Jon Stewart on Crossfire

crawjo · October-15th-2004, 09:37 PM

Stewart went on Crossfire today and completely ripped into the show itself. It got really testy between him and Tucker Carlson.

Check out the transcript.

Ron Thorne · October-16th-2004, 12:27 AM

I loved it! I think Paul Bagala was thrown for a loop, however ... blindsided.

I particulary loved it, when Stewart explained to Tucker Carlson umpteen times that he (Jon) didn't see the need as the host of a comedy show to ask zingers of guests such as John Kerry. Then, just as they were going to break, Jon looked at Tucker and said "You know what's interesting, though? You're as big a dick on your show as you are on any show." Ka-boom!!!!! Agreed.

I tend to agree with Jon's assessment that it's (Crossfire) largely a venue for partisan hacks.

crawjo · October-16th-2004, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Thorne

I loved it! I think Paul Bagala was thrown for a loop, however ... blindsided.

I particulary loved it, when Stewart explained to Tucker Carlson umpteen times that he (Jon) didn't see the need as the host of a comedy show to ask zingers of guests such as John Kerry. Then, just as they were going to break, Jon looked at Tucker and said "You know what's interesting, though? You're as big a dick on your show as you are on any show." Ka-boom!!!!! Agreed.

I tend to agree with Jon's assessment that it's (Crossfire) largely a venue for partisan hacks.

Ron,

I'm glad you liked it as much as I did. Unfortunately, I did not see the actual show. Wonkette posted the transcript. I would have loved to have seen that happening in real-time. You're right, Begala seemed to have this jovial mindset that here comes this funny man and we can have a few laughs for a change, and Stewart just goes on there and denounces their entire show as a piece of trash. He calls them partisan hacks to their faces. Begala seemed to roll with it, but Tucker sure was pissed off, wasn't he?

I agree with you about the show as well. Crossfire has been insufferable dating back to the Novak/Press days. If you want to watch two partisan hacks throw out the same tired lines about the opposing candidate/party in a snide, insufferable tone for 30 minutes, then I guess that's your show. Kudos to Mr. Stewart for calling it like it is.

crawjo · October-16th-2004, 12:37 AM

One of my favorite exchanges:

STEWART: In many ways, it's funny. And I made a special effort to come on the show today, because I have privately, amongst my friends and also in occasional newspapers and television shows, mentioned this show as being bad.

BEGALA: We have noticed.

STEWART: And I wanted to -- I felt that that wasn't fair and I should come here and tell you that I don't -- it's not so much that it's bad, as it's hurting America.

CARLSON: But in its defense...

STEWART: So I wanted to come here today and say...

STEWART: Here's just what I wanted to tell you guys.

CARLSON: Yes.

STEWART: Stop.

moneyp · October-16th-2004, 03:17 AM

Just watched it off of Tivo. A thing of beauty. Stewart was on fire.

chuckyd4 · October-16th-2004, 11:25 AM

The original video

Brilliant stuff.

BFrank · October-16th-2004, 01:32 PM

outRAGEous!!!!!!!

Thanks for that link, chucky!

graypencil · October-16th-2004, 01:35 PM

Five stars for Stewart ..he had them on the ropes.

And: his points were all well taken ..but just not by the crossfire resident snarks ..they expected a little lightweight Friday diversion and Jon cameout blazing with some serious ( and IMO well founded ) credibility issues about todays b/cast journalism in general ..

Ron Thorne · October-16th-2004, 03:19 PM

I'm very glad that you posted the transcript, crawjo, but much of what transpired is lost if you didn't see the reactions and hear the inflections. It was a priceless piece of reality television.

My wife can't stand Crossfire, but happened to be home for lunch at that time, so we decided to watch it together since Stewart was the only guest. Damn, are we glad we did.

Here is another fun exchange:

CARLSON: But, if Kerry gets elected, is it going to -- you have said you're voting for him. You obviously support him. It's clear. Will it be harder for you to mock his administration if he becomes president?

STEWART: No. Why would it be harder?

CARLSON: Because you support...

(CROSSTALK)

STEWART: The only way it would be harder is if his administration is less absurd than this one. So, in that case, if it's less absurd, then, yes, I think it would be harder.

But, I mean, it would be hard to top this group, quite frankly.

(LAUGHTER)

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

STEWART: In terms of absurdity and their world matching up to the one that -- you know, it was interesting. President Bush was saying, John Kerry's rhetoric doesn't match his record.

But I've heard President Bush describe his record. His record doesn't match his record.

(LAUGHTER)

Hey, Gordon, what are the odds that Jon Stewart will be invited back to Crossfire in his lifetime?

