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What's a pretty good sign you're not getting an Oscar this year?

Finding out you're hosting the Oscars this year.

That's what happened to actor Hugh Jackman. His just-released big-budget "Australia" has been losing Oscar steam since its dismal U.S. opening two weeks ago.

Now Jackman will be hosting the 81st annual Oscars instead, following a succesion of comedians including Jon Stewart, Chris Rock, and Ellen DeGeneres.

But the 40-year-old Australian actor, recently named People magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive," is not new to award-show hosting. He won an Emmy in 2005 for hosting the 59th annual Tony Awards in 2004, and was nominated again for his hosting of the 2005 Tonys.

(Too bad for Jackman there's not an Oscar for hosting the Oscars.)

Jackman was out of the country Friday for promoting "Australia" and was not immediately available for comment, his representative Alan Nierob told the Associated Press.

The Oscars telecast will be held Feb. 22.