We’re never one to shun controversy … when it comes to faux pundits and their facial growths. This week, after his two week hiatus, Jon Stewart came back sporting a goatee, apparently whitened by his desire to feed his kids marshmallow fluff. While he seems to think he’s starting a trend and EW.com and DippedInCream love the new look, blogs such as the Atlantic and Stylite seem to disagree.
Seeing as how I’m the only blog on the planet that hasn’t posted a poll, I thought I’d go ahead and slap one up. What are all of your opinions on the new facial ‘do? Should it stay? Or should it go?
h/t Jennie
I’ve gotta say, while not usually a fan of facial hair (though scruff can be pretty hot), I’m kind of digging the new look. Work it, Jon.
Shout Out (Hey!):
+2
Hmmmm, I’m undecided on this one. I like the goatee [très distingué!], but at the same time it just isn’t very… well, ‘Jon’.
However, don’t forget only last week we were delighted with the flashback to stubbly Conceptual Art Critic Stephen Colbert, whose own beard seems to be positively sprinkled in marshmallow fluff when it grows out!
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+3
I really like it on him! The only problem is the, uh, “high contrast” shall we say of the beard makes it hard to see it properly sometimes on camera. I’m certainly not against a little gray on a guy, but I may have to agree with Andrew Sullivan that a little just-for-men might help tone it down enough to solve the tonal range problem.
BTW: is it the beard or that suit and tie combo that’s making his blue eyes pop so nice like that?
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+2
The goatee makes him too sexy. He can’t do nebbishy underdog when he’s that hot-looking. On the other hand, maybe it’s time to give up nebbishy underdog. So I voted to keep it.
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+3
I think its funny, because its the same one from The Faculty. Clean-shaven Jon looked nice, in a distinguished handsome kind of way. Nothing to distract you from those pretty blue eyes of his.
The goatee’s just funny, but it makes him look even older. :( I think it’s great for a week’s worth of jokes (or maybe showing solidarity with COCO), but I wouldn’t want him to keep it forever.
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+1
I’m in agreement with you that the goatee is funny, but I hope he shaves it off this weekend. I am just not a fan of facial hair on anyone.
Shout Out (Hey!):
+1
Ha! The votes are exactly tied! Oh, it’d just figure…
I said this somewhere else, and I’ll say it here also: I hated buzz cuts but I didn’t really mind when Stephen got one, because he’s Stephen. I really hate facial hair, but I don’t mind this beard of Jon’s, because he’s Jon! Really, it doesn’t bother me. :)
Difference makers:
+5
The goatee is growing on me (or at least growing on me better than his goatee). I’m just more curious the actual purpose of the goatee; he must have some type of gig or a bet for him to have done this.
Shout Out (Hey!):
+1
Jon’s in the Silver Fox Club now.
Love the goatee.
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0
Well, I’ve changed the vote from 50-50 to one over for shaving! But I admit I’m not that strong on it–no “sweet baby Jesus, shave that thing off!” for me. I just like him a little better without. My bet is that he just wanted a break from shaving during his time off, and then thought it looked good enough for him to try out and get a reaction.
I have to admit, I hope Stephen doesn’t follow suit! A little sexy stubble, yes–especially when he’s going bohemian artist (as Arkadina reminded us)–but no more than that.
As for Jon’s blue eyes: I always notice them! And the dimples, too.
Difference makers:
+5
I’m all for the goatee. I think it’s funny that for someone so well known for wearing grey and khaki, that his own facial hair is rebelling against his love of neutral tones and growing in red/brown instead of grey/white.
I think I could handle it if Stephen grew a moustache. I was half expecting them to do a first day back toss and both have facial hair.
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+2
“I think I could handle it if Stephen grew a moustache”
Two words, Katt: Patterson Springs!
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0
We really, REALLY need a toss before he shaves it off, so Stephen has a chance to mock him.
Difference makers:
+13
SECONDED!
Shout Out (Hey!):
+1
Thirded! :D
I think the goatee really enhances the grumpy old man persona Jon Stewart has manifested in some of his segments, and I think it would really enhance those segments of the tech-related kind (Twitter, Chatroulette, blogging, etc.).
It’s distracting in a good way. But I also miss looking at his clean-shaven face and his blue eyes. My gaze seems to go straight to his chin. Haha, I guess I’m torn.
Shout Out (Hey!):
+1
Took me a couple of days to get used to it, I have to say, but now I think it’s totally hot. Keep it Jon, think of the fangirls!
I also can’t wait until the next Toss. :P
Shout Out (Hey!):
+2
He looks good! I like that we got to see him with it, but yeah, one week would be enough. After that I want the clean-shaven Jon back. :D
Yes, there HAS to be a toss! This is too good an opportunity to pass up!
