Blogging the TCA

Jon Stewart is a producer of Comedy Central’s new show “Important Things With Demetri Martin,” but he didn’t come to the Television Critics Association’s Winter Press Tour in person. Instead, he sent a tape.

“You’re thinking, ‘He thinks he’s too big,’” Mr. Stewart said in his prerecorded message. “That is why I pre-taped this message.”

Mr. Stewart seemed to have sympathy for the critics who staggered into the Universal Hilton ballroom Friday morning.

“You have a lot of shows to watch. ‘The Hills,’ ‘The City,’ ‘Bromance.’ Because of that your brains probably hurt and it’s hard to hold onto any kind of adult relationship,” he said. “I don’t know why they still make you do these things.”

Mr. Martin had to follow that; he remarked on how difficult it is to make critics laugh in the morning.

“This is the best time to do comedy. Just after 10. If it could be any brighter in here, that would be great,” he said.

Mr. Martin said his show would have guest stars, including fellow “Daily Show” alum John Oliver and Amanda Peet.

When asked about Mr. Stewart, Mr. Martin said: “The glow of his star permeates the show. He’s not in it. He’s just not right for the show.”

—Jon Lafayette