Review: Stewart Disappoints As Oscars Host - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Janice · 03-06-2006, 10:33 AM

Review: Stewart Disappoints As Oscars Host

By FRAZIER MOORE

NEW YORK (AP) - You would have been more amused Sunday night if you'd revved up your TiVo and played back an evening's worth of "Daily Show with Jon Stewart" reruns while you tracked Oscar winners on the Web.
Stewart, usually a very funny guy, displayed a lack of beginner's luck as first-time host of "The 78th Annual Academy Awards," which ABC aired live from Hollywood's Kodak Theatre.

His usually impeccable blend of puckishness and self-effacement fell flat in the service of Oscar. But he wasn't alone. The rest of the broadcast was largely bland and by-the-numbers.

Couldn't presenter Russell Crowe have departed from his script and clobbered someone (even Stewart) with a telephone, just to jazz things up?

Thank goodness for the occasional attempt at cleverness, as when the presenters for Best Makeup arrived on stage in foolishly awful makeup: Will Ferrell scarlet-faced and Steve Carell corpse-pale.

And in a funny bit, Tom Hanks demonstrated the Academy's new strategy for speeding up acceptance speeches. Onstage musicians not only surrounded him but physically assaulted him to keep it brief.

Wait, this wasn't too far from the truth. From the instant each Oscar recipient began speaking, the orchestra's mewling Lite-FM assault began stepping on the winner's remarks, as if to play them offstage before they'd even opened their mouths. It was distracting and obnoxious, and undercut what are, potentially, the night's grandest moments.

Also irksome: a prevailing message through the broadcast preaching that movies should be seen on the big screen of a movie house, presumably at full ticket price. (Remember, DVDs: bad.)

The broadcast began on a shaky note with a filmed intro that found past Oscar host Billy Crystal being introduced as this year's host, then declining, followed by Chris Rock, Steve Martin, Whoopi Goldberg, David Letterman, Mel Gibson, even Mr. Moviephone - none of whom wanted the gig.

That seemed to leave it to Stewart by default. Maybe it's come to this.
Sure, he's an outsider - a New York-based comic and TV personality. The sort of star who reminded the audience that "tonight is the night we celebrate excellence in film - with ME, the fourth male lead from 'Death to Smoochy.'"
But as the night wore on, Stewart proved too deferential, too nice and too obvious in his targets.

His biggest monologue laugh: In reference to the swan dress that singer Bjork wore to the 2001 Oscars, Stewart announced gravely that she wouldn't be on hand this year: She "was trying on her Oscar dress and Dick Cheney shot her." Tiresome squared.

Late in the broadcast, the flashy, high-amp hip-hop number "It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp" surely roused any dozing viewers. And once Three 6 Mafia members Jordan Houston, Cedric Coleman and Paul Beauregard had received their Oscars for Original Song, Stewart got a big laugh by observing, "I think it just got a little easier out here for a pimp."

But more typical were Stewart's misfires, one of which he tried to recover from in a desperate way unworthy of him: "I am a loser," he declared. Not true. He's really funny. The many millions of Oscarcast viewers unfamiliar with Comedy Central's "The Daily Show" should tune in and see. If they do, that will make Stewart the biggest winner from Oscar night.

TVFactFan · 03-06-2006, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janice

Review: Stewart Disappoints As Oscars Host

By FRAZIER MOORE

NEW YORK (AP) - You would have been more amused Sunday night if you'd revved up your TiVo and played back an evening's worth of "Daily Show with Jon Stewart" reruns while you tracked Oscar winners on the Web.
Stewart, usually a very funny guy, displayed a lack of beginner's luck as first-time host of "The 78th Annual Academy Awards," which ABC aired live from Hollywood's Kodak Theatre.

His usually impeccable blend of puckishness and self-effacement fell flat in the service of Oscar. But he wasn't alone. The rest of the broadcast was largely bland and by-the-numbers.

Couldn't presenter Russell Crowe have departed from his script and clobbered someone (even Stewart) with a telephone, just to jazz things up?

Thank goodness for the occasional attempt at cleverness, as when the presenters for Best Makeup arrived on stage in foolishly awful makeup: Will Ferrell scarlet-faced and Steve Carell corpse-pale.

And in a funny bit, Tom Hanks demonstrated the Academy's new strategy for speeding up acceptance speeches. Onstage musicians not only surrounded him but physically assaulted him to keep it brief.

