Put two Emmys in Jon Stewart's hands and the "Daily Show" host gets cocky. For the second consecutive year, Stewart hit the backstage area at the Primetime Emmys holding multiple trophies and for the second straight ceremony he interpreted those honors as a free pass to mock the room. In addition to chiding his interrogators and offering only the snidest of answers to any queries, Stewart also called at least one reporter a "question whore" for having the temerity to ask a follow-up.

Fortunately, Stewart is at his funniest when he's at his most aggressively rude (a part of why his recent sycophantic interviews with John Kerry and Tom Cruise have fallen so flat). As long as you weren't one of the scribes being mocked (and probably even if you were), the faux newsman's caustic rampage was a welcome relief during a Sunday (Sept. 19) show where there were more signs of sincere appreciation than quick minded wit (not that there's anything wrong with that).

Few moments backstage were quite as amusing as the unanimity with which the reporters declined the opportunity to interview Bruce Milam Jr. and Amy Scholsohn, the two "real people" who were led out onto the stage blindfolded to present the reality television Emmy. Who goes to a Hollywood awards show to converse with real people?

Instead, here are some choice quotes from Stewart and the rest of the funny people backstage:

"It just kept me covered up and I didn't have to deal with sagging boobs and shaving my legs." -- Drea de Matteo explaining why her vintage 1930s Paperback Princess dress was the right choice for her.

"I'm breathing on a regular basis. Um, no. Honestly, no." -- Laura Linney, an Emmy winner for "Frasier," taken aback by a question asking if she had any favorite fitness activities.

"No. But God love Angela Lansbury. I wouldn't have been, like, bitter at Angela or anything, but I wasn't actually rooting for her." -- "Angels in America" winner Mary-Louise Parker being asked if part of her was rooting for Angela Lansbury to win in their category.

"Can I say myself?" -- Jeffrey Wright dealing with an inexplicable query regarding which man he would marry if he were gay and the union would be legal.

"I think we're kingmakers. I think it's clear. And I would not be surprised if, in this election, tens of people change their votes." -- Jon Stewart mocking the idea that "The Daily Show" will play an important role in the 2004 election.

"We'd like to introduce a baby. We feel that some of the characters have gotten stale. Episode in Hawaii has been suggested by Stephen Colbert. Meat locker. Evil twin has been suggested. Gay character. Good stuff." -- Stewart, apparently warning that there will be big changes coming to "The Daily Show" in the future, or else mocking the reporter who had the nerve to ask about big changes.

"I wanted to let you guys know, um, 'Who gives a f***?'" -- Stewart, again, this time asked to comment on the recent Spears-Federline nuptials, which shook the pop music world over the weekend. Presumably, Stewart will have more to say about Britney Spears-Alexander-Federline on tonight's "Daily Show."

"Hey. It's the guy from last year. What's happening, dude? How's the thing going over there?" -- Stewart addressing, with the utmost mock excitement, the uniformed reporter from the American Forces Network, who was on hand for the second straight year asking winners to tape messages to the troops.

"Is 'The Love Boat' still on?" -- Allison Janney trying to make sense of the same American Forces Network reporter.

"I think we're ready for the blessing from the Vatican." -- Will Arnett speculates on what's next for "Arrested Development" after getting the blessing of the critics and the Academy.

"I wasn't asked a question, but I'd like to answer one and the answer is 'Four percent milk fat cottage cheese.'" -- David Cross, feeling left out during the "Arrested Development" Q&A.