Congressman Ron Paul was also a guest on the Daily Show. Why the news blackout on the only candidate with consistent convictions?

I would like to see each of the candidates challenged in a round of Where in the World is Carmen Sandiago! I mean, if you claim to have a good sense of foreign policy, you should at least know some geography. It would also quickly expose candidates who are in-fact rather poor sports, as well as those that know how to have a good laugh.

Much like Colbert's brilliant "What are the Ten Commandments" question: "Where is Darfur on this world map, hmmm?"

Jon Stewart = 50^1,000 times more spin-free than anything you'll see on Bill O'Reilly, Olbermann, Fox, MSNBC, CNN, etc al.

I'm willing to bet there's a majority of people who base their decision on how these candidates react to their beloved John Stewart.

It's the only thing that could justify Bush getting elected. It was good for comedy.

Quoting an earlier poster:
"Memo to Michele Ganeless:
Young men aren’t the only ones watching The Daily Show. I’ve been watching since Craig Kilborn’s day…and I’m a 28 year old mom. Most of the women I know tune in to Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert (in more ways than one). Don’t ignore us…we’re watching too!"

Amen. Media-bites are the only bits of information we get about these candidates, but at least Stewart and Colbert aren't afraid to ask the tough questions now and then.

My only real criticism of either show is that there aren't enough females — and Ganeless's comment just shows a flaw in Comedy Central's thinking. Almost every female I know watches The Daily Show and The Colbert Report. Samantha Bee is one of the best, and arguably one of the most hysterical, correspondents on The Daily Show. Yet, both shows are dominated by males.

When is Comedy Central going to wake up and realize that women are interested in comedy, politics, and "fake" news, too?

On the age demographic, my spouse-equivalent and I are in our early 70's. Many of my friends, 50's and up watch the Daily Show. Where else can you find out what's really going on! I rely on it to supplement my other source of news, NPR. I haven't watched "serious" TV news for over 30 years.

TDS is the only way I can understand what is going on in the World.

Thank you John Stewart.

Jon Stewart should run as VP for one of these Democrats. Wouldn't anyone else here just love to see him in office. No doubt he could handle it.

Maybe Richardson and Stewart; they seem to be on the same wave-length.

to the guy who said…
"Daily, a forty something has been comic, trying to act thirty something passing for twenty something. Am I the only one??"

yep! you're the only one — evidenced by the fact you can't even get his name right.

To the people who requested "Dennis Kucinich on the show."

Ditto again

When Steve Colbert asked Georgia Representative Lynn Westmoreland(who co-sponsored the bill putting the ten commandments in the house and senate)

"What are the ten commandments"
Lynn's uneasy fumble was not only great comedy,it showed Lynn TRUE stance on the issue. Collecting religious votes…
People avoid TDS and Colbert report B/C the questions can be hard to answer, and are not scripted

I've been saying for months that all the presidential candidates should debate Jon Stewart instead of one another… he can call them out on ANYTHING without having to worry about his own position.

Besides, if a candidate isn't witty and reasonable enough to spar with Stewart, do we really want to put them in charge? (As for debating with Colbert — that would be cruel. There's absolutely no topping him.)

As an Indian interested in American politics, I loved the brilliant TDS and Colbert Report when I lived in US for 5 years. Now that I am back in India, I do miss the shows terribly but make do with the highlight pieces on the Comedy Central web site. I learned more about American politics from these shows than from any other MSM outlets.

Continue the outstanding work, John and Stephen!

-Aged 34

Another appeal here for the Daily Show and the Colbert Report to go live on CNN International. Pretty please? Once a week is a little too little.

Why is there no mention that Ron Paul appeared on The Daily Show as well as The Colbert Report already?

Kasey - you are right except it wasn't a poll - it was the Phew Research Institute — They did a STUDY and found that the Daily Show audiance is right at the top of people who are well informed when it comes to news.

The bottom (or least well informed) are people who watch Fox News.

