I don’t know what went wrong with Jon Stewart, but he’s been “phoning it in” for a year or more. Even when he has tremendous guests, the interviews are tedious and dull — and the guests can’t help but reveal their own disappointment, you can see them winding up the six or seven minute segment with body language that says “that was torture … it seemed like an hour trapped talking with a witless cousin at a wedding reception.”

It’s a shame because, hell, what else is on TV and Colbert runs hot and cold — he should have had a slam-dunk week with shows from Iraq, but it felt horribly, painfully awkward and strained as if he was afraid to put a foot wrong yet the audience was giving him unlimited support. I’m sure he’ll cringe when he comes back and watches the tape. Bravo to the military in the audience, they are a proud sight to behold.

Jon’s chin is more prominent. Charlie’s eyes are fiercer.