rubinville

Hopefully, many of you caught or have heard about Jon Stewart's appearance on CNN's Crossfire a few days ago. From beat one Jon relentlessly attacked the two host for their hack-quasi-debate format and how they are only hurting American politics not helping people make up their minds. Ticket Carlson, that small-minded twit who wears the bowtie, was particularly taken back by Jon's comments and the two of them went back and forth for the better part of 15 minutes.

I was an intern at the Daily Show during the winter of 1999 and got to talk to Jon a couple times. I also learned alot from him watching him do not only the show, but during warmup before the show. Once I asked him to give me some advice about doing stand up and he told me two words that I have used to fuel my fire ever since. I'm not gonna repeat them right now, cuz they are a little trick I use to inspire myself, but when I make it I'll pass em down to some young comic who asks. At one point Jon promised to watch a a tape of mine, but unfortunately my internship ended before we were able to sit down.

While I was a little bitter about not getting a job at the Daily Show after my internship, I left there with nothing but respect for Jon, and after watching him on Crossfire, my respect has doubled. He did something that so few comedians are willing to do ---- risk not being funny to actually try to say something. As I watched him slice into Carlson, I could see how difficult it was for Jon to be biting and on the attack, while at the same time not dumb down what he was saying just for the sake of the easy laugh. That point was highlighted when Carlson told John, "You're a comedian, be funny." And Jon said, "I'm not your monkey."

I'm gonna use this moment as something to fuel myself to say what I want to say more and not pull the punches just because the laugh is there. So thanks Jon, first for those two words of advice you gave me five years ago, and now for showing me you can have success and not compromise your beliefs at the same time.