Shout Out (Hey!):
+1
ITA about having a toss. As for the goatee, I don’t mind it as a bit of a change and do like its white glory -I’m just glad it’s a goatee *and* a mustache, because just a goatee by itself is just plain wrong -and creepy.
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0
I love it! He is adorrrrrbs.
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+4
I think the Goatee looks good on Jon. So I voted for him to keep it.
Shout Out (Hey!):
+1
I kind of hope he keeps it. Jon keeps commenting on how old he’s getting, and after doing the show for more then ten or eleven years, he’s probably ready to shift into yet another gear… maybe facial hair should be included in that. Jon likes to think of his work as a bit impish, one might guess, but it’s hard to do that when you’ve had a cable show longer than just about every other pundit out there.
Plus, by the time he goes on another extended break, we might get the opportunity to see another sat-in-front-of-the-couch-too-long-watching-Hannity clips, but this time, with a fully grown beard to accent his complete loss of sanity.
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+3
“Evil Jon” is kind of hot.
Difference makers:
+7
I think I’d prefer a full beard to the goattee. I’m more curious as to why he grew it, why now. Its totally none of my business, but still…curious.
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0
I HATE goatees. I’d tell you all why, but it’s kinda disgusting. Also, I’ve never understood why someone would just partially shave. I can understand growing a beard because shaving’s a drag, but a goatee looks to me like it would be more work, what with trying to keep it symmetrical and everything. Anyway, I hope he shaves it off but that there’s a toss before then.
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0
I’m undecided on the look. On one hand, I think Jon sports it well, and I’ve nothing against beards, but it just doesn’t fit the image of Jon I’ve always had; it doesn’t fit the “newscaster” look. But I accept it.
Shout Out (Hey!):
+1
I went with “shave it off’….eventually. I do remember that I did like Conan’s strike beard, but that one went away and I got used to him clean-shaven again. I think that if Jon keeps it for awhile fine, but I prefer most men clean shaven, it’s just me.
But I also want to see a Toss first! Or maybe I just want to see a Toss anyway. :)
Shout Out (Hey!):
+1
When I was at the TDS taping yesterday, a woman in the audience said she thought it was sexy, and I’m gonna agree. I normally like both Jon and Stephen clean-shaven, but it’s kinda nice to see Jon with facial hair for a change. :)
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+4
Hey, what the heck was he talking about, by the way, when he mentioned someone sending a friend ahead and all of that stuff? I was so confused and wishing someone had been there.
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+1
It’s a little confusing because it was a whole conversation, so hopefully this makes sense :)
During the pre-show Q&A, an older lady in the back told Jon that she had a friend that was wanting to come to the show in August. The rest of us in the audience knew where she was going with the question, so we started cracking up. So Jon asked for her friend’s name, and she said, “The Daily Show.” and Jon said back, “No, I know the name of the show, I’m wondering what the name is…” So she says, “Jon Stewart.” We were all laughing so hard at this point! Jon starts laughing and sighs and says, “No I know my name, I’m wondering your friend’s name” So the lady starts spelling it and it’s a really hard name to hear, so Jon finally says, “Y’know, I’m just going to put him down for Steve.” I was dying with laughter throughout the whole thing, it was so hilarious. Before he went on to the next question, Jon joked, “Who let my mom in here?” HA!
Difference makers:
+5
Thank you so much!! That sounds like a lot of fun you had!
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0
I cant stop thinking of him being his evil twin!
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+1
As Lord Flashheart once said, “love the beard, gives me something to grab onto! Wah-hey!”
I love the evil!Jon look, especially the inexplicable reddish tint that the moustache bit has, the marshmallow white is just the icing on the cake.
Also, I believe Jon’s eyes are hazel, they just tend to look blue depending on the light and what he’s wearing.
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+2
Whoo hoo for the Black Adder reference! Love me some Lord Flashheart!
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+1
LOL @ the poll being 50-50 right now.
Well, we got a toss!!! For that alone, the whole growing a beard thing was worth it!
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+2
Aw, his beard’s name is Philip! He can’t get rid of it now. xD
Tonight’s toss was so so so good, Stephen messing up his lines was adorable, and the talking vagina comment had me in hysterics. Poor Jon!
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+1
He should’ve gone “Friendly Mutton Chops.”
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0
Pretty tight race! I voted in favor of the beard. It gives Jon a professorial air.
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0
Okay — I was out last night for Jon and just watched “Daily Show” a few minutes ago. That toss was hysterical! Stephen seemed ready to burst right from the start…and Jon threw a kiss! Also I realized: maybe I AM in favor of that goatee. It’s growing on me and I’m beginning to think it might be very sexy. Hmmmm///
Shout Out (Hey!):
+2
I kinda feel like it’s much ado about nothing. The goatee’s a lot more understated than people are making it out to be. I wouldn’t mind if it stayed.
Shout Out (Hey!):
0