City Life--My Week with Jon Stewart Edition

DC and her residents are generally immersed in national politics and her ugly stepsister, the pundit, throughout the year. Which, shouldn't surprise anyone. You know, because it's the national capital or something that's perceived to be equally important. For the most part, it becomes a normal thing for locals to see these talking heads having a sushi lunch on 19th street, or getting take out from the Spy Museum cafe. And, for the most part, these folks are just left to their stuffed shirt, hyper-reactive ways.

But then, Jon effin Stewart hits town with his "Daily Show". Cue the liberal half of this town (read: the folks who actually live IN the District) going absolutely batshit crazy. Like, wait in line for 4 hours so they can sit in the front row of the taping nuts. Count the Velogirl and I among the batty. As I am a tree hugging socialist, and the Velogirl is a little more left wing and radical. So, imagine our excitement when we were able to attend Tuesday's taping. WOOT!

(Welcome to DC Jon!)

Not to bore everyone with the details of what goes into the taping of the show, but it was really interesting to see how all the lighting and staging were put together, how the cameras all move around, and how effing FUNNY Jon Stewart and John Oliver are in person. I mean, legitimately laugh out loud funny.

I mean, I consider m'self to be a funny sort of chap. But, there's a HUGE difference between professional funny and "make your drunk friends sort of smile at one of your inane observations" funny. I am, by all accounts firmly in the latter camp, in what I dub the "Gentleman Comedian" category. For, like more than a few turn of the century sportsmen, who deemed playing a game for money to be a coarse and vulgar activity, I am content to maintain my amateur status in comedy. Plus, I don't, you know, have any experience in ACTUALLY making strangers laugh. Moving on...

In a nutshell, Jon Stewart has taken this town by storm. Not since Mr. Obama moved into the White House has there been this much "holy SHIT, he's HERE!" excitement surrounding anyone in this town. This excitment will no doubt lead up to his "Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear" which is taking place this weekend, and which, you guessed it!, the VeloGirl and I will be attending. I am hoping that Colbert is dressed like Dracula.