Young Pre-'Daily Show' Jon Stewart's Compelling Performance (1997 WH Correspondents Dinner)

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Published 2017-08-10

Two years before he took the reins at "The Daily Show," Jon Stewart headlined the 1997 Correspondents Dinner after both Rosie O'Donnell and Dennis Miller denied to do the gig. A young Jon Stewart showed up and fortunately delivered. Although he spends a lot of time ridiculing Senator Robert Byrd for his (apparently) notorious hatred of dogs. The performance is nonetheless compelling, for the way it captures, in embryonic form, the earnest sarcasm that eventually won Stewart the hearts of Blue America.

Stewart also roasts Kennedy:
'I love Senator Kennedy. I think that guy's the coolest. Although I do think he has kind of an enormous head," he joked. "Honestly, it doesn't even look like a head. It looks more like a container for a head.''

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All Comments (21)

@piarco 21 days ago

Genius then, hero now!
@bassavino 21 days ago

Charming, brilliant, razor sharp, perfect timing, and never, ever punches down
@moehoward01 2 years ago

"I'm not very familiar about how things operate in Washington..." Oh, you will be, Jon. You will be.
@jeffclement2468 6 months ago

Here in 2023, I still use that "container for a head" joke. Long live Jon Stewart!
@BornIn82 28 days ago

You got Madeleine Albright to laugh 😂😂
@akairborne 2 years ago

I would love to see Jon do a correspondent dinner in 2022. That would be some fire!
@magicalpossibilities 14 days ago

Jon is a national treasure.
@Dean0017 21 days ago

He is a smart dude. We need more like him.
@lunatik9696 14 days ago

Long B4 we ALL knew how smart he is. This is a CLEAR indicator of his wit.
@davidanderson566 2 years ago

Man, I love Jon Stewart even more!
@planetboondock2383 2 years ago

"Isn't that what the confirmation process is all about here in Washington? Weeding out the truly qualified to get to the truly available."
@kathywilkowski725 13 days ago

God! What a handsome man. Not to mention, a brilliant comedian.
@theterminaldave 2 years ago

Holy crap i miss the 90's, i didn't even know what existential dread was.
@JJNow-gg9so 21 days ago

Age has served you well Jon.(5-11-24)🌠
@Physiker17 3 years ago

I have watched many correspondents' dinner performances, but never was the crowd that "happy". Jon, I miss you so much!
@63Hash 2 years ago

"Weeding out the truly qualified to get to the truly available"
@Jin420 2 years ago

My God ---- I feel sooo old.. '97 seemed like it was just yesterday......
@puddingfaceboy 2 years ago

JS 4 prez 2024
@melissafinch9958 14 days ago

I forgot how handsome he was❤❤❤
@vervor 21 days ago

I love that they cut to another guy with a huge head during the huge head joke.