Nicola Sturgeon provoked laughter from the audience during her appearance on one of America’s most popular satirical news shows last night.
The first minister opened her appearance on Jon Stewart’s Daily Show by setting the record straight after the programme’s website had earlier listed her as a comedian rather than a politician.
She told the host “You billed me on your website as a comedian – so you’ve raised all these expectations that I’m going to be funny. And I’m a politician, and as you know, politicians are rarely very funny.”
The SNP leader is on the second day of a four-day trip to America where she is undertaking a series of engagements in New York and Washington DC.
Ms Sturgeon followed in the footsteps of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown by making an appearance on the late-night chat show, although the former Labour leaders were interviewed after they left office.
Following her appearance, during which the pair discussed the SNP’s election victory last month, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and the Scottish delicacy of haggis, Ms Sturgeon was roundly praised by viewers.
US journalist Skylar Baker-Jordan, who covers UK politics, said: “Sturgeon is on top of her game as usual. Insightful, delightful and charming.”
Minnestota-based Ashley Follmer tweeted: “I wish America had more delightful politicians such as Scotland’s Nicola Sturgeon.”