Jon Stewart Drops Out Of Hosting Gig

Hollywood Reporter:

With writers and producers still at loggerheads, Jon Stewart has pulled out of an entertainment gala -- only it's not the Oscars.

The comedian has withdrawn from a hosting gig at a Paley Center fundraiser honoring Viacom chieftain Sumner Redstone under circumstances that might be related to the 3-month-old labor stoppage.

The invite for the black-tie event Thursday at the New York Waldorf-Astoria, sent out several weeks ago, proclaims the Redstone event and announced Stewart, who hosts a show owned by Viacom's Comedy Central, as the evening's emcee.

Read the whole story: Hollywood Reporter

Comments

[MissingAmerica]

I hope both sides reach a compromise soon. I watch shows online differently now, appreciating the hard work that went into making this possible. The writers deserve to be compensated for providing that service to us all. Best wishes to all involved. I would imagine that they want to return to work just as badly as we want to stop seeing reruns on air!

[KindAndThoughtful]

I work in the motion picture business and I just can't wait for the strike to end. Both sides need to work this out.


http://verybestwebsites.blogspot.com/

[zull2]

A really, really good cure for the current crappiness of presidential debates would be a Democratic debate hosted by Jon Stewart. If things were really great, a Republican debate hosted by Steven Colbert would be the only thing better. Ah, I hate saying it and feel dirty for doing so, but it's true and it would be hilarious. It'd bring a lot of people together too. Well, not so much for the Colbert/Republican debate thing.

[Vr6]

The writers will back to work soon, I would imagine that JS sees Mr Redstone for what he is - 'a media weasel of a most ghastly nature' and that the writers are ancillary to this as an issue. He's one of the biggy media monopolists, someone who is ancillary to 'Our needs' - somewhat of the mUrdoch breed - JS probably didn't want to be seen brown nosing with a person who is part of the problem of the MSM.

[kkuchenb]

Jon Stewart--mensch.

[UkieOlie]

Jon rules.

[GQTaste]

The midget is a scab and don't let anybody tell you differently. He likes to rip the elephants when it comes to greed but he's no different when it comes to his pocketbook!

[Grammamaggie]

Jon Stewart decision shows he is a man of principles with the courage of his convictions. Something we don’t see much these days. I am with godlesscliff, I will still be watching him when he is on PBS co-hosting with Oscar the Grouch.

[martinchill]

sumner redstone is an ass.

~~

The CEO of CBS's parent company endorses President Bush.
Friday, September 24, 2004
WALL STREET JOURNAL

With the scandal at CBS still festering, questions are being raised about whether a felony was committed when the network broadcast apparently forged memos in an attempt to discredit George W. Bush. Yesterday, the chairman of CBS's parent company chose Hong Kong as a place to drop a little bomb. Sumner Redstone, who calls himself a "liberal Democrat," said he's supporting President Bush.

The chairman of the entertainment giant Viacom said the reason was simple: Republican values are what U.S. companies need. Speaking to some of America's and Asia's top executives gathered for Forbes magazine's annual Global CEO Conference, Mr. Redstone declared: "I look at the election from what's good for Viacom. I vote for what's good for Viacom. I vote, today, Viacom.

"I don't want to denigrate Kerry," he went on, "but from a Viacom standpoint, the election of a Republican administration is a better deal. Because the Republican administration has stood for many things we believe in, deregulation and so on. The Democrats are not bad people. . . . But from a Viacom standpoint, we believe the election of a Republican administration is better for our company."

Sharing the stage with Mr. Redstone was Steve Forbes, CEO, president and editor in chief of Forbes and a former Republican presidential aspirant, who quipped: "Obviously you're a very enlightened CEO."

[Ginzaman]

Eventually the WGA strike will end (regardless of a possible SAG one soon). But one thing that will never happen is the top members using their clout to actually call for better content to hopefully get a bigger percentage of online.

Instead, what do both sides do? Lots of talk and occasional threats. But nobody (and I mean nobody) is going to give up their money and power. So until then, enjoy those new day jobs.

[larry278]

Mr Stewart does not scab & it is said that Mr Stewart does not cross picket lines. This could be one of the times Mr Stewart chooses to be tactful.

[godlessclif]

Good for Jon Stewart and we will still watch him when he is on PBS co-hosting with Oscar the Grouch.

Hello to the new boss; same as the old boss.