UPDATE 2-Jon Stewart opens Oscars with post-strike humor

(Adds early reviews, paragraphs 7-9)

By Steve Gorman

LOS ANGELES, Feb 24 (Reuters) - Political satirist Jon Stewart returned as Oscar host on Sunday with a slew of jokes about the bitter Hollywood writers' strike that had threatened the show and the grim, violent themes of many of the films.

"Tonight we look beyond the dark days to focus on happier fare -- this year's slate of Oscar-nominated psychopathic killer movies," Stewart dead-panned, adding "Does this town need a hug?"

He then ticked off the titles of several of this season's bloodier Oscar contenders.

"'No Country For Old Men,' 'Sweeney Todd,' 'There Will Be Blood. All I can say is: Thank God for teen pregnancy," he joked in a reference to the only comedy vying for best picture, "Juno," a story of unexpected motherhood.

The introductory monologue by Stewart, making his second appearance as Oscar host, was notably shorter than his opening performance in 2006, owing to production constraints posed by the Hollywood writers' strike.

The 14-week walkout officially ended on Feb. 12, giving Oscar producers just 11 days to write material for a live telecast that normally takes many weeks to prepare.

'PLAYFUL, IRREVERENT TONE'

Early reviews of the Oscar event and Stewart's performance noted that the rush to produce the show was evident in the large number of video montages and clips.

Daily Variety critic Brian Lowry said Stewart "played it pretty safe" in his opening routine but "earned his keep by maintaining a playful, irreverent tone throughout the night."

A review by Frank Scheck in the Hollywood Reporter said "Stewart was relaxed and funny, even if his opening monologue was more notable for its brevity than its one-liners."

For weeks, the Oscar show also was threatened with the possibility that stars might boycott the event in support of striking writers rather than cross picket lines.

"These past 3-1/2 months have been very tough," said Stewart, whose own nightly cable TV show was thrown into reruns by the labor dispute. "I'm happy to say that the fight is over. So tonight, welcome to the makeup sex."

One of Stewart's biggest laughs came as he mentioned the cancellation of the annual Oscar party hosted by Vanity Fair magazine, "out of respect for the writers."

"You know another way they could show respect for the writers? Maybe one day invite some of them to the Vanity Fair Oscar party," he joked. "Don't worry. They won't mingle."