News Update: Jon Stewart to Host 2006 Academy Awards

(Via Yahoo News)

By GREG RISLING, Associated Press Writer
Thu Jan 5, 5:49 PM ET

LOS ANGELES - First music. Now movies. Jon Stewart, who worked the Grammys in 2001 and 2002, was tapped Thursday to host the 2006 Oscars ".

As a performer, I'm truly honored to be hosting the show," Stewart said, then joked: "Although, as an avid watcher of the Oscars, I can't help but be a little disappointed with the choice. It appears to be another sad attempt to smoke out Billy Crystal.

"The 43-year-old star of Comedy Central's "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" follows a long line of standup comedians who have hosted the Oscars. Over the years, Bob Hope, Johnny Carson, Whoopi Goldberg and Crystal have held down the podium.

"I love a comic who can deal with the unexpected and has the ability to run the room," said Gil Cates, the producer of this year's Academy Awards, airing March 5 on ABC. "The speed of mind and fearlessness of a comic really adds to the show.

"Speculation swirled about a replacement for last year's host, Chris Rock, who said he would not be coming back. Frequently mentioned candidates included Goldberg, Steve Martin and late-night hosts Jay Leno and Conan O'Brien.Rock drew younger viewers, but his barbs skewering Jude Law, Tobey Maguire and others alienated some academy members. Rock is currently producing and narrating "Everybody Hates Chris," a UPN sitcom based on his life.

While Rock has been known to offend some people, Stewart also can stir the pot with his own caustic brand of humor. Stewart and his team of comedy writers often poke fun at mainstream politics and current events.

His efforts have obviously struck a chord. "The Daily Show" has earned seven Emmys and a Peabody award, while Stewart has won the 2005 Thurber Prize for American Humor for his book, "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart Presents America (The Book): A Citizen's Guide to Democracy Inaction."

Cates said he wasn't worried about hiring Rock and doesn't believe that Stewart will have any problems.

"Jon knows the difference of being irreverent without being impolite," Cates said. "This is not a political show. I think he understands that."

One requirement to be the show's host is an appreciation for movies, Cates said. Although Stewart is mostly known for his TV show, he has appeared in several movies, including "The Faculty," "Death to Smoochy" and "Big Daddy."

"He's a very, very popular entertainer with a mind that is quick, and you need that on a show like this," said Sid Ganis, president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

However, Stewart didn't enjoy his time spent on the other side of the red carpet. He once worked as a celebrity reporter covering the Oscars and said being cooped up with other journalists was like being in a zoo. In an interview with The Associated
Press in 2000, he called the job "the grandaddy of humiliation."

This is good news. I was hoping that the academy would choose either Conan O'Brien or Jon Stewart. Can't wait to watch the Award show this year.

The 2nd Annual Brass Crescet Awards 2005

(Via Avari/Nameh)

Once more Brass Crescent and AltMuslim bring us a chance to explore and elevate the Muslim Blogosphere. Nominations are now being accepted for the Second Annual Brass Crescent Awards, recognizing Muslim excellence in the blogosphere:

The Awards will take place in two phases. First, the nominations phase, where all of you nominate your favorite blogs for each of the categories below. Then, we will have a Finalists' round of voting, to distill the list. Finally, we will have the final voting round.

What is also new this year is that we also would like to solicit your opinion on a new category. In addition to your initial nominations, please also suggest a Category for a Brass Crescent Award that you would like to see. We will add the most popular suggested Category to the Finalist round and invite nominations at that stage.

Here are the revised categories for this year's Awards:

BEST MIDDLE-EAST/ASIAN BLOGGER - The Islamsphere is truly a global phennomenon. In Iraq, despite the chaos and uncertainty, there is a sea change of free speech and expression, the vanguard of which are blogs. There are also bloggers in India, in Pakistan, in Jordan, and most other countries that host muslims, all of whom have their own perspectives on faith, culture, and politics.

BEST GROUP BLOG - which multiple group blog in the Islamsphere has the best diversity of writers and the most interesting debate on Muslim issues?

MOST DESERVING OF WIDER RECOGNITION -
Which blog is a true diamond in the rough, one that everyone should be reading but who most just haven't heard of (yet) ?

