Originally posted by Lila64
might as well post this here...
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
Jon Stewart's Oscar Rewind
Wed Sep 12, 12:53 AM
And the podium goes to...Jon Stewart.
The Daily Show anchor and his trademark snark have once again been tapped by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences to host the Oscar ceremony. Stewart will hold down joke-cracking duties for next year's 80th Annual Academy Awards.
The hosting gig will be Stewart's second time fronting Hollywood's biggest night, having previously served as master of ceremonies back in 2006.
"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, 44, said.
"Jon was a terrific host for the 78th Awards," longtime Oscar producer Gil Cates said in a statement. "He is smart, quick, funny, loves movies and is a great guy. What else could one ask for?"
In a word: ratings.
The satirist's turn at the podium two years ago was one of the lower rated of recent broadcasts, averaging 38.9 million viewers.
By comparison, Ellen DeGeneres' more folksy stint at the helm this year drew 39.9 million viewers, and Chris Rock's 2005 outing, Jude Law would be loath to learn, drew a hearty 42.1 million movie fans to their TV screens.
Whether or not the numbers go up next year remains to be seen, but fans can count on one aspect of the Stewart-hosted show remaining the same: the schtick.
In his previous stint as host, the Comedy Central pundit relied heavily on his usual slapstick and political humor—for his opening gambit, he lampooned Hollywood's "liberal elite" rather than wedge titles of nominated films into a Billy Crystal-esque song-and-dance number—and viewers can no doubt look forward to more of the same for February's ceremony, falling as it does during a presidential election year.
Stewart, who also has two turns hosting the Grammys under his awards-show belt, will join some esteemed company with his second Oscar go-round.
Bob Hope holds the hosting record, with 18 ceremonies to his credit. More recently, Crystal emceed eight times, followed by Johnny Carson at five and Whoopi Goldberg at four. While Stewart has a way to go before touching those records, he can now count himself on par with Steve Martin, another two-time host.
The Oscars will air live on ABC from Hollywood's Kodak Theater on Feb. 24, 2008.