The opening segment of last night's Daily Show was hijacked for a ten-minute plug of the much-debated "Rally to Restore Sanity/and or Fear." The Colbert-Stewart event, scheduled for Washington D.C.'s National Mall on Oct. 30th, seemed originally conceived as a comic parody of Glenn Beck's "Restoring Honor" rally. But as more left-leaning figures have pledged support (including Ariana Huffington, who offered to bus supporters) the event is morphing into something more overtly political than a live sketch of a Comedy Central program.

After last night, Oprah can now be added to the list of celebrity endorsements. Inexplicably appearing mid-way through the promotional segment, the media mogul offered her wholehearted support ("we need a little bit more sanity in the world") before giving every audience member tickets to the free event. The only hint of Daily Show humor came when Stewart deadpanned to Colbert, "You didn't get a rally permit did you?"

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Erik Hayden