Had to see what the angst was all about on social media. I think Jon did a great job and it's good to have him back.

[Music Man]

60. It made me squirm, but maybe that's the point.

I think we have to remember that Jon Stewart has earned the benefit of a few hundred doubts. His body of work has shown that he's as brilliant a guy late night has ever seen and that he takes his work seriously. No one who has seen his HBO show "The Problem with Jon Stewart" could ever insinuate that he's some Republican propaganda machine or solely out for jokes. He's undoubtedly one of us, and he knows who his audience is.

However, in his own way, I think he wants Democrats to face certain realities or risk losing an election specifically because we were too scared to point out faults with our own. I, too, get nervous in an election year in which a monster like Trump is the opponent and Jon Stewart criticizes Biden. I think, "Shhh!!! Someone might hear you." Again, though, perhaps it's part of his own comedic strategy. Tell Democrats to shape up and also earn some bonafides that one is not a partisan hack. Stewart himself made this point, saying that when the barbarians are at the gate, you better make sure the person standing between you and them knows what the hell they're doing.

I'm reminded of a line from one of the Harry Potter books in which Dumbledore talks about how it takes courage to stand up to your enemies but just as much to stand up to your friends.

Anyway, I totally get the angst and frustration many who took exception to Stewart's first night back. I shared that. But I also want to give one of the smartest and funniest guys of our generation some leash.