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maplescorp
Citizen
Username: Maplescorp
Post Number: 80
Registered: 12-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, January 8, 2006 - 11:01 am: |     |
http://www.cnn.com/2006/SHOWBIZ/Movies/01/05/film.oscars.reut/
I actually didn't know this until I saw his show last night, which was TiVo'd, so I'm not sure when it aired.
I like Jon, and he will be very funny and do well, but I don't like when they choose "small" entertainers to host something as prestigious and legendary as the Oscars. I'm not saying the Oscars isn't a commercial enterprise at its core and an illustration of Hollywood hype, excess, and self-congratulation, but -- speaking as someone who worked at the Academy for two years --there's a lot of history there and it deserves respect. I'm tempted to say they should have someone with some movie experience, but I thought Johnny Carson was the best.
Jon has had smallish parts in a handful of movies, though I think Letterman only had a cameo in one when he was asked. Chris Rock, with even more film roles and producer credits, was really funny at times, but he was an inappropriate choice because his style is so wrong for the Oscars.
Bill Crystal was "small" when he was first asked, but his multiple hosting duties have given him credibility. Whoopie won an Oscar, that's instant credibility, thought she does a lousy job.
My favorite in modern days would be Steve Martin: funny, irreverant, reverent, no stranger to good moviemaking, and an absolute movie star.
But whatever, selecting Jon Stewart means I'm absolutely going to watch, and that's what they care most about. But how will he play in Iowa? Or Belgium for that matter? |
Straw06
Supporter
Username: Strawberry
Post Number: 6634
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, January 8, 2006 - 11:52 am: | |
Having Chris Rock replaced by Jon Stewart is like having Fred Profeta replaced by Hank Zona.. |
The Libertarian
Citizen
Username: Local_1_crew
Post Number: 1230
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, January 8, 2006 - 12:17 pm: | |
having worked with Jon I can tell you confidently that he is a very very funny and intelligent guy. he will be great. |
Straw06
Supporter
Username: Strawberry
Post Number: 6636
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, January 8, 2006 - 12:19 pm: | |
They said the same thing about Letterman. |
The Libertarian
Citizen
Username: Local_1_crew
Post Number: 1232
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, January 8, 2006 - 12:20 pm: | |
jon isnt as schticky as letterman. |
tom
Citizen
Username: Tom
Post Number: 4164
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, January 8, 2006 - 12:27 pm: | |
Straw is holding out for a neo-con comedian, but they all have full-time policy jobs in the administration right now. |
Straw06
Supporter
Username: Strawberry
Post Number: 6638
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, January 8, 2006 - 1:17 pm: | |
good point Tom. Denis Miller would be an excellent choice. |
Nohero
Supporter
Username: Nohero
Post Number: 4926
Registered: 10-1999
| | Posted on Sunday, January 8, 2006 - 1:43 pm: | |
Great Moments in Conservative Humor"I'll tell you what the coloreds want. It's three things: first, a tight p*ssy; second, loose shoes; and third, a warm place to sh*t."
- Earl Butz
"We have every mixture you can have. I have a black, a woman, two Jews and a cripple. And we have talent."
- James Watt But, the all time, hands down greatest conservative comedian has to be the current President. How about that routine he did at the correspondents dinner a year or so ago -Bush playfully provided mock captions to a series of photographs taken in and around the White House. The president's "White House Election Year Album" included pokes at himself, Vice President Cheney and his presumed Democratic opponent, Sen. John F. Kerry (Mass.).
One series of photos showed the president in awkward positions--on his knees, looking behind draperies and moving furniture in the Oval Office--accompanied by such comments as "Those weapons of mass destruction have got to be somewhere," "Nope, no weapons over there!" and "Maybe under here?" What a laugh riot. He killed them!
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Dave
Supporter
Username: Dave
Post Number: 8309
Registered: 4-1997
| | Posted on Sunday, January 8, 2006 - 2:04 pm: | |
Miller couldn't even cover NFL games and even Terry Bradshaw can do that. |
Straw06
Supporter
Username: Strawberry
Post Number: 6643
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, January 8, 2006 - 2:29 pm: | |
Well Bradshaw did win 4 rings. |
anon
Supporter
Username: Anon
Post Number: 2478
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, January 8, 2006 - 5:11 pm: | |
Libertarian: Do you really know him or are you just making fun of Straw's name dropping schtick?