Wait, this wasn't too far from the truth. From the instant each Oscar recipient began speaking, the orchestra's mewling Lite-FM assault began stepping on the winner's remarks, as if to play them offstage before they'd even opened their mouths. It was distracting and obnoxious, and undercut what are, potentially, the night's grandest moments.

Also irksome: a prevailing message through the broadcast preaching that movies should be seen on the big screen of a movie house, presumably at full ticket price. (Remember, DVDs: bad.)

The broadcast began on a shaky note with a filmed intro that found past Oscar host Billy Crystal being introduced as this year's host, then declining, followed by Chris Rock, Steve Martin, Whoopi Goldberg, David Letterman, Mel Gibson, even Mr. Moviephone - none of whom wanted the gig.

That seemed to leave it to Stewart by default. Maybe it's come to this.
Sure, he's an outsider - a New York-based comic and TV personality. The sort of star who reminded the audience that "tonight is the night we celebrate excellence in film - with ME, the fourth male lead from 'Death to Smoochy.'"
But as the night wore on, Stewart proved too deferential, too nice and too obvious in his targets.

His biggest monologue laugh: In reference to the swan dress that singer Bjork wore to the 2001 Oscars, Stewart announced gravely that she wouldn't be on hand this year: She "was trying on her Oscar dress and Dick Cheney shot her." Tiresome squared.

Late in the broadcast, the flashy, high-amp hip-hop number "It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp" surely roused any dozing viewers. And once Three 6 Mafia members Jordan Houston, Cedric Coleman and Paul Beauregard had received their Oscars for Original Song, Stewart got a big laugh by observing, "I think it just got a little easier out here for a pimp."

But more typical were Stewart's misfires, one of which he tried to recover from in a desperate way unworthy of him: "I am a loser," he declared. Not true. He's really funny. The many millions of Oscarcast viewers unfamiliar with Comedy Central's "The Daily Show" should tune in and see. If they do, that will make Stewart the biggest winner from Oscar night.

The bits and pieces I watched of this event, he did appear to be acting kind of WEIRD. No where near funny

Brian Damage · 03-06-2006, 11:03 AM

Stewart was definitely bland. Maybe it was nerves, I don't know. The whole show seemed so forced and rushed. Granted, I don't like when celebs use the show to get on their soapboxes, but I like when the unpredictable happens and that didn't happen this year.

rusyd · 03-06-2006, 11:44 AM

According to the WGN News out here this morning, Stewart was compared to Johnny Carson and Roger Ebert was stated as saying Stewart could be the host for life. I watched the Oscars and I thought he did all right, but I don't know if he compares to Johnny Carson.

felicitylen · 03-06-2006, 01:26 PM

I thought he did alright. I felt like he tried to stay within the limits. I felt the same way when Chris Rock hosted last year. I think they both could have equally done better but it's The Oscars and not HBO or Comedy Central.

Brad Russ · 03-06-2006, 02:57 PM

I didn't think Stewart was bad or anything, just kind of boring. I did like his joke in the opening monologue about the Academy finally giving actors a chance to vote for someone who's a winner for a change winner.

That one had me cracking up. Aside from that though, of the stuff he said that I didn't fast forward past, I thought he was pretty bland. I still think they should get Ellen, or Seinfeld for next year!!

HuntingtonM15 · 03-06-2006, 03:35 PM

I actually liked him a lot more than I thought I would. Of course, I wasn't expecting much at all, so maybe that's why I didn't mind him. I definitely thought he was better than Chris Rock.

LucyCompanyPhan · 03-06-2006, 05:29 PM

Best line of the night:

"In case you're keeping track at home: Martin Scoresse 0, Three 6 Mafia 1."

TJL · 03-06-2006, 06:46 PM

I think John Stewart did a fine job. He looked a bit nervous at the beginning, but he loosened up as things went on, and he was pretty funny. The pretaped bit - the one featuring all the lead actress nominees - was pure "Daily Show" inspired, and it was good.

Critics need to understand a few things.

The Academy Awards is a long tiesome Awards Show.
Everyone knows it.
It is the same thing every year.
Too long, too boring, this award first, this award last, lame patter for presenters, bad fashion choices, gushing speeches, montages, etc.
No one wants to fix it, so they think the host is going to magically walk on water and make all the aforementioned stuff seem better and fresh.
Not gonna happen.
Stewart wasn't edgy enough? They tried edgy last year with Chris Rock, remember?
He mocked Jude Law in his opening monologue and Sean Penn, the biggest buzzkill in showbiz scolded him onstage later. So much for edgy.

