Jon Stewart told Bill O’Reilly on The O’Reilly Factor that the Factor host has “become the sanest voice” on the Fox News Channel, adding, “That’s like being the thinnest kid at fat camp.”
Fending off playful insults by O’Reilly such as “A lotta people don’t think you’re smart,” Stewart was far from combative. He was in self-deprecating mode: “I’m just happy to be playing in the big leagues,” said Stewart, mocking but implicitly acknowledging Fox’s big ratings lead over his Comedy Central perch.
Anyone looking for a brawl here — or even moderately exciting television — would be disappointed. Pressed by O’Reilly to explain what he thinks are President Obama’s strengths and weaknesses, Stewart gave long, nuanced answers; just the kind of stuff that doesn’t go over well on a slam-bang show such as O’Reilly’s. Talking about how Fox “sells the clearest narrative” and that O’Reilly and his boss Roger Ailes’ greatest achievement has been “to mainstream conservative talk radio” was correct, but it didn’t engage O’Reilly.
The “sanest voice” comment early on suggested that Stewart had actually chosen the wrong Fox News show to appear on; the object of his greatest irritation and disbelief these days is Glenn Beck, not O’Reilly.
Stewart chuckled appreciatively when O’Reilly described the Daily Show audience as “stoned slackers who love Obama,” admiring Bill’s comic exaggeration. Since Stewart himself invoked Muhammad Ali — when O’Reilly waved his arm near Stewart’s face, the comedian said, “You’ve got Ali’s reach!” — I’ll put this in boxing terms: Stewart opted for the rope-a-dope and you’d have to give O’Reilly the decision. I can’t even say TKO, because technically, neither laid a glove on the other.
UPDATE: On Thursday night, O’Reilly asked Stewart if he was Jewish and Stewart said, “What gave it away?” Bill asked Jon to be his Vice Presidential running-mate (because they’re both so independent, don’tcha know), but Stewart said he had college pictures of himself that would disqualify him from even so much as “working in a post office.”
In other words, the love-fest just continued.
Did you watch?
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FIRST!! it wasnt the tko i was hoping for , but Stewarts genius lies in his subtleties , he definatly had control the entire time
I couldn’t agree more, Stewart was doing circles around O’Riley. I believe Miller’s response proved that.
Oh come on, you people fall at the altar of Stewart.. You’d never admit it if he did “lose”
O’Reilly brought out his body language expert who confirmed that Stewart was relaxed, confident and not at all intimidated by O’Reilly. And she’s on payroll. Did you even watch?
Fall at the alter…never admit if he would “lose”…hmmmm, I wonder, Matt, if you would ever admit that O’Riley or Beck “lose” ALL THE TIME…It hurts when your heros look like morons doesn’t it?
I love BOR
The very nature of these comments supports Stewart’s analysis regarding the basic narrative of cable networks such as Fox and MSNBC.
It can’t be just a discussion, it has to be a competition with a winner and a loser and we have to choose a side.
Point to Stewart
If you want to see Stewart rip people apart, watch him on crossfire! He rips those guys new…. holes in lower places…. yeah.
i like how o’riley insults glen beck, get a dictionary if you dont know what he said. and also how his show is not really news…
Epic fail. For both. Comon Jon, we expect more of from you. Defend your stoners.
I agree. Stewart was great during the Bush years. And O’Reilly is right. He and his viewers are too pro-Obama. It’s no fun to watch Stewart make pro Obama comments or at the worst make vague, meaningless criticisms. At this point, isn’t Stewart the same as the people on Fox, just pro-left instead of right? Turns out Stewart is exactly like the people he’s been criticizing over at Fox all of these years.
Do you even WATCH the Daily Show? He doesn’t hesitate to criticize Obama either.
The diffrence between Fox News and The Daily Show is that Daily Show IS COMEDY!!!! NOT NEWS! John does what he thinks is funny and the audience tunes in if they agree. Fox News is supposed to be “fair and balanced” but anyone with an independent thought in their brain can tell you they are not.
