John Stewart on CNN Crossfire

[MrMastodonFarm]

http://www.ifilm.com/filmdetail?ifilmid=2652831&htv=12

I think Paul Begala and Tucker Carlson thought this was going to be a comedy segment, but John Stewart pulled no punches. He let them have it at every corner. Stewart fans, and anyone else will love this.

Here is a transcript from the exchange.
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIP.../15/cf.01.html
You are partisan, what do you call it, hacks.


CARLSON: Let me ask you a question on the news.
STEWART: Now, this is theater. It's obvious. How old are you?
CARLSON: Thirty-five.
STEWART: And you wear a bow tie. ...


STEWART: It's not honest. What you do is not honest. What you do is partisan hackery. And I will tell you why I know it.

STEWART: You know, the interesting thing I have is, you have a responsibility to the public discourse, and you fail miserably.
CARLSON: You need to get a job at a journalism school, I think.
STEWART: You need to go to one.

CARLSON: Wait. I thought you were going to be funny. Come on. Be funny.
STEWART: No. No. I'm not going to be your monkey.


Look out for when he calls Tucker Carlson a certain D word.

[Ro]

Nice link.

Interesting to note that while the audience seems to think Stewart is being the funny guy, he's clearly not enthralled by shows such as Crossfire and lets them know it.

His book has been selling like crazy at Costco (I work there, part-time). Might have to pick it up.

Edit- had to add this in there:

(To Tucker) - "And I'm not suggesting you're not a smart guy, because those things (the bow tie) are pretty hard to tie..."

Hilarious.

[calf]

Great clip.

It seemed that whenever Jon Stewart was trying to call them out, they'd just talk over him without letting him make his point.

Also funny how they didn't really get that he did a comedy show, where, you know, he's allowed to ask questions like "Have you ever flip-flopped". I remember that show too, and I'm pretty sure he asked some better questions than that

[FlamesAddiction]

I like Jon Stewart, and I tend to more or less agree with him (I hate Crossfire and CNN in general for it's sensationalism), but at the same time, I think he was a little out of line. Unless there was something going on that I'm not aware of, I think he was a little too aggressive on those twirps.

It was hillarious though.

[CaramonLS]

My roomate just bought the book, apparently its absolutely hilarious.

[JiriHrdina]

Interesting stuff. I think what really got Stewart going is when journalists try to suggest that he and his show have some sort of obligation similar to what they do. As Stewart has maintained for a long time - he's in the business of making people laugh.

Frankly I think he made a lot of great points.

[Cowperson]

Originally posted by JiriHrdina@Oct 16 2004, 07:01 AM
Interesting stuff. I think what really got Stewart going is when journalists try to suggest that he and his show have some sort of obligation similar to what they do. As Stewart has maintained for a long time - he's in the business of making people laugh.

Frankly I think he made a lot of great points.

I think Stewart is right in saying he has a show that's in the business of making people laugh.

But Tucker Carlson was probably getting tough with him because polls demonstrate a fair chunk of the population actually prefers to get its news from sources like Stewart's and we've seen on this very board the assertion that Stewart asks the tough questions the mainstream media won't, implying the public is gifting Stewart with something more than a comedy platform.

You can clearly see from Stewart's Kerry interview he can lob softballs as well as anyone.

That's probably the reason Tucker Carlson was going after Stewart, to clear the air on that particular discrepancy, right or wrong, to define exactly how Stewart should be perceived.

Cowperson

[Lanny_MacDonald]

Cow, what you missed was the hard questions that Stewart asked Kerry. Stewart alluded to it, but was shouted down by Tucker Carlson. Again, Stewart is on a comedy show, meant to make people laugh, so he has to balance out his questions and be personable while asking them. Its not his job to hold his guests feet to the fire. Its not that type of show. But the interesting thing is that he gets his guests to be much more frank or honest than shows like Crossfire, Hardball and I'm Going to Kick Your Ass ever hope to, because those others are viewed as partisian photo-ops.

Tucker Carlson is a dick. No doubt about it. He's CNN's answer to Bill O'Reilly, which makes him an assclown (or is that assjockey after the release of the charges against O'Reilly). Carlson is likely a little envious of Stewart because he has a much better rapport with his guests and gets more genuine answers out of them in the five minute interview The Daily Show does versus the half house attackfest that Crossfire does. Carlson is considered a jerk by most, even Republicans, and portrays the nerdy little kid that got his lunch money beat out of him daily all to well. To be honest, the bow tie thing suits him.

[Cowperson]

Originally posted by Lanny_MacDonald@Oct 16 2004, 03:19 PM
Cow, what you missed was the hard questions that Stewart asked Kerry. Stewart alluded to it, but was shouted down by Tucker Carlson. Again, Stewart is on a comedy show, meant to make people laugh, so he has to balance out his questions and be personable while asking them. Its not his job to hold his guests feet to the fire. Its not that type of show. But the interesting thing is that he gets his guests to be much more frank or honest than shows like Crossfire, Hardball and I'm Going to Kick Your Ass ever hope to, because those others are viewed as partisian photo-ops.

