Throughout the day on Monday, “Family Guy” creator Seth MacFarlane took sharp criticism from members of the media for his performance as host of the Academy Awards Sunday night. But conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh had the opposite reaction, deeming MacFarlane worthy of an “attaboy.”

Limbaugh explained on his Monday show that he sent a personal note to MacFarlane, giving him props for his performance.

“Seth MacFarlane was the host of the program,” Limbaugh said. “As you know, I have appeared on the ‘Family Guy’ TV show three times, and one time was the focal point. I’ve been in the recording studio with Seth, and I don’t care what you think of him: The man is profoundly, supremely talented. Now, there are a lot of characterizations about how he uses it and what direction he takes it, but there’s no denying his talent, and he’s a profoundly hard worker. I sent him an attaboy note yesterday morning. I sent him a wish-you-well kind of note.”

“He wrote back and said, ‘You know what? I kind of understand how you conservatives feel about the media now,’ because they were already proclaiming him the worst host ever before the show had even aired. I mean, 12 hours before the show,” Limbaugh continued.

And despite the disapproval, Limbaugh explained to his listeners why the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences chose MacFarlane: to get the numbers for the coveted 25-54 demographic higher.

“In one of the press conferences before this thing happened, MacFarlane is telling the media,” Limbaugh said. “I’ll have to paraphrase this, but his line was, ‘Hi, I’m Seth MacFarlane, and I’m hosting the Oscars — and if you don’t understand what that means, go ask your kids,’ meaning, ‘I own the young demographic.’ That’s what they were trying to do here — get the young demographic. And he owns the 18 to 40. That’s what his ‘Family Guy’ show aims at. Not commenting on, you know, when you like it or not in terms of culturally.”

(h/t Daily Rushbo)

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