"We feel a frustration with the way politics are handled and the way politics are handled within the media.... The appeal of doing the show is that it's cathartic," says Jon Stewart about his stint hosting the hugely popular Daily Show, which has broken new ground in the world of comedy talk shows since he took the reins in 1999.
Biographer Lisa Rogak (who has also profiled Stephen Colbert, Shel Silverstein and Stephen King) highlights Stewart's bumpy rise to this catharsis. She touches on his family life, but Angry Optimist focuses primarily on Stewart's career in comedy, from the side jobs that supported him to his stand-up career, TV appearances, film roles, books and even Oscar-hosting duty.
Including both humorous and serious insights from colleagues, Rogak presents a detailed picture of the Comedy Central show, revealing exhausting writing schedules, dogs in the office, interns running around at top speed and people who aren't particularly enamored with the host. Giving voice to Stewart's naysayers allows Rogak to explore a broader view of the "high-functioning hermit," who is rarely seen in public outside of work.
As Rogak retells, Stewart learned a lesson early in his career: "This whole life is a journey. There is no such thing as made it." The future is uncertain, but Stewart has undoubtedly left his signature on the world of comedy. Rogak's astute illustration of just how he accomplished that--making humor about things that matter to him--is ideal not only for Stewart fans, but comedy fans everywhere. --Jen Forbus of Jen's Book Thoughts