My Top 5 Predictions Of How John Stewart Will Handle Anthony Weiner
That headline is only a code of conduct violation if you read it too fast.
When this story first broke, I recall a Daily Caller piece about how John Stewart didn't pull any punches with Weiner even though they are friends.
I watched the show, and couldn't disagree with our friends at DC more.
Stewart spent part of the segment lamenting that he had to do it. When he started telling jokes, they were all about how there is no way that picture could be of Anthony.
The whole segment was filled with lines about how there is no way the picture could be of Anthony. While the overtone was a joke about Anthony, the intended subliminal message was a defense of his friend: "There is no way that picture is of Anthony Weiner."
Pretty weak, Jon.
Now that Anthony has removed all doubt and admitted that the picture is of him, Stewart has to talk about it again. Here's how I think he'll handle it, from the most likely shtick to least:
1. He sticks with the joke, "That couldn't possibly be Anthony Wiener." He adds to it that Anthony is admitting to it because he wishes it were him.
2. He jokes about how other media have handled the story.
3. He deflects by joking about others who have done worse.
4. He lets one of his comedians handle it, who do a combination of 1, 2 and 3.
5. He actually skewers his old friend. Ok that's not going to happen, but I couldn't think of a fifth scenario. If I could, I'd be writing for Jon Stewart.
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Comments :
Re: My Top 5 Predictions Of How John Stewart Will Handle Anthony Weiner
I saw the same show and interpreted it differently. In my view, between the lines, Stewart was saying, "Of course, it was Weiner -- and what a doofuss he has been to deny it. Who cares what one tweets to a co-ed?"
When he talks about it again, he will choose the first of your options.- -- which, in the long run, will do Weiner the most harm.
In the meantime, I suggest that CNN hire Weiner as a commentator.
Jun '10
Re: My Top 5 Predictions Of How John Stewart Will Handle Anthony Weiner
They'll speculate that his real birth certificate is French.
Jan '11
Re: My Top 5 Predictions Of How John Stewart Will Handle Anthony Weiner
Who cares?
May '10
Re: My Top 5 Predictions Of How John Stewart Will Handle Anthony Weiner
Option 6: He uses it as a chance to make fun of Sarah Palin.
May '11
Re: My Top 5 Predictions Of How John Stewart Will Handle Anthony Weiner
Why I completely agree with Tommy that Jon did the absolute minimum on the story, I have to give him a pass. If it were my friend of over 25 years I would go easy on him as well. Its not like Stewart has a great storehouse of integrity to defend to begin with.
Nov '10
Re: My Top 5 Predictions Of How John Stewart Will Handle Anthony Weiner
I think Jon is going to have to take a pass. Given his last statement that if Anthony was basically being a predator then he would need to leave office, well we find out that his was acting as a predator... so now what?
If Jon mentions anything then someone is going under the bus. Is it going to be his friend of 25 years or is it going to be the last of his reputation? It's obviously going to be option C --- Take the pass.
Right now my money is on story that Jon is preying that something interesting happens before air time.
Apr '11
Re: My Top 5 Predictions Of How John Stewart Will Handle Anthony Weiner
Did a quick bit about how ripped the congressman is and changed the subject to John Edwards.
Nov '10
Re: My Top 5 Predictions Of How John Stewart Will Handle Anthony Weiner
"There's no way the man who did that news conference was Anthony Weiner".
:-)
Oct '10
Re: My Top 5 Predictions Of How John Stewart Will Handle Anthony Weiner
Baltimore Sun's Dave Zurawick: Not Jon Stewart's Finest Hour.