an early date with Jon

A new way of life dawns: Jon Stewart at 10 p.m. instead of 11. "Early to bed, early to rise, makes a woman healthy, wealthy and wise." Since I'm already so very wise and healthy, that means the shekels will start rolling in at any time now.

I don't think I've ever seen Jon as impatient and sharp as he was last night - and with good reason. He was talking to the head of the Democrats, who brought along his party's idea of how to regain the trust of voters: a keychain imprinted with the words "Don't give them back the keys." I mean, how feeble and pathetic is that? What is wrong with them?

Jon kept saying, you have a communication problem, your word is not getting out. And the guy just kept cheerfully repeating all the great things the party has accomplished, as if oblivious that the Republican pit-bulls, slavering for blood, will make mincemeat of them. Are we living in such brutish times that only the bullies can be heard? If Rob Ford wins as mayor of Toronto, I'll know it's true.

Jon and his team seem a bit lost these days - there was a particularly silly bit last night on the burning of the Koran in Florida - as if the situation is so dire and absurd that even the "Daily Show"'s skilled team can't find a way to make light of it.