University Park, PA -- On "The Daily Show,"
Jon Stewart is alternately suave, probing, witty, childish, controlled
and charming. On stage, he is just side-splittingly hilarious.
Stewart, brought to Pennsylvania State University
by the University Concert Committee, touched on drugs, gay rights,
pets, religion and medical examinations, making an instant connection
with a crowd brought up on a diet of Comedy Central.
Dressed in khakis and a sweatshirt, Stewart
strolled onto stage 10 minutes late armed only with a water bottle.
The local touch was present as soon as Stewart opened his act.
"As I drove down here from New York, I just got this incredible
urge to milk something. I guess that's why Joe Paterno wears such
thick glasses," he said, his hands making rapid up-and-down milking
motions in the air.
Although many of the joke routines were recycled
from other stand-up performances, a refreshingly casual style
allowed him to improvise and adapt to the moods of the audience.
Responses of "60 Minutes" and "porn" from the audience to a rhetorical
"What shall we talk about next?" were incorporated seamlessly
into the monologue.
He only needed a single reference to alcohol
to elicit an enthusiastic response from the audience, a reaction
that had even Stewart shaking his head with a wry grin. He then
proceeded to tailor his act further for the student community.
"The humor was very college-based," said Paul
Lundholm (sophomore-history). "It worked well for the student
body."
Stewart could not resist taking a few digs at
President George W. Bush, something "The Daily Show" perfected
to an art form during and after the 2000 elections. He also ranted
briefly about technology and the research into cloning. "Billions
of dollars are being spent to clone sheep, so that they have a
sheep that looks exactly like another. Isn't that the point of
sheep? Why else would we count them to get to sleep?" he said.
More improvisation ended the show as Stewart
took questions from the audience, talking about his upcoming movies
and sharing his experiences of working with Bob Dole during the
elections.