Jon Stewart called in some serious reinforcements to help console his Monday night Daily Show guest, Robert Pattinson: Ben and Jerry.
For the Twilight star's first television appearance since news of girlfriend Kristen Stewart's cheating scandal broke (his interview airs Monday at 11 pm), the Comedy Central host went easy on Pattinson, 26 — but, in a winking acknowledgement of his recent heartbreak, brought out Ben and Jerry's Cherry Garcia and Caramel Sutra for him to snack on.
"Kristen's name was never even mentioned and it definitely seemed like Jon was giving him a break," one audience member tells Us Weekly. "Jon brought out the ice cream for him and Rob to eat, almost like Jon was feeding it to Rob to help him get through a breakup . . . Jon didn't ask anything about Kristen but it was obvious that was what the ice cream was for."
During a portion of the sit-down that didn't make it to air, one audience member says Stewart did attempt to bring up public breakups in general, saying folks have been acting as though they're "the end of the world." Pattinson's reply? "It is." (The audience then let out a collective, "Awww," and the actor was quick to correct himself. "That's not what I meant!")
Despite Stewart's attempt to put his guest at ease, another witness says Pattinson was clearly anxious about being back in the spotlight.
"Rob was just really awkward and acting kind of nervous," the witness explains.
Indeed, his Daily Show taping marks Pattinson's first public appearance since he learned of girlfriend Stewart's infidelity. Soon after, the Cosmopolis actor went into hiding on pal Reese Witherspoon's Ojai, Calif. estate in an effort to clear his head — and put some distance between him and his love of three years.
"Rob was blindsided," one source told Us at the time. "He's questioning everything and wants nothing to do with Kristen."
