Jon Stewart

After leaving the cable network, Stewart spent a brief stint hosting MTV's ill-fated You Wrote It, You Watch It series before landing a job as the network's first talk show host. Premiering in 1993, The Jon Stewart Show became a hit with the college crowd, due mainly to Stewart's self-effacing humor, quick wit, and ridiculous antics, such as sitting on William Shatner's lap and playing ping-pong with Gabriella Sabatini. The show became syndicated in 1994, and although it garnered critical praise in publications such as the Village Voice and New York Magazine, Stewart's off-beat brand of humor and penchant for the obscure didn't catch on with middle-American viewers, and the show was eventually canceled. The comedian has since found success and added critical acclaim as host of Comedy Central's The Daily Show. His combination of biting critical humor and giggly self effacement made him an icon, and in 2006 he was well received as host of the Academy Awards. ~ Steve Kurutz, All Movie Guide