even the 2009 host, Hugh Jackman, raised laughs during his elaborate opening routine, which featured an unlikely cameo from Anne Hathaway – meaning it didn’t seem terribly surprising that Hathaway was named as a co-host this year, alongside nominee James Franco.

But while Franco might be replied upon to deliver a gag or two, it seems that Hathaway might not be so adept at being… well, funny.

Here’s an ad produced by ABC, which is carrying the Oscars ceremony this year, released during the week. Don’t let the ‘out takes’ branding fool you: all of the following jokes were staged, and it appears that the traditionally hours-long ceremony may, in fact, be set to get even longer.

The video in full. You have been warned.

(If this is the sort of thing that might change your opinion of the night, however, Franco and Hathaway – the first mixed-gender hosting team since 25 years – are set to re-enact the famous carnival scene, if this teaser video is anything to go by.)