Jon Stewart and Stephan Colbert are some of the worst interviewers ever

[Amos Moses]

Seriously, shut the fuck up with the jokes for a minute and ask your guest a few serious questions. And let them answer the questions you occassionally ask them without interupting with a joke every 5 seconds. God damn you have your own show, let your guest fucking talk.


Sorry, rant over.

[Hawkdevil]

As Jon Stewart said on Crossfire a year or two ago... "that's not my role. The show that comes on before me is puppets making crank phone calls."

And he's right.... Leave the "serious questions" to the serious shows, eh wot?


EDIT: Though I do think someone should give Jon Stewart a "serious show" somewhere...

[Amos Moses]

As Jon Stewart said on Crossfire a year or two ago... "that's not my role. The show that comes on before me is puppets making crank phone calls."

And he's right.... Leave the "serious questions" to the serious shows, eh wot?


EDIT: Though I do think someone should give Jon Stewart a "serious show" somewhere...

He usually asks McCain serious questions, he asked Dana some serious questions. I'm not asking for 60 Minutes here, I'm asking that they SHUT THE FUCK UP FOR A FEW SECONDS and let their guest speak. I'm mainly miffed at Colbert, he's a funny guy but he just won't let his guests get a word in edge wise.

Yeah Stewart isn't that bad, but he still sucks an interviewing people.

[Joe Henderson]

I disagree, at least when it comes to Stewart. Sometimes he has a tendency to softball (like when Hillary Clinton was on recently) or focus too much on getting a joke in, but he can also have some of the most fascinating interviews I've seen. His first interview with John Bolton was amazing--the first time I've understood the Bush administration's mentality. Bolton basically admitted that Bush's attitude was that they had to service the 49% of the country that voted for him--and ONLY them. And he thought that was completely logical. Stuff like that you don't see on any other shows.

[Boris the Blade]

I think Colbert joking during the interviews is even more warranted given the character he's in.

[SteveFlack]

I'm sorry, you do realize it's Comedy Central. It's about the jokes people!

-Steve!

[William Joseph Dunn]

I disagree, at least when it comes to Stewart. Sometimes he has a tendency to softball (like when Hillary Clinton was on recently) or focus too much on getting a joke in, but he can also have some of the most fascinating interviews I've seen. His first interview with Josh Bolton was amazing--the first time I've understood the Bush administration's mentality. Bolton basically admitted that Bush's attitude was that they had to service the 49% of the country that voted for him--and ONLY them. And he thought that was completely logical. Stuff like that you don't see on any other shows.

You mean John Bolton right?

[Joe Henderson]

You mean John Bolton right?

Gah, thanks. I'll fix it in the post.

[nick maynard]

have you considered the idea that they're not attempting to conduct a genuine interview?

[shoelaceless]

I think Colbert joking during the interviews is even more warranted given the character he's in.

Bingo.

[Ashwin Pande]

Stewart is a great debater. He totally tore Tucker Carlson a new one on Crossfire and I think he answered your question there too. It's not his job to be a great interviewer. His job is to entertain which he does adequately.

Colbert I feel is both. During some of his Better Know a District segments he had some good arguments with the representatives of those districts. Even in character he made some pretty biting witticisms. But again it's not his job to be a good interviewer. He's an entertainer first and foremost.

And they're both brilliant and scathing critics of Politics. Colbert's roast of Bush and the Press at that White House Dinner was absolutely brilliant.

[Caley Tibbittz]

No, that would be Barbara Walters and Oprah. Stewart and Colbert are mostly brilliant.

[smm EBob]

i guess this prooves the author of this thread is alone in his rant

[badpoet]

Colbert is a persona created to lampoon the actions of Hannity's and O'Reilly's of the world. Those guys NEVER let anyone get a word in edgewise. It's part of the gag for Colbert.

Stewart does softball some people, though.

[costello]

I think Colbert joking during the interviews is even more warranted given the character he's in.

That's what I think too. You're walking into a spoof interview if you're going on his show; his entire persona is it's all about him.

[siren3-4]

Colbert is a persona created to lampoon the actions of Hannity's and O'Reilly's of the world. Those guys NEVER let anyone get a word in edgewise. It's part of the gag for Colbert.


I was going to say basically the same thing . . . The Daily Show and The Colbert Report are really 2 different shows . . .