Wow, you clearly don’t watch. Stewart has been very critical of the Obama administration – and not at all vague (he attacks specific policies, political moves, etc.). I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone on Fox be critical of Bush, Palin, McCain – even at the height of their stupidity. So already Stewart beats them there. And I have to second Keith – he’s very clear about his role, and it’s COMEDY people, not news. The frustrating part with Fox and such is that they actually claim to be NEWS – to represent the facts, when they really work in opinion. It’s the deception that really irks me; if Fox would admit it’s just an editorial channel, they could spew all the right-wing opinions they want and I wouldn’t care (even though I disagree).
Kate, you clearly do not watch Fox news. Glenn slams (and did when Bush was in office) Bush and McCain all the time. Both are big government. You summed it up, you disagree so you can not open your ears to hear what they say.
@LD, Bush and McCain are big government? That’s why they want no social programs, tax cuts for the wealthy, and no govt involvement in regulating the financial sector? Sorry, but how are they big government? Seriously – not trying to be a douche, just don’t understand how their policies represent big government (maybe some of the security policies, but I can’t see Beck being too upset about that).
But you’re right – I definitely don’t watch Glenn Beck. I value my time too highly.
I agree with Kmac and Keith. Jon Stewart is willing to side with Obama if he says something worth defending, but never backs down when Obama makes dubious comments instead. Ironically enough, The Daily Show follows Fox News’s ‘fair and balanced’ slogan much more than they do.
McCain is a RINO (Repubilcan In Name Only) he would be doing the same as Obama. He has people snowed who thinks he’s actually a Repulican. Bush started the waste of money on stimulus packages. Do you not get the fact that the rich “provide” the jobs (NOT the government) The rich spend more money which keeps the economy going. (NO, I am not rich. I am middle class, that works hard for my money and saves it. I do not believe in hand-outs. It makes people lazy and expect more. The more you spoil a child, the more they expect. If you want something, “work” for it)
If you actually studied politics (and not rely on TV~or Hollywood) and what the people in office really do, you’d know just what they are. If Government got out of our way and our pockets, our country would be in a better situation.
“A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have” Thomas Jefferson. I will quote this until someone wakes up.
LD you are clueless!! Big RICH companies give their “boys” big bonus’ and we have to bail their greedy asses out! What has big, RICH business owners done for you lately, seriously, what?!
Tissue, I was against bailing them out! If they failed, the honest big companies would grow. If you read all my post, I am against big government, and that big government gets bigger by helping with bail outs (I scratch your back,…) When people fall down and pick “themselves” up, they are better off.
If you believe what this government is telling you, you are clueless. If the government would have stayed out the true business that care about all of their employess would survive.
But if you did not have the rich, you would not have a job. If you are self-employeed, I bet you are working to be rich. And you are lying if you say different.
Have even watched a single episode of the Daily show b’cos if you did u won’t be making such a ridiculous statement.
@Kate: I think your definition of Big Government is too narrow. There are many ways to use the power of government to affect the economy and distribution of income, not to mention intrusions into the private lives of citizens. Cutting taxes isn’t “small” government if you make up the difference with deficit spending.
@LD sez:”If you are self-employeed [sic], I bet you are working to be rich. And you are lying if you say different.” LD, if you want to be taken seriously, it’s best to avoid unsubstantiated gossip about people you’ve never met and whose motivations you know nothing about.
:Yawn: Who cares, Stewart has gotten old, didnt know people still watched the daily show.
Well, Kelly, you cared enough to comment.
It wouldn’t be on television if people didn’t watch it, you damn moron.
Explain how Heroes is still on the air then.
HAHA! I love Stewart, but not as much as this comment.
Because its on NBC.
kelly, the daily show is one of the number one show watched by the 18 to 28 demographic. people that care are the people who want O’Reilly to go the way of all bigots, liars and idiots…into the history books and out of the public circle.
Typical self-righteous liberal response to infer that anyone who doesn’t bleed DFL blue is some kind of a horrible racist.
For all who watch Fox News…tell them to STOP RUNNING THEIR WORDS TOGETHER on the ticker…For the most trusted news you would think they would use the space button!!
