Today is Daily Show host Jon Stewart’s last day. In his 16 years as the TV show’s comedic anchor, he has satirized Maine politics and hosted several prominent people from the state. Here are some of the highlights throughout the years.
Stephen King
In his white Velcro sneakers, horror writer Stephen King talked about his book “Faithful,” which chronicles the 2004 Red Sox season (when the team won its first World Series since 1918). Originally, he explained to Stewart, he agreed to just contribute to the book.
But then, “the more the [Red Sox] season went on, the more the wheels started to go around and the more I got involved with it.”
Stewart: “Really, you’re obsessive?”
King: “Yeah.”
Stewart: “Hm.”
King: “Obsessive compulsive.”
Stewart: “Really?”
King: “Yeah. Kind of that way.”
Stewart: “I would think someone who’s written 3,000 books would not have an issue like that.”
Olympia Snowe
The former U.S. senator from Maine, a Republican, joined Stewart on the show in 2013 to talk about her book, “Fighting for Common Ground.”
“You know what’s so interesting to me? This book is always written by senators after they leave the Senate,” Stewart said, to laughter from the audience and Snowe. “Whenever they leave the Senate, they always go, ‘You know what those guys should do?'”
“But I’ve been trying to tell them that forever,” Snowe said.
Susan Collins
Collins has been featured in several of Stewart’s spoofs. This clip below centers on a 2010 defense bill that included a repeal of the military policy “don’t ask, don’t tell” that barred gay men and lesbians from serving openly in the military. The bill included amendments that were not palatable to many.
Stewart said, “Of course none of these shenanigans matter unless the Democrats can break the Republican filibuster and bring the bill to the floor, but they’re going to need 60 votes, meaning their entire caucus, and one Republican. One. Susan Collins. Republican. Maine. Lady Gaga fan.”
The segment cut to a video of Susan Collins saying, “I agree with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen that the ‘don’t ask don’t tell’ law should be repealed.”
“Looking good,” Stewart said.
“I think it’s the right thing to do. I think it’s only fair. I think we should welcome the service of these individuals who are willing and capable of serving their country,” Collins continued.
“Feeling good!” Stewart said.
“But I cannot vote to proceed to this bill under a situation that is going to shut down the debate and preclude Republican amendments. That, too, is not fair,” said Collins.
“Collins!” Stewart sniffs.
(Collins and independent Sen. Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut did, in fact, push the repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell” as a standalone bill later that year after gridlock blocked progress of the larger Defense Authorization Act, in which the repeal had been a provision.)