Jon Stewart And Stephen Colbert Battle Over Who Is The Bigger Star Wars Fan

By Nick Venable | Published 10 years ago

I’ve always thought that the best way to promote a charity is to use comedians, and I don’t understand how Comic Relief isn’t currently the most mainstream it’s ever been. In any case, a Star Wars charity is a little different, as its focus is a little more specific than “comedy,” but that doesn’t mean The Daily Show‘s Jon Stewart and The Colbert Report‘s Stephen Colbert don’t know how to raise awareness. Honestly, if Jon Stewart dressed up as Star Wars characters to promote a charity that made people poor and sick, instead of helping them, I’d probably still contribute a few bucks.

The satirical talk show hosts are promoting Omaze’s Star Wars: Force for Change, an initiative from Disney and Lucasfilm to raise money and awareness for UNICEF’s Innovation Labs. The Innovation Labs work with children all over the world, leading them to a brighter and more intelligent future in the world of science and technology. These are the people who will one day make the discoveries that save future generations. That’s the most important part, of course, but the main draw here is a little different.

As we reported a few weeks ago, Force for Change is giving donors the chance to win a walk-on role in J.J. Abrams’ Star Wars: Episode VII. One grand prize winner and a friend will be flown to London as Abrams’ VIP guests, and there will presumably be some minuscule part for the winner to take on. “Stormtrooper No. 14, you’re up!” I joke because I’m pre-jealous of whoever takes the top spot. I’d maim important people to be Stormtrooper 14. The deadline is in 8 days, so don’t spend too much time wondering what to pawn in order to donate to the cause.

But enough about winners and charities and doing good things for people, let’s talk more about Jon Stewart in Princess Leia drag.

I wonder if Stewart and Colbert will still do buddy vids and things like this once the latter moves to CBS. Whichever way it goes, we’ll always have this to remember them by. And by this, I mean that time Stewart totally proved he was a bigger Star Wars fan just because he had more costumes in his office than the visiting Colbert. That’s science, people. I kind of wish that meant Stewart had a role in the movie. Maybe as the guy who gives Adam Driver’s a bagel that’s too dry, and then Adam Driver’s character Force Chokes him into oblivion.

With or without you, Star Wars: Episode VII will hit theaters (probably) on December 18, 2015. And The Daily Show and The Colbert Report will hit TV screens tonight, and most nights.

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