Melbourne, December 16 : `World's Sexiest Man Alive' Hugh Jackman has been panned by TV critics who have raised questions on the actor's ability to host the Academy Award ceremony on February 22.

The New York Times pondered if the `Van Helsing' star would be able to pull off the three-hour star-studded evening, despite his Emmy-award-winning experience hosting the Tony Awards.

Similarly, LA Times television critic Mary McNamara cited his "less than memorable" career and a "weak" fan following as compared to recent Academy Awards hosts Ellen DeGeneres and Chris Rock.

"He''s handsome, yes, but this is a stage for TV, not for the theatre" - that a singing-and-dancing-style show helmed by Jackman was "worrisome," News. com. au quoted Mary as saying.

"Jackman may have more talent in his little finger than most of us do in our entire bodies, but he doesn''t have the fan base of DeGeneres or Rock. Yes, Jackman was just named People''s Sexiest Man Alive, and yes, he is Wolverine of X-Men but do we want Wolverine hosting the Oscars? Probably not.

"Jackman''s movie career has been less than memorable, capped by this year''s box office dud Australia," Mary added.

However, Academy President Sid Ganis remained confident they had the right man for the right job.

He said: "He is so sparkling and personable and he delivers. The other thing is he loves it (being the host). He loves the patter. He likes to wink his eye at an audience and have fun. We hope his appeal is going to broaden us out." (ANI)