Oscar Host Seth MacFarlane on His Hitler Joke

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Seth MacFarlane was his usual irreverent self this morning while announcing this year's Oscar nominees and ET's Rob Marciano caught up with the Academy Awards host to get an explanation of his much-buzzed-about Hitler joke and to find out what viewers can expect during this year's show!

The Family Guy creator explained that he's "thrilled," but also somewhat "befuddled" to have been chosen by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to host the prestigious show. "Maybe they're going to wake up and realize they got the wrong guy," he joked. "But I'm kind of surfin' the wave of it all and I'm going to try not to screw it up."

VIDEO: Seth MacFarlane Reflects On Being Chosen to Host Oscars

MacFarlane also explained this joke he made during the ceremony, "I read Amour was co-produced in Austria and Germany. The last time Austria and Germany got together and co-produced something it was Hitler, but this is much better -- highly recommended."

Speaking to Rob about his controversial quip, MacFarlane responds to whether producers had approved the joke beforehand. "You know, I don't know that it was, I think we kind of slipped that in at the last minute," he said. "We kind of forgot we were on TV, and one thing led to another, and now it's too late!" 

VIDEO: Seth MacFarlane on 'The Problem With The Oscars'

When asked whether this means he'll also forget he's on TV while actually hosting the 85th Academy Awards on February 24, MacFarlane said that's a real possibility. "I hope so, yeah, I think that will be fantastic."

Watch the video to also hear MacFarlane dish on his opening number and to get some insight from Academy Awards Executive Producers Craig
Zadan and Neil Meron on how they plan to make this year's show different from those in
the past. 

RELATED: The Complete List: The 2013 Oscar Nominations