If you haven’t heard yet, Jon Stewart went onto Crossfire and kicked Tucker Carlson’s ass up and down the court for being a fakety-fake news man. The difference between them then, according to Jon? Jon openly admits he’s a fake newsguy, Tucker insists he’s not.
I’ll give Jon Stewart a dollar if he’ll wear a bow tie for the next week on the show. If Tucker has any class at all, he’ll drop the thing entirely, but I’m guessing he’s going to bitch and whine a bit. (Nothing like a conservative playing the victim.)
Watch the exchange for yourself. And you can get Jon’s new book here—I highly recommend it.
UPDATE: More people have downloaded Jon’s bitchslapping of Tucker than normally watch Crossfire.
I’m so ashamed! I own two bow ties (and a black formal one besides) — and I’m only 33. Among my co-religionists, however, it often seems downright ironic even to wear a necktie. Guess I’m just perverse… I vow, however, not to name a son “Tucker” or “Carlson.” People should not have two last names.
Two bowties, worn occasionally. Age 35. Like Philo, there’s a bit of (self-conscious) irony in play. However, being a Southerner, there’s nothing wrong with having one or two family names as given names. Tho’ is does make the tots sound like law firms.
33? Be careful! That’s when they got Jesus, you know.
The irony of it must be the whole thing. Tucker seems to want viewers to not be awere of the irony, and is that why it’s theater?
Death to ties!
Someone pointed out to me and it’s true (I didn’t want to admit it at first) … Jon Stewart isn’t just a comic and his show isn’t just a fake news program. It’s the primary source of news for a lot of people. And, though the Daily Show news commentary is funny, it’s often astute (like South Park). He takes no responsiblity for the fact that The Daily Show has any media responsibility. It influences tons of people. He should admit that the Daily Show is much more than a longer version of SNL’s Weekend Update. It’s shrewd political criticism. He seems to deny that, and that weakens his case.
You make a good point, but I want to ask why it is true that the Daily Show is “much more than a longer version of SNL’s Weekend Update.”
If it’s because the “real” news sucks in comparison to the Daily Show, then it probably isn’t Jon’s fault that he’s been put on a pedestal (since the competition is so poor). And if the “real” news didn’t suck, then Jon would be out of a job—the Tuckers of the world create Jon Stewart. He is their nemesis.
Can a satirist be said to have a responsibility other than pointing out the Emperor has no clothes? I’m leaning toward no.
That said, I think Jon does take his media responbility (at least somewhat) seriously. Some weeks his guest list reads like C-SPAN’s Book TV. Letterman, Leno, and Conan don’t do that. It says something that Jon does.
And, just to complicate things, I’ve read that the Daily Show has some of the best informed viewers of any TV show. If he’s still the primary news source for some of the least informed, that means he’s getting both extremes along that continuum. So you could argue that he has a responsibility to both (or neither).
You raise a good question, Chutney: Does the Emperor have a bow tie?
::LOL::
CC the cranky blog reviewer
OK, back off kids. CC’s in a pissy mood this week because this chick she knows dissed CC’s wedding invitation. So she will be extra mean tonight. Well, maybe not. But it sure would be nice if some blog would come along and cheer me up. Queen Latifah’s …
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/24/weekinreview/24cave.html
Great article, CP. I think it’s great, honestly, that Tucker and John seemed to have hugged it out, so to speak. And the article did a good job outlining the issue without taking sides: what are the appropriate responsibilities in a media full of info-tainment?
Thanks!
Is Tucker Carlson married or dating someone? He can’t be. What woman in her right mind would allow the man she loves to dress like that??