BEST THINKER - Who is the most stimulating, insightful, and philosophically wise among us? This category is intended to highlight a blogger who may not post daily, but when they do post, they really make an impact.

BEST FEMALE BLOG - The woman's voice in Islam is equal to the man's, and in the Islamsphere we seek to make sure the female perspective is highlighted and given its rightful due. Which muslim woman's blog has done the most to explore the role that women play within Islam and society?

BEST POST OR SERIES - Which single post or group of posts in the Islamsphere was the most original and important, above all the others?

BEST NON-MUSLIM BLOG - Which blog writen by a non-muslim is most respectful of Islam and seeks genuine dialog with muslims?

BEST BLOG - the most indispensable, muslim-authored blog there is. Period.

Note that except for the last two categories, any blog is eligible for any category, including blogs authored by non-Muslims. In defining the Islamsphere, we are not relying solely on adherence to the faith, but an affinity for parts of the diverse cultural fabric that Islam embraces and is embraced by worldwide. Please also note that neither altmuslim.com nor City of Brass may be nominated for any category.

Please leave some descriptive text about why you nominated a blog, rather than just leave the URL. Also, please note that we can't really accept a nomination for a blog unless you specify a category.

Movie Trailer: X-Men 3

The teaser trailer for X-Men 3 has been released. You can check out other updates of the movie on it's official website.

I really like the X-Men Movies and Cartoons. I just can't wait for the movie to come out. The best thing I like about the X-Men movies is the way Wolverine's claws come out. Wolverine is one cool comic-book character! My favourite comic-book character is Spiderman and Wolverine is the only other character that is cool as Spiderman. Although I've never read a Spiderman or a X-Men comic-book. Woo-hoo yeah Wolverine Rocks! Oh yeah, they also released pictures of some more new characters in the upcomming movie.

• IMDb (X-Men 3 page)
• Yahoo Movies (X-Men 3 page)

Life Update: 11 December 2005

Seems like, I finally found the time to write about my findings to date in ‘the land down under’. Since, I don’t have enough time to recollect and write in a coherent manner, I’m going to write however it comes out of my mind. I thought about writing separate individual emails to everybody then I was like, ah screw it. I’ll just write one email and post/email it to everyone.

Considering the two-day long journey, it turned out to be very pleasant and hassle free flight. If anyone of you decided to book an International flight then I would highly recommend you fly with New Zealand Airways.

I arrived in Melbourne on one of the very rare days of warm weather. As it also turns out that during summer-time the weather here in southeast Australia (Melbourne) is exactly like Mobile in the winter. Some day’s it gets as cold as it gets in Mobile and this is just during the summer. From what I have been told, it gets even colder here during the winter than it is in Mobile during winter-time.

Melbourne is a huge city. It’s like Chicago without the traffic, New York without the bitterness and the smell of urine ;-), Mobile without the Rednecks, Jeddah without the Saudi’s. Anyway, you get the idea. According to the in-flight tourism promotional video, Melbourne was rated the number one living place in the world by…..I forget who rated it but, from my point of view, they weren’t kidding.

The best thing I like here is the existence of a well established public transportation infrastructure. I go where I please now. But, school is all I go to....for now. There is another thing I noticed here while riding on the Tram/Train/Bus. Unlike in Mobile or in anywhere USA, the Aussies don’t give you the stare that gives you the feeling that you’re not welcome or the look that an exotic creature just washed up on their shores. Here the Aussies are the exotic ones because there are more Orientals, Africans, and Desis than there are Aussie Caucasians and it is so freakin sweet. Yay! I’m not in the minority anymore, finally!

These are the simple differences here I’ve noticed up till now, they call:

1. French Fries = Chips
2. Convenient Store = Milk Bar (Yes, I’ll have that on the rocks barkeep and pour it in my slipper George!)
3. Flip Flops = Thongs (Just bought a pair for myself the other day. ;-)
4. Have a nice day = Cheers! (Huh?)

Life Update: November 22, 2005

• Moved/Transferred to Melbourne, Australia. Just arrived yesterday.

Play List: November 11, 2005

1. Ali Azmat - Dil Ne Dil Se Kaha
2. Ali Azmat - Mein

Eid Mubarak: November 3, 2005

Eid Mubarak!

Courtesy: www.eidwishes.com