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

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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[@planetboondock2383]

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

[@andybaldman]

No truer words have been spoken about Washington

[@planetboondock2383]

@@andybaldman The Earthlings thank you for your support.

[@jaycrum8775]

Sadly!

[@arlenelove3857]

Omg...

[@ontheruntonowhere]

Savage.

[@moehoward01]

_"I'm not very familiar about how things operate in Washington..."_ Oh, you will be, Jon. You will be.

[@AmitRahman_LoneWolf]

❤

[@MarysDressSways]

Ha! I had the same thought!

[@snaptest4]

> proceeds to make a series of acute insider jokes on various politicians

[@tyro244]

I heard Yoda's voice when I read this.

[@moehoward01]

@@tyro244 😂I think I might have heard it, too.

[@bassavino]

Charming, brilliant, razor sharp, perfect timing, and never, ever punches down

[@vervor]

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

[@theterminaldave]

Holy crap i miss the 90's, i didn't even know what existential dread was.

[@Mr3keestylee]

It didn't really start until we were imminently Millennial

[@mjm.9082]

I miss the 90s too...

[@akairborne]

I would love to see Jon do a correspondent dinner in 2022. That would be some fire!

[@jeffclement2468]

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

[@piarco]

Genius then, hero now!

[@Dean0017]

He is a smart dude. We need more like him.

[@anellawrites]

He’s a genius.

[@BornIn82]

You got Madeleine Albright to laugh 😂😂

[@marcochimio]

And now you know why he got the Daily Show gig.

[@randomtees]

The Daily Show wasn't political until Stewart took over. The Kilborn version was more like the type of show you'd see on the E! channel

[@Norsilca]

​@@randomtees This still must've been a factor in them hiring him

[@Jin420]

My God ---- I feel sooo old.. '97 seemed like it was just yesterday......

[@dpm103151]

And simultaneously like a million years ago.

[@hanselmenezes1406]

'the million man march, or as some of you remember it... the day we called in sick' - SAVAGELY BRILLIANT. OMG

[@thomthom6268]

The million man march... the day I flew National to Fresno, CA... for work. Foolishly, I took Metro, but the car FULL, full, full, of participants who kindly made room for 5.4 me and my week long suitcase and my ginger hair. Boy, did I stick out. But I was at the door for train transfer at L'enfant Plaza. The men were in high spirits and were accommodating and fun. I'll will always praise them for their kindness.

[@63Hash]

"Weeding out the truly qualified to get to the truly available"

[@jpan7071]

I think this kid might have a future.

[@Physiker17]

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

[@idontknow1919]

I was about to post the same thing. Even the Republicans were laughing

[@theshadowtalks]

@@idontknow1919 At you!

[@TheEvilWalrusLord]

He's back!!! Listen to the problem with Jon Stewart or watch it here on KZbin so good he's a gem

[@oscarinacan]

Conan o'brien has entered the chat

[@dionysusnow]

he's not dead yet.

[@davidanderson566]

Man, I love Jon Stewart even more!

[@SilentBob731]

Jon Stewart...speaking truth to power for twenty-five years.

[@matkodoris9099]

The toughest crowd in the country and the guy killed out there. Way to go Jon!

[@easternlights3155]

I really wanna pay attention to what he's saying but... damn he's beautiful

[@stillhere1425]

Those soulful, hooded eyes…😍

[@Doctor_Straing_Strange]

he really is very handsome

[@tinjadog]

Brilliant, hilarious, charming.... Yes we all cherish these things about Jon Stewart. But could we please just have a moment of appreciation for those beautiful sideburns?

[@Cancun771]

Ah yes. Those heady days when we didn't even consider George W. Bush could one day be president _and there would be a worse successor some day._

[@ontheruntonowhere]

I literally didn't vote because I didn't think there was much difference. Regrets.

[@Americathestupid]

I used to think W. was the dumbest president ever. Wow, was I ever wrong.

[@AnandKulkarniPlusOne]

Whoever you are, you have a tonne of my love for putting this up! 💕

[@randal_gibbons]

Thanks for posting this.

[@stillhere1425]

Byrd was a friend to dogs compared to She Who Will Soon Be a Footnote.

