It’s official: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (a/k/a the Oscar people) has just confirmed that The Daily Show’s Jon Stewart, so widely maligned for his performance as emcee of the 2006 Academy Awards, is being asked to return for the 2008 hosting gig. To which I say, "Yay!" I mean, I actually thought Stewart was pretty funny during his maiden voyage. Surely anyone who’s willing to joke about "Oscar’s salute to montages" during the typically bloated telecast deserves a second chance at bat, no?
Jon Stewart to return as Oscar host
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Comments (1-30) of 35 Add your comment
I agree, I liked him the first time and suspect he’ll be even better with a little experience under his belt.
But I can’t remember–who hosted last year?
I enjoyed Jon Stewart as host and am happy to see him return. I’ll plan to watch at least some of the telecast just to see what he has in store.
He was better than Ellen DeGeneres was at the 2007 Oscars, but somehow she got nominated for an Emmy for her stint as host.
I am so happy! I loved it when he hosted, I never miss the Oscars and I think he added a little edge, or at least he tried to.
I would have liked Colbert host, but maybe John will speed things up there.
He was “widely maligned”? By who? Billy Crystal fans? I think it’s a great move. As much as I love Ellen, I love Jon Stewart too and I know he will do a great job. But I’m still completely P-O’d about Ryan Seacrest hosting the Emmys when Conan O’Brien was totally hillarious the year before!
I was angry when critics blasted him the first go round. I can’t remember laughing that hard at an awards show in a while. He was brilliant and I can’t wait to see what he does this year.
Jon was great the first time, and I thought he was unfairly referred to as below par.
I loved JS last time. Love Ellen too, but they could definitely have done worse this year (I’m looking at you, Carson Daly).
Yay! Jon is back!
I agree with Jakeem. Stewart was better than Ellen last year (the show seemed a little too big for her), but not outstanding. I liked his (and his writers’) aforementioned shot at montages, the George Clooney gag, the montage suggesting homoerotic context in old Westerns (inspired by Brokeback) and the thing with the Best Actress candidates smear campaigns against each other.
That trademark wit should be back, and Stewart should be more relaxed this time around.
(I’d still give Conan the Oscars to see what he’d do with it…sorry but after his performance at the Emmys last year, I’m obsessed with having him host everything.)
Maybe in 2009 when Conan will be in Leno’s Place he’ll host the Oscars…and then we’ll see the best host ever!
This is great news! I loved Jon’s performance the first time. His opening monologue was a little shaky, he seemed nervous but as the night went on he got funnier and funnier and I laughed louder and louder. I think he was so great because he didn’t let the celebrities get away with taking themselves so seriously. They didn’t like that too much, but we at home were loving it.
I love Jon Stewart so I don’t mind that he is back. But my all time favorite host was STEVE MARTIN. I think he is brilliant and I wish they would have him back. And I second the other post that says Conan O’Brien should just host all the award shows. Hear hear! LOVE CONAN.
He was hilarious the first time around. I just think that Hollywood was offended by his (very hilarious) Scientology jokes.
Conan all the way!!!!!!!!
“Widely Maligned”???
What are you talking about?
Jon Stewart was awesome.
Thank God Seacrest didn’t get THIS gig.
Yay for Jon ! I also agree with the post about NOT giving this gig to Idol boy !
I was kind of hoping they would give it to Seinfeld after his hilarious speach last year and with his hatred for Awards Shows, I thouth it could be funny. But I am glad they gave it to Jon again.
I thought it was good, too. Jon Stewart, Ellen DeGeneres, and Conan O’Brien are all great hosts.
Daniel, he was widely maligned by critics, aka “Those People Who Have No Idea What The General Public Likes”.
This makes me wish I still had TV!
Finally, a reason to watch the Oscars again! Only his dry, witty humor can really make fun of something while participating in it.
Maligned? I heard nothing but good things. Hmm, I guess it’s all in what you read… Plus, those fake campaign ads? Funniest skits in effing Oscar history.
when was the last time a film actor or actress hosted the Oscars? I think it’s a sign that the movie industry is out of original talent when they have to go to TV to get someone funny to host their party!
It’s all the same now. Just about every recent Oscars host, including Stewart, has been a familiar face on both movie and television screens. Even David Letterman has had small bits in movies such as “Cabin Boy,” “American Splendor” and “Man on the Moon.”
Critics? What do they know. It’s about time that the Oscars get hip with younger viewers, that is why it is good to see the likes of Jack Black, Will Ferrell, and Ben Stiller have bits during the telecast. Who wants a stuffy award show. It’s supposed to be fun.
First of all, I liked Ellen, and Conan did great at the Emmys (though I can’t imagine ABC ever asking a NBC figurehead). But Stewart is a wonderful choice. Smart and funny. As for the ‘critics’: well, I guess you can’t please everyone. Already, I hear ‘Oh, he’s gonna be too political’ vs. ‘I just hope he’ll be more daring this year’. Whatever.
Darn. I really, really enjoyed Ellen’s Oscars show last year. The vacuuming bit was especially funny. Low-key, a very pleasant viewing experience. Wish they’d asked her back for 2008!
Yeah, he’ll do just fine.