Jon Stewart used his opening monologue on Monday’s “Daily Show” to dissect the accusation from the right that President Obama refuses to refer to the ISIS terrorist group as “radical Islamists.”
Stewart then played a clip in which Obama laid out his reasoning. The President argues that referring to ISIS as Islamists would grant them “the religious legitimacy that they seek.” Stewart lamented that, six and half years into his presidency, that Obama “still thinks he can persuade us with reasoned argument.”
Added Stewart, “Have you met us?” The president’s critics, he said, are not going to say, “Oh, you have a rationale? I withdraw my freakout.”
Stewart said the President is suffering from “MSNBCitis, a condition in wherein one uses facts and research to refute opponents…Symptoms include cancellation.” Stewart went on to compare critics of Obama’s ISIS strategy to those who disparage a TV show without actually having seen it, “like ‘New Girl.’ It’s actually pretty good.”
Stewart ended the segment by super-imposing the President’s head onto the bodies of action movie characters like Rambo and Superman, so that his reasoned argument could still carry the air of military might that many want to use against ISIS.
JEFFREY ROSS Dubbed Comedy Central's Roastmaster General, Jeffrey Ross is one of the wittiest stand-up comedians around. He's best known for his stinging insults, but the 49-year-old is intelligent enough to dish on a daily dose of news.
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KRISTEN SCHAAL Often Billed "The Daily Show's" Senior Women's Issues Correspondent, Schaal has been contributing to Comedy Central's flagship satirical news program since 2008.
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AZIZ ANSARI He's young, charming and has a huge following. Comedy Central has aired several of his stand-up specials, but would they give the "Parks and Recreation" star a chance behind the anchor desk?
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JOHN MULANEY The "Saturday Night Live" veteran is a prolific stand-up comedian as well as the star and creator of his own Fox sitcom, appropriately titled "Mulaney."
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LEWIS BLACK The veteran standup has been delivering his own uniquely aggressive brand of news on "The Daily Show" for even longer than Stewart. His bold, abrasive recurring segment "Back in Black" originated in 1996 when Craig Kilborn hosted the program.
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JOEL MCHALE McHale has been "The Soup's" hilarious host since 2004, so he certainly has the chops for a satirical series. But his E! show airs weekly, making "The Daily Show" a decidedly more demanding commitment for the busy actor, who also stars on "Community."
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CRAIG KILBORN Craig Kilborn hosted "The Daily Show's" first three years before Jon Stewart was even a twinkle in Comedy Central's eye -- who's to say he couldn't retake the reins? Sadly, sources tell TheWrap it's not in the cards.
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PAUL F. TOMPKINS Could Tompkins be "The Daily Show's" first ever mustachioed news anchor? His resume includes topical comedy shows like "Real Time With Bill Maher," "Best Week Ever" and "Comedy Bang! Bang!" and he also has his own critically adored podcast, "The Pod F. Tompkast."
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DANIEL TOSH Between "Tosh.0" and "Brickleberry," it's clear Comedy Central and Daniel Tosh have a good working relationship. But is the controversial comedian up to tackling daily news?
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CHELSEA HANDLER The late night landscape is pretty devoid of a female presence right now, but maybe Comedy Central will take a close look at Handler, who finished her run on E!'s "Chelsea Lately" in August.
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CRAIG FERGUSON Craig Ferguson ended his nine-year run behind the desk at CBS's "Late Late Show" in December, so there's a good chance he's available. But is he willing to step back into the treacherous waters of late night so soon?
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BRIAN WILLIAMS Why not Williams? The NBC News anchor was suspended for six months just minutes after Stewart dropped the bomb. Maybe he wants to try satire?
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Following the Comedy Central host’s announced departure on Tuesday’s episode, TheWrap offers up its recommendations to fill the satirist’s seat