Last night’s fundraiser for 9/11 Memorial at Cipriani was a glittering affair, full of politicos in full formal get-up: G.O.P AG candidate Dan Donovan, Congressman Jerry Nadler, Senate Majority Leader John Sampson, Senate Minority Leader Dean Skelos, former city council woman Melinda Katz.
The event was co-hosted by Jon Stewart and Mike Bloomberg, and the comedian tried to make common cause with the mayor.
After Bloomberg introduced him, Stewart came onto the stage and said, “I was told that I was asked to host for two reasons. One, I am a longtime resident of this neighborhood, and, two, I was the only comedian they wouldn’t have to adjust the lectern for.”
He added, “It shows you the difference small Jews can make.
Acknowledging the crowd’s laughter, he said. “Is that for Rosh Hashana? Anybody going up to Times Square this year? It’s nice. It’s not as crowded. You watch the apple drop, it’s nice.”
Moments earlier Bloomberg had introduced Erik Troelsen, a resident of Switzerland who by chance had been in New York of 9/11 and taken a photograph of firefighter Gary Box as he ran into the burning Twin Towers, where he died. Troelsen posted the picture to the Internet, and Bloomberg brought him on stage to meet Box’s father, Judson.
“That was a wonderful reunion by the way,” Stewart said. “That was the most touching moment and really great for a comedian to follow up…”
Stewart then made a couple of jokes about the New York Jets and brought Bloomberg back on stage.
“I am going to re-introduce, I believe, the mayor. Is that correct? Why? Because it’s been five minutes and you’re an egomaniac? What is this? Well, all right, here comes the mayor with his own network.”
When he retook the stage, Bloomberg tried his own hand at humor, saying that he too was so touched by the reunion of Box and Troelsen that he was planning another reunion next year–between Stewart and Glenn Beck.
The joke fell flat.
“I thought that was actually funnier when I wrote it,” the mayor said.
