As a follow up to PMD's comment to the "Political Oligopoly" entry, in which he posted a link to John Stewart's Crossfire appearance, I'd like to post John Stewart's follow-up interview with Ted Koppel.
KOPPEL: Back 40 years ago, we would actually come to these events with the expectation that something unexpected was going to happen.I originally found this article here.
STEWART: But unexpected things used to happen in the world. They don't happen anymore.
KOPPEL: Oh, sure they do.
STEWART: Very rarely. Very rarely is an event not parsed prior to when it happens. And when it happens unexpectedly, it's only because the speculation was off cue.
KOPPEL: When there were only three of us [networks], we were not that easy to manipulate because you could only play A off against B off against C.
STEWART: Ok, that I agree with.
KOPPEL: Right? Now you got 200 of us. You don't like what Jon Stewart is doing? Go to...
STEWART: But we're separate. We're a peripheral, we're a Sunday bar. We're reactive and not actual news, so if you don't like Jon Stewart, you'll have to go to another comedy program, not a news program.
KOPPEL: You're refreshing honest about that, and I appreciate that, but the reality of it is -- and it's no joke anymore -- there are a lot of people out there who do turn to you for...
STEWART: Not for news.
KOPPEL: Well...
STEWART: For an interpretation. A comedic interpretation.
KOPPEL: To be informed. They actually think they're coming closer to the truth with your...
STEWART: Now that's a different thing. That's credibility. That's a different animal.
KOPPEL: That's what I want you to get into a little bit. This notion of... for example, people who listen to Sean Hannity also are looking for...
STEWART: Want a narrative.
KOPPEL: Al Frankin...
STEWART: Gives a narrative.
KOPPEL: A different group of people, different narrative.
STEWART: Right.
KOPPEL: That's the slice. So what I'm trying to get to here, is what is going on now with these literally -- I don't even if there are even hundreds anymore -- there may be close to a thousand outlets here.
STEWART: It's that the partisan mobilization has become part of the media process. That they realize that, this real estate that you possess, television, is the most valuable real estate known to rulers. If Alexander the Great had TV, believe me, he would have had his spin guys dealing. Napoleon would have had people working. The key to leadership is to have that mouthpiece to the people. And that's what this is. You guys are... This is the battle for the airwaves. And that's what we watch, and I think that's what is so dispiriting to those at home who believe that... I think, there's a sense here that you're not participating in that battle, and there's a sense at home that you're ABSOLUTELY participating and complicit in that battle.
KOPPEL: Go a little further on that.
STEWART: I'm a news anchor. Remember this is bizarro world. And I say, the issue is health care and insurance, and why 40 million American kids don't have insurance -- 40 million Americans are uninsured. Is this health insurance program being debated in Congress good for the country? Let's debate it. I have with me Donna Brazile and Bay Buchanan. Let's go. Donna. "I think the Democrats really have it right here. I think that this is a pain for the insurance companies and the drug companies and this is wrong for America." Bay. "Oh no, what it is..." And then she throws out her figures from the Heritage Foundation, and she throws out her figures from the Brookings Institute, and the anchor -- who should be the arbiter of the truth -- says, "Thank you both very much, that was very interesting." No it wasn't! That was Coke and Pepsi talking about beverage truth. And that game has, I think, caused people to think, "I'm not watching this."
KOPPEL: Alright, so you have found an answer through humor...
STEWART: No. It's not an answer.
KOPPEL: Well, an answer that...
STEWART: I found an outlet. I found a catharsis. A sneeze, if you will.
KOPPEL: It's not just a catharsis for you, it's a catharsis for your viewers. Those who watch say, at least when I'm watching Jon, he can use humor to say BS, that's a crock.
STEWART: But that's always been the case. Satire has always been...
KOPPEL: Ok, but I can't do that.
STEWART: No, but you CAN say that's BS. You don't need humor to do that because you have what I wish I had which is credibility and gravitas. This is interesting stuff, and it's all part of the discussion and I think it's a good discussion to have, but I think it's important to take a more critical look. You know, don't you think?
KOPPEL: No.
STEWART: And certainly not from me.
KOPPEL: No, not from you. I've had enough of you.
STEWART: I know my role, I'm the dancing monkey.
KOPPEL: You're finished. (Smiles)
(Shake hands.)