Tucker Carlson is a dick. No doubt about it. He's CNN's answer to Bill O'Reilly, which makes him an assclown (or is that assjockey after the release of the charges against O'Reilly). Carlson is likely a little envious of Stewart because he has a much better rapport with his guests and gets more genuine answers out of them in the five minute interview The Daily Show does versus the half house attackfest that Crossfire does. Carlson is considered a jerk by most, even Republicans, and portrays the nerdy little kid that got his lunch money beat out of him daily all to well. To be honest, the bow tie thing suits him.

I've actually only watched one (1) episode of Jon Stewart and, pure coincidence I swear, it just happened to be the John Kerry interview.

A complete transcript of the interview is contained on this otherwise strange page:

http://www.wonkette.com/archives/jon-on-jo...lert-020203.php

Very entertaining, as Stewart says it should be, but not exactly pinning the guy to the matt on anything so that it might qualify as serious.

Cowperson

[Mike F]

Originally posted by Cowperson@Oct 16 2004, 09:33 AM
Very entertaining, as Stewart says it should be, but not exactly pinning the guy to the matt on anything so that it might qualify as serious.

He threw out as many soft, entertaining questions as he always does ("Is it true that every time I use ketchup your wife gets a nickel?"), but IMO he was serious and really tried to get at what he sees to be the most important issue right now: trying to get an honest dialogue going in America; the same thing he was trying to hammer home on Crossfire. It's not a serious talk on the issues in general, but it's not a fluff piece.

JON STEWART:
--in-- in the 2000 election it was an election I think the country didn't realize how important it was going to be. And yet it was a relatively substantive discussion. I can recall in the-- in the debates there was a lot of talk about funding Social Security and-- education and all these things. This election is clearly the most important one of our lifetime.
JOHN KERRY:
Yeah.
JON STEWART:
And yet it's very difficult to have that discussion.

JON STEWART:
--because-- you know, I am-- as any good fake journalist should do, I watch only the 24-hour cable news. This is what I learned about you...

JON STEWART:
Done a little of that. Where-- where does that-- you know, when-- when they come up with these sorts of-- of talking points and-- and that's what gets--
JOHN KERRY:
Well--
JON STEWART:
--sort of carpet bombed on-- on the networks, how-- how does that-- how do you counter that?

JON STEWART:
I'll watch the TV and they'll say-- and this is in advertisements. John Kerry wants our troops to go to war wearing only gabardine. (LAUGHTER) You know? They'll say that you voted against the body armor. And-- and yet they won't talk about what the vote was about and what the battle was.

JON STEWART:
Do you think you'll-- when-- when you get into the debates with him is this going to be-- will you be able to do that? Or-- or will he-- I've seen he's very shrewd in debates of saying, "Look, this is a choice. It's a-- it's a very easy choice between-- a man who loves-- Fidel Castro and-- (LAUGHTER) and someone who-- loves America." You know? How-- how do you-- do you think you will ever be able to have an honest discussion?

JON STEWART:
Very smart. Now if-- if someone wants to come to your rally, what kind of loyalty oath do they have to sign?

[JiriHrdina]

Originally posted by Cowperson+Oct 16 2004, 08:30 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Cowperson @ Oct 16 2004, 08:30 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-JiriHrdina@Oct 16 2004, 07:01 AM
Interesting stuff. I think what really got Stewart going is when journalists try to suggest that he and his show have some sort of obligation similar to what they do. As Stewart has maintained for a long time - he's in the business of making people laugh.

Frankly I think he made a lot of great points.

I think Stewart is right in saying he has a show that's in the business of making people laugh.

But Tucker Carlson was probably getting tough with him because polls demonstrate a fair chunk of the population actually prefers to get its news from sources like Stewart's and we've seen on this very board the assertion that Stewart asks the tough questions the mainstream media won't, implying the public is gifting Stewart with something more than a comedy platform.

You can clearly see from Stewart's Kerry interview he can lob softballs as well as anyone.

That's probably the reason Tucker Carlson was going after Stewart, to clear the air on that particular discrepancy, right or wrong, to define exactly how Stewart should be perceived.

Cowperson [/b][/quote]
Yes, one could argue there is a problem if Americans prefer to get their news from The Daily Show, but should Jon Stewart be held to blame for this? No. Rather, the mainstream media (including CNN) should take a hard look in the mirror and say "gee if people are getting their news from Comedy Central instead of us, maybe something's wrong with the way we are performing our jobs?". Instead they choose to point fingers at Jon Stewart and demand that he be held to the journalistic standards that they themselves are failing to reach. I think ultimately this is what ticks Stewart off.

