Jon Stewart | our hero
wonder | wander | women have loved Jon Stewart since we started following him on The Jon Stewart Show. By the time he was hosting The Daily Show at the end of the 90s we were totally hooked and have remained his avid followers ever since.
Honoring Jon Stewart with the Mark Twain Prize this year is a testament — not just to his specific brand of American humor — but to his sharp satire and caring vigilance over the past decades.
As a native New Yorker and proud American he has used his celebrity and voice in a sustained advocacy for 9/11 first responders and war veterans’ health benefits. If he ever decides to run for president we would definitely campaign and vote for him. Lucky for us he’s too smart to do it.
During his tenure on The Daily Show guests tended away from celebrities and more towards non-fiction authors and political pundits, as well as many prominent elected officials. Under his leadership it steadily rose in popularity — particularly following the show’s coverage of the 2000 and 2004 elections.
According to Rolling Stone the Daily Show was “the hot destination for anyone who wants to sell books or seem hip, from presidential candidates to military dictators”. Newsweek labeled it “the coolest pit stop on television”.
When he left the show in 2015 we sorely missed his idealistic skepticism — especially with the 2016 US elections and its disastrous outcome. The ensuing four years only made us crave his daily presence more — what a terrible time to lose our moral compass. Where were his daily admonitions to keep the White House and Trumpians in line?
We chased after him wherever we could — in his writing, acting, producing, directing, hosting and public speaking. Few and far between, we were left longing for our usual daily dose. We missed his critiques, take downs and news satires.
When Apple TV+ announced they would be airing “The Problem with Jon Stewart” we were overjoyed. We could not care less that too many others didn’t and deemed it a flop. We love every single episode and rejoice over the announcement of a second season — yay!
As we watched the presentation of the 23rd annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humor to Jon Stewart at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts we could not be more proud. We listened to his acceptance speech with tears and love overflowing.
We watched as one after another famous peer shared their story if how he personally contributed to their life and career. As they roasted and toasted him we watched his joyful response and shared his belly deep laughter.
Welcome back Jon Stewart may you be a part of our lives for many more rich and profound years!
Originally published at https://wonderwanderwomen.blogspot.com.
