Friday, January 6, 2006

FRANKLY, I THOUGHT JUDE LAW DESERVED IT. OTHER THAN ACING DICKIE GREENLEAF, WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL? Sure we're excited, but the Gold Derby's Tom O'Neil is crapping all over the idea of Jon Stewart hosting the Oscars:
Stewart has the potential of being a catastrophe of Cecil B. DeMille-sized epic proportions when he holds forth on the stage of the Kodak Theatre on March 5. Sure, he's edgy and full of the kind of defiant 'tude that attracts young hip TV viewers, but he's a comic assassin. When Stewart aims his jokes, he goes in for the kill.

That's what Chris Rock did last year when his potshot at Jude Law backfired, causing Sean Penn to rally to Jude's defense by going off script during the ceremony to insist that Jude is "one of our finest actors!" It was a snafu that's still talked about today and one that threatens to haunt Rock for eons. . . .

Comedians like Jon Stewart exult in their own cockiness, not humility. . . .

Oscar's chief gag writer Bruce Vilanch once described the perfect host: "It's best to have an insider who the live audience is comfortable with. You don't want them to feel like this is a person you jobbed in."

But that's what Oscar bosses have done this year by jobbing in another cocky New Yorker — much like David Letterman — who has never been chummy with the California film crowd.

Are they crazy?

"Oh, what could Jon Stewart possibly do wrong?" you ask.

Stewart, let's face it, is famous for insulting his hosts — and without an affectionate follow up.

Remember what he said to Tucker Carlson when he appeared as a guest on "Crossfire"? . . .

Keep reading. It'll anger up the blood.

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