I was both thrilled and a little trepidatious when I heard that Jon Stewart would be coming back as host of The Daily Show one day a week; thrilled because he was always a voice of reason for me back when he was the host of the show, and worried because in the intervening years he’s said a few odd things, about Covid, about Israel, about comedy, that I haven’t agreed with. And he’s been wearing these weird grey jeans on every appearance he’s made on The Late Show with Steven Colbert that are just not flattering.
First and foremost, thank God, he’s back to wearing a suit on the Daily Show. That deserves a grateful paragraph all on its own.
Second, as soon as he returned to The Daily Show, the critics had a lot of things to say about his tendency to both-sides-ism (both Trump and Biden are really old), and about his age (not a Millennial), and whiteness (after Trevor Noah), and maleness (after a lot of the frontrunners to host the show after Trevor were female). For me, though, none of those things was a deal breaker, but the topic of Israel, which is always in the news lately and on which I know we disagree, was the big test, and on Jon’s third episode back, he started with a segment he called The Futile Crescent, about Israel/Palestine. Oh boy.
And, yes, he did simplify certain issues too much for my taste, and repeat some of the tropes about Israel that I disagree with, but even with all of that, it became clear to me that he is still the Jon Stewart I remember: vulnerable, funny, snarky heart intact. He ended that third episode with a moment of Zen dedicated to his dog, Dipper, a three legged brindle-coated rescue dog who had died the day before. He cried, and I cried, and I mourned Cricket and Ellie (and Butterfly and Dina) all over again, and I finally felt the relief that I used to feel every night when Jon Stewart was the regular host of The Daily Show, way back when. My buddy was back.
It took me a few weeks, but I finally realized that the fact that Jon Stewart and I disagree on some things is actually a feature, rather than a bug in the program. His willingness to accept that, of course, his viewers won’t agree with him on everything, is what makes him Jon Stewart. He doesn’t expect everyone to agree, in fact, his goal seems to be to have difficult conversations with people who can respectfully disagree on a wide range of important issues (as long as he can find a joke in it). Sometimes he makes me angry or uncomfortable, and sometimes he makes me laugh, or cry, but most of all he somehow creates this space that allows me to breathe more deeply, and feel less alone. And given the rigidity of opinions that has become the norm for both political parties in the United States, and the replacement of actual discussions with Tiktok videos and memes and mantras and marches, I really appreciate how Jon Stewart looks around at all of us, laughs, and says, uh, no.
I remember learning about the bell curve in college, in relation to IQ scores at first, but then with almost everything else, and the lesson was basically that even though some small amount of people live at the extremes, of beauty and intelligence and wealth, the majority of us are somewhere in the murky middle. So, why aren’t we actively listening to the variety of opinions that make up the wide political middle, and trying to find common ground and even reasonable compromises, and instead we’re required to pledge allegiance to Alexandra Occasio Cortez on one side or Donald Trump on the other when they don’t really represent who we are?
There’s so much to learn, and so much nuance and complexity to each one of us, and all of that gets steamrolled when we’re told what we’re allowed to say before we even open our mouths.
Back when Jon Stewart hosted The Daily Show full time, which feels like a million years ago now, there were always things he said that I didn’t agree with, or sex jokes I really didn’t want to hear, and yet I loved him anyway, because he made me laugh and think and feel just a tiny bit less overwhelmed by the news of the day. And that hasn’t changed.
I don’t know how long he’ll stay at The Daily Show this time, maybe just long enough to get us through the 2024 presidential election, and if that’s the case then I’m going to work hard to be grateful for whatever time he can give us, and treasure the chance to disagree with him in good faith, knowing that our differences are part of what makes him worth watching. Unless he becomes a cat person. Then we’re done.
If you haven’t had a chance yet, please check out my Young Adult novel, Yeshiva Girl, on Amazon. And if you feel called to write a review of the book, on Amazon, or anywhere else, I’d be honored.
Yeshiva Girl is about a Jewish teenager on Long Island, named Isabel, though her father calls her Jezebel. Her father has been accused of inappropriate sexual behavior with one of his students, which he denies, but Izzy implicitly believes it’s true. As a result of his problems, her father sends her to a co-ed Orthodox yeshiva for tenth grade, out of the blue, and Izzy and her mother can’t figure out how to prevent it. At Yeshiva, though, Izzy finds that religious people are much more complicated than she had expected. Some, like her father, may use religion as a place to hide, but others search for and find comfort, and community, and even enlightenment. The question is, what will Izzy find?
rachelmankowitz 
cute pup
Jon has it made. He’s over 60; has tons of name recognition; and seems to be as much of a provacateur as ever. As executive producer of the program, he can pretty much speak frankly about his take on things. We need his perspective to help round out the edges of our toxic national politics.