One is kind of in your face, open sarcasm . . . and the other is a fictional character presenting an insane view of the world as fact (that some real hosts have and argue for daily) . . .

[Daniel K.]

Colbert is a character and, as others have said, his character is all about himself. He's lampooning those who in reality are like that. It makes sense for him to be the way he is.

Stewart does go softball on some, but on others he is hard hitting and pulls no punches, just ask John Bolton. Stewart has to choose his battles. If he goes all out on everyone who steps foot on the show, alienating and making damn sure they don't come back, eventually he's not going to have any guests on the show. I really think he's done a pretty admirable job choosing just who he should go after.

[greg donovan]

Seriously, shut the fuck up with the jokes for a minute and ask your guest a few serious questions. And let them answer the questions you occassionally ask them without interupting with a joke every 5 seconds. God damn you have your own show, let your guest fucking talk.


Sorry, rant over.

you could try to be more wrong in this ase but you would more than likely fail.

[Prime]

I thought stewart was good the other night when the right winger was on defending US water boarding because the the people they were doing it to weren't in uniform or some shit.

Stewart seemed astonished someone would try and make a distinction on something like this,

[NickT]

I disagree, at least when it comes to Stewart. Sometimes he has a tendency to softball (like when Hillary Clinton was on recently)
People only claim softballing when it's people they don't like, never when it's the ones they like :)

[sto110]

the enitre point of colbert is to just hear what he wants to hear and mow people down with his republican/conservative talk

[ThisSpaceForRent]

Seriously, shut the fuck up with the jokes for a minute and ask your guest a few serious questions. And let them answer the questions you occassionally ask them without interupting with a joke every 5 seconds. God damn you have your own show, let your guest fucking talk.


Sorry, rant over.

Remember how stupid Jon Stewart made Tucker Carlson feel when he compared THE DAILY SHOW to real news programs? That's about how you should feel right now.

[NickT]

While I disagree with the OP, I also disagree with those of you saying the interviews are just there to be funny, at least on The Daily Show. Depending on the guest Stewart can be serious, and if it was just there to be funny they'd probably get different people.

To me, the interview section of TDS is no different to a talkshow.

[ThisSpaceForRent]

I'm sorry, you do realize it's Comedy Central. It's about the jokes people!

-Steve!

And Leroy doesn't get jokes, apparently.

[costello]

And Leroy doesn't get jokes, apparently.

Oh he gets them. He's just pissed Lou Dobbs doesn't make enough of them. :)

[sto110]

While I disagree with the OP, I also disagree with those of you saying the interviews are just there to be funny, at least on The Daily Show. Depending on the guest Stewart can be serious, and if it was just there to be funny they'd probably get different people.

To me, the interview section of TDS is no different to a talkshow.

i think there is a certain amount of stewart holding back his disdane for people too, i mean he wanted to freak out about waterboarding the other night but respected the guy and tried to just call him where he could wihtout going off on a tangent.

[modungo]

I think Colbert joking during the interviews is even more warranted given the character he's in.

EXACTLY. If he didn't interupt he wouldn't be doing papa bear justice.

[Jef UK]

I'm mainly miffed at Colbert, he's a funny guy but he just won't let his guests get a word in edge wise.

That's exactly the entire point of his character.

[xyzzy]

I disagree as far as John Stewart goes. When he brings on guests that have written history or politically oriented books, he's clearly familiar with the material and asks interesting, nuanced questions. I don't think you can say that about any other late night host. He reads a lot.

[Doc Randy]

I can't think of a better late night interviewer than Jon Stewart. His ability to make people feel comfortable and get responses out of people is brilliant. I'm not really talking about the celebrities and politicians he interviews. I think his best interviews are when he brings on authors and academics he is personally interested in.

I love the fact that almost every time someone comes on to promote a book, Jon seems to have actually read the book. How cool is that? And often, they get invited on his show because he really loved their book and wants to give them some more exposure.

Oh yeah... the John Bolton interview was amazing. Especially how he called up Doris Kearns Goodwin the next night and showed the world how completely full of shit Bolton was.

[Drkemerld73]

I think Colbert joking during the interviews is even more warranted given the character he's in.

I love that when he interviews someone.

I also love it when they can't tell if he's serious or not. They always get that look.

