Jon Stewart, in case you weren't aware, is an effing genius. I'm so tired of people slagging him for throwing up softball questions to Kerry et. al. Um, people? It's a comedy show. Your "journalistic responsibility" shite is soooo misplaced.
If you missed him on Crossfire last week you really owe it to yourself to scour the web for it. It's 30 minutes of uneasy brilliance. I'll leave you with this nugget, though...
STEWART: Now, this is theater. It's obvious. How old are you?
CARLSON: Thirty-five.
STEWART: And you wear a bow tie.
CARLSON: Yes, I do. I do.
STEWART: So this is theater.
CARLSON: Now, let me just...
STEWART: Now, listen, I'm not suggesting that you're not a smart guy, because those are not easy to tie.
Posted by mikewolf at October 18, 2004 04:11 PMJan downloaded this and we watched it last night. Sheer brilliance. I've been chuckling to myself all day about the bowtie bit.
Now Tucker Carlson is crabbing about Stewart in public comments about how inappropriate HIS behaviour is. I guess he didn't pay attention to all that applause when Stewart begged them to stop hurting America. Putz.
Posted by: Leigh Anne on October 18, 2004 11:01 PMFYI-
The whole thing is up @ IFilm.
Kirsten and I watched it a couple nights back. Very inspiring.
I always hated that pretentious Tucker prick.
I liked how Tucker was grilling Stewart with regard to his "softball" questions to John Kerry, while at the same time, dismissing Stewart's pointed barbs directed toward him about his "journalistic" practices as "attacks".
Posted by: Cory on October 19, 2004 12:24 AMI saw that. It was brilliant.
Posted by: Jim on October 19, 2004 12:46 AMCall me a simpleton, but my favorite part was when Jon called Tucker a "dick." So crude, and yet, so accurate
Posted by: kirsten on October 19, 2004 02:10 AMThis thing is all over the net. What does that tell you? He really struck a nerve. Jon for prez.
Posted by: Mark on October 19, 2004 05:13 AMYeah, Cory, I noticed that too. Also that Carlson was grilling him for not asking tough questions and at the same time saying "I thought you'd be funny here. Be funny!"
Posted by: mrw on October 19, 2004 08:35 AMAll news shows need to relax. Everyone at Fox News needs to be heavily medicated. I am looking at you Hannity AND Colmes.
Posted by: Brad on October 19, 2004 10:34 AM"I won't be your monkey."
Sheer brilliance!
Posted by: Dennis on October 19, 2004 10:56 AMi was stunned at how sharply stewart was able to cut through their bullshit. i can't imagine how hard that must have been to do, because it is their job to bait you and batter you so that you perform for them, and ARE their monkey. and they are very, very good at their shitty, shitty job.
but stewart didn't give an inch. SO brilliant.
Posted by: Matt on October 19, 2004 11:45 AMWow, imagine having the nerve to confront two towering intellects like Carlson and Begala! Oh, wait, I forgot: they're just babbling dickhead hacks.
C'mon people, this ain't exactly asking Senator McCarthy if he had any sense of decency. Fun, but who cares?
Posted by: Ken Goldstein on October 19, 2004 06:22 PMTucker Carlson blew it -- he was destined for greatness as a Daily Show correspondent, but they'll never hire him now.
Posted by: VC on October 20, 2004 11:12 AMI adore Jon Stewart, but not necessarily for his politics. The man is brilliant and wicked funny. This may sound silly, but some of my favorite moments from The Daily Show are when he's so funny that he can't help but giggle at himself. THAT'S funny - when you can't deliver your lines with a straight face.
Well, this comment has nothing really to do with the Crossfire appearance, but I can't resist giving my boy Jon a shout-out.
Posted by: Meredith on October 21, 2004 12:41 AM