The Scene: The kitschy set of The Jon Stewart Show, with its host, a
29-year-old comic from New Jersey, whom NBC passed over in favor of
Conan O'Brien.
* The lineup: Tony Bennett and Cindy Crawford. "The reason Jon is hot
right now," says Crawford, "is he has a lot more freedom not being on
a network. A guest like Howard Stern can come on and say penis on the
air."
* Worst Rookie Gaffe: While interviewing John Mellencamp, "I said, ~So
this is your 12th album,' and he went, ~No, this is my 14th,' and I
said, ~You know, what's interesting about this album is its rhythm &
blues feel,' and he's like, ~No, actually it's more of a thoughtful
album.' So I said, ~Exactly!' Sometimes you feel pretty stupid."
* The High Price of Fame: Recently mobbed by fans at a suburban
Denny's. "And Letterman keeps breaking into my house," he insists.
* Stewart's Only Drawback: "They have to shave my neck before every
show," he says. "Is that something I shouldn't have shared?"