strib: A funny thing happens after (Jon) Stewart's show

[question everything]

Bookmarks: A funny thing happens after Stewart's show

Deborah Caulfield Rybak
Star Tribune
Published August 28, 2005

Move over, Oprah, there's a new "book effect" in town. Jon Stewart's fake news show is having a real impact when it comes to selling books.

"Jon Stewart has really good taste. He likes intelligent people no matter what side of the fence they're on," said William Morrow's Dee Dee DeBartlo about the host of Comedy Central's "The Daily Show."

(snip)

But even more than Oprah, who has an undeniable impact on sales, having an author on "The Daily Show" apparently boosts a book's "street cred" with other media outlets. "The show is watched by New York's media elite," DeBartlo said. "When gives his stamp of approval, other media seem to think he's on to something."

(snip)

"Daily Show" talent producer Hillary Kun said that at Stewart's request she has increased the number of authors she invites on the show. "We use roughly two a week, sometimes three," she said. "Never four."

She said Stewart is partial to nonfiction books from the world of "politics and news," although big-name fiction authors Stephen King, John Grisham and John Irving have appeared, as well.

(snip)

Kun said the Stewart effect works particularly well on relatively unknown authors, such as John Crawford, who recently appeared on the show. Stewart gave a huge thumbs up to Crawford's first writing effort, "The Last True Story I'll Ever Tell: An Accidental Soldier's Account of the War in Iraq." "His book just took off after that interview," she added. "He's gotten a lot more press."

(snip)

http://www.startribune.com/stories/384/5574294.html

Deborah Caulfield Rybak is at [e-mail].

[fleabert]

1. Jon for President! nt

[Kerrytravelers]

2. Perhaps * may consider watching so he can learn about books.

YOu know, books that don't come with crayons attached to the cover.

[Richardo]

3. I'm reading that book ('Last True Story') next.

Right after 'Economic Hit Man'.

Didn't get it from TDS, tho - I heard about it first on the DU home page! :thumbsup:

[peekaloo]

4. Tee hee. How's Bernie's book doin'?

Or that Timmerman joker?

[DrJackson]

5. That's how I found Freakonomics

Very interesting and thought-provoking read -- highly recommended