I hope he sticks around for a while.
Indeed.
I had to look up Jon Stewart. I’d never heard of him here in Australia.
I wonder if his sense of humor translates or if it only works here in the states.
haha! Please give him a chance if he becomes a cat person. We are still good people. 😺
Of course!
If Stewart cannot directly come out and address the threat to democracy by Trump and his minions I won’t be watching him again.
It’s interesting. I think he takes the threat of Trump for granted and assumes it doesn’t have to be said anymore. He’s wrong about that.
You know why you watch him? Because he makes us “laugh and think and feel just a tiny bit less overwhelmed by the news.” And the differences that are what make him watchable. Like it should be. Somebody you want to invite into your home, both-sides-isms and all. Oh why can’t we all get along with everybody’s differences and accept life in the middle? Thanks for a fun and still thoughtful moment.
Thank you!!!
being of the Johnny Carson generation I always thought it important for comedians to be immune to political correctness, and transcend the spheres of resentment bickering and anger. We need people to help us get over ourselves. Not as familiar with Jon Stewart but from what I know I believe he can do that. Sort of.
I would really like to get back to the place where the news was the news, instead of the lefty news the centrist news and the right wing news. I’ve been told something like that used to exist, but I can’t be certain.
Maybe Walter Cronkite? I was too little then to notice.
so happy for that
Great post up until that last sentence, what’s wrong with us cat people ?
Just kidding, except for the sneezing. My allergies are terrible.
I loved this post! And looking forward to watching Jon Stewart again
Thank you so much!
I’m glad that he’s back even though I don’t agree with everything that he says. I guess that’s the beauty of living in a democracy. Great Post.
Thank you!!!!
Great commentary. We must keep our sense of humor, sometimes it’s all we have left! 😅 (Free the hostages!)
Absolutely!
Hey!!! Cat dude here!!! My Bella and Cricket would disagree. HeHeHeHe!!! Well done. It is SO nice to have him back. I’ve always been envious of him and that biting snark and because he is always on top of things, he knows his stuff, and is passionate about it. The best funny is always smart, pointed, uncomfortable funny. Nothing the opposite side hates more than smarts, something I strive for with my things, especially my tunes. I’m so with ya on the welcome happy of his return.
Thank you!
A good post Rachel. Jon Stewart is a voice that forces us to think. That is always a good thing. Too often in politics, we pick a team, rather than a principle and that is never a good thing. The right wants us to go further right and the left wants us to go further left and in the process, we can never meet in the middle. In the process our neighbours become our enemies which is what the politicians are going for. I am beginning to think political parties need to be done away with. Elect the person, not the team. Have a nice Sunday. Allan
You too. Thank you!
Since Ollie died on the 20th of February, I have found it increasingly difficult to adjust to life without him. I am still retracing our long dog-walks of the past, though this time with only a camera for company. In all honesty, I am heartbroken.
Best wishes, Pete.
It doesn’t go away, you just start to make space for other things alongside it. Every time I see a picture of Butterfly I still feel the heartbreak. With cricket and Ellie…the wound is still open.
I am so sorry Pete.
That’s appreciated, thank you.
Mr. Leibowitz, aka Jon Stewart, is the epitome of everything the the so-called “liberal” Jews are: always trying to please all of those who hate them, and always take a negative approach when it comes to Israel. And still stick with the antisemities in the Democratic party.
Very Sad.
Nice post Rachel 🙂
Thank you!
Bravo, Rachel! Loved this post.
Thank you!!!
Nice, Loved this post Rachel !!
Thank you!
Lately I have been reading intentionally points of view outside my normal circuit. Not extremes such as white nationalism or anarchy, just ideas I don’t encounter with my friends. This has been very beneficial. I have discovered that there are still thoughtful conservatives, reasoned objections to current gender ideologies, balanced views on world conflicts. I think you are benefiting in a similar way from Stewart. Well said.
Thank you!
Love him and so glad to see him back!
Me too!
Not sure if he and his team will hit the peak again but love to see Jon Stewart back. Cheers.
Love your sense of humor! “Unless he becomes a cat person – then we’re done!” As always, great blog. God bless.
Thank you!
It’s so difficult to lack the physical presence of a companion! But your photo caption says it all, “We’ll always be here.” Thank you for reading my one and only dog story (to date!), itself a tale of transition, a metaphor of life. May you find joy on the other side of your grief.
Thank you!