Richard Perle on the Daily Show

[Crossbow]

Anyone else happen to see it? He got far less applause when he entered than any other guest I have seen on the show and Stewart really went out of his way to give him a good welcome and be polite.

Perle was plugging his new book that makes a case that the war on Iraq was really an object lesson for the other countries that he has serious issues with (such as Saudi Arabia) and the message is, that they had better get into line or else!

He also said that Iraq made a good target since it was in violation of UN Resolutions and he did not appear to be too upset that no Iraqi WMDs have been discovered. I had the impression that he essentially said this same same stuff to Bush when making his case for the recent war.

I found it to be a rather chilling series of revelations and I would like to read his book.

[Charlie Monoxide]

I saw it as well Crossbow. Perle was very unconvincing, in my mind. Jon Stewart was way too easy on him.

I really have no interest in reading his book (even if someone posted it on ALT.E-BOOKS). It's just the tired old right-wing fear industry at work.

Charlie (I thought at first it was Daniel Pearl RIP, doh!) Monoxide

[Cain]

The "interview" is by far the weakest part of the show, especially if the guest's career is in politics; Stewart reverts from biting satire to fascination and awe. Henry Kissinger's appearance was particularly revolting and contemptible. Same with Hillary Clinton promoting her book.

[Aoidoi]

I rather enjoy some of the political interviews. It's interesting to see how the politicians react to an interviewer who is so atypical (this actually works for some of the actors, too). They give the same rote answers to dozens of interviewers, then John comes out and cracks jokes (generally on topic) and has them off balance. Seeing them struggle for words can be amusing. And sometimes you get some real winners. McCain talking about subsidizing the study of cow farts was pretty hilarious, John asking a Democrat who was ripping his own party why he wasn't a Republican was great, and John Edwards announcing his candidacy on the program (and being mocked for it) was a riot.

However, some of the interviews do suck. Some guests refuse to go "off message" and some just aren't quick enough to keep up. Conservatives often lose the studio audience, though some more than others (Perle didn't connect with anyone and I think John was trying to get the audience back... it is a comedy show after all). I usually fast forward through the lousy interviews (the joy of Tivo). I got bored about 3 minutes into this one and skipped the rest.

Was somewhat impressed with Whitman the day before. She actually came across (to me) as reasonable, intelligent, and having a sense of humor. Was a fairly good interview.

The interview often is the weakest part of the show. But I really think that just speaks highly of the rest of it. :)

[Voob]

Since I can't get the show on tv here, I go to
http://www.comedycentral.com/tv_shows/thedailyshowwithjonstewart/

for tons of clips.

Yeah, the recent John McCain interview was hilarious. That guy's a hoot!

And from a recent Stephen Colbert clip:
"Stephen, it looks really cold up there in Vermont."

"Ah, for a witches' tit with which to warm myself."

[Clancie]

Jon seemed most awkward at the end, trying to say something to promote the book sales. Considering who Perle is, the interview didn't bring out anything of much interest, even re: the book.

On the other hand, the Howard Dean interview this week was pretty funny stuff. (And who would have thought Dean would have played along by reading all the voice overs--and trusting his image to the DS?)

McCain was also very funny--just the right tone for the irreverent humor they do so well.

[Tricky]

The interviews are pretty much required. The real driver behind a talk-show format is that comedy writers can't come up with a whole hour of good material every day. That is why these shows have a short, scripted monologue and then the rely on the personality of the host to make the repartee funny. Some are good at it, some are not. Lots of people who are hilariously funny at stand-up simply can't do extemporaneous comedy.

[Dorian Gray]

Like George Carlin, for example. It may look like he's being extemporaneous, but no, he's just reciting one of his bits from the last 30 years. (I saw him on Tough Crowd, the "Politically Incorrect with massive interruptions")

Speaking of that, how do you guys think "Tough Crowd" compares to "Politically Incorrect"?

[Cain]

Re: Politically Incorrect (PI) versus Tough Crowd (TC)

Maher's monologue, when he had a monologue, was terrible. I've never actually heard Quinn's monologue because of his constant stuttering.

Maher was rather full of himself. Quinn always seems to be stuffing himself.

PI would occasionally have interesting people. TC recycles the same comics over and over again.

PI's guests were mostly white. That may have been a good thing considering TC always focuses on race: he's Italian, she's Jewish, and that guy is black.

Both shows are clearly for entertainment purposes. The problem with four comedians and Colin Quinn is that every single issue is broken down into stereotypes.

[Aoidoi]

I like Tough Crowd on occassion, but it's too annoying to watch all the time. My favorite part is that someone will always rise to the defense of anyone... child pornographers, rapists, murderers, one of the comics will come up with something in support. They get away with saying things no one else would dare to.

I'm actually appalled at Quinn's monologues. He's got such good material and such absolutely atrocious delivery. I keep finding myself thinking "what did he say? Oh, that's funny" but never actually laughing.

edited hopefully for clarity.

[bozothedeathmachine]

Originally posted by Aoidoi

I'm actually appalled at Quinn's monologues. He's got such good material and such absolutely atrocious delivery.

I couldn't agree more. It made very uncomfortable watching him on SNL Weekend Update because of that reason. Elocution ain't that mans strong point.

That and the whole commercial-every-three-minutes thing makes the show too disjointed.

[Dorian Gray]

The best combination is obviously when PI was on Comedy Central, and was far more cutting edge.