lifestyle THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2015

Photo shows television host Jon Stewart during a taping of “The Daily Stewart holding the award for Outstanding Writing for a US President Barack Obama and host Jon Stewart speak during a break in the live taping of ‘Daily Show Show with Jon Stewart” in New York. — AP Photos Variety, Music or Comedies Series in the press room during with Jon Stewart’. the 63rd annual Primetime Emmy Awards. Jon Stewart leaving ‘The Daily Show’ The phony newsman exit a loss to real news

on Stewart, who turned his combination of biting and Emotional night,” David Axelrod, former adviser to President poked fun at politicians but spent even more time on the But undoubtedly anchor slots at “Daily Show” would be hard free-wheeling humor into an unlikely source of news and Barack Obama, posted on Twitter. Stewart’s departure repre- media establishment covering them. The most recent exam- for them to turn down if offered. Janalysis for viewers of “The Daily Show,” said he’s leaving sents a second big blow for Comedy Central: Colbert left “The ple was Monday night, when he tut-tutted NBC’s Brian Bee has been with “Daily Show” since 2003; Jones joined as host this year. His departure was announced by Comedy Colbert Report” last year to take over for CBS late-night host Williams for being caught exaggerating about the danger he the roster two years later. Other female names mentioned Central President Michele Ganeless after Stewart, host of the David Letterman when he retires in May. Wilmore’s “The faced covering the Iraq War. On Tuesday, NBC announced that included Amy Schumer, who has scored with the Comedy show since 1999, broke the news to the studio audience at Nightly Show” replaced Colbert’s show. Williams was being suspended as “Nightly News” anchor and Central audience with her “Inside Amy Schumer” series. Amy Tuesday’s taping in New York. managing editor for six months without pay. Stewart, howev- Poehler also has ties to the cabler as an exec producer of Stewart, slapping his desk and blinking back tears, told the Templates for a comedic form er, had more withering criticism for the reporters covering “Broad City,” and she’s just wrapped her seven-season run as audience that he had signed on to “The Daily Show” 17 years The Stewart and Colbert shows created templates for a Williams, joking that finally the media was criticizing someone the star of NBC’s “Parks and Recreation.” Sarah Silverman could ago, and “17 years is the longest I have ever in my life held a comedic form that offered laughs along with trenchant politi- for misleading the public during the Iraq War. be a contender, as could “Daily Show” alum Olivia Munn. job, by 16 years and five months.” “This show doesn’t deserve cal and social satire. Authors and politicians were as common Kevin Convey, chair of journalism at Quinnipiac University, Another current “Daily Show” player, Aasif Mandvi, has an even slightly restless host, and neither do you,” he said. It’s as Hollywood celebrities on the self-described “fake news” called Stewart’s announcement a milestone. His departure is been a regular since 2006 and has experience as a writer and yet to be decided when he’ll leave or what comes next for programs. Stewart took a several-months-long hiatus in 2013 “the end of an era that saw an entire generation turn to a in numerous stage and film productions. Jessica Williams is a him, Stewart said, with one exception. “I’m gonna have dinner, to direct “Rosewater,” a well-reviewed film about an Iranian- comedian for news and views for the first time - a reign that fast-rising star who signed on in 2012, but she may be seen as on a school night, with my family,” he said. Ganeless called born journalist who was imprisoned for 118 days in Tehran presaged Twitter and other forms of social media” that provide not having enough experience yet to take the helm of the Stewart, 52, a “comic genius.” She did not specify his exit date and accused of being a spy. The Comedy Central statement “equal parts information and attitude to millions,” Convey said. “Daily” machine. Sources close to the situation said that or what led to his decision. did not indicate what his plans are after leaving. Comedy Central honchos are still far from a decision and that “Through his unique voice and vision, ‘The Daily Show’ has In a November interview with The Associated Press for What’s next for The Daily Show? all options-from existing “Daily” players and alumni to estab- become a cultural touchstone for millions of fans and an “Rosewater,” Stewart was asked about his future with the Comedy Central execs have been preparing for the possi- lished names to newcomers-will be considered. Chris unparalleled platform for political comedy that will endure for Comedy Central show. He replied that the format he works in bility that Stewart would move on as his most recent contract Hardwick is in the Comedy Central family as host of “@mid- years to come,” Ganeless said in a statement. Stewart’s influ- doesn’t matter. “It’s a journey. It’s a conversation,” he said. “One wound down this year. Whoever follows him on the show will night,” the pop culture quiz and chat show that follows the ence is seen in the work of Stephen Colbert, John Oliver and thing I won’t do is write music or sing.” Mindy Kaling blamed face the extremely