The Daily Show is more than just fluff. The National Annenberg Election Survey found that Daily Show viewers learned more about current events and retained that knowledge better than those who didn't watch the Daily Show and other late-night comedy: http://www.annenbergpublicpolicycenter.org/Downloads/Political_Communication/naes/2004_03_late-night-knowledge-2_9-21_pr.pdf

Humor's a great way to teach someone something. It gives them something to connect the information to (A joke, in this case), which helps them recall the information more reliably. And when it's a joke, any time you tell that joke to somebody else, you pass that information on. The principle works with any sort of information, and the Daily Show, warts and all, is a good example of this.

I SUPPORT NOTHING BUT RED STATES!

WE WILL PREVAIL!

JOHN WAYNE IS WITH US!

DEATH TO TRAITORS!

McCain used to be a regular favorite on the show, but there seems to have been a recent falling out between him and Stewart, his last few appearances being less than spectacular.

I get all my real news from the Daily Show, instead of the censored news we see elsewhere.

Sad commentary on the corporatization of American media, quite frankly. And the wishy-washy questions most media ask candidates.

I hope you are correct about the "young men" description I'm 68 so many thanks !! Please add young women so my wife can also be young!! (in addition to being beautiful and smarter than I am at 58)

If The Daily Show is a chance to "reach an audience they don’t always reach, which is young men", then Shrillary should logically be there, but I fear she won't be for lack of, uh, what's the word I'm looking for here … .

Since when is having a sense of humor and style "acting 30 trying to be 20."
Since when did every 40ish person have to be some bland, cranky, dry-humored dolt whining about young people (Rush, O'Reilly, entire Fox News team, etc)?

Kudos to Stewart and Colbert for getting people who normally would ignore the political process to start paying attention!

"Anyone who is afraid to appear on the Daily Show isn’t really worth a vote. If you can’t handle the “has been comic” how are you going to handle a has been dictator?"

Well said.

To me, Obama is a visionary leader. He has far more experience in the real world than Clinton or any of the other candidates. Everything I hear and read about him furthers this. He was a civil rights attorney, he worked to rise people above their stations. He is the kind of leader that comes along once a generation if we’re lucky. I’ve just read “the Audacity of Hope” and it was so stirring, so clear, so clearly written not by a ghost writer but in the voice of the man himself. Barry Obama is the real deal, he’s the sort of fighter that we need oh so desperately in these trying times. I would go door to door for this candidate, I would believe he would look at any issue either foriegn or domestic with clear eyes and make decisions that were both humane and smart for our country and the world. The other candidates all strike me as fodder for lobbists, career politicians. I remember how moved I was when I heard his speech during Kerry’s convention. He is indeed a uniter, someone who can bring this sadly divided dis union back into union again. People will put paintings and photos on their walls of this man in the same way they do JFK or MLK. Mark my words, America and the world will prosper under President Obama. To see that happen I’d gladly travel to Ohio, to South Carolina, to Iowa, or anywhere else I needed to go to ensure he gets a fair shot. That’s all the man needs, is one good fair shot. Given his due he’ll do us right. Do the research. Don’t be a lemming. Read about him, read his own words. They aren’t sound bites, they’re living, breathing, human thoughts full of compassion and common sense, stength and integrity. Really look at this candidate. Do your kids and their kids the biggest favor of our lives.

you need to check your sources, hillary clinton has definatly been on the daily show. she was originally scheduled to appear the day that the northeast had the blackout several years ago, then was later re-scheduled for august or september. she's been on.

Considering that, in a recent poll, people who got their news from "traditional" outlets (CNN, FOX) were significantly less informed about current events than those who got their news primarily from The Daily Show/Colbert Report, I think the critics who claim TDS is "political analysis for 14-year-olds" severely discount the information conveyed through humor and satire.

Getting to see candidates answer questions for which they don't always have a prepared soundbite, or watching how they interact with a more average-guy than, say, O'Reilly or Hannity and Colmes, tells viewers a lot about the candidate as a person. I'm all for it!

Ron Paul was on The Daily Show and then the Colbert Report last month. Why is that not mentioned?

You guys forgot to mention Ron Paul who has been on both shows.

Since when is the Daily Show watched primarily by young men….hello.

People complain that "The Daily Show" is left-wing because they criticize Republicans and the Right. Well, perhaps it's not so much that TDS is "out to get" conservatives but rather that Republicans are giving TDS plenty to criticize these days. And make no mistake, when Democrats act like idiots (as they often do) TDS calls them out on it.

