Jon Stewart Rips CNN's Crossfire

[whoever]

In case you've missed it - Jon Stewart went on CNN's Crossfire last Friday and bitch-slapped them on their own show.

The link to the video and the transcript can be found at
mediamatters.org/items/200410160003

A portion of the transcript:

JON STEWART: ... And I made a special effort to come on the show today, because I have privately, amongst my friends and also in occasional newspapers and television shows, mentioned this show as being bad.

[LAUGHTER]

PAUL BEGALA: We have noticed.

STEWART: And I wanted to -- I felt that that wasn't fair and I should come here and tell you that I don't -- it's not so much that it's bad, as it's hurting America.

[LAUGHTER]

TUCKER CARLSON: But in its defense...

[CROSSTALK]

STEWART: So I wanted to come here today and say...

[CROSSTALK]

STEWART: Here's just what I wanted to tell you guys.

CARLSON: Yes.

STEWART: Stop.

[LAUGHTER]

STEWART: Stop, stop, stop, stop hurting America.

BEGALA: OK. Now

[CROSSTALK]

STEWART: And come work for us, because we, as the people...

CARLSON: How do you pay?

STEWART: The people -- not well.

[LAUGHTER]

BEGALA: Better than CNN, I'm sure.

STEWART: But you can sleep at night.

[LAUGHTER]

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.


Heh.

[outgirl]

Yeah, I saw a different part of the transcript somewhere else that wasn't nearly so cordial, lol. Good for him. I read somewhere that his ratings dropped after he came out and endorsed Kerry. Is that true do you know? I haven't really seen the show but wanted to start watchin it. Anyone know when it's on?

[whoever]

outgirl said:

Yeah, I saw a different part of the transcript somewhere else that wasn't nearly so cordial, lol. Good for him. I read somewhere that his ratings dropped after he came out and endorsed Kerry. Is that true do you know? I haven't really seen the show but wanted to start watchin it. Anyone know when it's on?

I heard that too but I think people are especially fickle during national elections. His ratings will pick up again - it's just too funny a show for the ratings not to pick up.

What's really interesting, if you watch the video, is that everyone starts out laughing like he's performing a skit, but after a few minutes the audience starts catching on that he's serious.

[whoever]

outgirl said:

I haven't really seen the show but wanted to start watchin it. Anyone know when it's on?

Oh, forgot. It's on Comedy Central at 10:00 PM. The previous day's show is repeated at 6:00 PM.

[dr snootch]

whoever said:

Oh, forgot. It's on Comedy Central at 10:00 PM. The previous day's show is repeated at 6:00 PM.

And it's one of the funniest shows I've ever seen. Definitely worth watching.