Somebody finally said it to their faces.
Jon Stewart on Crossfire, telling them how awful Crossfire is (click on 200k, written transcript here). It's really amazing actually.
Say what you will about Jon Stewart and the Daily Show's new higher profile in the campaign across major media networks, but anybody who calls Tucker Carlson a dick ("You're as big a dick on your show as you are on any show") to his face on national TV is ok by me (watch the video, it really happens).
No really, you are a dick.
STEWART: Here's just what I wanted to tell you guys.
CARLSON: Yes.
STEWART: Stop.
STEWART: Stop, stop, stop, stop hurting America…And come work for us, because we, as the people.
CARLSON: How do you pay?
STEWART: The people — not well.
BEGALA: Better than CNN, I'm sure.
STEWART: But you can sleep at night.
…
STEWART: See, the thing is, we need your help. Right now, you're helping the politicians and the corporations. And we're left out there to mow our lawns…you're not too rough on them. You're part of their strategies. You are partisan, what do you call it, hacks.
…
STEWART: [when asked why he wasn't harder on Kerry in their interview] is that the news organizations look to Comedy Central for their cues on integrity…You're on CNN. The show that leads into me is puppets making crank phone calls.
I still miss old Michael Kinsley squaring off against Pat Buchanan (whose Nixon-era mentality was already anachronistic in 1988). I haven't seen Crossfire since they took a cue from WWF for set design and level of maturity, but seeing that clip makes me think it must be an awful experience to sit through for a half hour each day.
October 18th, 2004 at 3:27 pm
That was awesome. Nice find Mike
October 18th, 2004 at 4:35 pm
Crossfire has gone downhill quicker than any TV show in history save for Six Feet Under circa the season 2/3 crossover.
What happened was, CNN started getting murdered in the ratings by Fox News. They presumed that the reason was because people like to watch angry white men yelling a lot. And, instead of being objective and accused of being partisan anyway, being partisan while pretending to be objective.
Now it's basically just 4 people yelling at each other. A far cry from the days of Pat Buchanan telling Bill Press "If there were a vast right-wing conspiracy in progress, someone would have called me by now."
October 19th, 2004 at 1:25 pm
they also seem to have studied the art of speed-talking-to-cover-one's-stupidity.
i love john stewart. i would have his love children just to produce more little jon stewarts in the world. at least the kiddies wouldn't wear bow-ties.
October 20th, 2004 at 8:18 pm
I propose a collection to buy Jon Stewart a White House Press Pass. He would truly be a lion among the flock.