Jon Stewart to Host Oscar Telecast

New York Times: "LOS ANGELES, Jan. 5 - Billy Crystal was on tour. Steve Martin was prepping a movie. Whoopi - we're really not too sure what's up with her. So in an act of either pure inspiration or complete desperation, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences has asked Jon Stewart, host of a popular fake news program on Comedy Central, to host the movie industry's most prestigious event, the Academy Awards ceremony.Mr. Stewart, 43, was appropriately humbled by the invitation. 'As an avid watcher of the Oscars,' he dead-panned in a statement, 'I can't help but be a little disappointed with the choice.'Gil Cates, the producer of the Oscar telecast, which will air on March 5, said in a statement: 'I'm very excited,' adding that Mr. Stewart 'is a superb choice witty, current, intelligent and charming.'Mr. Stewart is also young and hip, something the Oscars has been striving to achieve in an environment of declining ratings for award shows. 'The Daily Show with Jon Stewart' has won Emmy and Peabody awards for Mr. Stewart's politically-barbed, too-close-for-comfort satire, which also spawned a best-seller, 'America (The Book): A Citizen's Guide To Democracy Inaction.'"