I hate OReilly so much and love Stewart so much, however, I could not let my TV stop on OReilly even to listen to Jon…not worth it! OReilly is a working for ratings and sponsors, he’s not news worthy much less a news man… pa lease! He’s a $$$ whore, and gets paid to pump up the scared conservatives, lets get em’ fired boys!!! We all laugh and laugh and laugh….
Piss up as rope, fuckstick.
oh, sorry, did you want constructive criticism?
You first.
Please try and watch your foul mouth.
Constructive criticism: 1) profanity works against credibility; 2) if you can’t spell, use a dictionary; 3) if you can’t think, shut up.
/end constructive criticism.
Kelly, doesn’t get it…that’s what we know…Stewart gets it, knows it, has a laugh at your expense every friggin night!
Nice one Kelly. Nothing constructive to say so you attack how many people watch it? Stewart by letting O’R go on the offensive and ridicule his every attack made him look foolish. The line “the second coming of Mao” made O’R just stumble and go silent; too bad he didn’t go on Beck, he would have made good ol’ Glenn cry like the day he was on TV after hemoroid surgery.
Keith, O’Reilly is the FUNNIEST SHOW ON TV!!! You can’t think the stuff he says he believes can you??? Next you’ll think Beck is not actually the brilliant satirist he is! Steve Colbert look out!!!
As for John Mccain- I used to have respect for him- mainly 4 the price he paid 4 his country in captivity. Now? I pity him- clearly every ounce of human feeling has been crushed out of him and replaced w cynicism. Palin not qualified- who cares as long as she brings the crowds. Dont Ask Dont Tell? Damn the generals n it just being right- the far right don’t want it etc…
Stephen Colbert would have at least made it interesting.
Maybe you should try listening to the conversation instead of trying to judge who’d make it interesting. John Stewart is not your every day comedian. He’s thoughtful and understands what’s going on. And come on! He’s on fox news trying to have a meaningful debate with Bill O’reilly!!
Right, because all other comedians who don’t politicize their routines are just blithering idiots with no concept of what’s happening in the real world.
I think Mr Tucker missed the reference when Stewart quipped about playing in the big leagues.
That’s in there (perhaps added after your comment?), but my favorite quip was when Stewart said he needed a chalkboard and asked if Glen Beck was around so he could borrow one of his.
The Daily Show stopped being funny after Bush left office.
No, it stopped being sad & scary, and started being funny at that point.
2 true! For a time, it seemed that The Daily Show was the only sane voice in the stream of MSM and he isn’t even part of the MSM. Stewart’s c-span interview (on youtube) explains that sometimes only the Fool can be honest about the King.
I guess it depends on whose ox is being gored, because the scariest thing I’ve ever seen is this massive rush towards socialism with Obama. Thank God the people spoke in Massachusetts.
@Sock Puppet: the fact that you think Obama’s proposals are “the scariest thing you’ve ever seen” leads me to believe you’re fully buying into the narrative Fox News is constructing. Leave the bubble. At first, it’ll be scary to start listening to people who don’t simply validate your deepest fears, but ultimately, you’ll feel better.
Sock Puppet, “charge toward socialism”, back up your claim. This president is extremely moderate and is more accommodating to the republican caucus thus far. Investigate what socialism is through an actual valid source, than get back to us. Sock puppet = gloved penis?
Erg, I really wish people would understand what Socialism is before beaking off about it. I’ve heard the right call Obama a Socialist and a Fascist… um, how does that work exactly? Learn the terminology, learn about the systems, then come talk.
p.s. since when is Socialism a bad thing? Last time I checked, the Socialist countries were doing the best in terms of quality of life, lowest crime rates, lowest rates of poverty and unemployment, highest quality of education and health care… just my opinion, but I don’t think a move in that direction would be a bad one. While the US likes to think of itself as a beacon of rightness, it’s actually far behind most other Western countries in terms of social evolution.
sorry sock puppet but the people of massachusettes did not vote for scott brown because they are afraid obama is leading the country into socialism, the voted for brown because martha coakly is an idiot and we dont want to pay more for the rest of the country’s health care, we already figured out our health care problem and we did it on our own without government help. obama tried to ram that reform down all of our throats and it backfired on him.