And I'm old enough to think of Bob Hope when I think Oscars and Burt Parks when I think Miss America! |
SOSully
Citizen
Username: Sullymw
Post Number: 1089
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, January 9, 2006 - 9:27 am: | |
Jon Stewart will be great. He is very smart, very funny. Besides his Daily Show, one of his stand-up shows that I saw was the funniest thing I had ever seen. |
Duncan
Supporter
Username: Duncanrogers
Post Number: 5486
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Monday, January 9, 2006 - 9:57 am: | |
Jon will ROCK. I am another who knows him faintly. He helped us out with the second NY Comedy Film Festival in '98 and he was a riot even then. If you have heard his "warm up" before the Daily Show you know that he is amazingly quick on his feet and incredibly smart. He will not top Carson (for his pure genius) or Billy Crystal for his opening song schticks, but if he is given a few years to grow into it, he may well become a great host.
I get the history thing Maplescorp, but sadly, like most things, there is a business side of it as well, and despite his liberal leanings Jon appeals to both sides of the aisle cause he will call the Dem's out with equal spirit when warrented, so I think he has alienated fewer on the "right". Not that there is a political thing about the Oscars.
I would be interested to know in what capacity you served the AMPAS?
A friend of my mom's was a voter and so we got to see all the screeners that the academy sent out. In the days before DVD's and even then the VCH's had supplemental stuff on them to encourage you to vote for so and so for best actor or what have you.
I hope Jon does a great job. But there is nothing he can do to excise the bloat that is in the ceremony itself. It is a little too self congratulatory. But with the plethora of awards shows out there, the Oscars have to maintain the cache of being THE HIGHEST honor bestowed. Which it is, right or wrong. As it was (Wrong) when it gave Titanic Best Picture. Or the fact that Stanley Kubrik has never been awarded Best Director. Forrest Gump beating out Shawshank Redemption? Mean Streets or 2001:A Space Odyessy getting nothing? Galdiator over CTHD or Wonderboys?
My favorite Oscar moment, Jessica Yu (who I know from the NY Comedy Film Festival and her short called Better Late) when she won for Best Doc short subjects saying "What a thrill. You know you've entered new territory when you realize that your outfit cost more than your film." 
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maplescorp
Citizen
Username: Maplescorp
Post Number: 88
Registered: 12-2005
| | Posted on Monday, January 9, 2006 - 10:25 am: | |
Agreed on all points, Duncan. That Titanic won best picture is crazy. How could a Best Picture not even get close to nominated for its screenplay? I'm also not big on Braveheart or Nicole Kidman's nose.
When I was living in LA looking for work, I got a temp job working for a casting "yellow pages" the Academy puts out called the Player's Directory. They had a shortage of responsible people so they hired me and later made me Director of Sales. I got to go to two Academy Awards. Looking back, my biggest regret is taking my Mom as my "+1" both times. Imagine the dates I could have had!
One of those Awards shows was the one in which Madonna and Michael Jackson came together. After it was over and we were walking away from the theater, I cautioned my mother against looking back for fear she would turn to salt.
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drewdix
Citizen
Username: Drewdix
Post Number: 1091
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Monday, January 9, 2006 - 10:29 am: | |
maplescorp,
Perhaps if the "Academy" turned out better movies it would earn more respect.
The consistent level of crap that comes out, is what makes it all so bloated and silly. |
maplescorp
Citizen
Username: Maplescorp
Post Number: 89
Registered: 12-2005
| | Posted on Monday, January 9, 2006 - 10:35 am: | |
Well the Academy as an organization doesn't make or turn out movies. They do the Oscars and some other recognition programs and sponsor cinema study and preservation initiatives. But the point is well-taken. |
The Libertarian
Citizen
Username: Local_1_crew
Post Number: 1233
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Monday, January 9, 2006 - 12:43 pm: | |
Libertarian: Do you really know him or are you just making fun of Straw's name dropping schtick?
i do know him. i worked on his syndicated show for 2 years.
i meet alot of celebs in my line of work |
drewdix
Citizen
Username: Drewdix
Post Number: 1092
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Monday, January 9, 2006 - 1:21 pm: | |
You can separate the org. from the members if you like.
