Partisan Hacks
Sometimes while watching CNN’s Crossfire, I secretly covet the opportunity to snatch the oft-infuriating Tucker Carlson by the lapels and shake some sense into him. If that failed, I’d probably just throw him around a bit.
Jon Stewart did just that tonight as a guest on the show. Figuratively, of course. Read the transcript here for some of the spectacular spankings he delivered to both Tucker Carlson and Paul Begala (download the video via BitTorrent or ifilm before it gets taken offline).
Here are some of my favourite bits:
STEWART: I’m not going to be your monkey.
CARLSON: You need to get a job at a journalism school, I think.
STEWART: You need to go to one.
CARLSON: I do think you’re more fun on your show. Just my opinion.
CARLSON: OK, up next, Jon Stewart goes one on one with his fans…
STEWART: You know what’s interesting, though? You’re as big a dick on your show as you are on any show.
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.
BEGALA: By beating up on them? You just said we’re too rough on them when they make mistakes.
STEWART: No, no, no, you’re not too rough on them. You’re part of their strategies. You are partisan, what do you call it, hacks.
CARLSON: You had John Kerry on your show and you sniff his throne and you’re accusing us of partisan hackery?
STEWART: Absolutely.
CARLSON: You’ve got to be kidding me. He comes on and you…
STEWART: You’re on CNN. The show that leads into me is puppets making crank phone calls. What is wrong with you?
It’s no secret than I’m not a great fan of the sensational journalism so often found on cable news networks. It’s perversely amusing to see Stewart invited a spotless living room where the kids aren’t allowed, flop down on the plastic-covered sofa, stomp all over the carpet with his filthy shoes, and stride out without any apologies — and still manage to get a plug in for his book.
Only one regret — I wish Robert Novak was on the show to collect some of the beatings.
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Jon Stewart rocks my world - he’s gotten a bit too partisan for my tastes these days, but I still want to have a thousand of his babies. He definitely put the smackdown on those two monkeys on Crossfire - just like he did on the Daily Show to Rudy Giuliani after the debate!
I watched the clip on another site, wasn’t it just the best?!
Lynn: Do you watch the show regularly? Did you see the Flordia Cooter Festival bit? My favourite, by far.
Mitch: It was amusing, that’s for sure. I’m sure Tucker is still licking his wounds.
Den-Den - I’m Jon Stewart’s biggest fan (not to be confused with Jeremy’s biggest fan - see Angie for details). Last season I taped every show, but must admit to slacking off a bit this year since he’s gotten a bit partisan (not as much as Tucker Carlson said, but still…). The one where (I think) Steve was “in London” with the banana is still my favourite…although the Cooter episode was pretty good. God save Florida…I’m so proud of my state.