I wasn’t all that impressed with Jon Stewart as an Oscar host a couple of years ago. I love Jon Stewart, but he didn’t look all that comfortable on his first outing. When they announced that Stewart would be back as host again this year, I wasn’t thrilled. Yes, he is a HUGE step up over Ellen (what a train wreck that was), but still, he wasn’t all that great (not horrible) the first time around, and I still MUCH prefer the idea of a MOVIE personality hosting the movie industry celebration.
Having said all that… Jon Stewart ROCKED last night. He really did. He kept the focus off himself, let the material and the presenters do most of the entertaining, and just really kept things moving along. I was throughly impressed and VERY entertained.
I’ll talk more about my impressions of the overall Oscar show later this evening on the Uncut Podcast, but for now I’ll just say I think it was the best Oscar show in years. And even though I still would rather see a movie person host the Oscars, Stewart was wonderful and we salute him.
Eddie Murphy is too talented and smart to not realize that Norbit just didn’t work out too well. The real problem is why the studios don’t offer him better roles. And besides, Norbit had already won big at the Razzies, so Jon Stewart pointing out that Norbit was bad was not exactly an original thought. I thought Stewart’s performance was fine – some laughs, nothing memorable, good quips as the evening wore on. Unlike this blog and its denizens, I also thought Ellen DeGeneres was fine last year, as was Chris Rock. The problem all three face – none are as perfectly suited as Billy Crystal.
Stewart was a disaster his first time out. The Academy KNEW bringing him back would kill ratings (and they were right, the ratings tanked), but they did it anyway. Why?
They wanted his left-wing political stance to dominate the night.
I’m TIRED of all the political bullshit coming out of Hollywood. I DON’T CARE WHAT SEAN PENN OR THE DIXIE CHICKS THINK ABOUT POLITICS!!!! Using your fame in movies, music, etc. to promote a political viewpoint is just one indication of the massive egos running rampant in entertainment. These people actually believe that because they are celebrities, their political opinions must have more substance than the rest of ours. Left-wing, right-wing, I don’t care. There are plenty of acceptable forums for political expression, and the Oscars aren’t one of them. Should a celebrity be able to express a political opinion? Absolutely! But using an entertainment venue to do it is WRONG on so many levels.
I think John Stewart is great, and I watch The Daily Show all the time. But when I want to see his take on politics, I’LL WATCH THE DAILY SHOW.
Screw Eddie Murphy after he left last year Oscars. Stewart did a good job. He was funny and the show went by pretty well. He’s not responsible for what goes on at the Oscars. He’s just the host, and I think he did a good job.
I was mostly unimpressed with Jon Stewart last night. I think one comment above was spot-on– we was not charming- it was a lot of posturing. I think his jokes were mostly stale. And the worst thing of all– he had the nerve to slam Eddie Murphy for making a bad movie. I’m sorry, but that’s weak. Stewart will never reach Murphy’s height of talent and popularity. Sorry, that’s a hack move all the way.
THE JAMIE WATCHES HIS SHOW EVERYDAY!!!!!
I salute Jon Stewart. He can also play NINTENDO Wii!
I thought Jon was great this year,
that said, Wouldn’t be awesome if they just got Jonah Hill and Seth Rogan to do it. i thought there lead in as Halle Berry and Dame Judy Dench was one of the best of the evening. Their a movie personality and they’re hilarious.
That or the aforementioned Seinfeld, as long as he does Seinfeld and doesn’t pull a Bee Movie on us. Bee Movie was decent but so disappointing coming from him.
I thought Stewart was OK last night, it really seemed like a lack of preparation compared to previous years on the writers part due to the strike being over a short while ago. Listening to KROQ (los angeles) they brought up a good point in that there was this feeling that Stewart brought which was like he was “above the show.” Now I know it was part of the bit, but it didn’t really work to make it seem like “oh this was just another award show” There’s a balance between doing that and acting like too much of a cheerleader being the host, it really did seem the balance was a little too far on “being above the show.” The hosting with the politics added, btw I am a fan of The Daily Show, seemed a little too much like he was trying to host the Daily Show rather than the award show.
@Brian:
“Stewart: Okay when he’s not pushing his left wing agenda”
What left wing agenda? Like two years before, he had one liners that hit right and left. I think he should be back next year. Unless they bring Whoopi back, anyway.
I quite liked his performance. A huge step up from his first year.
I thing things like the oscars are rigged, so I don’t watch it. John steward is a funny guy though, so I’m glad it went well.
John John john! this is a joke right?
I thought the Oscars were about celebrating movies? I felt like I was at a political convention.
he was funny like twice and both times he was talkng about movies. the “thank god for teen pregnancy” and the iphone bit. Thats it.
this is the Oscars Mr. Stewart please keep the political commentary to your show….thank you
John, I agree with you on many things. This, NO! Jon Stewart sucked. He really was boring as hell. I think if the Oscars can get Jerry Seinfeld to host, the Oscars would never be the same.
I’m a big BIG Stewart fan, but I didn’t think he was good this year. He did the “Gaydolf Titler”-joke on the Daily show 6 months ago and didn’t really deliver anything else.
Stewart: Okay when he’s not pushing his left wing agenda. No matter, the Oscars down 24% from last year. Lowest ratings ever! Wake up Hollywood you’re not as imprtant as you think.
I’m a huge Jon Stewart fan but I thought he was awful, he acted charming instead of being charming and his jokes were generic and stale.
The political jokes were cheesy but it was when he started it seemed forced and not within the flow of the show.
And as far as Stewart hosting…George Clooney was more charming in his little bit than Stewart was for most of the show.
In regards to Marketa….
I loved it, but don’t give Stewart ALL he credit. Word is, Colin Farrell raised HELL backstage and demanded they let Marketa talk. Either way, it was classy as hell, and I tip my hat to whoever it was who decided to right a wrong and let her talk.
Playing the Wii with the little girl was too cute.
I’m not going to lie. Stewart sucked the first time out. Flat out, he was a HOWARD THE DUCK-level bomb in my eyes back in ’06 (True, he was still miles away better than Ellen!) HOWEVER, he totally won me over last night.
As far as I’m concerned, he can continue to host the Oscars forever and I’m 100% cool with that…ESPECIALLY after the classy act of bringing Marketa Irglova back on stage to give her acceptance speech. Fucking douchbag conducters would NEVER do that to “a star!”
Remember when they let Reese Witherspoon ramble on and on (and on) and not ever “playing her off” when they did that to damn near everyone else that year?
What classifies a “movie person” to you John? Stewart has been in at least one…Doesn’t that count? ;)
My fave line of his was – “That guy sure was arrogant.”