[@roberthevern6169]

Would that be (first Ms K N of not North Dakota ... !?

[@dem8568]

Why relegate her to a footnote? I want her to be the face of the Republican party for the next generation, let's show the people what lunatics they're voting for!

[@ontheruntonowhere]

@@roberthevern6169 Governor Kristi "I shot a puppy in the head" Noem.

[@mk4881]

This man is a treasure!

[@melissafinch9958]

I forgot how handsome he was❤❤❤

[@naomiweaver1855]

He’s the best. High bar.

[@ritafranco3020]

I love Jon. But he was absolutely too nice. I’d love to see him do another WHCD!!!!!!! Jon please do another one. ❤

[@ibgreen1998]

It was… quaint, in no way mean-spirited. And amazingly funny and intelligent. That’s whatever need

[@chapmanmc]

Sadly, he’d never be invited.

[@user-yk2hz4yo5v]

That is exactly why Mr Stewart has done so well.

[@roberthevern6169]

Yes!

[@newsoul8626]

what a great trip down memory lane!

[@sierralvx]

This was the year I was born.... Also surprised to see the WHCD on c-span 2!

[@gummyberryjoos1693]

"I don't really know much about how Washington works." Haha, give it a few years, buddy.

[@nickp8041]

"As we approach the millennium, I guess the real job of governemnt is to watch out for all the lunacy that's been going on. The closer we get to the year 2000 the more lunatics seem to come out of the woodowork." Man Jon I know this was just a setup for your Bob joke, but if only you had any idea about how regrettably true those words were going to echo throughout the next three decades.

[@android12921]

Prophetic. Jon was true about Tucker about 10 years before he became the douche at fox

[@MrGittz]

Donald Trump was President. Donald Fuckin Trump. How? How did that happen?

[@lunatik9696]

Long B4 we ALL knew how smart he is. This is a CLEAR indicator of his wit.

[@Dana-kb5mk]

This is *fantastic*!! Thank you so, so much for this brilliant Upload 😘❤️♾️🕉️🔥🖖

[@susanbader1408]

Looks very handsome!

[@BenjaminVestergaard]

I don't dare to think how bad he could roast today.

[@JJNow-gg9so]

Age has served you well Jon.(5-11-24)🌠

[@libertyann439]

So good to see that again 🙌☺

[@FoxMacLeod2501]

I love how you can clearly make out Bill Clinton cracking up to a lot of Jon killing it here. I can't believe I never knew about this, until 2022!

[@davecongalton2858]

Stewart's performance is the best of any comedian at this dinner. Nobody comes close.

[@yogadr6]

Colbert improved on this, tho mentor Jon seemed to set a new standard here

[@arriuscalpurniuspiso]

Michelle Wolfe was better. So was Hassan Minaj. I love Jon, but this is really tepid stuff

[@MikesOrganicVideos]

Thanks so much for posting this. I think I may have actually seen this back in the day, but I’m not 100% sure. Thanks again.

[@marciaj2615]

I love this man, then and now. At this stage of his life he truly was handsome. I've not seen all these dinners but this is one of the best comedians to date.

[@buckeyechuck4064]

It doesn't look like a head, it looks like a container for a head.- best joke

[@puddingfaceboy]

JS 4 prez 2024

[@robhall3311]

He was brilliant....

[@kristn6513]

IS brilliant! He's back ✌️💙Jon

[@jamesgreen4212]

YEAHHH HES BAACK

[@feralbluee]

Jon Stewart was so young. Imagine getting a gig before the most powerful people in the U.S. and The President!! It really took a lotta, as he would say, chutzpah to get up there. And he had it and has always had it. I wonder what he thought when got home? *Well, I guess I’ll never work again. *That went - umm - well. I don’t remember, did they laugh? * Did I actually say that? Oh god My favorite was, “Nope! Nope! Nope!” LOL 🤣 Yea for Jon Stewart !!!!!! 😈

[@SaltyMinorcan]

WHO KNEW HE WOULD KNOCK IT OUT OF THE PARK? 🙋🏼‍♀️

[@melissafinch9958]

I love Jon Stewart❤❤❤

[@carolrademacher7002]

The man is brilliant

[@lindy4462]

So handsome!

