Nicola Sturgeon touched on topics as diverse as US foreign policy, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and the taste of haggis in a laughter-filled appearance on one of America's most popular satirical news shows.
Scotland's First Minister went on The Daily Show during her four-day trip to the United States.
But having been mistakenly billed as a comedian, she set the record straight seconds after sitting down to be interviewed.
Provoking laughter from the audience, she told host Jon Stewart: "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 was interviewed on the second day of her visit, in which 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.
Stewart reassured Ms Sturgeon that she would be fine, joking: "You need not worry. They thought I was going to be funny for 17 years."
During the informal chat, the First Minister also discussed the SNP's general election victory last month and her party's ambition for Scotland to become an independent country.
Ms Sturgeon, speaking on the show nine months after the referendum on Scottish independence, said: "Scotland almost invented the modern world - television, telephone, penicillin - all of these things were invented in Scotland. Yes, of course we can stand on our own two feet if we choose to."
She went on to joke about the US's military record after Stewart questioned her about Scottish oil reserves, asking: "How much are we talking about here? May we invade you?"
To laughter and cheers from the audience, Ms Sturgeon retorted: "Not worth your while, don't worry about it.
"I think this is progress because you just heard there Jon, presumably on behalf of the United States, ask permission to invade an oil-producing country. It doesn't usually work that way."
The SNP leader was also questioned on why anyone would choose to eat the Scottish delicacy haggis.
She told Stewart: "Haggis is delicious, have you tasted haggis? It is wonderful. It's spicy, it's tasty, it's absolutely delicious and you get vegetarian haggis as well, so it's another reason for you to come to Edinburgh.
"Scotland has so much to offer. We've got Scotch whisky, we've got haggis, we've got great scenery, we've got wonderful cities, we've got some great comedians of our own - but we can always have another one in the Edinburgh Fringe."
Following her appearance, 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.''
Another viewer joked that she was so impressed with Ms Sturgeon that she might even try the Scottish speciality haggis, provided it was the non-meat version.
Rachel Bee wrote: ''Crushing a little on @NicolaSturgeon on @TheDailyShow. I'd even eat haggis for her---if someone made a #vegan version.''
Today, Ms Sturgeon is hosting a reception to kick off Glasgow School of Art's fundraising appeal in the US before heading to Washington.
There, she will address an audience at the World Bank, attend a meeting at the International Monetary Fund, visit the US Holocaust Museum and make a speech to the Council on Foreign Relations.