‘Daily Show’ comedian got mixed reviews when he hosted in 2006

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. - Jon Stewart will return as host of the Oscars in 2008.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences announced Wednesday that Stewart will host the 80th awards show Feb. 24 at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood.

Oscar telecast producer Gil Cates described Stewart as smart, quick and funny. He said Stewart loves movies and is a great guy.

Stewart got mixed reviews when he hosted the 78th annual awards. Some jokes fell flat and some critics expected the political satirist to be edgier.

Stewart joked that he is thrilled to be asked for a second time, because the third time is a charm.

Stewart hosts “The Daily Show With Jon Stewart” on Comedy Central.

He hosted the Grammy Awards in 2001 and 2002.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20740033/

Perfect.

Jon Stewart Will Host Academy Awards

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) -- Jon Stewart will return as host of the Academy Awards.

The star of Comedy Central's "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" will get his second shot at hosting Hollywood's premiere event, which will be held on Feb. 24 at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood. He hosted the 78th annual awards show in 2006.

Stewart was "a terrific host" for that event, Oscar telecast producer Gil Cates said Wednesday, announcing the selection in a statement from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences.

The academy didn't indicate why it decided to go with Stewart after using comedian Ellen DeGeneres this year.

"I'm thrilled to be asked to host the Academy Awards for the second time because, as they say, the third time's a charm," Stewart joked.

Previous Cates-selected hosts include Steve Martin, Chris Rock, Billy Crystal and Stewart.

Stewart, a political satirist, injected some political humor into his 2006 performance, taking jabs at the war in Iraq and ribbing Hollywood's elite about their ties to the Democratic Party.

However, some jokes bombed and he got mixed reviews.

"His usually impeccable blend of puckishness and self-effacement fell flat," a review by The Associated Press said, adding he was "too deferential, too nice and too obvious in his targets."

The 44-year-old Stewart, who also hosted the Grammys in 2001 and 2002, noted the split decision on his own cable TV show the night after the Oscars, saying he had a great time but didn't know how he did until he saw the reviews.

"I sucked and was great!" he said. "I was a painfully smug and unfunny heir to Johnny Carson."

Whether because of the writing or because the host themselves are afraid to take "risks", the last three Oscar shows have been HORRIBLE. Stewart, Chris Rock and Ellen - all three of which I find hilarious in other venues, I found totally boring as Oscar hosts.

I was really hoping they'd go with Conan O'Brien this year, but I guess they went back to Stewart because 2008 is a Presidential election year, and felt he'd be the most topical.

Is Conan O' Brien not allowed to host the Oscars? Its a fucking travesty that he hasn't done so yet.

I hope that he enlists Stephen Colbert to help out, or his material is going to be pretty terrible. The fake attack ads were the funniest thing about the 2006 Oscars.

Well said. I thought Ellen was the best out of the last three but that's not saying much. Like you, I think they're amazing elsewhere. Conan would be awesome! I wouldn't mind seeing Jerry Seinfeld take a stab at this too. Or possibly bring Steve Martin back.

Awesome news!

They should have just given it to Colbert. Stewart was pretty awful last year. To be fair, the entire show was pretty awful. I really really hope Al Gore isn't invited this year.

I like Jon, but his Oscar stint was plain out awkward and bad IMO....

At least there won't be any anti-Bush remarks this year...

Seinfeld would be great as a host. I've always been curious to see Bill Murray take a stab at hosting too.

Another reason not to watch next year. He did such a poor job the first time that I'm not expecting anything better.

Would love if Conan did it. Or Letterman tried again. Or even Leno. Hell, I'd even settle for Craig Ferguson.

atleast it wasnt whoppie again, god noes that she could be a candidate in future shows due to her "comeback" joining the view

Conan would be my #1 choice for the host of the Oscars.

I think Jerry Seinfeld would be a great choice as well. He’s not afraid of making some jokes that might ‘offend’ people either. Michael Richards can be a co-host.

I think Craig Ferguson would be a good choice, his Late, Late Show is currently (just by a hair) funnier than O’Brien this year.

Personally, the only thing that John Stewarts ever been in that I’ve cared about was The Larry Sanders Show. I’m not into that political satire. Colbert isn’t my cup of tea either.

Eh? Seinfeld is hilarious, but he's easily one of the least-offensive comics around. "Have you ever noticed that the hot water taps in public restrooms put out COLD water? What's up with that?"

As much as I normally dislike Billy Crystal, he's been the best host of the last decade or more. Never found Jon Stewart to be very funny.

They could tap someone new ... like Brian Regan.

Good call! He is funny as shit!

Or Dane Cook!



*runs*

I'm praying for a callback to the Scorsese/Three Six Mafia scoreboard since they're tied at one now.

He's not raunchy or anything, but he can get pretty hard hitting when he wants to, like when he accepted that TV Land award and went off on a hilarious 5-minute rant about how fake celebrities are and how awards don't mean anything. He's also good for a rape joke every now and then.

I was just waiting for someone to bring that up.