Jon Stewart is the 21st Century Will Rogers. Stephen Colbert is today's Groucho Marx. Brilliant comedians all!

The only complaint I have with this show is that the interview segments aren't long enough. Jon Stewart may have been a stand-up comic in an earlier life, on this show he demonstrates serious talent as an interviewer. Thanks to him we've seen qualities in people that we'd never seen in the mainstream media — some good (Ron Paul, Pres. Musharraf), some not so good (McCain).

Its a mistake to assume that just because the show's on Comedy Central that its only watched by a narrow demographic.

Ron Paul killed on the Colbert Report; why is he not mentioned in this article? Why has he not been invited to the Daily Show?

These days, you get more REAL news on the Daily Show than on major corporate networks like CNN, ABC, etc..

The corporate media has become a part of the political theater, they are no longer about responsible journalism. On the bright side, they supply an endless stream of material for the Daily Show.

The audience is not just young men and it certainly is not 14 year olds. 14 year olds are easily brainwashed, so I imagine they watch CNN, Fox News, ABC and the like (I'm 29 y.o. male btw).
Thanks, Jon. Keep up the good work!

Maybe these guys can go next door when they're done with Jon and help roast Flavor Flav? Just a suggestion.

Stewart and Colbert are the two greatest people on TV today!! I watch them both religiously. And I am a 41 year old mother of 2 young adult sons!!

Matt..
I agree with you completely on the sensationalism (the "falling bridges" hysteria)which passes for news. It is a national tragedy which fosters an increasingly ill informed public. My issue with Stewart is that he confuses cynicism with satire. He has a great platform which he (generally) wastes to get a cheap laugh. But for sure, the mainstream media aren't doing their job either.

I like John Stewart, he's a funny guy. Kudos to Comedy Central getting a spot on CNN's blog btw. Fitting isn't it?

We presume you are referring to 'Jon Stewart', as opposed, say, to 'Jonn Daly' the golfer. Jon appears, at least to me, to be one of the few people in our current media culture that takes the time to actually read the books of the authors he interviews, make cogent points while allowing his guest to do the same and, most importantly, gives himself and us permission to laugh at and with each other.
For that he can pass as whatever he pleases.

I agree with Sarah's point on Ganeless's comment that “Jon makes these guys feel comfortable. He provides them with an opportunity to reach an audience they don’t always reach, which is young men.”

I am a 22-year old woman and watch the Daily Show far more than some of my male peers and am disappointed to hear that Comedy Central feels the show only appeals to young men.

Hillary Clinton was on the show in 2004.

Check your facts.

…those shows I'm referring to are Colbert and Stewart, by the way, not the other dolts.

I do not have a lot of heroes, but Jon Stewart is one of them.

Anyone who doesn't understand or appreciate the irony and humor of Colbert and Stewart belong in the same room as Tucker Carlson, Bill O'Reilly, and Nancy Grace.

The great part of those shows is that they take the morons who are running this country and tell the truth about their actions…which is MUCH funnier than the fiction thrown in along with it.

"Sure would like to see Dennis Kucinich on the show."

Ditto

"Daily, a forty something has been comic, trying to act thirty something passing for twenty something. Am I the only one??"

Yep. Pretty much.

Frank,

If Daily Show/Colbert is political analysis for 14 yr olds, then CNN/FN/MSNBC, etc.., are news for 14 year olds with ADD. Or maybe you don't understand satire as well as most 14 yr olds.
I'm sure you bought into the shameless CNN/FN sensationalim for the last week of how every bridge in this country is going to collapse. Talk about superficial analysis.

To me, the Colbert Report is the best/smartest/funniest show on tv.

I'm pretty sure that Hillary has been on the Daily Show, although not since 2006. Might want to double check.

I agree with Sarah. The Daily Show has an audience encompassing more than the category of "young men".

I am 35 and have watched the Daily Show since it first aired. Jon Stewart definitely is not a "has been". What I really like is that he bashes both sides of the line (although one side usually has more things to bash than the other, depending who is in power).

Jon Stewart may not be a serious news man, but serious news men could learn a lot from him. He is polite, but his questions are tough. He asks unusual questions, but he also demands real answers and doesn't put up with spin. He deals with serious topics but keeps his viewers entertained.

