Ellen DeGeneres has been tapped to host the 79th Annual Academy Awards on February 25th. Laura Ziksin, producer for this year’s show called DeGeneres to offer her the hosting job. DeGeneres was thrilled by the offer, saying, “There’s two things I’ve always wanted to do in my life: One is to host the Oscars. The second is to get a call from Laura Ziskin. You can imagine that day’s diary entry.”

DeGeneres is no stranger to hosting award shows, having successfully co-hosted the Primetime Emmy Awards in 1994, then again in 2001 and 2005. She has proven to be an entertaining emcee to such events, and her quick wit and easy-going demeanor have wide appeal. “I’ve always wanted to host the show, ever since I hosted the Emmys,” DeGeneres said. “Obviously, it’s a huge honor, although it’s not always a great situation. If you do well, they don’t talk about it, and if you don’t do well, you’re torn apart. But I like the challenge, and I’d like to put my stamp on it. In fact, I’m thinking of stretching it out even longer to two nights like Rock Star: Supernova.”