And Stewart wanted to take advantage of the show to make some serious statements.

"He's going to make a serious statement in the music world."

But if you have an audience, there are times when you've got to make a serious statement.

For her to return the money he'd paid her was a serious statement.

Every time he tried to make any kind of serious statement or speech for years thereafter, people came back to the plants.

"It wasn't a serious statement," the deputy assured him quickly.

"Do you think I'd make such a serious statement just for the hell of it?"

Because, first of all, he had earlier made some very serious statements.

But he added, "It really is intended to be a very serious statement."

Others were serious statements about global politics and finance.