BFrank · October-16th-2004, 03:44 PM

Here's another link with options for viewing this. It truly IS great television!

http://www.contemporaryinsanity.org/video/

lynn · October-16th-2004, 06:55 PM

He is right about Carlson. What a dick.

What an idiot to expect a comedy program to do the hard work when they skate on their responsibility as serious journalists. Really unbelievable.

Erik Lund · October-18th-2004, 12:06 AM

I watched this at work before we opened up - really glad I flipped to CrossFire that day! I told everyone about it - glad it's up on the internet.

Stewart in 2012!

October-18th-2004, 02:10 AM

Ron Thorne · October-19th-2004, 02:14 PM

No matter what your political leaning, to characterize this show as a snooze is beyond me. Or were you suggesting that Mssr. Lund is a snooze?

Did you see and hear the Crossfire show in question? If so, did you note that Stewart was slinging his arrows at Bagala, as well? Tucker is just such an easy target ... I mean with the glib smile, smartass, know-it-all attitude and the dumb-looking bow tie and all.

Darryl G. Thomas · October-19th-2004, 02:21 PM

Carlson kills me. Since when has anyone confused The Daily Show as a news program? It's like confusing SNL with 60 Minutes. Unlike the shout fests on cable TV, the Daily Show does not pretend to be something it isn't.

October-19th-2004, 02:26 PM

Well, yeah. Lund will put anyone to sleep.

But my point was that I just didn't find the show to be all that exciting.

Don't know why, but it just didn't do anything for me. I mean, it was cool for Stewart to say what he did, but it just seemed like another boring exchange on an incredibly boring show.

Sergio Zamora · October-19th-2004, 02:38 PM

Seen the show a few times, and it sucks - so I don't watch it. Politics aside, that little slimy motherfucker with the bowtie gives me the creeps.

stonemonkts · October-19th-2004, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sergio Zamora

Seen the show a few times, and it sucks - so I don't watch it. Politics aside, that little slimy motherfucker with the bowtie gives me the creeps.

He was a dweeby geek in High School too.

Tanager · October-19th-2004, 02:52 PM

I don't watch the Daily Show or Crossfire (mainly b/c I watch almost no TV these days, not out of any conscious avoidance of either show), but Stewart was en fuego. My favorite line:

"You're on CNN. The show that leads into me is puppets making crank phone calls!"

Darryl G. Thomas · October-19th-2004, 04:27 PM

Christ, that's Carlson? With a sweater around his neck? Who's the Ann Coulter wannabe he's hanging on to?

Stewart really lit into Robert Novak on his show over the Valerie Plame thing.

Let's see, you know a person has a covert-ops cover but you blow her cover anyway. You're a Washington "Insider" you know what it'll do to her career and what might happen to people she's been in contact with overseas... but it's all good. Just politics baby.

Ron Thorne · October-19th-2004, 04:34 PM

Darryl, please don't get me started on one of the most putrid pols on the planet ... Robert I've-Always-Known-More-Than-Everyone-Else Novak.

stonemonkts · October-19th-2004, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darryl G. Thomas

Christ, that's Carlson? With a sweater around his neck? Who's the Ann Coulter wannabe he's hanging on to?

Heehee.

No, I'm sorry it was just another lameass attempt at humor on my part. I have no clue who those people are.

Chris D · October-19th-2004, 04:44 PM

They look like Monte's kind of people.

Enforcer · October-19th-2004, 04:51 PM

Stewart was in a zone! I just watched the clip, great stuff. I haven't watched Crossfire in 10 years, though, so I didn't even know who these guys were. When I first watched it, I think it was Buchanan and some guy named Tom something. Then it was Kinsley and Buchanan. Old school, baby.

Chris D · October-19th-2004, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Larry Nagel

Then it was Kinsley and Buchanan. ...

Yeah, talking to Curtis Sliwa.

October-19th-2004, 05:22 PM

Sliwa, what a dipshit.

Chris D · October-19th-2004, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Dolan

Sliwa, what a dipshit.

On that, Mr. Dolan, we agree.

MRS · October-19th-2004, 06:00 PM

Bowties are actually much easier to tie than conventional windsors. Simply tie a shoelace knot with it around your thigh, voila.

. . .and either be at a black tie affair or down with the Nation.

October-19th-2004, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris D

On that, Mr. Dolan, we agree.

It's also the occassion where we both applaud Gotti?

Monte Smith · October-19th-2004, 10:43 PM

I've only now read the transcript. Thank you, John Stewart, for puncturing the puffery of media theater. He was right on all points.