[Fake Pat]

You ever noticed how that little logo in bottom corner of the screen says COMEDY Central?

[Jen Grunwald]

Seriously, shut the fuck up with the jokes for a minute and ask your guest a few serious questions. And let them answer the questions you occassionally ask them without interupting with a joke every 5 seconds. God damn you have your own show, let your guest fucking talk.


Sorry, rant over.

I feel guilty agreeing b/c I LOVE Jon Stewart so much, but yeah. I feel bad for the guests a lot b/c they don't get to finish their sentences. But he DOES make me laugh...so it's okay in the end. ;-) And as for serious questions, these people have to expect what they get if they come on the show.

::sigh:: I really do love Jon Stewart... :-P


:rogue:

[NickT]

You ever noticed how that little logo in bottom corner of the screen says COMEDY Central?
Ever noticed the little logo that says MTV, MUSIC Television?

[Fake Pat]

Ever noticed the little logo that says MTV, MUSIC Television?

God, I hate you sometimes. :mad:

[Ben]

I know! Let's get some SERIOUS questions on those COMEDY shows! Enough with the JOKES!

[Gregory]

Daily Show and Colbert are better at asking news questions than the news shows are at doing comedy.

[Drkemerld73]

Ever noticed the little logo that says MTV, MUSIC Television?

So it's false advertising right?

I mean it would be great if they actually played music videos. ;)

[NickT]

God, I hate you sometimes. :mad:
Sorry, easy shot :D

[silverboy]

Seriously, shut the fuck up with the jokes for a minute and ask your guest a few serious questions. And let them answer the questions you occassionally ask them without interupting with a joke every 5 seconds. God damn you have your own show, let your guest fucking talk.


Sorry, rant over.

The width of your signature makes it difficult to read your posts.

[Fake Pat]

The width of your signature makes it difficult to read your posts.

Co-signed.

[Mister Mets]

They've often been illuminating interviewers in my opinion.

[Joe Henderson]

People only claim softballing when it's people they don't like, never when it's the ones they like :)

I know what you're trying to get at, but he's softballed people I like but wanted answers from as well. Clinton was just the most recent example because it happened last week. It was painfully obvious because he tried to ask her a hard question, but mangled it in such a way to neuter it.

And remember, Clinton is good with hardball questions. It probably would have made her look better, not worse.

[Horizon Drive]

Did everyone see the lovely Ms. Dana Perino on the Daily Show. She seems like a very intelligent woman, but I bring up her looks because it appeared to me that John was charmed and clearly flirting with her. He grabbed her hands at one point. He seemed to go pretty easy on her too. The whole interview had a very playful tone to it.

He seems to go easy on the bigger names of either party. He went easy on Lynne Cheney. I think the whole Hillary Clinton interview was awkward and he gently gave her some shots.

[Gregory]

Did everyone see the lovely Ms. Dana Perino on the Daily Show. She seems like a very intelligent woman, but I bring up her looks because it appeared to me that John was charmed and clearly flirting with her. He grabbed her hands at one point. He seemed to go pretty easy on her too. The whole interview had a very playful tone to it.

He seems to go easy on the bigger names of either party. He went easy on Lynne Cheney. I think the whole Hillary Clinton interview was awkward and he gently gave her some shots.

I think he enjoys someone who can engage in conversation. Perino came to play.

[rychehitman]

I think that Colbert is the better of the two.

when Colbert has a guest he doesnt have to drag answers out of, he can be very entertaining and a great interviewer, IMO.

[Masculine Todd]

I love that when he interviews someone.

I also love it when they can't tell if he's serious or not. They always get that look.

This is why I have such an affinity for The Colbert Report. For the life of me, I cannot fathom a reason as to why, two and a half years after the show's debut and a highly publicized and scathing appearance at the White House that made national headlines, politicians and prominent members of our government's infrastructure are not aware of Stephen Colbert or his schtick, but he still frequently catches them off-guard with his comedic personal, and it makes for some of the most tense, awkward and painful interviews on television that aren't done by Nancy Grace.

[Skatonic10]

I actually think Stewart is a good interviewer, in the fact that he will ask questions that counter the book being promoted, as opposed to most news places that just fluff up whoever is on that night.

I hate Cobert's interviews though.

