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Most (all?) of the guests on late-night talk shows are selling their books, movies, music, or even fashion lines. Call it the perfect product placement. And often talk show hosts will help their guests sell their crap. But it makes for great television when the hosts veer off the scripted lines and wade into their guests by questioning their crap. Guests so used to people praising their work even when it is honestly not worthy of respect are taken aback and mutter weak responses.
Case in point - Jon Stewart completely blasting Chris ‘Hardball’ Matthews by questioning the very core of his latest book, “Life’s a Campaign: What Politics Has Taught Me About Friendship, Rivalry, Reputation, and Success” (that’s a mouthful). At the end of the interview, poor Chris Matthews, the usually tough guy on his MSNBC show said, “This is a book interview from hell! This is the worst interview I’ve ever had in my life!” Ouch! I haven’t read his book and I even like watching Hardball but this was priceless.
by Patrix | on Friday, October 5th, 2007 at 12:10 pm | 
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October 5th, 2007 at 9:13 pm reply
I thought Jon was a little too nasty and aggressive in this one. Although I have to read the book to see if his perspective was right. Poor Chris!
October 6th, 2007 at 11:50 am reply
Ashutosh, maybe a little harsh but he was just disagreeing with the basic premise of his book i.e. to run your life like a political campaign. He found it too cynical and manipulative. Of course, we have to read the book to know exactly what he was talking about.
October 9th, 2007 at 10:40 am reply
What does it say about state of television when the only show that asks hard-hitting questions is a comedy show.
Remove “the only” and the situation becomes almost utopian.
October 9th, 2007 at 10:56 am reply
Niket, Ah-ha! You are on target regarding the problem in today’s news media. Too much sleeping with the enemy. I wonder how long before Jon Stewart and his ilk also succumb to that nasty bug. I hope never. Thankfully, opinion and news is no longer the bastion of the mainstream journalism.