“This is the book interview from hell! This is the worst interview I’ve ever had in my life!”
(via The Daily Show’s website)
I’ll second that comment by Chris Matthews. This is the worst interview ICN has seen since Dennis Miller memorably ignored Eric Alterman on CNBC a few years ago. Thanks to an emailer for the original tip and another for the embed link.
Chris Matthews was obviously expecting a liberal lovefest. Stewart was more interested in cracking jokes rather than talking about a lame book. CM probably should have thrown in a few cheap shots at Bush and O’Reilly to get the kool-aid crowd on his side.
In the end, Matthews shouldn’t be too upset. That 5-minute appearance on Comedy Central probably got him in more homes than an entire week’s worth of MSNBC.
Comment by TBDave — October 3, 2007 @ 10:43 am
I saw this, and was stunned.
Anyone who reads my posts knows that I am not a Chris Matthews fan.
But this was cruel and embarrassing. And what was the point?
Comment by Cella — October 3, 2007 @ 11:16 am
So did anyone count how many times CM talked about Bill and Hill???? I think he is having a Clinton love fest in his own mind.
JS gave him a really difficult time on this book. I was really surprised to watch how JS treated CM. What goes around comes around.
Comment by jerziegrl — October 3, 2007 @ 11:27 am
Good For John. If he doenst agree with somebody or something, he is going to argue against the points it makes. For instance, the John bolton, or McCain interviews of recent times. JS is one of the least fake people we have in the media(and yes, I consider himm part of the media).
Comment by randy — October 3, 2007 @ 11:37 am
That is the first time I’ve laughed at the Daily Show in a LONG TIME.
Comment by Sarah — October 3, 2007 @ 12:31 pm
I think Stewart was being as polite as possible in telling Matthews his book was ridiculous. I think by the time CM mentioned Hillary’s “listening tour” JS couldn’t contain himself anymore.
Comment by Jim — October 3, 2007 @ 1:03 pm
I can see it now…John comes on Chris’ show, John bashes him and Hardball to a pulp, and MSNBC yanks the plug on it. Crosspart part deux…or so I can hope
Comment by Anonymous — October 3, 2007 @ 1:23 pm
TBDave, Matthews did yell “you’re Zell Miller” at Stewart, so that was his attempt at endearing the Koolaiders. It’s at the very end of the interview.
Comment by Missy — October 3, 2007 @ 4:06 pm
Stewart read the book, he did not like it.
So what is he supposed to do??
Lie..and tell you to buy it because….why?
Comment by JAB — October 3, 2007 @ 4:33 pm
I havent enjoyed this site so much in quite awhile. Chris Matthews cant seem to keep his foot out of his mouth - and it’s happening weekly!
Comment by john — October 3, 2007 @ 6:13 pm
TBDave - I don’t think Stewart was more interested in cracking jokes. Sure, “The Daily Show” is a comedy show, but Stewart was bringing up what appeared to be legitimate criticism of Matthew’s thesis - that people can run their lives like a political campaign…the latter, Stewart correctly pointed out, is a contrivance. He gave Matthews the opportunity to explain, but it seemed that he kept digging a deeper hole for himself (asking Stewart if he wants to be successful, wants friends).
I haven’t read Matthews book so I can’t comment, but Stewart seemed to be giving an honest critique and I’m glad that he confronted Matthews on the substance of his book and not gloss over it, crack a few jokes and plug the book as a must-read. He wasn’t mocking Matthews…he was mocking Matthews assertions that the book he wrote made. That’s fair game.
Comment by FishOil — October 3, 2007 @ 7:08 pm