Jon Stewart did so live on “The Daily Show,” hosting a special edition of Comedy Central’s talk show following the final night of the Democratic National Convention on Thursday. The show went on the air just minutes after Kamala Harris finished her speech accepting the party’s presidential nomination.
Stewart’s monologue covered events from the four days of DNC speeches and media coverage, but a particular target was conservative-leaning network Fox News’ coverage of the event. The “Daily Show” host mocked the network’s anchors for reporting on the DNC as a boring gathering where no one spoke to one another. A number of contributors were shown making quotes such as “the mood is not good” and “this is probably the most boring scene I’ve ever seen.”
“Oh, so boring,” Stewart replied. “I forgot that your life is a never-ending joyride where you talk to Brit Hume in between catheter commercials.”
Stewart also criticized the DNC itself, particularly its decision not to bring a Palestinian-American speaker to the stage in light of Israel’s ongoing military attacks on Gaza.
“Really, it’s better not to think about the consequences of our actions there,” Stewart said, drawing attention to other contradictions and failures in the convention’s common theme of “joy.” “There were union leaders and CEOs there, Democratic Party icons and longtime Republicans. There was a guy who said, ‘Screw the billionaires,’ followed by a very happy billionaire.”
The live special of “The Daily Show” was a major production for Comedy Central and capped a week of coverage of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. The show had also planned to cover the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee earlier this summer, but plans were revised after security at the event was increased following the assassination attempt on Donald Trump in July.
“I love our live shows because they really convey the energy of what just happened,” said executive producer and showrunner Jen Flanz diversity while preparing for Thursday’s broadcast. “We’re not a news show, and to comment on the news, you need a little time to process it and write a more focused account of the previous night. That’s what ‘The Daily Show’ does.”
