Jon Stewart

[Deleted]

I remember he made fun of Eminem's homophobia. "I was just backstage, and I ran into Eminem, and damn, is he ever GAY! I mean, he is just outrageously, flaming gay!" Or something like that.

I almost had a coronary picturing Mathers's reaction.

[Deleted]

He's one of the people I used to like, until I was exposed to the fans on the Internet, who insist that he is the funniest, smartest guy ever on TV! Squeee! Yes, I generally find him funny, but these people are blind to his faults, like his overreliance on his tics, hypocrisy, oftentimes predictable delivery, and the fact that he's an absolutely awful interviewer.

He seems smart, but he's no genius (or even in the league of Conan O'Brien, imo). 80% of the people who love him so probably do so only because they agree with his political views and thus will forgive him any sin: the vaunted performance on CNN? I thought he came across as a hypocritical, unprofessional ass. What a whiny, arrogant baby, and it made me lose a lot of respect for him. I was pleased when Christopher Hitchens was on TDS recently, cause Jon got served in that one.

[susyhomewrecker]

80% of the people who love him so probably do so only because they agree with his political views and thus will forgive him any sin.

I have to say... I don't think so. I've known people who are of the same political leanings as JS who love him, sure, but I've met plenty of people who lean the other way who love him and his show as well. What I personally really love about the Daily Show is how it lampoons EVERYONE regardless of political affiliation. These days, things are so depressingly serious on every other network, I enjoy a half hour of ridiculing politicians. I was watching the show during the Clinton administration, and OF COURSE he made jokes about Clinton and his...er, faults. Bob Dole has been a correspondant for the show; there is, to me, more variety of opinion on The Daily Show than there is on many other programs. In the long run, though, it's not a real news program, and JS is the first one who will admit that.

As for Jon's appearance on Crossfire, IMO everyone on that episode was acting unprofessionally and immaturely. Sure, Jon should not have called Tucker Carlson a "dick," but Carlson was antagonizing him from the get-go, dubbing him "John Kerry's butt boy." It was embarrassing to watch--but not 100% Jon Stewart's fault.

[Deleted]

I am one of the few conservatives that hang out around here and I really like TDS. Sure sometimes, I don't agree with him and I think he is biased, but hell, I would be too. It is a comedy show and contrary to popular belief, not a real news show, so he does not have to be impartial.

But I also thought he was kinda a jerk on Crossfire. Just because everyone else is acting like a fool, does not mean he has to stoop to their level.

[kostgard]

I think Jon and The Daily Show get hyped up because they are pretty much the only act in town doing what they do, which is call politicians, hollywood, and the media on their BS. I think people have been thirsty for that and they've made Jon their hero and really, it's been a role that I don't think he's really that comfortable with, which is why he keeps reminding everyone that it is a fake news show.

But he's in a catch-22 -- he does think it is important that somebody out there calls them on their BS, and he wants to do it. I've always gotten the impression that he actually cares about this stuff - and that seems like it has increased since his son was born. But on the other hand, he really doesn't want to be much more than the wise-cracker and isn't all that comfortable with his elevated status. I think he is stunned that people like Bill O'Reilly consider him an actual threat and talk about him on their shows. It almost seems like his "enemies" (if you will) have elevated his status far more than he has himself. Yet, he feels like he can't walk away because he does care and there is no one out there doing what his show does. That may change, but right now that is the sad truth.

I've liked Jon for a long time - I liked him back when he had that show on MTV that lasted for about five minutes - so I'm not a new convert. I know he has faults, but I have definitely seen the people who have elevated him to hero status, I don't think they are necessarily right to do so, and I don't think Jon thinks they are either (these are the people who go to the show and boo the guest who has conservative views and cheer Jon a little too loudly during interviews - and you see Jon get irritated at those people). Someday, someone is going to come along and do what he is doing better, and Jon's star will fade or everyone will just get bored with what he does. He's at the top of the heap now (deservedly or not), it won't last, and he seems to know that.

[abbynormal]

Oh, I must disagree that he's the only one who calls Hollywood, politicians and the media out on their bs. I think South Park does a great job of it too, possibly even better (JMO though).

Topic? He's alright. Amusing, but not the second coming his fans make him out to be.

[Deleted]

kostgard-I remember that show-'You Wrote It, You Watch It', or something like that.

I don't think he's the second coming, just that he's funny. He makes me laugh, and that's that.

However, I think he was a little too nice to Rick Santorum. As one of Santorum's constituents, that man is the scum they scrape off of dog turds.

[kostgard]

abbynormal said:

Oh, I must disagree that he's the only one who calls Hollywood, politicians and the media out on their bs. I think South Park does a great job of it too, possibly even better (JMO though).

I completely agree with you on South Park. Those guys are brillant.

I guess I should say Jon is the only non-animated act in town that does what he does.

[susyhomewrecker]

It almost seems like his "enemies" (if you will) have elevated his status far more than he has himself.

Brilliant. So true.

[kostgard]

Jon announced last night on The Daily Show that he and his wife had a baby girl over the weekend. They named her Maggie. Yea for celebs who give their children normal names!