[FlamesAddiction]

Like it's already been mentioned, Stewart's show is a comedy show. He is supposed make is guests feel welcome and not corner them. It's simply not that type of show.

[CaramonLS]

Originally posted by Cowperson+Oct 16 2004, 04:33 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Cowperson @ Oct 16 2004, 04:33 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-Lanny_MacDonald@Oct 16 2004, 03:19 PM
Cow, what you missed was the hard questions that Stewart asked Kerry. Stewart alluded to it, but was shouted down by Tucker Carlson. Again, Stewart is on a comedy show, meant to make people laugh, so he has to balance out his questions and be personable while asking them. Its not his job to hold his guests feet to the fire. Its not that type of show. But the interesting thing is that he gets his guests to be much more frank or honest than shows like Crossfire, Hardball and I'm Going to Kick Your Ass ever hope to, because those others are viewed as partisian photo-ops.

Tucker Carlson is a dick. No doubt about it. He's CNN's answer to Bill O'Reilly, which makes him an assclown (or is that assjockey after the release of the charges against O'Reilly). Carlson is likely a little envious of Stewart because he has a much better rapport with his guests and gets more genuine answers out of them in the five minute interview The Daily Show does versus the half house attackfest that Crossfire does. Carlson is considered a jerk by most, even Republicans, and portrays the nerdy little kid that got his lunch money beat out of him daily all to well. To be honest, the bow tie thing suits him.

I've actually only watched one (1) episode of Jon Stewart and, pure coincidence I swear, it just happened to be the John Kerry interview.

A complete transcript of the interview is contained on this otherwise strange page:

http://www.wonkette.com/archives/jon-on-jo...lert-020203.php

Very entertaining, as Stewart says it should be, but not exactly pinning the guy to the matt on anything so that it might qualify as serious.

Cowperson [/b][/quote]
Cow the point John Stewart is trying to make is that Fake News shouldn't have better interviews than the real news.

Also Saying that John can lob softballs as good as anyone else... well try to watch more than one interview with him.

It is a sad day in America when Comedy Central can get better answers out of a person than CNN. Which is the point he is trying to make.

[Cowperson]

Originally posted by CaramonLS@Oct 16 2004, 06:39 PM
It is a sad day in America when Comedy Central can get better answers out of a person than CNN. Which is the point he is trying to make.

And obviously failed to do in this instance, the Kerry interview exactly what you would expect on a comedy show but nothing to be confused with a mid-campaign joust.

Which is why Tucker Carlson wanted him on the program and went for the throat to make that point. He knew he had Stewart by the balls on this one and was looking to stick the dagger in. Maybe he is a dickhead!!

Rather, the mainstream media (including CNN) should take a hard look in the mirror and say "gee if people are getting their news from Comedy Central instead of us, maybe something's wrong with the way we are performing our jobs?".

I think what you're saying is that people increasingly need to be entertained by the news. If they're not, they'll find some place that does entertain them.

Hence the subtle rise of hip guys like Anderson Cooper (CNN) and Keith Oberrman (MSNBC) and the decline of dour guys like Tom Brokaw and Dan Rather. Take that point a step further and you have Jon Stewart and Dennis Miller.

I'll repeat what my poli-sci prof said a quarter century ago - "Seventy-five per cent of the people are chronic know-nothings and shouldn't be allowed to vote."

I've never forgotten his comment and have long wondered if I should agree with it or not. The dumbing down of the news to get people to notice in the go-go times we live makes you wonder.

Cowperson

[Mean Mr. Mustard]

Cow I agree with you 100% it isn't so much that CNN, MSNBC and the like are not reporting the news so people won't watch it, people are not finding the news there to be entertaining, so they go somewhere that they can be entertained, and in this case that is a comedy show. As a rule people will flock to what they enjoy, the majority of people enjoy to laugh, and thus they move towards shows such as the Daily Show. Does that mean that CNN and the like should change their programing to be a comedy show? Because people watch Survivor does that mean that news programs should involve someone standing on a desert island?

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally posted by Cowperson@Oct 16 2004, 01:10 PM
Which is why Tucker Carlson wanted him on the program and went for the throat to make that point. He knew he had Stewart by the balls on this one and was looking to stick the dagger in. Maybe he is a dickhead!!

Carlson had Stewart by the balls, really?

I still fail to see how Stewart saying "how are you holding up?" in the first 30 seconds of an interview is lobbing soft questions at him. It always seemed like a polite thing to say.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally posted by Cowperson@Oct 16 2004, 01:10 PM
[
Rather, the mainstream media (including CNN) should take a hard look in the mirror and say "gee if people are getting their news from Comedy Central instead of us, maybe something's wrong with the way we are performing our jobs?".

