Did Viacom put the hammer on the Daily Show?

[Dr.Phool]

I've been trying to think of a logical reaon for this weeks guest lineup, especially with that whore Colin Powell tonight. Is Viacom getting worried that their chimp is in trouble, and trying to smooth things out for him.

I just have this nagging feeling.

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. Stuart has people from every where

if you think about it, he is the only one that does... and he is the only one that actually interviews people not soft pedals them

[Somawas]

4. A sad commentary on the state of journalsim

when the only real interviews are done on the Comedy Channel by a guy who keeps screaming "It's fake news!"

[EFerrari]

12. shhh! You'll blow his cover.

:)

[kentuck]

2. Powell got a few extra minutes.....?

They went to a commercial and came back to him? Is that common with the guests??

[Eikon]

6. No, his segment was extra long; time for more of Powell's bs.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

7. Most guests get about five minutes or so...

but some of the big kahunas get double segments. Clinton and Ridge come to mind.

[Protagoras]

10. I'd say about half the guests come back after the commercial

I'm a dedicated TDS addict and it's far from the first time they've done it.

Honestly, my impression has been the higher profile guests get a longer time...while the limp fish or the random book pimps get that quick segment followed by a punt to commercial then either an additional comedy spot or the Moment of Zen.

Haven't seen the Powell show yet...its on in 30 minutes. But I know I've seen them do this plenty of times before.

[Must_B_Free]

3. After the horsejacking episode

they disappeared for 2 weeks. I think there was a shakeup.

[NYCGirl]

5. They were on vacation. It was planned. NT

[lies and propaganda]

9. Well, their is a small amount of redemtion

in the program "Wonder Showzen" on Mtv2.

The absolute, most dead on, political, insane, topical, show with children and puppets.
Its fucking awesome and they are owned by Viacom and they shit all over Bush and posssible policy and etc there is.

[Must_B_Free]

11. same BS excuses used for Phil Donohue

but everyone watching knows it was because of what Rosie O'Donnel said on his show. After she said "Come on, killing people is wrong. Haven't we learned that yet", Donohue never aired another episode.

[In Truth We Trust]

8. tonight Jon referred to the lies and manipulation leading up to this illeg

al war as "spilled milk" as if it were "water under the bridge". I vote yes in answer to your question!

[KharmaTrain]

13. Welcome To See & Be Seen

First, to those all irate that Stewart didn't ream Powell 18 new assholes, assume you're the HOST...you are not the inquisitor. The delight of this show is to see some of these wingnuts away from their safe turf and see how they react with the other side. Stewart knows this...and it draws credibility to his show that makes it possible to get bigger names who will draw larger audiences.

Many of these guests are arranged through "bookers" and PR agents. Powell's a big catch...I haven't seen him parading on other shows, but to do that, Stewart also has to bring on lesser names and, again, as host, treat them with some respect.

I know people here would love a 30 or 60 minute Repugnican tar and feathering session with lots of big names, but that's not gonna happen. Just like it would be foolish for Dean to go on with Hannity or O'Reilly.

To his credit, Stewart is able to direct questions that thinking people can easily read through the lines...even with the questions. While Powell spewed the company line (he still has to), he did so in a past perspective...not as it's something he wants to see go on. Take that little consolation, since that's all Colin can or will offer. He won't open up until this regime is done.

[JohnyCanuck]

14. My bet is that Powell's appearance on the Daily Show

was arranged by the White House to try and get some official White House spin on the DSM revelations out to the viewers. Some highup at Comedy Central probably got a call in the last few days and a "suggestion" was made that maybe they'd like to have Colin Powell appear on the Daily Show as Jon's guest. The White House probably figured it was a safe bet the Jon wouldn't diss Colin like he might some two bit wingnut author, and it would be a good platform for Colin to get some spin going on the DSM. This is just speculation on my part of course, but I'd bet dollars to donuts that's how it went down.

Powell's a big catch...I haven't seen him parading on other shows, but to do that, Stewart also has to bring on lesser names and, again, as host, treat them with some respect.