"Daily, a forty something has been comic, trying to act thirty something passing for twenty something. Am I the only one??
Posted By livnlrg : August 6, 2007 11:32 am"

To the person who posted this, yes, you are in fact the only one. John Stewart and Stephen Colbert (along with their team of writers of course) really are brilliant. The way Stewart lampoons both the left and the right is hilarious. Obviously he is a little more left-leaning, but at least he is transparent about his support for the left, and does not try to pretend he is independent. cough::O'Reilly::cough
As for Colbert, he is just amazing. Its the stuff of genius when confetti drops and a banner comes down that says, "Congratulations Terrorists" after the Democratic victory in Congress. Of course, we all know that is basically what many Republicans were claiming a Democratic victory would be. I love the way he makes an argument or line of thinking seem absolutely absurd while agreeing with it and espousing it the entire time.
Also, and maybe most importantly, these shows have gotten many people interested in American and International Politics that probably never would have.

To the first poster - you are the only one. And the "daily show" is hosted by Jon Stewart, not "Daily."

Sadly, the so-called "fake" news is one of the few outlets where voters actually get to see the candidates questioned by a host who is not only politically informed and thoughtful but won't pander to them.

keep it up JON STEWART

Memo to Michele Ganeless:
Young men aren't the only ones watching The Daily Show. I've been watching since Craig Kilborn's day…and I'm a 28 year old mom. Most of the women I know tune in to Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert (in more ways than one). Don't ignore us…we're watching too!

If you think Jon Stewart's name is "Daily" then I think you'll understand why we discount your opinion of a show that you have obviously never seen.

Go back to sleep now…Rush will be on a little bit later.

The Daily Show=political analysis for 14 years olds. Funny sometimes but usually superficial.

Jon Stewart is awesome. He's definitely not a "has been."

I'm looking forward to seeing each of these candidates on the show, especially Obama because he's such a huge name now.

LivngIrg, you wrote: "Daily, a forty something has been comic, trying to act thirty something passing for twenty something. Am I the only one??"

Yeah, I think you are definitely in the minority. At 45, Jon isn't trying to act 30ish or pass as being in his 20s. He comes across as what he is - a funny guy who genuinely loves politics.

More importantly, he's communicated that to a generation that has been jaded by many media outlets. I guarantee you that I've seen more interesting guests and news on "The Daily Show" than I have on a lot of other shows.

I love CNN, but it's nice to sit back and learn and laugh as Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert dish out their political mischief!

Anyone who is afraid to appear on the Daily Show isn't really worth a vote. If you can't handle the "has been comic" how are you going to handle a has been dictator?

Sure would like to see Dennis Kucinich on the show.

I really like the way Jon Stewart treats the candidates fairly when they appear on the show. While he goes for the jabs and punchlines, he doesn't berate the candidates. And surprisingly for comedy you get to understand the people and their politics. But there is a down side.

When John McCain was last on the show, his appearance was so stiff and shaky I feel he lost points. Especially, as he just talked about supporting Bush. You have to be comfortable answering the hard questions. And I don't think we will see a few of the candidates this year because of that.

Telling it like I see it,
Wynter
(wynterdragon.blogspot.com)

Your the only one. The Daily Show is the best thing on Cable.

Hey, will CNN Intl consider broadcasting TDS every week day now? Lose Anderson Cooper or the second hour of CNN Today and put TDS and The Colbert Report live…

Hillary was a guest in 2003, btw.

Bill O'Reilly will be livid.

I am curious as to what questions The Daily Show will ask of the visiting candidates. Estimated by the Borgen Project, 78%of Americans agree that fighting global poverty is the best way to fight terrorism. What would the candidates think of that?

Ron Paul was a guest on 6/04/2007. Mike Huckabee was a guest on 1/10/2007. Why are neither of these guys mentioned in the list of presidential candidates who have already been on the show?

To the first poster, who said:

"Daily, a forty something has been comic, trying to act thirty something passing for twenty something. Am I the only one??"

…who is this "Daily" guy, anyway?

Ron Paul was on both last month.

Daily, a forty something has been comic, trying to act thirty something passing for twenty something. Am I the only one??