In stark contrast to last year’s Academy Awards, it’s fair to expect a good deal of self-deprecation from this year’s host, Jon Stewart–after all, that’s half his shtick. The other half, of course, is political satire–veering as objectively left as is possible–which seems a perfect fit for a year rife with hot-button films nominated. To that end, expect a few obligatory Brokeback Mountain cheap shots and maybe even his haphazardly hilarious George W. Bush impression, which reduces–or aggrandizes, depending on which audience member you ask–the president to a caricature. Some of his buddies in the crowd sure wouldn’t object to the latter.
A man who puts the pun in “pundit,” Stewart represents another somewhat daring wildcard of a choice by Academy brass to host the show (and to arouse interest again in the Oscars from the younger demographic that comprises his The Daily Show with Jon Stewart viewership). But the prospects of a telecast devoid of a hate-triangle catfight like last year’s between host Chris Rock, Sean Penn and Jude Law–which induced simultaneous cringe and intrigue–no doubt made the decision a bit easier. For it seems more in Stewart’s nature to cutely nudge the A-list attendees than to unapologetically antagonize them.
Clearly, Stewart has been catapulted to stardom by his TV show and countless celebrity fans, but let’s not forget that he has been in his fair share of movies. In fact, prior to earning his current young-adult cred thanks to his TV show, Stewart’s hard-earned adolescent cred was attained by mostly kooky supporting roles alongside Adam Sandler and Jay and Silent Bob. Stewart is nonetheless decidedly “TV” for a host of a movie awards show, but we’re certainly not complaining. In fact, this year’s choice has us applauding the Academy for–dare we say!–a second straight year. That is, until the winners are announced.
Getting to know your host:
Birth Name: Jonathan Stuart Liebowitz
Born: 11/28/1962 in Lawrence Township, New Jersey
Oscar Host He’s Succeeding: Chris Rock
Notable Hostography: The Grammy Awards (2001 and 2002)
Best Known As: The host of Comedy Central’s The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, not to be confused with his 1993 MTV show, The Jon Stewart Show
Famous Daily Show Alumni: Craig Kilborn (former host), Steve Carell, Lewis Black, Susie Essman, Stephen Colbert, Mo Rocca, Caroline Rhea, Jeffrey Ross
Highest Grossing Film: Big Daddy (1999), $163 million
Role Stewart Most Loves to Hate: Death to Smoochy (2002)
Most Surprising Film Role: Part of The Faculty, Robert Rodriguez’s 1998 schoolhouse horror flick
Oft-Quoted Film Role: “Enhancement Smoker,” a cameo appearance, in 1998’s Half Baked: “You ever see the back of a twenty-dollar bill…on weed?”
Most Apropos Quote on Hosting the Oscars: “As a performer, I’m truly honored to be hosting the show. Although, as an avid watcher of the Oscars, I can’t help but be a little disappointed with the choice.”
