Riding on the success of the previous year 's ceremony which garnered its highest viewership figures in over a decade , the Academy rehired producers Neil Meron and Craig Zadan for the third consecutive year . “ Their showmanship has elevated the show to new heights and we are excited to keep the momentum going with this creative partnership , ” said AMPAS president Cheryl Boone Isaacs in a press release announcing the selection . In October 2014 , actor Neil Patrick Harris , who previously hosted four Tony Awards ceremonies between 2009 and 2013 and two Primetime Emmy Awards telecasts in 2009 and 2013 , was chosen as host of the 2015 gala . Meron and Zadan explained their decision to hire the television and theatre star saying , " We are thrilled to have Neil host the Oscars . We have known him his entire adult life , and we have watched him explode as a great performer in feature films , television and stage . To work with him on the Oscars is the perfect storm , all of his resources and talent coming together on a global stage . " Harris expressed that it was truly an honor and a thrill to be asked to host Academy Awards commenting , " I grew up watching the Oscars and was always in such awe of some of the greats who hosted the show . To be asked to follow in the footsteps of Johnny Carson , Billy Crystal , Ellen DeGeneres , and everyone else who had the great fortune of hosting is a bucket list dream come true . " Shortly after his selection , several reports were released indicating that DeGeneres and other comedians such as 2005 ceremony host Chris Rock and actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus declined the offer to host the program , and Harris was a last-minute choice as emcee . Nevertheless , both Meron and Zadan denied such allegations and insisted that Harris was their only choice saying , " After every Oscar show there is always a discussion as to who will host the next one . Many names are discussed and sometimes even floated without there being any formal offers . At times , these casual discussions take on a life of their own , and some are eager to break a story without knowing the facts . Neil Patrick Harris received the Academy ’s formal offer . " Several other people were also involved with the production of the ceremony . Stephen Oremus served as musical director and conductor for the event . Derek McLane returned to design a new set and stage design for the show . During the ceremony , actor Channing Tatum introduced a group called " Team Oscar " , which consisted of six young film students from colleges across the country selected by AMPAS whose role was to deliver Oscar statuettes to the presenters during the gala . Oscar-winning husband-and-wife songwriters Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez composed Harris 's opening number entitled " Moving Pictures " . Musicians Questlove and Mark Mothersbaugh and actor Will Arnett made cameos during the performance of Best Original Song nominee " Everything Is Awesome "
previous year 's ceremony
86th Academy Awards
87th Academy Awards