If only Bob Hope and Johnny Carson could come back from the dead...Seriously, besides Billy Crystal and
Which is why I wonder why Jon Stewart would accept the Academy's reported invitation to host the ceremony again next year. When he hosted in 2006, he got decidedly mixed reviews, from people who liked his performance to folks like Nikki Finke, who said that Stewart bombed.
After these reviews came out, I speculated on why critics think that any Oscar host, whether he or she is edgy or not, should be held up to the same standards that they're held up to when they perform in their respective acts or shows. If you're less edgy than you are normally, you bomb, and if you try to go for edgy but get no laughs from the jaded and uncomfortable audience in the theater, you bomb. It's a no-win for most comedians, and I wonder why they ever take the job in the first place.
As I've said before, the perfect fit for this job is an inoffensive, middle-of-the-road comedian like Jay Leno. Let me add a few more names to the list: Dane Cook (yes, his act is dirty, but so non-controversial it hurts), Craig Ferguson (he can go off on one of his stream-of-consciousness monologues), Drew Carey, Byron Allen, Jason Alexander, Jim Belushi, and Carrot Top (if the host is going to get ripped, might as well use someone who deserves it).
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-12-2007 @ 12:28PM
Scott said...
Jason Alexander actually might be pretty good. As far as the other names--why make a long, painful night even worse?
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9-12-2007 @ 3:05PM
Prateek S. said...
I don't think anyone should be subjected to Carrot Top or Dane Cook. Especially the whole mess of people that tune into the Oscars. There have been too many great hosts... Carson... Hope... Letterman... Crystal... so I don't think we should settle for middle of the road comedians. Stewart and Rock were great in my opinion. Also, seeing as how Conan was a slam dunk at the Emmy's I think he's worth hosting as well. All these guys have found ways to breathe life into the show for everyone. It wasn't corny and cookie cutterish, and it wasn't inappropriate! Congrats Jon... here's hoping for a big musical number with you, Colbert and Carrell!
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9-12-2007 @ 3:13PM
pacheco said...
Isn't Martin a two-time host? The year Gladiator won and the year Chicago won? I think so, right?
It's a tough gig to do, having to please everyone across the spectrum. I think the classy, beloved comedian (like Billy Crystal) is still probably the best bet.
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9-12-2007 @ 3:06PM
Ryan said...
Jon S. is a great choice. My friends and I actually had FUN watching the show when he hosted. Hopefully since this is NOT his first time, the expectations will be a bit more tempered and thus he will be much more relaxed.
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9-12-2007 @ 3:12PM
Joel Keller said...
Pacheco, you're right. I fixed the post.
Prateek, if you noticed, I praised both Rock and Letterman. I liked Stewart's performance, too. But critics think they bombed because the stuffed shirts in the audience didn't laugh. Those are probably the worst people against whom to gauge an Oscar performance, which, of course, is opposite the general wisdom of stand-up comedy.
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9-12-2007 @ 3:24PM
Jim said...
Aside from kicking off the show, which Billy Crytsal excels at, the host has a pointless role. I say ditch the host and get on with the presentations already.
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9-12-2007 @ 3:30PM
Dale said...
Rock and Letterman were fantastic, they roasted the celebs rather than kissed their asses
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