Jon Stewart and Obama Debt Speech

Video.

Jimmy Fallon and Jon Stewart (Video)

Jon Stewart Disappointed with Obama

Appearing on The O'Reilly Factor, Jon Stewart admits that Obama hasn't lived up to his expectations. But, he thinks that maybe he expected too much from Obama.

Poor disillusioned Jon Stewart.

Here's video:



Stewart also discusses the Republican 2012 presidential field.

Video:

Jon Stewart, Bill O'Reilly: Common (Video)

Here's video, from FOX News:

O'Reilly vs. Stewart Over Common Controversy, Part 1



O'Reilly vs. Stewart Over Common Controversy, Part 2

80th Annual Academy Awards

One word:

BORING

I suppose that's because I really don't care.

It's not that I don't love movies. I do.

I don't enjoy these awards shows anymore.

Red carpet, red shmarpet.

Most of the women were wearing black or red dresses. So many of the dresses were strapless that it's as if there was a "no straps" dress code in place. The men were wearing bow ties instead of straight. So what? I don't care what the stars wear.

Jon Stewart did a good job, I guess. Nothing special.

About ten years ago, I grew tired of seeing Jack Nicholson wearing those sunglasses, smirking, and sitting in the front row for no good reason.

Many of the winners, both in the acting and technical awards, weren't Americans. Not that there's anything wrong with that. Just an observation.

At about 9:15 CT, after returning from a commercial break, Jon Stewart was playing Wii tennis. Not quite as bad as David Letterman doing a Stupid Pet Tricks segment on the Oscars, but close.

At 10:10 CT, Tom Hanks introduced a group of soldiers currently serving in Iraq. From Baghdad, they announced the nominees and awarded the Oscar for best documentary short subject. The winner: Freeheld

Was that supposed to show that Hollywood supports the troops?

Back to Tom Hanks to announce the nominees for best documentary feature--

Three of the documentary nominees dealt with war and torture.

Thank God Michael Moore and SiCKO didn't win. That's the highlight of the night for me.

The winner was Taxi to the Dark Side, the torture documentary. In his acceptance speech, Alex Gibney was the first of the night to get overtly political, mentioning Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo.

He said, "Let's hope we can turn this country around. Move away from the dark side."

Riiiight.

At three hours, the awards for best actor, director, and picture were still to come.

I was happy that Daniel Day-Lewis won. He gave a nice acceptance speech, thanking his grandfather, father, and his three sons.

I want to thank the Academy for not giving George Clooney the Oscar and sparing the audience his self-important drivel.

None of the acting awards went to an American. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

As last year's winner for The Departed, Martin Scorsese awarded the best director Oscar. Joel and Ethan Coen won for No Country for Old Men.

No Country for Old Men also won best picture.

OK.

I began to be turned off by the Oscars when Kevin Costner won best director for Dances with Wolves and Martin Scorsese wasn't recognized for GoodFellas. It was bad enough when Scorsese didn't win an Oscar for Raging Bull, losing out to Robert Redford. The Costner thing was too much.

Clearly, the best don't always win.

My favorite part of this year's show was the clips of past Oscar broadcasts.

I enjoyed watching the few seconds of Bette Davis awarding the best actor Oscar to Marlon Brando for On the Waterfront more than any of the show's live moments.

The show ended at 10:47. Three hours and seventeen minutes was relatively short but it seemed like one of the longest shows ever.

Dull, dull, dull.

That said, as always, I expect to be watching next year.

Writers Slap Golden Globes and Shun Oscar

The Writers Guild of America is going for the jugular.

The union is ripping the red carpet out from under the Golden Globes and the Academy Awards.

OH, NO!

LOS ANGELES -- The union representing striking writers aimed a blow at the glamorous heart of Hollywood, refusing to allow its members to write for the Academy Awards or Golden Globe ceremonies.

The board of directors of the Writers Guild of America, West, decided not to give the academy an interim agreement for writing services, a person close to the guild said Monday, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment. The person declined to say when the decision had been made.

The guild's move raised the temperature in the already heated contract dispute between writers and studios. Talks aimed at ending the costly strike, now in its seventh week, broke down Dec. 7 in a flurry of insults that has yet to cease.

After talks ended, the alliance claimed guild leaders were trying to increase their power at the expense of members. Union leaders accused the alliance of "lies" aimed at sowing doubt and dissension in union ranks.

Now the guild is casting the strike shadow over the Oscars, the industry's key showcase for its finest films and hottest actors. The Golden Globes represent another important promotional vehicle.

With the strike drawing support from the Screen Actors Guild, which faces its own contract negotiations next year, actors' participation as Oscar guests and presenters might be affected — diminishing the star power that drive TV viewership.

Jon Stewart, a writers guild member, was announced as host of the 80th Academy Awards ceremony set for Feb. 24. Stewart has honored the strike: His "The Daily Show" on Comedy Central has been in reruns since the walkout began.

An e-mail sent to Stewart's publicist seeking comment was not immediately returned Monday night.

Was Stewart's publicist afraid to write an e-mail? Honor that strike!

Does this mean no Joan Rivers pre-ceremony shtick?

That's not a bad thing.

I realize that the longer the strike goes on, the greater the impact on individuals and the economy overall.

But maybe something good will come of it. People might learn that there are better things to do than watch TV.

Life without Hollywood writers and studios is still worth living. Imagine that.
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Meanwhile, Jay Leno and Conan O'Brien will be back on TV with new shows on January 2.

As a viewer, that's good I guess.

It doesn't really matter to me. I've had no problem managing without them.