[@marlalecin2932]

I wonder what the "nope, nope, nope" jokes would have been....

[@akfreed6949]

Cigars for one

[@MikeOria]

Wow that was phenomenal.

[@billmitchell2080]

One the funniest guys telling jokes to people with no sense of humor.

[@suzanne6441]

Stewart came - oh so unhappily - to my small Stevens Point Wi college. Wow he was miserable and we just didn't get him. I moved to NYC the next year and got him then.

[@MrChatmoon]

Excellent

[@mikewazowski350]

I'd like to go back to 1997. I'd do so many things differently.

[@richardthelionheart5594]

Mad Albreight didn't appear happy that her coming out was highlighted. Lighten up B, no Gestapo in the crowd, I think.

[@magicalpossibilities]

Jon is a national treasure.

[@namegirl12]

that's a big fucking room

[@d.e.b.b5788]

Holy crap; I hear Dennis Regan's vocal work in Jon's presentation. I wonder if there is a connection.

[@greatmcluhansghost7134]

"weeding out the truly qualified to get to the truly avAILable." I mighta been at that party. was there cake? hmmmmmm. mmmm. hmmm? ha

[@samantatondelli6221]

And so handsome too 😲

[@justingilbone6386]

6:50 the funniest moment of the entire speech

[@parkerstroh6586]

Oh my god he literally did a bad lip reading 15 years before they did

[@eclecticexplorer7828]

He's a funny guy. I expect good things from him.

[@lw5283]

jon's the best

[@AlJalandhari]

So safe

[@michaeljenkins7024]

I thought he was good, but he got such big laughs because he tailored the jokes to the sensibilities of the room. Norm Macdonald went much harder without getting half the audience response.

[@-Jess.-]

I like c-span. Its mesmerizing.

[@charlesnelthorpe9252]

Its not a fucking roast, and if you take two seconds to think about half the shit he's railing on is lighthearted sarcasm and the fact you can't understand that should disqualify you from commenting on anything humour related. go the fuck away dummy.

[@-Jess.-]

@@charlesnelthorpe9252 . .. ... he's a satirist. he's _satirizing._ My god, at least I don't have to add to my complex of making 'that's what he said' remarks that aren't in some way an innuendo. Seriously. As a comedian it's totally messing up my gait. For actual seriously, you're saying it's "lighthearted sarcasm", but in actuality, the things he is commentating on, he doesn't like it. Or he wouldn't have spent 1.5 decades as a television personality saying as much. start biting at my grammar syntax, and I will start giggling like a toddler who has paint scribbled all over your drawing. Thank you, and good night. Morning? Something.

[@michaeljenkins7024]

@@charlesnelthorpe9252 The comedian is brought in to perform a roast at the Correspondents' Dinner. That is literally the role they are hired to perfom at that function. The fact that you can't understand that should etc.

[@-Jess.-]

@@charlesnelthorpe9252 also, I don't like you. I find you to be boorish, out of touch w/ reality, and highly unpleasant. I also believe that this Jon here could stand for a hair-cut, but that could be the times. Unlike this set which is timeless.

[@purpletopturnip4113]

Madeline Albright seems like a real charmer. 😐

[@benwu7980]

She looked like she was really enjoying the night.

[@gsburek4345]

❤

[@noahfair1320]

Back when these crowds had a sense of humour.

[@AlJalandhari]

I feel like correspondents dinners are edgier now though

[@eugeneaxe]

The 90's were the best.

[@nerdnam]

When these crowds weren't half lunatics.

[@lordd007]

@@nerdnam I agree. 100% of them are half crazy.

[@rickv4473]

Most people under 50 don't get half of this stuff. Im 60 and i got most of it.

[@bobbyfeet2240]

Al Gore really rolled with it.

[@UkeCan1]

He has always had a real sense of humor about himself ... even though at the time he was famously stiff.

[@violetfirth9417]

Slam dunk

[@johnrockenbach7241]

Very funny TY Jon.

