FLASHBACK: My goofy 2008 interview with Jon Stewart

JON STEWART , known as the acerbic, face-contorting host of Comedy Central's "The Daily Show, " started his career two decades ago as a stand-up comic.So he still likes to hit the stage about once a month to keep those chops in order. "It's a wonderful creative outlet, " says Stewart , who gives two shows May 10 at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. "It's a psychosis. It's how you start your career and it'll be how I end my career."

We asked him a host of silly questions and he was perfectly game to answer them with far wittier responses:

They've tiered the pricing for your show from $47 to $77. Is being physically closer to you worth the extra $30?

I smell like pastry. If you sit up close, you'll think, "Wow! It's a great show and a very nice bakery." You sit in the back and you'll think, "This is a funny show and the theater smells like old feet." I do promise this won't be like a Gallagher show for those in the front row. Nobody is going to get covered in watermelon juice!

How often do you finish the Sunday New York Times crossword puzzle?

Sunday is not that difficult. It's more endurance. It's like doing one of those charity walks to raise money. It's not hard to do a 5K or 10K but it takes time. And now that I have kids, it's even tougher. Now Saturday --- that's the one that you can spend a day perplexing over and not make any inroads.

Do you ever cheat?

Oh my God! Of course! They have a phone number you can literally call and ask them for answers. I've cheated on numerous occasions.

Is hosting the Oscars the most thankless, most overly scrutinized gig ever?

It's certainly the most scrutinized gig I've ever done. But I don't know, there are plenty of other jobs that are far more scrutinized. It's sort of like the Super Bowl halftime show. Everyone watches it, critiques it and forgets about it by the time they go to sleep unless something disastrous happens. Maybe we'll end up with George Clooney having a wardrobe malfunction.

Would you do this a third time or would you rather take over for Ryan Seacrest on "American Idol"?

There's no way you can take away Ryan Seacrest's 50 jobs. You'd have to try to convict him on violation of the Taft-Hartley monopoly act. You'd have to get a new Teddy Roosevelt trust-buster.

Wow! Taft-Hartley and Teddy Roosevelt in one answer!

Wait. I don't think I have that right [He goes on Google.] Nope, Taft-Hartley is about labor unions. It's the Sherman Anti-Trust Act! I like to have my facts straight.

If you and Stephen Colbert ran for president, who do you think would win?

The American people!

Which presidential candidate are you rooting for from a pure comedic standpoint?

I guess Mr. T. If he were running, that'd be funny. We actually try not to view it in terms of who's the most amusing. That would probably also be the most corrosive candidate.

If gas prices were to hit $10 a gallon, as some are predicting, how would that affect you?

Living in New York City, I'd be slightly less susceptible. Maybe we'd all end up living in a "Mad Max" hellscape, some sort of post-apocalyptic vision. Guys in mohawks and crossbows chasing my Toyota down the Sahara.

You're about to interview Georgia's own Jimmy Carter. How are you prepping for the interview?

We're trying to take the booze out of the green room. He can come in a little hammered and tear the place up. [Seriously, ] he's unbelievably gregarious and enjoyable to talk to.