Sock Puppet is another scared conservative…see’s “his” world going away….bring it I say! The old ways are gone, Obama is for ALL THE PEOPLE not just your people…and you are scared to death that everyone is going to see that you didn’t really earn everything you are so afraid of losing.
If all those other countries are doing so well, why not just move there?? Some of us love this country the way,.. it WAS!
More dumness from LD! “Why not just move there??” tsk, tsk, childish, and ignorant! Thankfully you are a part of a small,small-minded clan, you’ll be extinct soon.
Thank you Kate. Finally someone that explains to the conservatives and the Tea Baggers that one cannot be a Socialist and a Facist at the same time. If one were to link the Democracts and the Republicans ideals to Socialism and Facism, yes the Democrats could be linked to the Socialists, but the Republicans ideals are even closer to the Facists than people give them credit for.
BTW this article is horribly written and it keeps proving the point that Ken Tucker just doesn’t get it.
Well, you gotta admit, no one could provide better comic material than Dubya.
O’Reilly is so condescending, while Stewart takes it all without stooping to O;Rielly’s level.
I know! I liked when he O’Reilly was telling him he wasn’t important, and he said “My family loves me.”
“EXPLAIN this, Jon! EXPLAIN this!” Well maybe he would if you’d give him a chance to speak…
But that’s Bill’s shitck – he talks over everyone unless your a republican “God” then he lets you go.
The Daily Show is the only good news show on TV. John Stewart keeps me sane. I can see why being on Fox wasn’t that funny…that channel is so off the charts on the unintentional-comedy-scale that there’s simply little that can be done to make it even more outrageously stupid.
That 25-30% of the population actually BELIEVES them is even funnier. Think about it: Sean Hannity flunked out of a third rate junior college…and now people trust him to understand the world. LOL
It’s the dumb leading the stupid.
That’s like saying the only good mexican food is at Taco Bell just because you happen to like it. The Daily Show isn’t real news, people. You need to stop acting like it’s CNN or Fox. It’s in the same league as MTV, E! and the others.
Fox News isn’t news either. It’s fuel for ignorant, poorly educated people to continue to be ignorant and to be proud of said ignorance.
But Glenn Beck is a GENIUS, right? He’s unintentionally funny.
The Daily Show refers to itself as fake news. FOX “News” boasts itself as not only real news, but the best. FOX and it’s viewers are in a league of their own. A sad, sad league.
Remember when Fox used old footage to make the Tea Party rallies and Sarah Palin fan-crowds look bigger? Remember when they said that Mark Foley was a Democrat? Remember when that one commentator called the Obama’s fist-bump a “terrorist handshake?” Ah, Fox. You never fail to amuse and terrify me.
Hahahaha, oh man, you just called Fox a news channel. That was funny. While you’re at it, you may want to explain why viewers of the Daily Show (a FAKE news show that constantly reminds it’s viewers of that fact) are more informed about current events than viewers of REAL news channels, like Fox pretends to be and tells it’s viewers it is. (this could be outdated, I just remember the study from a couple of years ago).
not quite, it’s satirical news. but it is news. just because you make it funny doesn’t make it any less news worthy. stewart is a very funny very intelligent guy and just happens to make good points once in a while. is he always right? of course not, but neither is o’reilly. and i’m sorry but i’ve watched becks show a few times and that man is an idiot and completely full of himself
LOL at people using the Daily News as there #1 source for news on TV
It’s comedy. It’s on comedy central. If your #1 news source is any channel on TV you’re not well informed. The sad thing is there is probably better reporting on the Daily Show than on MSNBC, CNN, and yes even FOX “NEWS”.
