Jon Stewart will
return as host of the Academy Awards.
The star of
Comedy Central's The Daily Show With Jon
Stewart will get his second shot at hosting Hollywood's
premier event, which will be held on February 24 at
the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles. He hosted the 78th
annual awards show in 2006.
Stewart was ''a
terrific host'' for that event, Oscar telecast producer
Gil Cates said Wednesday, announcing the selection in a
statement from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and
Sciences.
The academy
didn't indicate why it decided to go with Stewart after
using comedian Ellen DeGeneres this year.
''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
joked.
Previous
Cates-selected hosts include Steve Martin, Chris Rock, Billy
Crystal, and Stewart.
Stewart, a
political satirist, injected some political humor into his
2006 performance, taking jabs at the war in Iraq and ribbing
Hollywood's elite about their ties to the Democratic
Party.
However, some
jokes bombed, and he got mixed reviews.
''His usually
impeccable blend of puckishness and self-effacement fell
flat,'' said a review by the Associated Press, adding he was
''too deferential, too nice and too obvious in his
targets.''
The 44-year-old
Stewart, who also hosted the Grammys in 2001 and 2002,
noted the split decision on his own cable TV show the night
after the Oscars, saying he had a great time but
didn't know how he did until he saw the reviews.
''I sucked and
was great!'' he said. ''I was a painfully smug and unfunny
heir to Johnny Carson.'' (AP)
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