When it was announced that Jon Stewart, the prolific host of Comedy Central's The Daily Show from 1998 through 2015, would be returning to his old stomping grounds once a week, his fans were beside themselves with joy.
Indeed, many took right to X (formerly known as Twitter) to unleash their excitement:
However, when CNN announced Stewart's return to the iconic comedic news program after an absence of just under ten years, The Daily Show took it as a prime opportunity to poke a little fun at the legendary host.
The Daily Show used CNN's announcement to serve as a cheeky reminder that in addition to his memorable 17 years as host, Stewart was also responsible for a gif that swiftly went viral: :
"If you're unfamiliar with his work, this is the popcorn gif guy."
Indeed, a gif of Stewart during his hosting duties at The Daily Show frantically eating popcorn while looking directly into the camera quickly became a goto on text chains or social media when things seemed to be getting more than a little tense, or a fight seemed to be brewing.
Jon Stewart Popcorn GIFGiphy
It's safe to say though that Stewart himself took no offense to the association, particularly as he himself has referenced the gif several times on X and elsewhere:
Stewart's fans were certainly in on the joke as well, applauding the show for reminding everyone of the popular gif, with many going along with the idea that no one would know who Stewart was were it not for the popcorn gif, and some even poking fun at it with similar, popcorn gifs:
Not everyone seemed to be in on the joke though, taking surprising offense that CNN would reduce Stewart's legacy to a mere gif:
As noted by the devoted, if misguided, fan, Stewart will not be returning full-time to The Daily Show.
Stewart will man the desk once a week, on Monday nights, beginning February 12, while also serving as executive producer of the series.
For the remainder of the week, the show will continue to see a rotation of different hosts as it has done since the departure of Stewart's successor, Trevor Noah, in 2022.
Of course, much of the excitement inspired by news of Stewart's return is owing to what promises to be a very heated presidential election, with a rematch of 2020 opponents Joe Biden and Donald Trump seeming more certain every day.
Making the likelihood of the iconic Popcorn gif, not to mention the possibility of new popcorn gifs, seem equally likely as well.
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