Entertainment

No Jokes, 'Just Sadness' From Jon Stewart After The Charleston Shooting

by Eitan Levine

Jon Stewart didn't make anybody laugh last night.

In response to the shootings on Wednesday in South Carolina, "The Daily Show" anchor opened up his show by announcing he couldn't bring himself to write jokes that day.

I didn't do my job today, so I apologize. I got nothing for you in terms of jokes and sounds, because of what happened in South Carolina. And maybe if I wasn't near the end of the run, or this wasn't such a common occurrence, maybe I could've pulled out of the spiral. But I didn't.

Instead of his usual monologue and news segments, Stewart spoke about how racism is still very much alive in the US, specifically referencing the Confederate flag that flies above the South Carolina state capitol and how some roads in the state are named after Confederate generals.

He also mentioned the hypocrisy of fighting wars overseas to protect us from terrorists while we face danger from racism inside the US.

Stewart ended the address by announcing Malala Yousafzai was that night's guest.

He said of Yousafzai,

I don't think there is anyone else in the world I'd rather talk to tonight.

Citations: Jon Stewart Says He Cant Tell Jokes After Charleston Church Shooting (Huffington Post)