Tim Allen at the Premiere of The Shaggy Dog, El Capitan Theatre, Los Angeles, California - 07.03.06 and Oscar 2004 host Billy Crystal

Allen prefers the sparkling style of Crystal, who hosted the bash in 2004 and 1997, as his fun persona encapsulates showbiz while simultaneously sending it up.

He tells the New York Daily News, "I kind of missed BILLY CRYSTAL - with all the fanfare, dancing and big numbers.

"Jon Stewart did a capable job, but I didn't feel like he was embracing the movie business.

"Jon's fresh and irreverent, but I don't think it worked."