Jon Stewart appeared on CNN's Crossfire with Tucker Carlson and Paul Begala last week (as part of his book tour, I am certain), and rather than being either a serious discussion of Stewart's view of the candidates or the process, or a funny discussion of the same, it was rather an awkward, snide diatribe by Stewart against Crossfire itself.
I agree with Stewart that the cable "debate" shows are essentially just canned generic showbiz "liberal/conservative" policy forums in the guise of actual debate, but Stewart's holier-than-thou, sour, screamingly hypocritical assault did little to make the case, although I am linking to the footage so at least we ARE "talking aobut it." I am not certain calling Tucker Carlson a "dick" on live television is neccessarily how Stewart wants to be remembered.
What do you think?
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Chris Akin
I don't know, calling Tucker a "dick" on Tucker's own show instead of mindlessly trying to sell his book does take a certain amount of stones, I'd say. I think it's kind of funny, actually. Tucker is definitely a geek, but a dick? Not so sure. That title seems to fit much better on the shoulders of James Carville, doesn't it?
2 - Hal Pawluk
I saw the show and have been trying to find the clip - thanks.
If this is the only time you've seen Crossfire, it may seem a bit harsh; if you've seen Carlson and Begalla before, Stewart was right on.
It may be useful to read the transcript (link opens in new window) to filter out emotional reactions to the individuals and look at what was said.
3 - Jim Carruthers
I've never seen this shouty-head show, but I've seen and admired Jon Stewart, and in Canada, Rick Mercer (who started with a one-man show about being the Official Executioner of PM Brian Mulroney. Mercer also got Shrub to give best wishes to Prime Minister Jean Poutine).
I saw the clip, and I'm astounded at Stewart's restraint in not pummeling that foppy jackass. As he pointed out, if television news has abdicated to a comedy show, your system of public discourse is dying. What have any of these teevee talking heads ever done to earn any respect?
I think more people should be saying: "I'm not going to be your monkey".
4 - bob2112
Both Tucker, & James are dicks! Did you see 'Old School'? Carville was cast as a ultra-dick debator. The Frank 'the Tank' character came across, surprisingly more knowledgable than Carville expected & he conceded.
Chris, what show are you watching? Tucker & that pretentious bow tie? That guy is a dick! Even before this heated race that man will spin anything right-wing as positive. If GWB was caught on camera in a threesome with his daughters, Tucker would claim you could doctor it on Photoshop, or those weren't his daughters. It's a threesome for Christ sake! Does it matter who they are?
This is what we have to put up with from the Right. Tucker is one of Satan's Little Helpers.
5 - andy marsh
I agree, Carlson is a dick...I laughed when I heard Stewart say that and also when he asked him how old he was and then asked why he still wore a bowtie!
6 - bob2112
Andy, don't make come after you over here too.
There is a formula on these shows: Pit a left-wing dork against a right-wing less of a dork. Don't let the bow-tie fool you. It's a power tie, ala the late Senator Paul Simon(D) of IL. The man had to die to be replaced.
7 - andy marsh
Yeah, I remeber seeing Simon in those ties, I thought he was a dick too!!!
8 - andy marsh
but I think anyone in a bowtie that's not wearing a tux is a dick anyway!!!
9 - bob2112
Andy, you are right! I hate those ties. Do you think they tie them or are the clip-ons? The guy that ties a bow tie every morning has to be a dick to survive with the dicks they work for or with. It must be a sad life having no life.
10 - andy marsh
I'm glad we finally agreed on something bob...I was starting to look through the blinds waiting for you to come and get me!!!
11 - bob2112
I'm not coming in that way. I'm already in your basement waiting patiently for you to come downstairs & whack you beside the head with a baseball bat!
12 - andy marsh
water table is knee high around here ...no one has a basement...the rest of you better watch out...bob's stalking someone...and it ain't me!!!
13 - bob2112
Andy, don't be as big a dick as Tucker is. Cut me some slack here! I don't have a clue where you are. I did have a feeling you didn't have a basement. You got me, man.
I'm having too much fun not agreeing with you. What's wrong with this picture? Somebody help me hate these people!
14 - andy marsh
It's cause I'm such a nice guy Bob...and I'm such a idiot I make you laugh!!!
But I must agree...I have had a good time disagreeing with you as well!!!
Here you go Bob, a little geography quiz... I did 20 years in the Navy and when I retired I stayed in the same area where I had been stationed... I live down the road from the largest conglomeration of military bases in the free world...that's army, navy, air force and marines combined...can you guess where I am???
15 - bob2112
Norfolk, VA?
16 - andy marsh
I did say down the road...but very good...Virginia Beach
17 - randy
I think Stewart did a marvelous job. Carlson dished it out and Stewart took his jabs as well. What Stewart did was call Crossfire onto the carpet - the show really does do its viewers a disservice, and all four hosts are essentially partisan hacks. I mean, what credibility does Robert Novak have anymore? Did he ever have any to begin with?
I agree with Hal Pawkluk - read the transcript, or watch the video. Stewart was passionate in his assault. Diatribe? Sure, but well worth the effort, and good for him.
18 - bob2112
When I was 10 years old I moved from Huntersville(Church & C St.) to Washington State on a Greyhound bus. I live where Harry Truman got the campaign slogan, "Give 'em hell Harry!" Guess where I live?
19 - andy marsh
well...this is going to require a little bit of research...and the Yankees are getting ready to sweep the sox...so...I'll get back to you!!!
20 - bob2112
I'll forgive you for the baseball game. However, I thought we were playing geography quiz? No research, man. This isn't today's school where you can use a calculator & the answers are in front of your face! This is hardball, old school, American history/ geography brainiac blogging business!
First one to name the place where I live will forver not be as big a dick as Tucker Carlson (Or Andy for that matter) in my book.(Like my opinion matters)
You are all watching the game. I know it. Dicks!
21 - Dana Huff
I didn't see the show, but I think anytime you have to resort to name-calling in the interest of getting your point across, you lose I.Q. points. I'm seeing too much of it lately. It certainly doesn't win me over to their point of view. I don't have any respect for people who can't think of a more intelligent way of disagreeing. That's just so immature. It was immature when Dick Cheney did it, too.
22 - andy marsh
Oh Christ...I must have a minus IQ then...
23 - Dana Huff
Andy, when you want to, I'll bet you think of a way to get your point across without using sandbox tactics. That was my point in posting.
Stepping on soapbox... I thought we were trying to get people to take our opinions seriously here at Blogcritics. Until we write that way, people are going to think we're a bunch of pathetic losers who can't form a coherent, intelligent opinion about anything. But frankly, there is so much name-calling, such a lack of introspection and honest debate, that if I were a publisher, record executive, or anyone else shopping items for review, I wouldn't come here to do it. There is a dearth of intelligent writing here, and it's a shame, because there are some intelligent people here.
Mac Diva once commented that anyone can pretty much write anything here (I'm paraphrasing, so forgive me, Diva, if I get it slightly wrong). I disagree with a lot of what Mac says, but I agreed with that.
Now you all feel free to disagree with me, as I'm sure you will. The manner in which you do so will either give my theory credence or prove me wrong -- in which case, I'd be delighted. This isn't something I relish being right about.
24 - andy marsh
I can Dana...but I really like playing in the sandbox...or I guess I could he/she started it!!!
25 - Hal Pawluk
Name-calling has always been a staple of politics, Dana, but it really got going even with those marginally into politics when Newt Gingrich blessed the techqnie, and even provided lists of words to use (opens in new window).