Comedian Jon Stewart, who anchors a weeknight mock news program on the Comedy Central cable TV network, has been chosen to host next week’s Grammy Awards telecast, it was announced Wednesday.
Stewart will step into the Grammy-hosting shoes filled during the past two years by talk show personality and actress Rosie O’Donnell, who received lukewarm reviews for her stints as emcee.
Other past hosts include Ellen DeGeneres and Garry Shandling.
In an interview Wednesday with the syndicated TV show “Access Hollywood,” Stewart joked about having “a whole week now to buy some CDs” and familiarize himself with today’s music.
Asked if he looked forward to meeting Grammy nominee Britney Spears, Stewart replied: “Yes, because I have so much in common with a 20-year-old pop star. Who am I, Joey Buffafuoco? What am I going to do, fix her car?”
The 43rd annual Grammy Awards show will be telecast live on CBS next Wednesday from the Staples Center in Los Angeles. In what promises to be one of the most controversial Grammy moments in years, rapper Eminem, widely criticized for his homophobic lyrics, is slated to perform a duet with openly gay pop star Elton John.