The Daily Show

Interviews

Interviews usually take place toward the end of the show, and are most frequently of actors, musicians, and authors, although of late, people important in political circles have often been guests as well. Politically-oriented interviews have begun to attract a considerable amount of attention. Stewart has been known to ask some questions more directly than other interviewers on American television, even though they may be sheathed in a somewhat satirical cloak. He has also been known to stop his guests when they start using talking points or other canned responses, and often disputes the facts behind their claims. However, Stewart has been accused of going easy on some of his more liberal guests, while aggressively challenging more conservative figures. For instance, when he appeared on Crossfire on October 15, 2004, Stewart was accused by Tucker Carlson of lobbing softball questions in a much-publicized interview with U.S. Presidential candidate John Kerry. Stewart responded that his show is a comedy, and that his viewers do not necessarily expect hard news: "You're on CNN. The show that leads into me is puppets making crank phone calls." (transcript)

Related Topics:
Talking point - Liberal - Conservative - Crossfire - Tucker Carlson - Softball

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The Daily Show has also asked President George W. Bush to be a guest on the show, even placing a newspaper ad with an invitation during the 2004 Republican National Convention. It was requested that he mark one of three checkboxes to RSVP: "I will attend alone," "I will attend with my Vice President," or "I am unaware of your existence."

Related Topics:
Newspaper - 2004 Republican National Convention - RSVP - Vice President

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