Denny's Moon Over My Hammy remark on Daily Show: What was Jon Stewart talking about?

Factual Questions
1

Last night Jon Stewart had Democratic Party Chairman Howard Dean as his guest on the Daily Show. Within their banter, Stewart made a reference like, “… that’s like Denny’s without Moon Over My Hammy!” To which Dean said, “You know that happened in Vermont.” Stewart said, “Really?” And then the discussion moved on.

Now, I know what Moon Over My Hammy is. It’s the name of one of my favorite Denny’s ham and eggs sandwiches. That’s not my question.

From the context and tone of the discussion, it seemed like Stewart and Dean were talking about some funny or odd incident that probably made the news recently. But I’m not familiar with it. Help me here – what were they talking about?

Note to mods: I put this question in GQ, not CS, because I’m seeking a factual answer that really has nothing to to do with Jon Stewart or the Daily Show itself. But if the mods think it belongs in CS, please move it. You’ll get no grousing from me. Thanks.

2

I got the impression that the Moons Over My Hammy meal originated at a Vermont Denny’s. Beyond that, I got nothin’

3

Hmmm. I haven’t heard anything about Moons Over My Hammy and Vermont in the years I’ve been here.

Did you see this? Apparently, two VT Staties ate spiked Moons Over My Hammy but the cook was not convicted.

4

I take it to be a bit of a joke that Dean is used to doing non-traditional things, or has no problem going against the norm.

He did used to be the Governor of Vermont, after all. So the “it happened in Vermont” line is just a joke that Dean made that he’s shook up the system before with the moons over my hammy thing, and he’ll do it again, dagnabit.

Never said it was a hilarious line, but not bad for an unscripted politician.

5

Wow! I just took it as two song references, both of them involving the moon over a place…over Miami (1935) and in Vermont (1943).