[Masculine Todd]

This is why I have such an affinity for The Colbert Report. For the life of me, I cannot fathom a reason as to why, two and a half years after the show's debut and a highly publicized and scathing appearance at the White House that made national headlines, politicians and prominent members of our government's infrastructure are not aware of Stephen Colbert or his schtick, but he still frequently catches them off-guard with his comedic personal, and it makes for some of the most tense, awkward and painful interviews on television that aren't done by Nancy Grace.

Might I add to the initial sentiment, that Colbert is vastly underrated as a performer/comedian/actor, as his ability to convey this deliberately distorted view of politics in such a deadpan, convincing manner is uncanny. The amount of platitudes he has to make without laughing or breaking character is laudible.

[Jen Grunwald]

Ever noticed the little logo that says MTV, MUSIC Television?

:lol: :lol:


:rogue:

[Jen Grunwald]

God, I hate you sometimes. :mad:


See now, his post made me LIKE him...interesting... ;-)


:rogue:

[JBElliott]

\I'm mainly miffed at Colbert, he's a funny guy but he just won't let his guests get a word in edge wise.

That's his schtick. That's the point of the show. That's what he always does and that's what he'll always do. If you don't like, it, skip that part of the show. But don't expect something different.

[Joe Kalicki]

I think Leroy Brown is doing his own Colbert-esque act here.

[nick maynard]

not for nothing, colbert often complains about his show, saying "sometimes you have the founder of the human genome project on, and you just want to actually talk about the human genome project, but you can't".

[NickT]

I know what you're trying to get at, but he's softballed people I like but wanted answers from as well. Clinton was just the most recent example because it happened last week. It was painfully obvious because he tried to ask her a hard question, but mangled it in such a way to neuter it.

And remember, Clinton is good with hardball questions. It probably would have made her look better, not worse.
Fair enough :)

[NickT]

See now, his post made me LIKE him...interesting... ;-)


:rogue:

Oh right, before I posted that I sucked :razz:

[Gregory]

not for nothing, colbert often complains about his show, saying "sometimes you have the founder of the human genome project on, and you just want to actually talk about the human genome project, but you can't".

It would break character if he discussed things intelligently. He's skewering the talk show guys who can't talk about such things.

I love all the attention he gives the NY planetarium, even when he acts stupid, because, hey, at least some TV show is giving a planetarium some exposure.

[Ashwin Pande]

I remember when Colbert tried to prove to that congresswoman that Washington DC wasn't part of the United States. That was some amazing interviewing when the person you're talking to is repeatedly calling you a moron and you're still trying to make convincing points about a ludicrous argument.

[Amos Moses]

Wow I definately learned something, don't mess with the internet's love for TDS and TCR.

[Zac Goyette]

I think that it is one of the best parts about the show. We hear these politcians interupt each other and talk all the time. They deserve what happens to them on the show. They know what they are going into when the decide to appear on the show. Just like you should know what you are going to get when you decide to watch the show.

[The Cheap-Arse Film Critic]

They're both comedy shows disguised as current events shows. Colbert isn't even really disguised.

[Ryan Walsh]

I'm going to have to respectfully disagree here. Colbert's playing a role, the whole show's a satire, we're lucky when the interviewees are able to get in a full minute of talk time. But they know that, they get into it, they have a good time, and they get some face time and pimpage. If I enjoy (and I do) all the better.

Jon Stewart I actually think is a wonderful interviewer. He's not trying to placate the guests or the producers or the networks and that gives him a lot of freedom to go other interviewers can't. A lot of the time he's able to make his guests more comfortable and the relaxation makes for a more genuine look at who they are, and occassionally he's able to really pin guests down and ask them questions no one else can.

My $0.02.

[mike black]

have you considered the idea that they're not attempting to conduct a genuine interview?

Stewart is. At least with a smile. And when he's on, he's really dynamite.

Colbert's just fucking around, and it's not even worth it to watch those interviews.

[Kefky]

Wow I definately learned something, don't mess with the internet's love for TDS and TCR.

D-did you read what they said?

[greg donovan]

I remember when Colbert tried to prove to that congresswoman that Washington DC wasn't part of the United States. That was some amazing interviewing when the person you're talking to is repeatedly calling you a moron and you're still trying to make convincing points about a ludicrous argument.

i wish i could remember her name but she is by far my favorite regular guest on the colbert report. she totally gets it and seems to really love playing along with him.