Johnny Carson was Johnny Carson. Bob Hope was Bob Hope. They were unique talents who could somehow make the Oscar host job seem easy.
They are gone, and are not going to come back in the form of whatever host they pick.
It's only once a year. We got through another one, so we have 364 days until the next. Let John Stewart come back next year.

Zebra 3 · 03-06-2006, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LucyCompanyPhan

Best line of the night:

"In case you're keeping track at home: Martin Scoresse 0, Three 6 Mafia 1."

That was one of the few goodies of a mostly bland evening which I will blame on the FCC, the ABC network and the Academy of Motion Picture of Farts and Scientologists.

Janice · 03-07-2006, 10:59 AM

I wish Billy Crystal would host every year. He's the perfect host who appeals to just about everybody. He's not insulting like Letterman or Rock. And sorry, I've yet to hear one person say that Stewart was really good. I hear a lot of "okay...not bad..."...that sort of thing.

All I'm hearing he was as boring as watching paint dry. From the sounds of it, he's not cut out for such a long and demanding gig. It can and has been done by many before him.

I doubt if he'll be invited back, but who knows.

Brian Damage · 03-07-2006, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJL

They tried edgy last year with Chris Rock, remember?
He mocked Jude Law in his opening monologue and Sean Penn, the biggest buzzkill in showbiz scolded him onstage later. So much for edgy.

Well, ever since Rock made those comments about Jude Law, I haven't seen him appear in any movies. Maybe Chris Rock has some pull after all.

TJL · 03-07-2006, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

Well, ever since Rock made those comments about Jude Law, I haven't seen him appear in any movies. Maybe Chris Rock has some pull after all.

Nah, Jude Law did that to himself.

I saw "Alfie."

03-06-2006, 10:33 AM	#1
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	Review: Stewart Disappoints As Oscars Host Review: Stewart Disappoints As Oscars Host By FRAZIER MOORE NEW YORK (AP) - You would have been more amused Sunday night if you'd revved up your TiVo and played back an evening's worth of "Daily Show with Jon Stewart" reruns while you tracked Oscar winners on the Web. Stewart, usually a very funny guy, displayed a lack of beginner's luck as first-time host of "The 78th Annual Academy Awards," which ABC aired live from Hollywood's Kodak Theatre. His usually impeccable blend of puckishness and self-effacement fell flat in the service of Oscar. But he wasn't alone. The rest of the broadcast was largely bland and by-the-numbers. Couldn't presenter Russell Crowe have departed from his script and clobbered someone (even Stewart) with a telephone, just to jazz things up? Thank goodness for the occasional attempt at cleverness, as when the presenters for Best Makeup arrived on stage in foolishly awful makeup: Will Ferrell scarlet-faced and Steve Carell corpse-pale. And in a funny bit, Tom Hanks demonstrated the Academy's new strategy for speeding up acceptance speeches. Onstage musicians not only surrounded him but physically assaulted him to keep it brief. Wait, this wasn't too far from the truth. From the instant each Oscar recipient began speaking, the orchestra's mewling Lite-FM assault began stepping on the winner's remarks, as if to play them offstage before they'd even opened their mouths. It was distracting and obnoxious, and undercut what are, potentially, the night's grandest moments. Also irksome: a prevailing message through the broadcast preaching that movies should be seen on the big screen of a movie house, presumably at full ticket price. (Remember, DVDs: bad.) The broadcast began on a shaky note with a filmed intro that found past Oscar host Billy Crystal being introduced as this year's host, then declining, followed by Chris Rock, Steve Martin, Whoopi Goldberg, David Letterman, Mel Gibson, even Mr. Moviephone - none of whom wanted the gig. That seemed to leave it to Stewart by default. Maybe it's come to this. Sure, he's an outsider - a New York-based comic and TV personality. The sort of star who reminded the audience that "tonight is the night we celebrate excellence in film - with ME, the fourth male lead from 'Death to Smoochy.'" But as the night wore on, Stewart proved too deferential, too nice and too obvious in his targets. His biggest monologue laugh: In reference to the swan dress that singer Bjork wore to the 2001 Oscars, Stewart announced gravely that she wouldn't be on hand this year: She "was trying on her Oscar dress and Dick Cheney shot her." Tiresome squared. Late in the broadcast, the flashy, high-amp hip-hop number "It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp" surely roused any dozing viewers. And once Three 6 Mafia members Jordan Houston, Cedric Coleman and Paul Beauregard had received their Oscars for Original Song, Stewart got a big laugh by observing, "I think it just got a little easier out here for a pimp." But more typical were Stewart's misfires, one of which he tried to recover from in a desperate way unworthy of him: "I am a loser," he declared. Not true. He's really funny. The many millions of Oscarcast viewers unfamiliar with Comedy Central's "The Daily Show" should tune in and see. If they do, that will make Stewart the biggest winner from Oscar night.

