THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

``Family Guy'' creator Seth MacFarlane says being invited to host the 2013 Academy Awards ``was the greatest call that I could have gotten in show business.''

Oscar telecast producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron announced Monday that MacFarlane will host the 85th annual Academy Awards ceremony in February.

Meron called the 38-year-old entertainer ``the most unbelievable, consummate host choice we could think of.'' Zadan said they have long admired MacFarlane's talent, ``so the idea of actually doing the biggest thing that we've ever produced with him is just beyond belief. We're so excited.''

This is the first Oscar production for Zadan and Meron, whose credits include 2002 best picture winner ``Chicago'' and the musical TV show ``Smash.''

MacFarlane is best known for his envelope-pushing animated TV shows ``Family Guy,'' ''American Dad!`` and ''The Cleveland Show.`` He made his big-screen directorial debut earlier this year with the irreverent R-rated comedy ''Ted,`` which took in more than $420 million at the box office. He also hosted the season opener of ''Saturday Night Live`` last month and released an album of big-band tunes from the 1940s and '50s last year.

This is his first time hosting the Academy Awards, which he called ``an overwhelming privilege.''