which is a very odd position to be in. >> narrator: the transition is complete on january 11, 1999, when the newly rebranded program "the daily show with jon stew t stewart" airs for the first time. welcome to "the daily show." craig is on assignment in kuala lumpur, i'm jon stewart. >> narrator: the show sees a modest increase in ratings, including the 18-34 demographic. >> welcome michael j. fox. give it up for ed mcmahon. >> at first it was guests in town to promote a movie or celebrities because they were celebrities or comedians. >> please welcome sarah jessica parker. please welcome sandra bullock. >> but it became apparent he wanted to talk to people with substance. to talk to people that had written books. >> he's got the background, he's got the interviews so he's doing reporting then he has his take on it. and it's happening at once and at a very high level and it's funny and goes fast.