[@sequoia1171]

You can just see his contempt for everyone in the room already. He hadn't started doing what he would go on to do, not even for several more years, but already he could see the stain of the system

[@MrThankeesai]

TIL they knew about high def television in 97

[@UkeCan1]

Sony started working on high def TV in 1969. I worked on it at Bellcore starting in 1983. It was of course analog then - we didn't have the technology developed to do it digitally yet, though we knew that was the eventual future.

[@MrThankeesai]

@@UkeCan1 wow thanks for the knowledge

[@UkeCan1]

@@MrThankeesai It was pretty cool stuff to work on back then! No one had heard of it, including me before I got that job. We had a whole display room set up to show it to people, on a giant (at the time) 6-foot screen. The only footage available to show was Japanese, so we took a business trip to Orlando and Disney and down south to shoot some US scenes we could show.

[@50skingjet86]

Wait, when he asks "can you f2 that joke?" does he refer to something in the real world? did other people say "to f2 something"? on my windows laptops since 2001, f2 was just renaming files or excel cells...

[@UkeCan1]

He should have said ^Z

[@angusmorrison9433]

Pierre Salinger knew what he was talking about. ...On to 9/11.

[@herOhface]

You’re wearing a bow tie.. ;)

[@jasonlefler3456]

He looks like a young Richard Lewis.

[@jred5153]

YOU TAKE THAT BACK! They look the same age....

[@jensenbell]

You never see them in the same room together 🤔

[@Angie-Pants]

I've thought this for years, glad I'm not the only one.

[@mobiz711]

Now that you've see how it should be done, it's going to make watching Colin Jost do it all the more painful.

[@Loveinthe808]

he was painful

[@lunatraveller]

Ah... the good ol' days when there were sense of humour and civility in the world...

[@sampfanstiel5346]

"All these celebrities are surely a boon for C-SPAN; I would bet tonight that they are almost sure to double their viewer" 💀💀💀

[@stevrgrs]

Michael Knowles is like a wannabe Jon Stewart circa this White House dinner :)

[@iamnormal8648]

13:21 Good one... followed by a 2D shot of Gore.

[@MrAhuapai]

The GOAT

[@robotempire]

The year I graduated high school…

[@bivensrk]

Same!

[@NoObligationToday]

Who cares….

[@em0_tion]

👏😁

[@84saints]

“Can I F2 that joke.”

[@HellenVanPattersonPatton80]

Always hot!

[@roberthevern6169]

Oh, Hellen!!

[@HellenVanPattersonPatton80]

@@roberthevern6169 😁

[@ceramicusplus3494]

2:21

[@ncooty]

@14:36: Interesting thing to get wrong in the joke; it's marble, not bronze.

[@billy101cat]

The lunatics didnt stop coming out of the woodwork after the millennium

[@djmcnerney]

How did he get this gig?

[@nanoflower1]

He was available.

[@JTD472]

The “earnest sarcasm”…. I hope that was on purpose but I’m afraid it wasnt

[@LOLERXP]

Have a comment

[@florinadrian5174]

Why no roast of Clinton?

[@akfreed6949]

Because he did a great job . When he left , he eliminated the nation's debt , economy was great , gas was cheap , etc etc etc

[@florinadrian5174]

​@@akfreed6949 Yeah, I'm familiar with this idiotic talking point. He also took bribes from all rich pockets he could beg, entered Democrats into the current spiral of corporatism transforming them into lame GOP rebounds. He bombed Belgrade, including the Chinese embassy. Very Putin-like there. And the economy was good only for Wall Street, the wealth divide exploded because his donor-owners directed him to. And, if you still want to praise his economic policy, he repealed Glass-Steagall leading directly and predictably to the 2007 suprime mortgage crisis. Well done indeed!

[@akfreed6949]

@@florinadrian5174 You know what ? We were still better off with Clinton than with retard Bush and scrooge Cheney . They helped corporations send American jobs to China BEFORE 9/11 and then BLAME 9/11 instead of the real reason which was corporate greed . And how nice of Klan bro Jeb to LOSE enough black votes in Florida which would make Gore the real president . And you know it's real funny about corrupt voting machines that were reporting 200% in some villages in Alaska during BOTH STOLEN ELECTIONS FOR BUSH/CHENEY .