Jon Stewart is back as the host of “The Daily Show,” after a 12-week absence from his satirical Comedy Central news show.
The longtime host took the summer off to direct a movie in Jordan and grew a shaggy beard in the process,
the Associated Press reported.
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“Daily Show” correspondent John Oliver subbed for eight weeks, and he earned rave reviews from viewers.
Stewart made up for lost time by referencing some of the biggest stories he missed, from Paula Deen and the Royal Baby to Anthony Weiner’s alter ego “Carlos Danger” and Miley Cyrus’s infamous twerking.
On the topic of Syria, he poked fun at the reasons for possible military action.
“America taking military action against a Middle East regime,” Stewart said. “It's like I never left.”
After showing Secretary of State John Kerry referring to "signatures of sarin gas" in the attack, Stewart launched into a mock commercial for "Signature of Sarin" perfume.
“I came back to a dark, dark place,” he said.
He also played news network tape of various pundits who said that military action against Syria is necessary because the United States would look weak if they didn't strike.
"Oh, right," he said. "We have to bomb Syria because we're in the seventh grade."
USA TODAY reported Wednesday's show (11 p.m. ET/PT) features Mario Livio, author of Brilliant Blunders From Darwin to Einstein: Colossal Mistakes by Great Scientists That Changed Our Understanding of Life and the Universe. On Thursday, Stewart will interview actor Michael C. Hall (Dexter).
Online Entertainment Weekly commenters had a mixed reaction to Stewart’s return.
“Oliver was good and hopefully he gets more exposure and opportunities after this,” wrote one poster. “But the Daily Show is Jon Stewart's. It's not the same without him. I'm glad he's back.”
Another wrote: “The left-wing midget is back. Who cares.”
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