Matthew, you have to be kidding?? The Daily Show is a comedy, NOT NEWS! Just b’c you go and graduate at an ivy league doesn’t make you intelligent. Common sense will get you farther than a degree. A lot of people have that piece of paper and can’t get anyhwere. Besides, Hannity is an opinion show also, not in the “news” catagory. People who “care” about what is actually going on in politics what FOX, those who don’t believe what Hollywood tells them.
what Fox? Exactly.
For the perceptive listener, Jon regularly has the best analysis of the news and the best mockery of other newscasters. It’s far more enjoyable to watch than pretty much anyone else out there precisely because it’s also funny.
I have a lot of common sense, and I have a few degrees. I can tell you that the degrees have gotten me a lot further than the common sense in this world. Common sense + no degree = working under people who have a high potential to be condescending jerks, regardless of their degree status.
I love when right-wingers call ivy-league, left-wingers “unintelligent”. Don’t hurt yourself patting yourself on the back that your C’s in highschool prove you are smarter/better than my A’s, Master’s degree, and professional designation. Clearly, I lack “common sense” because I vote liberal and like Jon Stewart.
Psyche, I did not say all ivy leaguers were unintelligent. I said “JUST b’c you are one doesn’t make you intelligent”. Your “A’s” taught you to see what you want to see, not the whole picture. I am not even a “right-winger”. I do NOT like big government (on either side)
“A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have” Thomas Jefferson. That is common sense!!!
LD = Low Dose, try it. You not bery smart!
Quoting Thomas Jefferson means not very smart?? I guess you want the government to get you everything?? Not work for anything, just hand outs?? And do you think if they gave it to you they can not take it away?
I get tired of paying in taxes and more each year to help lazy a$$ people. Give me, give me, give me… I bet I give more to charities than you do, so don’t go there.
What about a corporation big enough to buy the government? Thanks to the Supreme Court, it’s only a matter of time before we can see whether corporations are better at running the country than people the government.
The idea that eliminating (most of) the government will somehow solve problems, such as the massive collapse of the banking sector that was caused, in part, because of a LACK of government regulation. The concept of the trickle down economics theory involves the people with the money actualy spending it. When the trends are actually going the opposite direction, the top money makers are the ones making more and more money. But hey, you got yours, everyone else should just stop being lazy and choosing to be poor and just decide to be well off instead.
Hey LD, considering that quote is not actually from Thomas Jefferson, it’s from Gerald Ford, I would consider that a good indication of your level of intelligence and common sense.
Let the unadulterated FOX bashing begin.
Um, it’s not “bashing” when it’s the truth. . .
The other networks are just as bad. MSNBC is run by morons and is so liberally biased it’s an effing joke. I know that Jon Stewart is a liberal but he makes fun of both sides equally which is why I love his show
I still find it amazing that some people believe the “news you can trust” and “Fair and ballanced” logos as something that is true. Too funny. They are logos they might as well trademark them.
They did try to trademark them.
They sued Al Franken for using them as a title to one of his books mocking the right wing.
I guarantee everyone bashing fox news has never actually watched it. way to think for yourselves rather then repeating what you hear others say….oh wait….
I’ve watched fox news several times, and every time I get depressed. It’s like everyone in the country is still in grade school agreeing with the schoolyard bully. It’s so hard to accept that they’re the highest rated.
When O’Reil says “Shuttup” or “They’re not good people” or “You’re a pinhead”, that’s not news, it’s opinion, and it’s just plain mean. The fact that people get their sole news from O’Reily is just as sad as people getting their news solely from Jon Stewart.
Stewart is sooo much more inteligent…..
C’MON, even O’Reilly said his show is a COMENTARY show last night- meaning NOT FAIR N BALANCED!!! Truer words were never spoken by him!!! Anyone else bothered by the hatchet editing job robbing Stewart any steam of making a point? Then he has Miller and others on to comment on Stewart afterwards??? How pissed was O’Reilly when Miller refused 2 play his game n pick Jon apart? Kudos 2 Miller 4 not playing his game(even though he kissed Billos azz)
Unfortunately, Stewart is right about Bill being “the thinnest kid…”. Compared to the rest of the Fox Fukcs, O’reilly seems like a nice guy.
