Help Us Jon Stewart, You’re Our Only Hope

When Jon Stewart stopped reading the “fake” news seven years ago, the country notably regressed in every possible fashion. Typically, the envious punchline of geo-political opinion the United States has now become the joke itself. The 2016 election of a dishonest, egotistical child for president immediately following his exit was not a coincidence at all. The world is a better place when it has a daily dose of Jon. His absence is felt now more than ever as America becomes less and less of the democracy it was intended to be. Fear and ignorance now run rampant throughout the country, dividing its people. A jedi master of political satire who somehow always made light of the darkest of our days, he is undoubtably a force for good and unending source of laughter laced with wisdom. As hypocrisy and hate goes seemingly unchecked in our world with no accountability whatsoever, maybe what we need is the unlikeliest of heroes to save the day. A comedian with courage. See: Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Stewart’s public record outside of the comedy central office includes being a tireless advocate for children with autism, veterans and most famously the FDNY and the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund Bill that should have never even been an issue. This incredible speech convinced a lazy congress to finally do the right thing all while shining a light on how ridiculously awful a turtle can be. The picture during the passage of the bill with a sulking McConnel trying to slither by is worth thousands and thousands of great words.

His humble beginning as a struggling stand-up comic in NYC was where he cultivated his now legendary work ethic and unwavering style. The satirical wit of Stewart was battle-tested by 2am hecklers and sharpened by an understanding that truth comes through knowledge. The rest is just bullshit. Often surprising guests by his thorough understanding of the book or film they were promoting as evident by the insightful questions and perspectives he contributed, made him quickly beloved within most circles. His critics, as time continues to prove are some of the dumbest, most narrow-minded dickheads in the history of humanity. Tucker Carlson. Fuck you and your bowtie. Whenever I have trouble sleeping, I like to imagine throwing various fast-food items at you from a moving vehicle, but I digress. As he and the other degenerates at Fox News quickly learned, debating a comedian who is vastly more informed than yourself is the equivalent of pestering Mike Tyson on an airplane. It will always end with the antagonist bloodied, embarrassed and forever questioning how they could have ever done something so stupid. Stewart does not go looking for these public showdowns but will not shy away from them. Especially if the truth is being told in an “alternative” fashion.

The army of his descendants now exist on a global level with Daily Show type programs sprouting up wherever oppression seems to be present. All with the same core principals as the original, they seek truth and understanding through silliness and laughter. His legacy domestically can be found in most of the comedic talent in entertainment today, alumni of his intern like correspondents’ position on the show.

Colbert, Carell, Oliver, Black, Helms and Che to name a few. Often at their own personal risk they would visit the most ridiculous people and places with the only goal of a few minutes of hilarity that hopefully would air. As they all gathered years later for his final show, it was impossible to not be impressed at the talent those shitty offices near the river had churned out. The recent honor of the Mark Twain Award celebrated the lifetime of laughter Stewart had brought but with an apparent ulterior motive. Virtually every presenter after thanking him for all he had done, would make a desperate plea for Jon to seek office. Pretty hard to ignore Springsteen serenating you with an acoustic rendition of Born to Run as a slide show of all the good you have done is played in the background. Even harder when someone as intelligent as Dave Chappelle straight up begs you to run for president… but understands why you can’t.

Jon Stewart has changed by not changing at all. The consistency of his soul and values established a trust earned over time that is now as unbreakable as the actions that defined it. The emphatic ovations from the crowd at MSG every time he is flashed on the big screen during a Knick’s timeout is perhaps the best example of the connection he has made and still has, with the American public.  

With the next presidential election on the horizon both parties find themselves having an identity crisis and no true front runners within their respective leadership. So instead of again tediously picking between the lesser of two evils perhaps it is time to elect a real civil servant. A person who is for the greater good because that is what the office demands and so should its people. Stewart 2024. And now…. your moment of Zen.