July 29, 2004

• I wish I could see a video of that. The end of that conversation seems very odd out of context.
• I'd love to see the whole thing too. Somebody commented there that they thought Koppel was being cold and dismissive, but I took it as good natured ribbing. I can see them grinning at each other in that exchange, nothing more than a clumsy exit.
• It was a great interview, but the subtleties do not come through in the transcript. Stewart's deprecation of his role in the news media is cute, but becoming more and more disingenuous. Yes we know he is a comedian making fun of the news. But the Daily Show doesn't get all those awards just because he (and the 'correspondents') are comedians; they get awards because they provide insight into news stories beyond what Koppel and his ilk are willing to present. When he said as much at the end of the interview, Koppel turned on the ice-ray and ended it. Watching the interview last night made me realize just how important Stewart has become to a large number of folks, and how much I hope that the route the Daily Show takes to the news is something that other news organizations learn from and incorporate into their productions. Folks have been talking so much about the rise of bloggers at the DNC.... I'm starting to think that the gravitas that Stewart has attained is the real story...
• And I thought the dancing monkey was Mo Rocca, spotted this week in a banana-toned blazer on the convention floor as a CNN satirist and pundit. I suppose there's always room for more.
• Several people have mentioned they've seen this, could you please say WHERE? Gracias.
• You know, it's really amazing. Stewart with Koppel and Brokaw, Rocca with CNN, Brian Unger's got his report on "Day to Day" on NPR, and Lewis Black was on doing DNC commentary on "Talk of the Nation." In the beginning these guys couldn't get a press pass to a public hearing.
• When I saw this last night on Nightline, I was struck by this section: No, but you CAN say that's BS. You don't need humor to do that because you have what I wish I had which is credibility and gravitas. This is interesting stuff, and it's all part of the discussion and I think it's a good discussion to have, but I think it's important to take a more critical look. You know, don't you think? I think he totally took Koppel [and other mainstream journalists] to school there.
• I think he totally took Koppel [and other mainstream journalists] to school there. He did. The look on Koppel's face was priceless. And I have a lot of respect for Koppel, actually. I think he's one of the few journalists who's decided, "gravy train be damned, I'm gonna ask the hard questions".
• Thanks Dr. Zira for mentioning Nightline. It looks like you can view the interview online but only if you sign up for ABC's paid premium service.
• The Daily Show is news put through the smartass you-gotta-be-kidding filter. And since so very much of the news these days is essentially Bush telling people he assumes are stupid that everything is just dandy, it's the only filter that makes sense. And also, Jon Stewart is ridiculously hot. Really, really ridiculously hot.
• you are so late to the party, moneyjane.... i had his mock CK poster up in my apartment like 5 years ago from when he was syndicated/on MTV... but it was way too 2-dimensional... i want to hear what he says, too, not just admire his corporeal self....
• Dear God...I need that poster.
• I think you ladies need this poster.
• Ladies? *cough* Not with what I'm packin'.... ...but that poster sure would come in handy for keeping roaches out of the basement.
• I love that man's hair. It needs its own folk song. I'm thinking something on the order of "John Henry, Steel-Drivin' Man." You know, something legendary, like Koppel's hair saves a baby from drowning or defeats the damn Red Leg bandits.
• Well his hair once killed a man with a guitar string It's been seen at the table with kings Well it once saved a baby from drowning There are those who say beneath his hair there are wings
• That's one of the things I love most about The Daily Show. Stewart sometimes panders to powerful guests (watching him kiss Kissinger's ass was pretty weak), but when he has journalists on, he usually drills them pretty hard. Check out him with WolF Blitzer. (I hope that link works..) And did you see the broadcast when he had that right-wing nutjob on with a really silly book? (Can't remember the guy's name or -- sadly -- what the book was about.) He just totally dismissed him. It was excellent.
• Well, I guess the link doesn't work. The interview is available on the Daily Show homepage.
• Anyone found a video of the Koppel-Stewart interview yet?
• Scartol, the book was about the undeniable links between al Qaeda and Saddam Hussein. Stewart did all of America a great disservice by trying to discredit that seminal work. tee hee
• It can turn itself into a stranger Well they broke a lot of canes on its hide it was born away in a cornfield A fever beats in his hair like a drum inside Some say they fear it Others admire it Because it steals its promise One look in his, um ,hair Everyone denies Ever having met it Ever having met it