[misanthrope]

16. So then what's the point...

...in having them on if you're just going to allow the "big time" guests to spew the same stream of bullshit they do everywhere else without calling them out on it? How is that any different than what we can find somewhere else? It's neither comedic nor incisive so what's the point?

I would rather see Stewart interview another random author than watch him break out the kid gloves with a major league asshole that needs to be reamed.

[KharmaTrain]

17. Then Jon Needs To Host A News Show

This is supposed to be light comedy, satire, poking fun at the world...a nitecap, per se...this isn't CNNServative or C-SPAN. His job is like Letterman's and Leno's and other late night comics to make you laugh...and maybe think a little.

Most Wingnuts wouldn't dare show their face on a show that's lambasted them the way TDS has done to Powell and other right wingers. I give them credit for coming on and facing the other side for once.

I don't know what people here were expecting. Stewart to come at Powell and drill him endlessly about the WMD lies? He's there to attempt to show a light side to some of these people...and in some cases it doesn't work...he can't get them off the spin. But there have been time he has and those are very good interviews indeed.

Now, if you were the host of such a program, would you have really "reamed" Powell? Would you invite someone into your home to cut them down to shreads? Stewart displays decorum some here think is being "lame" or a lacky for his corporate bosses.

I know people here desperately would love a nightly left wing red meat hatefest...The Daily Show just isn't going to be that.

[misanthrope]

18. You're right, I wouldn't have...

...reamed him, but that's because I wouldn't have had him on as a guest. Why? Because what's the point if all you're going to get is the same trite spin you could hear on one of the "real" news shows.

A good deal of the time, I barely pay attention to the interview segments, especially when it's one of the politicos you know are well-rehearsed and slick. I watch The Daily Show for the comedy and if something's not funny, then what's the draw? An interview you can find on Russert or Matthews? I don't think so.

Like I said, if it's not comedic or incisive, what's the point?

[KharmaTrain]

19. To Each Their Own

Like you, I watch for the comedy bits and pay little attention to the interview. Most are softballs with people from the left. I'll never forget the reaming I got here for criticing Kerry's appearance on the show last year since it was so contrived and awkward.

The draws of the show is the comedy, not the interviews. I never hear them promoted when I tune in during the evening. I hear Stewart promoted, but not the guest. Unless I'm reading DU, I usually don't know until the show comes on. Again, it's not the focus of the show or my viewing.

Personally, after spending all day hearing all the spin and food fights and circuses, I find these interviews relaxing in their lack of acrimony.

Now I hope you don't think either Matthews or Russert are incisive. Powell would have said the same thing to them and sounded even more credible. Now is that what you call incisive?

Cheers!

[misanthrope]

21. No...

...Matthews, Russert and their ilk are not incisive, which is why I don't watch them. And you're right, Powell would have said the same thing to them and gotten the same treatement he received from Stewart.

My point is that The Daily Show is supposed to be unlike that drivel, which means that it's comedic. If it's not comedic, then the only way it can be different than them is to be incisive. If the show, or a segment, is not either one of those alternatives, then it's just a reiteration of the same dog and pony show. How is that supposed to draw viewers when they can find that same thing in abundance elsewhere?

[DearAbby]

20. You are alse expecting a comedy show to be an actual News show

it isn't...the daily story is still a comedy show. Jon is not a news anchor, he is a comedian.

He is doing what he can.

[misanthrope]

22. No, I'm not...

...what I'm expecting is a different product. See reply #21.

I'd rather those interview segments be filled with material from the "correspondents." They've got enough of them to do it.

The interviews are normally just wasted time filled with pointless pandering.

[zann725]

15. His unchallenged RIght Wing guests lately I find troubling. Colin P.

tonight clearly was there to debunk the Downing Street Memo. He sure "cut to the chase" on that one. No doubt that was his "Mission Accomplished."

If HE's denying it, we know it's true. He more than all the other less than level-headed cabinets members realizes the Criminal impact of Bushco's actions in 2002 re: the war in Iraq.

While I appreciate that insight and knowledge, I find the Daily Show quite disappointing lately...in light of the WingNut guests on a regular basis now.

If they keep it up, I'm crossing them off my viewing list...the way I removed "Countdown" from my viewing line-up.