Jon Stewart to host '06 Academy Awards

 

January 5, 2006

 

LOS ANGELES-- Jon Stewart has been tapped to host this year's Oscars, the Academy of Motions Pictures Arts and Sciences announced Thursday.

 

The Academy Awards show's producer said Stewart has many of the qualities of previous masters of ceremonies.

 

"Jon is the epitome of a perfect host-- smart, engaging, irreverent and funny," producer Gil Cates said.

 

Stewart, 43, hosts Comedy Central's "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart," which has earned seven Emmys and a Peabody award. He also won the 2005 Thurber Prize for American Humor for his book, "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart Presents America (The Book): A Citizen's Guide to Democracy Inaction."

 

Stewart, who will host the Academy Awards telecast for the first time, also has appeared in several movies, including "The Faculty," "Death to Smoochy" and "Big Daddy."

 

"As a performer, I'm truly honored to be hosting the show," Stewart said, then joked: "Although, as an avid watcher of the Oscars, I can't help but be a little disappointed with the choice. It appears to be another sad attempt to smoke out Billy Crystal."

 

Stewart follows a long line of standup comedians who have hosted the Oscars. Over the years, Bob Hope, Johnny Carson, Whoopi Goldberg and Crystal have held down the podium.

 

Speculation swirled after Chris Rock's departure about who would replace him. Frequently mentioned candidates included Goldberg, Steve Martin and late-night hosts Jay Leno and Conan O'Brien.

 

Rock drew younger viewers to last year's telecast, but his barbs skewering stars like Jude Law, Tobey Maguire and others alienated some academy members. Rock is currently producing and narrating "Everybody Hates Chris," a sitcom on UPN based on his life.

 

The 78th annual Academy Awards will air March 5 on ABC from Hollywood.

Conan is robbed again. I guess he's seen as too "wacky" for Hollywood. So they get their new golden boy to host because he tackles the issuezzzz man!!! He does more than stupid jokes, he makes people think and stuff.

 

Let's say it over and over again. Conan>>>>>>> Jon Stewart

I've got nothing against Stewart, but have much love for Conan, so it would've been neat to see him out there. All things considered, I thought Rock did a great job with last year's show and was surprised (somewhat) to hear he wouldn't be returning.

 

Oh, and this proves why you should never just read the intro and outro of any news blurb. I read the first few sentences and then read this:

 

Speculation swirled after Chris Rock's departure about who would replace him. Frequently mentioned candidates included Goldberg, Steve Martin and late-night hosts Jay Leno and Conan O'Brien.

I had to read the previous line to debunk my initial thought that Bill Goldberg was the Goldberg in question. Whew.