Sen. Edward M. Kennedy has pretty much done it all during his four decades in the Senate, but this week he’s venturing into a new frontier — late-night comedy.
The patriarch of one of America’s most storied political families is slated to take a seat Thursday on “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart,” the parody news show on Comedy Central, 11 p.m. ET.
Until now, the senior senator, 74, has restricted his talk-show appearances mainly to the Sunday-morning news shows.
“Senator Kennedy has been waiting for the right invitation,” said Stephanie Cutter, a Kennedy adviser. “He’s a huge fan of Jon Stewart and he’s very much looking forward to this.”
The Massachusetts Democrat has been making the interview rounds in recent weeks touting his new book, “America Back on Track,” which mixes personal recollections of his famous family with his agenda for reviving the nation.
Kennedy joins a long list of marquee politicians who have been skewered in person by Stewart’s biting satire, including former President Bill Clinton and his wife, New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton; former Vice President Al Gore; Arizona Sen. John McCain, and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Kennedy’s Bay State colleague, 2004 Democratic presidential nominee Sen. John Kerry, also made an appearance with Stewart.