It's much easier to make jokes about sensitive issues if there is some dissent, some conflict.

I'd rather call myself a mischief-maker, an imp, rather than a satirist. Satirist sounds so self important. Plus no one is calling himself an imp right now. It makes me feel special.

I wish I had played team sports. I think every kid should. Teamwork builds character - teaches people about leadership and cooperation.

Politicians who wear little tennis socks with the balls at the back should not be taken seriously.

I was a timid little guy when I was a kid. I used humor as a defense; I became the class clown. But deep inside, I felt real vulnerable.

I think the hardest thing to do in the world, show-business-wise, is write comedy.

My approach to comedy is that whenever it comes to me, I write it. With 'The Daily Show,' you have to write stuff every day, and that's a new experience for me, to not only write on someone else's schedule but a daily schedule.

It's funny, because when I was in college, all my professors said, 'You should do comedy.' And I was like, 'No! No!' But I was able to get my foot in the door through comedy. I'm so grateful to have the opportunity to do it.