Third World Health Care - Knoxville, Tennessee Edition

[Scrib]

People are too used to softball questions and pussyfoot interviews. Just a handful more of Jon Stewarts (et al) would wreck havoc in the current political climate.

I would agree more if his interviews were more like his segments.

On Monday he has a scathing condemnation of Obama's drone program, then follows that up with an interview with Obama where drones aren't mentioned, and on Wednesday resumes the condemnations, it's hard to claim he's any more of a news guy than O'Reilly.

Wait, the White House actually let Stewart interview President Obama? If so, I wouldn't be at all surprised if Stewart was explicitly told what he may and may not ask the President, and it'd be a real dumb idea to ignore that.

Dumb in what way? He won't get the President on again?

[Mr. Coffee]

Dumb in what way? He won't get the President on again?

It wouldn't be the first time the White House has done that to a journalist, and yes, I know Stewart's a "comedian", but if he actually caused the President a shitheap of embarrassment I doubt they'd give a shit.

[Scrib]

Dumb in what way? He won't get the President on again?

It wouldn't be the first time the White House has done that to a journalist, and yes, I know Stewart's a "comedian", but if he actually caused the President a shitheap of embarrassment I doubt they'd give a shit.

Oh, I think that could happen, but Stewart of all people is the most insulated against such a move. It's not like he has to go on every week and assure both his viewers and masters that he has that all important Access. Taking potshots from afar is a long comedic tradition.

[Mr. Coffee]

Dumb in what way? He won't get the President on again?

It wouldn't be the first time the White House has done that to a journalist, and yes, I know Stewart's a "comedian", but if he actually caused the President a shitheap of embarrassment I doubt they'd give a shit.

Oh, I think that could happen, but Stewart of all people is the most insulated against such a move. It's not like he has to go on every week and assure both his viewers and masters that he has that all important Access. Taking potshots from afar is a long comedic tradition.

True, but what I suggested would perfectly explain why Stewart wasn't anywhere near as hard with President Obama as he is with other politicians he interviews.

[Gandalf]

Wait, the White House actually let Stewart interview President Obama? If so, I wouldn't be at all surprised if Stewart was explicitly told what he may and may not ask the President, and it'd be a real dumb idea to ignore that.

It's a trade off. Stewart gets to say he has the POTUS on his show, and can ask a few "tough" questions. Similarly, Obama gets to appeal to the THD audience, which is the demographic largely responsible for his being in power. It's like when Bush would go on Fox News. Each side gets something out of it, and thus there's no impetus to rock the proverbial boat.

Stewart isn't "in their face" about it, but he does often ask the tough questions, even if behind the veneer of humor. There is a line there, because these are after all "guests" there voluntarily, and not detainees to be interrogated. Be too confrontational, you'll never get them on as a guest again. But he more often then not finds a way to say what needs to be said.

What's the point of being an interviewer if you have to tiptoe around the tough questions for fear of losing the guest? It's a pathetic copout. If Stewart isn't going to ask (and pursue, which he failed to do in the link provided), then he's essentially just masquerading as an interviewer for the purposes of ratings.

[Mr. Coffee]

Wait, the White House actually let Stewart interview President Obama? If so, I wouldn't be at all surprised if Stewart was explicitly told what he may and may not ask the President, and it'd be a real dumb idea to ignore that.

It's a trade off. Stewart gets to say he has the POTUS on his show, and can ask a few "tough" questions. Similarly, Obama gets to appeal to the THC audience, which is the demographic largely responsible for his being in power.

Pretty much. Stewart gets to wink at the camera and say "I'm totally not a journalist, nope, I'm still a comedy" after interviewing President Obama, and Obama get to appear hip and hopefully appeal to swing voters while mugging it up to DNC voters have something to bullshit about around the water cooler.

Also, fixed to more accurately reflect Stewart's primary demographic target.

[Gandalf]

Also, fixed to more accurately reflect Stewart's primary demographic target.

Yeah, that was an odd typo on my part. I meant to type TDS.

[Gaidin]

Wait, the White House actually let Stewart interview President Obama? If so, I wouldn't be at all surprised if Stewart was explicitly told what he may and may not ask the President, and it'd be a real dumb idea to ignore that.

It's a trade off. Stewart gets to say he has the POTUS on his show, and can ask a few "tough" questions. Similarly, Obama gets to appeal to the THD audience, which is the demographic largely responsible for his being in power. It's like when Bush would go on Fox News. Each side gets something out of it, and thus there's no impetus to rock the proverbial boat.

So? I've not really seen a very tough interview from Stewart. He's consistently pretty friendly during the interview as they're typically promoting a product. I have seen scathing main show material consistently from Stewart and the comedians though. What's your point?

[Scrib]

Wait, the White House actually let Stewart interview President Obama? If so, I wouldn't be at all surprised if Stewart was explicitly told what he may and may not ask the President, and it'd be a real dumb idea to ignore that.

It's a trade off. Stewart gets to say he has the POTUS on his show, and can ask a few "tough" questions. Similarly, Obama gets to appeal to the THD audience, which is the demographic largely responsible for his being in power. It's like when Bush would go on Fox News. Each side gets something out of it, and thus there's no impetus to rock the proverbial boat.

So? I've not really seen a very tough interview from Stewart. He's consistently pretty friendly during the interview as they're typically promoting a product. I have seen scathing main show material consistently from Stewart and the comedians though. What's your point?

He's explaining why Stewart is the way he is. You seem to be concerned with what ought to be. Different things.

[Gaidin]

He's explaining why Stewart is the way he is. You seem to be concerned with what ought to be. Different things.

I know exactly why Stewart is the way he is the way he is. He can be ironically scathing to the person he's interviewing if it's a political figure during the show, but be nice to them, just because he's always nice in the interview. Always. It's just how it is. The interview is where he gets to have fun with the person like he's at a bar with them or something. The comedy portion is where he just turns the show loose.

What I'm missing from Gandalf is why this is in any way hypocritical when that's always been that way. No matter what political side they're on. It's not like they change things for the left or the right.