USA TODAY ____________________ Search SUBSCRIBE NOWto get home delivery * USA TODAY * News * Sports * Life * Money * Tech * Travel * Opinion * Weather Icon + Humidity + Precip. + Winds Open settings Settings Enter City, State or Zip ____________________ Cancel Set Close settings Full Forecast * Crosswords * Elections 2016 * Investigations * Video * Stocks * Apps * Best-Selling Books * Classifieds * College * Corrections * Interactives * Newsletters * Photo Galleries * Portfolio Tracker * Scores * Newsstand * Audio * More + News + Sports + Life + Money + Tech + Travel + Opinion + Weather + Crosswords + Elections 2016 + Investigations + Video + Stocks + Apps + Best-Selling Books + Classifieds + College + Corrections + Interactives + Newsletters + Photo Galleries + Portfolio Tracker + Scores + Newsstand + Audio * * Search * Firefly Hi Already a subscriber? Sign In Subscribe today to additional USAToday products. Subscribe Now Already a print edition subscriber, but don't have a login? Activate your digital access. Manage your account settings. My Account Log Out Get the news Log In or Subscribe to skip Sign in with FacebookSign in with GoogleSign in FAQ 20 Share This Story! Let friends in your social network know what you are reading about FacebookEmailTwitterGoogle+LinkedInPinterest Jon Stewart shelves satire, face time for 'Rosewater' Jon Stewart never had any intention of casting himself in 'Rosewater,' unlike Ben Affleck in 'Argo,' that other movie about Iran. "What's the one element that I know consistently makes movies do poorly? Me." Loading… Post to Facebook ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ Jon Stewart shelves satire, face time for 'Rosewater' ______ ____________________________________________________________ Jon Stewart never had any intention of casting himself in ' ____________________________________________________________ Check out this story on USATODAY.com: http://usat.ly/1uqXLG {# IFRAME: http://api.recaptcha.net/noscript?k=6Lf7fuESAAAAAJ3_KMIDbkQySsEE0vMkLXU kq4eY #} CancelSend Sent! A link has been sent to your friend's email address. Posted! A link has been posted to your Facebook feed. Join the Nation's Conversation To find out more about Facebook commenting please read the Conversation Guidelines and FAQs Jon Stewart shelves satire, face time for 'Rosewater' [writer_entertainment-Freydkin_Donna.png] Donna Freydkin, USA TODAY 5:56 p.m. EST November 13, 2014 XXX DC_JONSTEWART_0198.JPG A ENT USA NY Jon Stewart has directed his first film, "Rosewater."(Photo: Dustin Cohen for USA TODAY) CONNECTTWEETLINKEDINCOMMENTEMAILMORE NEW YORK — He's won 18 Emmys for his work on The Daily Show. He famously coerced Bill O'Reilly into acknowledging that this thing called "white privilege" actually was real. He railed against NFL player Michael Vick and his notorious dog-fighting ring. And his Indecision 2000 segment declaring George W. Bush the winner of the presidency was one for the ages. And yet when Jon Stewart does get recognized, it's for nothing related to his unquestionable influence on political coverage. "I don't think I've ever had that kind of profile that people are super excited to see," he says. "I get more like, 'Hey, you're the guy from Big Daddy?' I had that in the coffee shop the other day. I still get that sometimes. I'm not a recluse. I can wander the streets." [635514848851850009-AP-FILM-REVIEW-ROSEWATER-68655472.JPG] USA TODAY Jon Stewart's humor leavens tough-minded 'Rosewater' Seriously? Since taking over the deliciously satirical Daily Show from Craig Kilborn in 1999, and having on everyone from Jake Gyllenhaal to President Obama, he's remembered for Adam Sandler's comedy? That's one reason that Stewart never had any intention of casting himself in his directorial debut Rosewater (opening Friday in select cities), unlike, say, Ben Affleck, who both directed and starred in Argo, that other movie about Iran. "Ben Affleck has an actual track record of being in movies and making them successful. I'm known as a poison pill. I wanted it to be made and succeed," Stewart says. "What's the one element that I know consistently makes movies do poorly? Me." 'Rosewater' is based on the memoir of Maziar Bahari, a journalist who was imprisoned in Iran, accused of spying. The film is written and directed by Jon Stewart. VPC Instead, he poured his smarts, soul and sweat into Rosewater, the cinematic adaptation of journalist Maziar Bahari's book Then They Came For Me. The book is about his being imprisoned for 118 days in Iran for allegedly being a spy after reporting on elections for numerous western outlets and appearing on The Daily Show. "Maziar's memoir was so compelling. There's a tendency to view those stories as so stark, a travelogue through hell. His had so many elements of family, humor," Stewart says. "He's such a textured individual. He was able to infuse the story with all those elements. You felt it had the depth of literature while still being non-fiction." [635514700924880009-AP-FILM-ROSEWATER-68655480.JPG] USA TODAY 'This definitely ain't forever' for Jon Stewart On set, says Gael García Bernal (who plays Bahari), Stewart is what you'd expect. "Off-camera, he doesn't stop. He's incredibly funny and it's just amazing when he includes you in his humor. This film was difficult