The Academy's members are the ones who feed us stuff like "Gigli" at a cost of $54 million (it made $6 million) |
Duncan
Supporter
Username: Duncanrogers
Post Number: 5490
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Monday, January 9, 2006 - 10:33 pm: | |
Drewdix...they don't feed it to us. they put it out there, you go or don't go. Thank God no one went to Gigli. And unfortunately no one is going to The Dying Gaul.
Here is the AMPAS mission...
Quote:The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, a professional honorary organization of over 6,000 motion picture professionals, was founded to advance the arts and sciences of motion pictures; foster cooperation among creative leaders for cultural, educational and technological progress; recognize outstanding achievements; cooperate on technical research and improvement of methods and equipment; provide a common forum and meeting ground for various branches and crafts; represent the viewpoint of actual creators of the motion picture; and foster educational activities between the professional community and the public-at-large.
another little factoid..
Quote:Membership in the Academy is by invitation of the Board of Governors and is limited to those who have achieved distinction in the arts and sciences of motion pictures. Some of the criteria for admittance are: film credits of a caliber which reflect the high standards of the Academy, receipt of an Academy Award nomination, achievement of unique distinction, earning of special merit, or making of an outstanding contribution to film.
Members represent 14 branches - Actors, Art Directors, Cinematographers, Directors, Documentary, Executives, Film Editors, Music, Producers, Public Relations, Short Films and Feature Animation, Sound, Visual Effects and Writers.
But I do think that AMPAS has made some egregious errors in the awards they have bestowed. But then again, so have the american people in the presidents they have chosen.
Personally, I like the SAG awards better, since they have an award for "ensemble cast" which I think is cool. Plus I get to see lots of movies for free right now. 
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Buttercup
Citizen
Username: Buttercup
Post Number: 20
Registered: 12-2005
| | Posted on Monday, January 9, 2006 - 11:56 pm: | |
Wow, this is great news. Stewart is hilarious. Still, no one beats Crystal. |
drewdix
Citizen
Username: Drewdix
Post Number: 1093
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 10, 2006 - 9:55 am: | |
About "feeding": it's not like the $54mm had to be somehow spent on Gigli, and it had to be produced, hell or high water.
It's not like they filmed it and relied on you to select it from some neutral, alphabetical list.
Did the studio honestly think this was the best possible choice for this money? Apparently yes! and they turn around and tell us (via massive promotion) that it's a can't miss. Oh, the chemistry! the romance!
That, in my opinion, is feeding us a load of cr*p.
I love the noble language in the mission statement:
"advance the arts and sciences of motion pictures"
violated on a regular basis.
"Some of the criteria for admittance are: film credits of a caliber which reflect the high standards of the Academy"
No comment!
(present company excluded - Freshwater is high caliber. Although I still need to see BUST...)
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Duncan
Supporter
Username: Duncanrogers
Post Number: 5498
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 10, 2006 - 10:09 am: | |
I think there was a measure of really crappy cost benefit analysis going on with Gigli. I know it screwed Kevin Smith something fierce. Jersey Girl didn't stand a chance givent the fact that the studio released Gigli first.
As for how they spend the money, lord knows. There are a whole lot of idiots with their hands on the purse strings.
Gigli, is, an anomoly though. Most of the crap out of LA actually does ok. How else do you account for Duece Bigalow making its 22 million dollar budget back? Or worse still Duece Bigalow (the first one) tripling its budget in sales.
Drew...Bust aint no big thing. But I will get you a copy if you are really curious. Dan is good, but the story is cliched and there wasn't much Chris (my DP) or I could do to help alleviate that. |
drewdix
Citizen
Username: Drewdix
Post Number: 1095
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 10, 2006 - 12:00 pm: | |
I'm curious!
Can't explain the "Deuce" math.
It's a Barton Fink world out there I guess (what a great Hollywood take down..among other themes)
I thought Crystal was a good Oscar host as well.
Hard to take elsewhere but this stage was good for him.
I think Stewart will be terrific. |
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