Except that he has forever tainted my love of falafels. D@mn you, O’Reilly!
Thats like calling Kevin Spacey the “nicest” Usual Suspect- Billo IS KYSER SOAKE (sp) of FOX NEWS- just sitting back n laughing as the others take the heat!!!
You say what you want, but O’reilly said that John was about to enter the no spin zone, then John clearly made Bill say that his show has spin. I consider myself a republican but my views are very similiar to John’s. That is because I’m a moderate, just like the majority of America, that is why Obama was elected, because his ideas “seemed” Moderate!
You are not a repubilcan. You are a progressive. Even John McCain is not a republican (to those who really believe in being a true conservative, #1 SMALL Government and I’ll thro in, I was against Bush his last term)
Tis why we need more parties.
YES we do! We were rooting for Bob Barr in the last election. The two parties have gotten to big, and can buy votes.
Republican and Conservative are two very different things.
Stewart? 90s guy? is he still on?
it’s like when Madonna goes on tour. you smile and fondly remember the 80s but can’t believe she still sells tickets in 2010.
getting nostalgic, i wonder if my old myspace page still works… i may go check it out. thx Bill for bringing throwing us Gen Xers a bone and reminding us of our college days
Such wit! Such stellar command of the English language! I’m guessing kailua kid conveniently left out “Clown” when they referenced their “college days”.
That’s a cute little attempt to marginalize someone by whom you clearly feel threatened, but factually he was only on the Daily Show in the 90s for about 9% of his tenure there.
“Bringing throwing us Gen Xers a bone”? Sounds like stoned slackers like Bill O’Reilly too! Stewart rocks, Bill’s a cranky, mean old a–.
Can you be a moderate and a republican at the same time now?
Not if you want to be nominated as a republican candidate you can. Unless your Ron Paul but that’s a different story. I wonder who the Republicans are going to nominate for Presidential candidate. If they Elected extreme conservatives like Palin or Romney then i think Obama is going to have the election in the bad. Now if they nominate Ron Paul (unlikely but possible) i bet the election will be a lot closer. He is a voice of reason of a party that seeks answers on their knees with their eyes closed instead of doing research and reading FACTUAL studies based on Empirical Data
LOL at Ron Paul being described as “moderate” or “voice of reason.”
Sure. A moderate Republican is one who only wants to bomb any country that questions America’s ethics and objectives back to the middle ages.
LMAO
Sure, if one can be moderately insane.
No. That’s why I vote Democrat. The Republicans have put their social agenda at the forefront, and I can’t ethically vote for a party that is anti-women’s choice, anti-gay marriage (anti-gay rights actually!), wants creationism taught in school, idolizes a clearly unqualified candidate because she’s “folksy” (Palin)….etc. Republicans have definitely lost their way as they used to be the progressive! (Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt was a major conservationist….) Maybe one day we’ll see a Republican party that isn’t run by idealogues, and I’ll go back. But right now, no way.
I think Sarah Palin is the embodiment of the Republicans. Enough said.
Colleen, I think I love you. Way to put it wonderfully.
Yeah!!!!! I’m a Republican since I was 18 and haven’t voted Republican in I don’t know how long for those very reasons. They are PARTY first, and F-the rest of yous peoples living in America….lost! Brown won because he’s purdy…that’s why they love Palin. She’s purdy, dumb as a rock, but she’s purdy!
Thank you Colleen, especially on how Republicans used to be a progressive party. I’m tired of how some Republicans try to goad Democrats (particularly black Democrats) into their party because of the party’s past accomplishments generations before. But we all know that’s not the same group who ratified slavery or the more socialist approach with improving the nation’s quality of life. Nowadays, the Republicans in office are far too regressive in their thinking to support to consider joining. Even Republicans from the Reagan era are pretty far removed from the current ones.
my sentiments exactly Colleen!
I like Jon Stewart, and though he’s the first one to dismiss it, he knows what he’s talking about.
O’Reilly is annoying, seems to take everything personally, and doesn’t seem to listen to what anyone has to say. No thanks.