Jon Stewart; 'I Have No F---ing Idea'.(Interview)

Byline: Malcolm Beith

Since taking over "The Daily Show" on Comedy Central in 1999, 41-year-old Jon Stewart has turned the satirical news show into a comedic hit--and a major media player. The program is broadcast around the world on CNN International, and surveys show that more than 20 percent of young Americans look to satirical programs like "The Daily Show" as their primary source of news. Stewart and his writers on the program--responsible for some of the smartest critiques of the U.S. election campaign as well as the funniest--have just released a book, "America (The Book): A Citizen's Guide to Democracy Inaction," which takes readers on a rip-roaringly funny journey through U.S. history. NEWSWEEK's Malcolm Beith spoke to America's most respected (in some circles) political pundit last week. Excerpts:

BEITH: Your show has gone from a relatively obscure cable show--

STEWART: To a more mildly obscure cable show.

But you're an internationally renowned media pundit now. How do you feel about that?

I feel truly then that the world must be very confused.

How do you feel about America's image abroad and how it's declined since September 11?