03-06-2006, 11:03 AM	#3
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Stewart was definitely bland. Maybe it was nerves, I don't know. The whole show seemed so forced and rushed. Granted, I don't like when celebs use the show to get on their soapboxes, but I like when the unpredictable happens and that didn't happen this year.
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

03-06-2006, 02:57 PM	#6
Brad Russ Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 17, 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 10,085	I didn't think Stewart was bad or anything, just kind of boring. I did like his joke in the opening monologue about the Academy finally giving actors a chance to vote for someone who's a winner for a change winner. That one had me cracking up. Aside from that though, of the stuff he said that I didn't fast forward past, I thought he was pretty bland. I still think they should get Ellen, or Seinfeld for next year!!
	__________________ St. John 15:13 - Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." Currently my favorite song.

03-06-2006, 05:29 PM	#8
LucyCompanyPhan Hollywood Senior Member Join Date: Sep 25, 2001 Location: a far away place in sitcomville Posts: 2,254	Best line of the night: "In case you're keeping track at home: Martin Scoresse 0, Three 6 Mafia 1."
	__________________ "Rather than love, than money, than faith, than fame, than fairness -- give me truth.”

03-06-2006, 06:46 PM	#9
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,588	I think John Stewart did a fine job. He looked a bit nervous at the beginning, but he loosened up as things went on, and he was pretty funny. The pretaped bit - the one featuring all the lead actress nominees - was pure "Daily Show" inspired, and it was good. Critics need to understand a few things. The Academy Awards is a long tiesome Awards Show. Everyone knows it. It is the same thing every year. Too long, too boring, this award first, this award last, lame patter for presenters, bad fashion choices, gushing speeches, montages, etc. No one wants to fix it, so they think the host is going to magically walk on water and make all the aforementioned stuff seem better and fresh. Not gonna happen. Stewart wasn't edgy enough? They tried edgy last year with Chris Rock, remember? He mocked Jude Law in his opening monologue and Sean Penn, the biggest buzzkill in showbiz scolded him onstage later. So much for edgy. Johnny Carson was Johnny Carson. Bob Hope was Bob Hope. They were unique talents who could somehow make the Oscar host job seem easy. They are gone, and are not going to come back in the form of whatever host they pick. It's only once a year. We got through another one, so we have 364 days until the next. Let John Stewart come back next year.
	__________________ "I think I'll stroll up to the front to see how the shooting's going..." - Capt. Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce Read my blogs! http://centralparkamisguide.com/ http://dvdcriticscorner.com Visit me on Facebook!http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=641138880 Hey, I do the tweet thing too! http://twitter.com/TomLevier My shop of handmade items! http://www.etsy.com/shop/ColdGarageCreations

03-06-2006, 11:44 AM	#4
rusyd Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Mar 30, 2004 Posts: 13,505	According to the WGN News out here this morning, Stewart was compared to Johnny Carson and Roger Ebert was stated as saying Stewart could be the host for life. I watched the Oscars and I thought he did all right, but I don't know if he compares to Johnny Carson.

03-06-2006, 01:26 PM	#5
felicitylen Keep Austin WEIRD Senior Member Join Date: Apr 17, 2003 Location: Hook 'em Horns Posts: 1,606	I thought he did alright. I felt like he tried to stay within the limits. I felt the same way when Chris Rock hosted last year. I think they both could have equally done better but it's The Oscars and not HBO or Comedy Central.

03-06-2006, 03:35 PM	#7
HuntingtonM15 That Bothers Me Moderator Forum Star Join Date: Jun 20, 2003 Location: Metro Detroit Posts: 11,060	I actually liked him a lot more than I thought I would. Of course, I wasn't expecting much at all, so maybe that's why I didn't mind him. I definitely thought he was better than Chris Rock.

03-07-2006, 10:59 AM	#11
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	I wish Billy Crystal would host every year. He's the perfect host who appeals to just about everybody. He's not insulting like Letterman or Rock. And sorry, I've yet to hear one person say that Stewart was really good. I hear a lot of "okay...not bad..."...that sort of thing. All I'm hearing he was as boring as watching paint dry. From the sounds of it, he's not cut out for such a long and demanding gig. It can and has been done by many before him. I doubt if he'll be invited back, but who knows.