tricky task of keeping it vital in the political “Daily Show/”Nightly Show With Larry Wilmore” block. But his Larry Wilmore, who went on to earn shows of their own. Other the lure of filmdom. “I knew when Jon Stewart left to direct and cultural arenas. Stewart’s gift has been to tackle headline- persona as a fan’s fan might not be the right fit for the show “Daily Show” alumni include Steve Carell, Ed Helms, Josh Gad that movie he was gonna try something like this,” Kaling post- making subjects with humor but also enough bite and per- that tackles weighty issues and non-celebrity interviews at and new “Saturday Night Live” Weekend Update anchor ed on Twitter. When he returned from his filmmaking break, spective to make the show relevant to the national conversa- times. Michael Che. “Shocked & sad to see the man who gave me my Stewart played a tape of President Barack Obama urging mili- tion on everything from presidential campaigns to divisive Established comedians including Joel McHale and Ricky big break on @TheDailyShow is ready to hang it up,” “Frozen” tary action against Syria because of last month’s poison gas social issues. Stewart, by many accounts, is not only is the face Gervais could be in the mix as well. One name that is not actor Gad posted on Twitter. attack.”America taking military action against a Middle East of the show but also the driver of many editorial decisions. on the market is John Oliver, the “Daily Show” alum who Stewart leaves a substantial void for Comedy Central, regime,” Stewart said. “It’s like I never left.” In 2010, Stewart and The immediate speculation about possible successors scored with his own weekly newscast-style show for HBO, which has no heir apparent to replace him - unless Oliver bolts Colbert drew a crowd to the Washington Mall for their Rally to ranged from the show’s existing pool of correspondents to “Last Week Tonight.” Oliver has a long-term contract with his HBO show to return to the fold. For political junkies who Restore Sanity and/or Fear. They tackled familiar topics - the female candidates given the lack thereof in the late night are- HBO for the show, which bowed last year to generally rave depended on Stewart for his acumen as well as comic relief, partisan gridlock in the nation’s capital and the political talk na. Some speculated that “Daily Show’s” husband-and-wife reviews. — Agencies the 2016 presidential election may be looking bleak. Reaction show culture that encouraged it. correspondent team Samantha Bee and Jason Jones could was swift from Stewart’s past targets as well as admirers. Stewart was credited with effectively killing one cable pro- take over with a dual-anchor format, which would be a first for “Just had the honor of being the great Jon Stewart’s guest gram - CNN’s “Crossfire” - when his withering criticism of its the show. The two shot a family comedy pilot for TBS, (on ‘The Daily Show’), where he announced he’s leaving. partisan squabbling hit a nerve, and CNN soon canceled it. He “Vacationland,” late last year that they co-wrote and star in. Pros and cons of Oscar’s best-picture contenders

here is no clear front-runner in Oscar’s best-picture race: Of Challenges: The film is just as topical as some other 2014 con- eight contenders, four seem like neck-and-neck favorites, tenders but has stirred up less debate, which is good/bad news. Twhile any of the others could pull a “Chariots of Fire”-style The Weinstein Co has been reminding people of the injustices of switcheroo. So, as Oscar voting begins Friday and runs to Feb 17, that era, and should continue to emphasize Turing’s oddball hero- awards strategists have put campaigns in high gear. Here are the ism, at a time when the world is in desperate need of heroes. strengths and vulnerabilities of some of the best-picture nomi- nees. Selma Strengths: Incredibly, Paramount’s “Selma” is the first big American Sniper screen movie about Martin Luther King Jr; it goes behind the pub- Strengths: The film appeals to a wide range of viewers, lic image to show his life as a human being and as a strategist, and whether they think it’s pro-war, anti-war, or simply pro-warrior. is a reminder of his huge obstacles. It also has positive messages And there’s one thing that everyone seems to agree on: This is that an individual can make a difference, though it’s crucial that expert filmmaking. Challenge: Warner Bros. needs to make sure people work together. Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson attend a special fan screening of ‘Fifty Shades of voters ignore all the noise (positive and negative) and concentrate Challenges: Like “Sniper,” the film needs voters to clear their Grey’in New York. — AP on the craft, storytelling and its themes of PTSD and support for heads of the distracting noise. Par is smartly underplaying paral- veterans. They should also emphasize that the film is hitting so lels with current racial turmoil, since voters are already aware. But many nerves because it’s well done. the studio needs to combat the perception that the film’s chances ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ are slim with only two Oscar nominations. Birdman Strengths: Its originality, below-the-line innovations, perform- The Theory of Everything whips up box-office ances, and its filmmakers’ high degree of difficulty. It also has a Strengths: The performances