Jon Stewart's Joke Hits A Little Too Close To Home On 'Late Show With David Letterman' (VIDEO)

Jon Stewart is a funny guy, and he's usually pretty quick-witted as well. On "Late Show" (Weeknights, 11:35 p.m. EST on CBS), he saw an opportunity for an off-the-cuff riff and went for it. Unfortunately for him and the increasingly uncomfortable David Letterman, that joke hit a little close to home for the host.

Stewart saw the opening after Letterman commented that Mitt Romney reminds him of the guys on the packaging for men's underwear.

"I would think at this stage of your career, you have people that could just sit there and hug your groin for you," he told Letterman. "Just hold on. Just do that. You could have like a group of people --" At this point, he started losing his focus, later admitting that he'd realized his faux pas mid-joke.

"Jon, Jon, Jon," Letterman said calmly. "I had a little trouble along those lines." He was referring to the revelations in 2009 that he'd had intimate relations with female members of his staff, including with a woman who was at the time his personal assistant.

Stewart said that while he'd realized what he'd just done, he was too far in -- too committed to the joke -- to pull back. Letterman laughed it off, but it certainly looked like Stewart wasn't ready to stop apologizing just yet.

Jon Stewart can be seen weeknights on "The Daily Show" weeknights at 11 p.m. EST on Comedy Central, while David Letterman hosts "Late Show" weeknights at 11:35 p.m. EST on CBS.

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Comments

[ThreeCrows]

03:25 AM on 02/18/2012

Letterman just let it roll off his back because he's been down that road and he didn't run away from it like some glib tongue politician. If he ran away from it, he would become ineffective and a hypocrite when he goes after the often wayward politicians.

[Samuel Glass]

02:08 PM on 02/17/2012

You're a big boy, now, Dave. Whether or not Jon meant to 'go there', it's not much different from what you do during your shows every night. Don't wanna be like Jay? Suck it up and move on. Actually, Jon needs to be less apologetic as well.

[american-dolt]

12:59 PM on 02/17/2012

A rare occasion when Jon appeared nervous.

[JustinP213]

12:44 PM on 02/17/2012

Ha, since Letterman dishes it almost every night, he should be willing to take it. Well-played, Jon.

[ceeenbee]

12:27 PM on 02/17/2012

Dave was a great sport. It's nice being able to laugh about yourself.

[Ghangstalked]

09:53 AM on 02/17/2012

.

Ratings up. PR machine working.
.

[SouthpawSass]

09:25 AM on 02/17/2012

I watched Letterman that night... As soon as the "groin" comment came out of Stewart's mouth, I cringed a little... I wondered at what point will Stewart catch on to his own joke. Awkward not for Letterman, but for Stewart. Like seeing a skateboarder straddling a hand rail... you know what's coming, you know it's gonna hurt, but the guy on the skateboard can't stop once he's there...

Dave did put himself in that position. It's good every so often that he gets an elbow to the ribs... Keeps him honest.

[Highball]

09:16 AM on 02/17/2012

LOL

That was hilarious.

[Assumed Name]

08:51 AM on 02/17/2012

Ha!! :D

[msstrick40]

01:40 AM on 02/17/2012

Dayum....and I missed it. I caught Dave the night before...but didn't see it last night.

[AwantNotAneed]

01:14 AM on 02/17/2012

I saw this show-PRICELESS!

[wrwjr57]

09:01 AM on 02/17/2012

You're easily entertained.

[TaxTheChurch]

04:28 PM on 02/17/2012

What entertains you, William R. White Jr.?

[AwantNotAneed]

11:17 PM on 02/17/2012

I liked the show. So what. Do not knock what I like and I will not knock the fact that you seem to be mean.

[BrwnSknGurl4]

11:29 PM on 02/16/2012

I love these two! I think there's a genuine affection between them. David is a legend and I think Jon would be a terrific replacement for him when he retires, though it may go to Jerry Seinfeld or Billy Crystal... JS is probably too smart to get into that gig; with his wit and amazing ability to cut through the bull, would be difficult for him glad-hand a bunch of no-nothing celebrities...

[msstrick40]

01:39 AM on 02/17/2012

That would be such a good fit if Letterman ever decided to give it up. For the life of me....and this is just my opinion...but Jerry Seinfeld has never been funny to me.

[Assumed Name]

08:52 AM on 02/17/2012

Agreed: not funny.

[Parade Keegan]

10:41 PM on 02/16/2012

Dave can "take it" and he's been really transparent about it and jokes about himself and the incident.

[Smarty5]

10:17 PM on 02/16/2012

It was very funny. I was lol-ing all the way.

[LiberalBuzz]

10:13 PM on 02/16/2012

Oops! But on the other hand Letterman is an old hand at this and I doubt it bothered him other than to go along with the schtick.