Talent Producer Taryn Hurd is Part Chemist as She Helps Pair Oscar Presenters

Its my Super Bowl, says talent producer Taryn Hurd of the Oscars. Having been in variety television for 17 years, shes enjoying her second year in charge of booking both presenters and musical talent.

“It’s my Super Bowl,” says talent producer Taryn Hurd of the Oscars. Having been in variety television for 17 years, she’s enjoying her second year in charge of booking both presenters and musical talent.

Unlike some other shows Hurd’s worked on, the Oscarcast sees producers and the Academy collaborate closely with the talent department, she explains, adding, “It’s actually been a lot more fun that way.”

Case in point: The idea of having Pink sing “Over the Rainbow” last year came out of a joint meeting. “We got a scratch demo prior to rehearsal,” Hurd says. “When we heard it for the first time in the office, it was goosebumps for everybody.”

One wall of Hurd’s office is covered by a magnet board with the show’s running order and the names of presenters and talent. She and producer Neil Meron play mad scientist, experimenting to find exciting pairings.

Last year, the combination of Emma Watson and Joseph Gordon-Levitt was a happy result. “I think there was an online petition for them to start dating,” Hurd says.

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Sometimes the pairing of presenters can leave her with a sense of deep satisfaction. The combo of Angelina Jolie and Sidney Poitier was such a moment, when Hurd saw them meet for the first time at the Saturday afternoon rehearsal.

“She was completely in awe of that man,” says Hurd, “and so honored to be presenting specifically with him.”

Hurd gets her prospective presenter about 70% of the time. But even so, last year she had to book one on the morning of the show.

During arrivals, look for Hurd at the head of the red carpet. “I’m very concerned about knowing when my top-of-show people arrive,” she admits. “Once I’ve seen the whites of their eyes for my first three acts, I can breathe a little bit better.”

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