of Eddie Redmayne and Felicity subject matter that will hit home with voters: A person’s worth is Jones are the driving force here, but there are many other virtues ifty Shades of Grey”, the long-antici- azine, said the “glossy, well cast” film was “not not measured by career success or the opinion of others. to the film. Spanning 25 years, the Focus Features movie earns the pated movie version of the bestselling exactly whip-smart, but... in many ways a signifi- Challenges: Fox Searchlight should continue to emphasize audience’s tears without being manipulative. And while Stephen “Ferotic novel, began its worldwide roll- cant improvement” on a novel trashed by critics the script and the fact that self-doubt is not the domain of show- Hawking is the more famous half of the pair, Jane is central: She’s out yesterday, with France one of the first to for its low literary quality. Its supposedly risque biz but a universal struggle. more than just “the wife,” she is one of the strongest women in catch a glimpse. The film, starring Jamie Dornan scenes turned out to be “fairly mild provocation 2014’s films. as a billionaire with a penchant for S&M and in this porn-saturated day and age”. The movie is Boyhood Challenges: “Theory” is sometimes seen as an actor’s vehicle A screen grab Dakota Johnson as a virginal student who falls slick, with many scenes shot like ads for luxury Strengths: The backstory of the 12-year shooting schedule is or a disease-of-the week film. But Focus should remind people from Best-Picture for him, is being marketed as a torrid touchstone products, and the leading actors and the female irresistible. And in a year of global strife, the film’s conflicts are that the movie goes beyond that. It shines the spotlight on care- contender ‘The for a generation too young to remember “9 1/2 director, Sam Taylor-Johnson, proving compe- gentle and thoughtful, with meditations on life, family and the givers and unselfish love-and it offers a matter-of-fact look at an Theory of Weeks” or “Last Tango in Paris”. tent despite the thin plotting. There was little on- idea of learning to treasure small moments. unconventional household that’s almost bohemian yet totally Everything’. While the official premiere was to take place screen evidence of the rumored trouble on set Challenges: It’s seen as a “little” film, both a plus and a disad- relatable.—Reuters late Wednesday at the Berlin film festival, movie amid tensions between the actors. vantage. IFC Films and their team have maintained heat on theatres across France, Germany, Belgium, The story focuses on the fictional billionaire “Boyhood” since its debut at Sundance 2014. So in the next few Serbia and the Philippines were already screen- Christian Grey, who despite his 27 years is weeks they need to keep reminding people why they liked it. ing the steamy picture from early in the day. accomplished in a staggering number of fields. Most other countries were to show the movie He is the handsome tycoon at the head of a The Grand Budapest Hotel from Thursday or-in the case of key target mar- sprawling empire that boasts his name, a heli- Strengths: In a year of dark and heavy films, this one is a rarity: ket of the United States-Friday. The release was copter pilot, a virtuoso pianist. And his dark It’s fun. “Budapest” is beautiful to look at and cleverly written, full timed for this weekend’s Valentine’s Day and was secret is that he spurns all relationships, prefer- of serious ideas addressed with a light touch. The film seems to being heavily advertised as a perfect date ring domination sex games in a room equipped connect with people in a personal way; they don’t just admire it, movie. with handcuffs and whips. Dornan, a 32-year-old they love it. At one of the first morning showings in Paris, married British actor and former male model, Challenges: Fox Searchlight needs to help awards voters over- however, several fans of the 2011 novel by picked up the leading role after the first choice, come their guilt about having fun. The studio should emphasize British author EL James gave mixed responses. “I fellow Brit actor Charlie Hunnam, who stars in the film’s substance, as Wes Anderson’s intricate script offers was disappointed. I didn’t think the actors or the the US television series “Sons of Anarchy”, observations on everything from sex to political repression to the script was up to the level of what was in the dropped out. Dornan’s co-lead, as the shy litera- importance of good manners. book,” said one 70-year-old viewer who gave her ture student Anastasia Steele who ultimately first name as Christine. A 20-year-old in the same stands up to Grey, is Johnson, the 25-year-old The Imitation Game audience, Elena Radu, said: “It’s very good. The daughter of actress Melanie Griffith and “Miami Strengths: The film did extremely well in guild votes, which is book was better, but the film is also good.” Vice” actor Don Johnson. —AFP a testament to its classical style of filmmaking. It’s a complex tale (three distinct time periods, multiple story arcs) that is clearly told. Mixed reviews And it mixes the personal (Alan Turing’s battles both with the gov- Early published reviews captured that ernment and himself) and the big picture (millions of lives saved, ambivalence. Variety, the US cinema trade mag- in a little-known key moment in WWII).