and you had to be highly concentrated. His sense of humor kept us alive, in a way," he says. "He is very intelligent and easygoing, very capable of listening and putting his point of view across." Kim Bodnia, left, and Gael Garcia Bernal in "Rosewater." Kim Bodnia, left, and Gael Garcia Bernal in "Rosewater." (Photo: Laith Al-Majali, AP) In person, Stewart is relaxed and thoughtful, but also impeccably attentive. Despite his stature among news junkies, he has no intention of running for office, a question he gets asked often. "People are incredibly dissatisfied. We are parodic. We are in that world, when you're making satire, that can appeal to people and they can confuse that with actual ability in the public arena," he says. "I understand that we're armchair quarterbacks. When are you going to be the head coach? I'm not as good at that. I'm really better at talking (trash)." He's equally circumspect about what's next for him, and whether he'll direct again or spend another decade behind The Daily Show desk after his contract is up next year. "That's generally how I approach things — I try and finish my plate before going back up. It's hard enough for me to focus on the task at hand. My whole world is regimented by these deadlines. You're always making those calculations," he says. What he does know is that after leaving the show for several months last year to shoot Rosewater, and leaving John Oliver at the helm, the trains still ran on time. "It was good for them to know they could do the show without me and good for me to know that I'm OK without the show, if that makes sense," he says. He has relocated from Manhattan to New Jersey with his wife, two kids, and three-legged rescue pitbull — a bit of a disconnect, given how Rosewater also skewers the allegedly lurid sex trade in Fort Lee, located right outside New York City. Stewart is at peace with any possible fallout. "I don't know that it will be able to air there," he says. "This is the price you pay when you turn your town into a sexual playground." CONNECTTWEETLINKEDINCOMMENTEMAILMORE Read or Share this story: http://usat.ly/1uqXLG2 TOP VIDEOS * Rapper Mos Def arrested in South Africa Rapper Mos Def arrested in South Africa 00:49 * Janet Jackson reschedules postponed tour dates Janet Jackson reschedules postponed tour dates 00:38 * Singer Celine Dion's husband, Rene Angelil dies of cancer Singer Celine Dion's husband, Rene Angelil dies of cancer 00:44 * L.A. freeways turn into actual walls in 'Colony' L.A. freeways turn into actual walls in 'Colony' 01:05 * Critic's Corner: 'Angie Tribeca' an open question Critic's Corner: 'Angie Tribeca' an open question 00:50 * Experts weigh in on Oscars' lack of diversity Experts weigh in on Oscars' lack of diversity 02:15 * And the 2016 Oscar nominees are... And the 2016 Oscar nominees are... 03:00 * Alan Rickman's top 5 epic roles Alan Rickman's top 5 epic roles 00:57 * Nick Carter has been arrested for misdemeanour battery Nick Carter has been arrested for misdemeanour battery 00:49 * The films that got snubbed by Oscar nominations The films that got snubbed by Oscar nominations 02:08 * Film Critic Leonard Maltin weighs in on Oscars nominations Film Critic Leonard Maltin weighs in on Oscars nominations 02:26 * Cate Blanchett & Rooney Mara on the forbidden love in 'Carol' Cate Blanchett & Rooney Mara on the forbidden love in 'Carol' 02:00 * 'Revenant' Leads Oscar Nominations With 12 'Revenant' Leads Oscar Nominations With 12 00:42 * And the 2016 Oscar nominees are... And the 2016 Oscar nominees are... 03:00 * The most memorable Oscar Fashion over the years The most memorable Oscar Fashion over the years 01:09 * Leo DiCaprio: 'The Revenant' challenge was the cold Leo DiCaprio: 'The Revenant' challenge was the cold 00:56 * Brie Larson opens up about her character in the film "Room" Brie Larson opens up about her character in the film "Room" 02:24 * Matt Damon talks Martian potatoes Matt Damon talks Martian potatoes 02:02 * Bryan Cranston had to rein it in for 'Trumbo ' Bryan Cranston had to rein it in for 'Trumbo ' 01:01 * Academy Award winners who lost their Oscars Academy Award winners who lost their Oscars 01:09 * 2016 Razzie Award nominations are in 2016 Razzie Award nominations are in 01:25 * Academy Award winners who lost their Oscars Academy Award winners who lost their Oscars 01:09 * Weirdest places Oscar winners keep their awards Weirdest places Oscar winners keep their awards 01:04 * Making screen-accurate 'Star Wars' costumes isn't easy Making screen-accurate 'Star Wars' costumes isn't easy 02:50 * Critic's Corner: 'Colony' reunites 'Lost' star, producer Critic's Corner: 'Colony' reunites 'Lost' star, producer 00:51 * Critic's Corner: 'American Crime' is off to great start Critic's Corner: 'American Crime' is off to great start 01:03 * Snapchat could be poised to steal Facebook's ad revenue Snapchat could be poised to steal Facebook's ad revenue 00:49 * Trailer: 'Ride Along 2' Trailer: 'Ride Along 2' 02:26 * Critic's Corner: CW honors 20th anniversary of 'MADtv' Critic's Corner: CW honors 20th anniversary of 'MADtv' 00:55 * David Bowie's top five movie roles David Bowie's top five movie roles 01:38 * Canadian astronaut covers Bowie's 'Space Oddity' Canadian astronaut covers Bowie's 'Space Oddity' 05:30 MORE STORIES