[David Aspmo]

Wow I definately learned something, don't mess with the internet's love for TDS and TCR.
So... am I interpreting this post correctly?

You're basically dismissing the fact that almost everyone in the thread has disagreed with your original post as being due to nothing more than blind love preventing them from recognizing the wisdom of your argument.

Is that right?

.
David Aspmo

[Amos Moses]

So... am I interpreting this post correctly?

You're basically dismissing the fact that almost everyone in the thread has disagreed with your original post as being due to nothing more than blind love preventing them from recognizing the wisdom of your argument.

Is that right?

.
David Aspmo

I concede that Stewart can be a good (or in some cases great) interviewer, but I'd say there's a "Colbert can do no wrong" vibe around here. I don't care if he messes around with politicians or Richard Branson, but he does book a lot of "serious", non-comedy guests, like that guy on last night who lived in a poor community to understand how gangs worked, and I was interested in what he had to say but Colbert kept jumping in and making a joke and just wouldn't let the guy talk. He does this with scientists and other non comedy people, it just strikes me as rude. Yes I understand it's a parody/satire show, but so is TDS and Stewart pulls it together at the end to ask some decent questions and actually let's his guests answer them.

Just my opinion.

[David Aspmo]

I concede that Stewart can be a good (or in some cases great) interviewer, but I'd say there's a "Colbert can do no wrong" vibe around here. I don't care if he messes around with politicians or Richard Branson, but he does book a lot of "serious", non-comedy guests, like that guy on last night who lived in a poor community to understand how gangs worked, and I was interested in what he had to say but Colbert kept jumping in and making a joke and just wouldn't let the guy talk. He does this with scientists and other non comedy people, it just strikes me as rude. Yes I understand it's a parody/satire show, but so is TDS and Stewart pulls it together at the end to ask some decent questions and actually let's his guests answer them.

Just my opinion.
Well, yes, most everyone is allowing Colbert a handicap (and doing so openly), but I don't think that's an unreasonable position to take. The comedic premise that Colbert is operating under for his show is substantially different from - and more difficult than - Stewart's. Stewart just gets to be himself, Cobert is speaking through a character.

The ability to be quick-witted enough to articulately convey what you mean to say and have an informative and entertaining conversation about important and intellectually substantive matters within the time-frame of a five-minute televised interview is an impressive enough skill in and of itself. Colbert has to go one step beyond that and try to do all of that through a filter of irony.

So, even if he's not always successful in that goal (and I would expect even he would agree that he's not), it's still laudable because he's aiming at a much further target than other talk show hosts. And, there are times (more often than not, I would say) when he is successful at hitting that target, and, to me, it's just genius.

.
David Aspmo

[nick maynard]

Stewart is. At least with a smile. And when he's on, he's really dynamite.

well, he might be. but it's secondary to the jokes.

[Ashwin Pande]

i wish i could remember her name but she is by far my favorite regular guest on the colbert report. she totally gets it and seems to really love playing along with him.

Ahh I didn't know she was a regular guest. I saw her the one time and loved the back and forth they had. I suppose Colbert liked it too and got her back for more. She totally got the act and was fucking with him in return. It was hilarious to watch. I loved when she accused him of being unamerican because his name sounded like he was from France.

[greg donovan]

Ahh I didn't know she was a regular guest. I saw her the one time and loved the back and forth they had. I suppose Colbert liked it too and got her back for more. She totally got the act and was fucking with him in return. It was hilarious to watch. I loved when she accused him of being unamerican because his name sounded like he was from France.

yeah, she has been on several times. he points out her lack of a vote and that they really arent part of the united STATES of america and she points out his frenchness.

[copypastepuke]

whats this about softballing?

[costello]

This thread got me to purchase Colbert's book. It's probably the funniest thing I ever read.

Thank you.

[frzamonkey]

i think the daily show would be better if they had a half hour of the "jokes about the days news" and a half hour of a interview with the guest. let jon make jokes, etc., but give him a little more time to really discuss the topic at hand. the best daily show interviews are the one where i go, "man, i wish they had like 5 more minutes to talk!!!"

[The Cheap-Arse Film Critic]

Remember the line that Bendis wrote for Cap that had him lamenting the fact that this is a generation that turns to comedians for it's news and opinions?

This thread feels like a natural extension of that, to me.