Last night, I counted no fewer than four fat jokes on your broadcast, in which you used derogatory terms for overweight people or otherwise referenced their body weight in a, well, not-so-nice manner.

I understand the need to mercilessly dress down the idiocy and idiots in Washington and throughout American politics: that’s what The Daily Show does best.  It’s why your show wins praise from liberals, disdain from conservatives, and oh yes, Emmys.

Perhaps part of me is just a little sensitive about this subject, being overweight myself.  But really, fat jokes — including calling people “fat pieces of shit” — have no place on your otherwise fine TV show.

You and your writers are smarter than that: your research staff is unequaled, and your producers are whip-smart and resourceful and clever and a whole bunch of other awesome adjectives.  Your audience, myself included, look to your show for unrivaled wit and insight on current events and thus don’t expect you to launch into spurts of ad hominem attacks.  Which, quite frankly, is what you did on four separate occasions last night.

There’s plenty of other reasons to dislike Chris Christie, as well as paparazzi on the street.  Go after their politics and go after their work practices — that’s completely understandable and in most cases deserved.

But going after people because they’re fat?

That’s well beneath you, sir.  And I think you know that too.

Thanks,

ION