I think what you're saying is that people increasingly need to be entertained by the news. If they're not, they'll find some place that does entertain them.

Hence the subtle rise of hip guys like Anderson Cooper (CNN) and Keith Oberrman (MSNBC) and the decline of dour guys like Tom Brokaw and Dan Rather. Take that point a step further and you have Jon Stewart and Dennis Miller.

I'll repeat what my poli-sci prof said a quarter century ago - "Seventy-five per cent of the people are chronic know-nothings and shouldn't be allowed to vote."

I've never forgotten his comment and have long wondered if I should agree with it or not. The dumbing down of the news to get people to notice in the go-go times we live makes you wonder.

Cowperson

No actually that wasn't my point at all, but I realize it wasn't clear.

My position is that people watch the Daily Show primarily for the laughs. However, what seems to have happened is that some viewers also use a show like this in order to get their "news" and political analysis.

Is this because it is more entertaining? Perhaps. However I also think that its because many people feel that they are getting a slanted viewpoint from mainstream media, or in the case of a show like Crossfire, two opposite views, but nothing in the way of an objective viewpoint from the middle.

I don't think the news needs to be more entertaining. Actually my opinion is the opposite. They are trying too hard to create drama (which is what Stewart was saying I believe) and are doing so at the expensive of truly valuable insight and analysis. I don't want to watch a right wing and left wing guy go at it for 30 minutes. I'd rather watch someone with moderate views try to find some middle ground and criticize or praise either side when they feel it is appropriate.

[Flame On]

John's profession is a comedian/satirist. The news profession is the news. When people turn to the Daily show (from an information gathering standpoint as opposed to finding comedy), it's only cause they're not getting somehting from the news. JS is getting something from people; honest or at least perceived sincere answers, that the news has gotten away from. Largely that is due to sensationalism, political partisanship, commands from a parent company, american pie naiveness (like the jokers on CNN's American Morning). So in a sense Carlson (also a joker) is actually complaining about a lack of talent, professionalism and legitimacy amongst his own profession.
Some are perceived as Liberal sources, some are perceived as right wing. Whichever side you lean toward, doesn't that spell a loss of objectivity and skill within that profession? I think so.
Boiling it down, it's a mistake for them to try to shine a light on John Stewart's show and himself, for a failing within their industry that causes John to fill a niche. A niche that isn't even his main intent.

[Lanny_MacDonald]

Originally posted by Cowperson@Oct 16 2004, 07:10 PM
He knew he had Stewart by the balls on this one and was looking to stick the dagger in. Maybe he is a dickhead!!

What color is the sky in your world? The guy from CNN Crossfire had the guy from Comedy Central's Daily Show by the balls for not asking tough questions? And some how the guy from Comedy Central managed wrench his ball free with the hard hitting retort, "The show that preceeds me is puppets making crank phone calls". Game, set and match to the guy from Comedy Central. The dickhead from CNN never recovered because he failed to comprehend the comment. Obviously the guy from CNN had a real good grip on those balls. If they were any tighter he would have been George Bush and John Stewart would have been Usama bin Laden.

[Cowperson]

Originally posted by MrMastodonFarm+Oct 16 2004, 07:29 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (MrMastodonFarm @ Oct 16 2004, 07:29 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-Cowperson@Oct 16 2004, 01:10 PM
Which is why Tucker Carlson wanted him on the program and went for the throat to make that point. He knew he had Stewart by the balls on this one and was looking to stick the dagger in. Maybe he is a dickhead!!

Carlson had Stewart by the balls, really?

I still fail to see how Stewart saying "how are you holding up?" in the first 30 seconds of an interview is lobbing soft questions at him. It always seemed like a polite thing to say. [/b][/quote]
I was talking about the entire context of the interview. I didn't pull one thing out over another. Carlson did that.

My position is that people watch the Daily Show primarily for the laughs. However, what seems to have happened is that some viewers also use a show like this in order to get their "news" and political analysis.


Some polls are suggesting the numbers are more than "some" turning to him for serious analysis, which is why the phenomenon of Stewart is attracting binoculars. Rightly or wrongly.

However I also think that its because many people feel that they are getting a slanted viewpoint from mainstream media,

Or maybe, as the trend has been identified via surveys, people in an increasingly partisan world are seeking out the warm blanket of news sources they agree with, elevating some news sources that don't deserve it journalistically to higher ratings. I see the audience being the drivers actually.

or in the case of a show like Crossfire, two opposite views, but nothing in the way of an objective viewpoint from the middle.

Controversy sells. On some level, its entertaining. But I agree with you as I have little use for a program like Crossfire.

I'd rather watch someone with moderate views try to find some middle ground and criticize or praise either side when they feel it is appropriate.

Ditto.

Cowperson