Oscar news: Nominations announced, but will Jon Stewart host?
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Big day for the motion picture industry: Academy Award nominations were announced this morning.
Bigger day for Jon Stewart fans (if they’re like me and missed this story yesterday, that is): Jon reportedly won’t cross the picket line to host the Oscars if the writers’ strike hasn’t been resolved by then. From the New York Post (my emphasis added):
FEW BELIEVE OSCAR SHOW WILL GO ON
By DON KAPLAN
Oscar honcho Gil Cates claims he has a “Plan B.”January 21, 2008 — THE Oscar people are talking tough – but most people in Hollywood and the TV business believe the Oscars are dead this year.
ABC was busy last week telling advertisers that the show will go on – despite the threat of Writers Guild picket lines keeping all the stars away.
Gil Cates, the movie director who is charge of the Oscar show again this year, told a group of high-level Hollywood publicity people he is working on alternatives – a “Plan B,” as Variety called it.
But in truth, the Oscars are turning into a virtual replay of this year’s sad Golden Globes telecast, according to Hollywood insiders.
“The Oscars may be suffering from a false sense of security and arrogance,” says Tom O’Neil, editor of the awards-show Web site, theenvelope.com.
Nominations for the awards are set to be announced early tomorrow – but a pall is already hanging over the Feb. 5 telecast.
At this point, the Oscars does not even have a host.
Jon Stewart, who agreed last year to return for his second stint as host, has told the Motion Picture Academy that he won’t cross the picket line, according to sources close to the “Daily Show” anchor. (As is his custom, Stewart’s spokesman, Matt Labov, did not return phone calls.)
. . .
My thanks to TWoP’s shamskygirl for the link!
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11 Comments
January 22nd, 2008 at 8:49 am
Argh! I’m glad he won’t cross the line but I was so looking forward to Jon hosting again–maybe they’ll get all this resolved in the next few weeks though? Maybe?
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January 22nd, 2008 at 9:49 am
*sigh* Thank Goodness…
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January 22nd, 2008 at 10:00 am
NO! NO! NO! my worst dreams come true :(( I understand his position but I´m sooo dissapointed :( I won´t look forward to anything anymore..
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January 22nd, 2008 at 10:00 am
It is sad that they have not settled yet and I agree with his decision based on what those awards represent compared to the A Daily Show format that he is creating now. It would be nice to understand the exact details that are the sticking points which prevent settling. I used to think that there would be some back pay involved but that has clearly been tossed aside. Sounds it will be a new deal fresh start whenever that day comes. Considering the economy of America as a whole you would think that these moguls would want their projects to move forward. How can we spend our money bolstering the economy if we have no new entertainment to spend on?
U
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January 22nd, 2008 at 11:42 am
Props to Jon for being a stand-up guy and not crossing. I had a feeling he wouldn’t host.
The Oscar people are totally bluffing. If they even had a tentative “Plan B”, it would’ve been included in the article that was posted. They’re trying to seem like they’re ready for anything, but I bet Jon’s announcement helped them wake up and smell the potential-press-conference–-coffee.
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January 22nd, 2008 at 1:09 pm
Poor Jon! Will this ever end?
U
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January 22nd, 2008 at 1:58 pm
No wonder Jon has the “Jimmy Legs”.
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January 22nd, 2008 at 2:07 pm
Not surprised by Jon not wanting to cross the picket line. He clearly doesn’t seem thrilled to have to do it for A Daily Show now, and his the expression on his face every night shows it. At least he has the option of not crossing the picket line in this case.
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January 22nd, 2008 at 2:46 pm
Whew. I’m so happy he’s not doing the Oscars this year. I mean, before the strike I was so excited that he was going to be hosting it again, but now with everything going on, I’m glad he’s not going to be involved with it.
Or hey, you never know. The writer’s strike could actually, you know, END at some point and he could still host them. Trying to stay optimistic here.
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January 22nd, 2008 at 3:13 pm
I support Jon’s decision not to cross the picket line and I hope the other celebrities will follow his lead. When are the studio moguls going to begin negotiating again? This is ridiculous!!! If they don’t go back to the table by Oscar time, I hope the show is cancelled or at least really lame like the GG press conference was. The studios need to be held accountable for what they are doing.
I wish I could give Jon a big hug. He has been in a tough position since the strike began. I hope he knows that he has lots of fans out here who love and support him….
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January 22nd, 2008 at 6:03 pm
@ Page,
Perchance to dream…I’ve given up being optimistic, but props to you for not giving up hope yet.
@ One of the Heroes,
According to previous posts, there are “backchannel discussions” going on and smidgen of pre-pre-negotiations with a few of the moguls. Whether they’re teasing us again or if it’s legit this time, we’ll have to continue to wait.
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