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Jon Stewart: Hypocrite

By Mark Grueter

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Crowd-pleaser Jon Stewart appeared on Crossfire recently, not to answer questions, but rather to critique the format and style of the famous CNN show. Kudos to Jon for turning the tables on his interviewers; too bad he had little to say for himself. Jon says real issues aren’t debated on Crossfire and that the show isn’t educational. Jon says the whole program is a wasted opportunity, as the hosts and guests – instead of engaging in “civil discourse” - merely repeat the talking points of their respective parties.

(Obviously, this is sometimes true, but anyone who actually watches Crossfire should know that there certainly are occasions of insight and instruction. Usually, it depends on who is on. They talk fast, so you have to think fast, but if you listen closely, well, you just might learn something.)

Tucker Carlson responded to Jon’s sanctimonious rant on journalistic integrity by asking the venerated host of The Daily Show why, when given the chance to interview John Kerry, he refused to ask one tough question. “Well, we’re just a comedy show. Puppets making crank calls precede us.” Ha, ha, nice try Jon. Jon likes to have it both ways. Mock politicians behind their backs, and then tug at their shirts and tell light jokes when they appear the show. Meanwhile, he lambastes other political shows for “ruining America.”

An excerpt from the Carlson/Stewart conversation:

CARLSON: Didn't you feel like -- you got the chance to interview the guy. Why not ask him a real question, instead of just suck up to him?

STEWART: Yes. “How are you holding up?” is a real suck-up. And I was actually giving him a hot stone massage as we were doing it.

(LAUGHTER)

CARLSON: It sounded that way. It did.

STEWART: You know, it’s interesting to hear you talk about my responsibility.

Oh, no you don’t, Jon. Nobody said anything about your “responsibility.” Carlson is simply wondering why you wouldn’t have been more curious to go ahead and ask Kerry a probing question. You’re relying on your talking points now, Jon…

CARLSON: I felt the sparks between you.

STEWART: I didn’t realize that -- and maybe this explains quite a bit.

CARLSON: No, the opportunity to...

(CROSSTALK)

STEWART: ... is that the news organizations look to Comedy Central for their cues on integrity.

No they don’t. They look to The Daily Show for cues on how to appeal to young people at best, or on how to charm a trendy, superficial crowd at worst. Anyway, this is Jon’s excuse for groveling to his guests (he grovels in front of all of them, not just Kerry). Jon pretends that people don’t watch his program to learn something (while laughing). Jon would have us believe he and his cohort don’t deliberately criticize certain aspects of our political system and our society. “We’re just a comedy show, man!” (Um, Jon, you just “wrote” and released a satirical book that openly criticizes the American political system, remember? In fact, you’re hawking it on the very show on which you’re pretending to be a mere disinterested comedian).

Jon drops what he imagines are profound and witty thoughts, but then neglects to put forward any arguments. Paul Begala, in turn, defends his program:

STEWART: I would love to see a debate show.

BEGALA: We're 30 minutes in a 24-hour day where we have each side on, as best we can get them, and have them fight it out.

STEWART: No, no, no, no, that would be great. To do a debate would be great. But that's like saying pro wrestling is a show about athletic competition.

(LAUGHTER)

CARLSON: Jon, Jon, Jon, I'm sorry. I think you're a good comedian. I think your lectures are boring.

Carlson, I think, was far too generous. It’s too easy to criticize shows like Crossfire. Few people watch it anyway. It doesn’t take a lick of courage. Any half-educated observer can do it. Jon Stewart is the one people are paying attention to, not the silly-billy Paul Begala. Stewart is the people’s choice: Bush and Stewart. Just look at the poll numbers and the ratings!

And Jon, you cannot simply fire off the candy-ass cliché, ‘oh, this [Crossfire] is just pro wrestling’ and then fail to elaborate on the contention. If you want to get serious about criticism, then stop relying on the throwaway line that guarantees a howl from the shallow audience. Jon went on to assert that Carlson’s sporting of a bow tie means, of course, that the show must be “theater.” Logic? It was drowned out by the easy laughter.

“You had John Kerry on your show and you sniff his throne and you’re accusing us of partisan hackery?” asked Carlson, quite appropriately I thought. If Jon wants to criticize “the media,” he should realize that he is part of the “the media,” too (now, a major part), and so of course it is as fair for Carlson to criticize him as it is the other way around. And since Stewart is influential and popular these days, it is actually more important to question him over the likes of the “big dick” Tucker Carlson, who everyone seems to hate anyway.

By the way, I’ve tried to laugh at Stewart, I really have, but…Mo Rocca, yes, funny. Stephen Colbert: funny (sometimes), Jon Stewart, no, not funny. I remember Stewart pecking shit with the chickens on MTV only a few years ago. Bill Maher, on the other hand, does a much better job mixing comedy with politics on his HBO show, in part because he confronts his opponents instead of ducking their questions.

What’s wrong with partisanship anyway? We hear all this yap about how “divided” the electorate is, as if that, in itself, is cause for concern. Wouldn’t it be far worse if everyone were in agreement? If everyone watched The Daily Show? We would know, at that point, that something had gone terribly wrong. Politics is supposed to be a contact sport. It is nice to see the country as divided as it is, and to see more and more people engaged in the process all the while. Turnout is expected to be high this year, despite all the unnecessary, time-consuming nonsense one has to endure before actually being able to vote.

But crowd pleasers like Jon Stewart and George W. Bush would have us believe that divisiveness and confrontation (crossfires) are unhealthy for democracy, which is why both assiduously avoid actual debate whenever possible. Instead of engaging opponents, these types of people pander to their audiences. They avoid disputation, complexity and feed off the same reactionary, trendy energy which permeates our culture. They win on style, not substance, and Jon Stewart is winning big in 2004. It now looks like George W. Bush could do the same.

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Mark Grueter is a writer living in New York City. He can be contacted at grueter@methree.net.

© 2004 Me Three