It feels like just yesterday the fresh-faced stand-up comedian from New Jersey -- then described as "sharp" by The New York Times and "overeager" by The Chicago Tribune -- was sitting down for his first-ever "Daily Show" interview. He fidgeted with the buttons on his oversized suit like a nervous bar mitzvah boy and, in refreshing contrast to comedy frat-boy predecessor Craig Kilborn, charmed viewers with a particular Woody Allen-ish brand of self-deprecating humor.
Now, after nearly two decades on the satirical-news program, Jon Stewart prepares to sign off one last time.
For the next three weeks, leading up to "The Daily Show" host's August 6 departure, Salon will be taking a look back at some of Stewart's most memorable moments spanning his 16 years and five months.
Today, we look back at Stewart's very first interview from January 1999.
“I’m a new member of this family ... and I'll be here for you every night," Stewart said, opening his first "Daily Show." "And while we may never be a family of love, I hope that we can sit together at meal times ... in absolute silence pretending not to notice that Jimmy is gay."
It was a telling quote from the newly minted host and what he would become during his 16-year residency on "The Daily Show": A voice of opposition, of self-deprecation and most of all, of humor.
Stewart's first celebrity guest on the show was Michael J Fox. The two bonded over being poor dressers ("we're hockey people, men's men!") and hating the "Hollywood machine" (the one that almost made a "Titanic" sequel happen, Stewart joked).
Fox told Stewart he opted out of seeing "Titanic" because, simply put: "9 billion people go to the movies -- they don't need me." He also didn't seem to be completely convinced that he should care about Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet's story when tons of other people died. Fair enough.
At one point, the "Spin City" star asked whether the program was live.
“It’s my first day, I don’t know,” Stewart responds. “It could be.”
To round out the aggressively '90s vibe of the program, Stewart also took a dig at Bill Clinton, the NBA lock-out and Popeye ... the cartoon character.
Watch the interview courtesy of Comedy Central below:
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