It may seem strange, but a cornerstone of the liberal media in America is The Daily Show starring Jon Stewart. Younger Americans, in particular, love him, and his sarcastic, cool wit delights left-wingers coast-to-coast. That's because his barbs are overwhelmingly directed at conservatives, although, from time to time, he will mock some far-left loons who are simply too stupid to ignore.
Mr. Stewart's current jihad is against the Fox News Channel, which he considers to be in the tank for the right wing. Often, the comedian will point out "hypocrisy" at FNC, mainly objecting to criticisms leveled at the Obama administration, which is almost revered on The Daily Show.
But do you know what? I think Stewart actually LIKES Fox News.
While it is true that he has called FNC terrible, cynical, disingenuous, and "an autoimmune disorder," he admits that he and his legion of writers watch often. And while he has told Fox News personnel to go "F" themselves about 600 times, he seems to do that affectionately.
So, my theory is that Jon Stewart has a crush on Fox News and, if you think about it, the speculation makes sense. I simply can't imagine Stewart and his minions sitting there watching the boring stuff that CNN and MSNBC put out there. But I can envision old Jon lapping up the vibrant debates seen daily on FNC. And what kind of material can Stewart get from Wolf Blitzer? Believe me, he gets plenty from me and Glenn Beck.
Of course, for Stewart to tell his audience (some of whom are in various states of altered consciousness) that he is a big Fox News fan would break many hearts in San Francisco. Thus, the standard bearer of liberal TV comedy must fight the good fight against Fox News, even though he may really, really like us.
By the way, why are there not any conservative comedians with TV shows? Surely the overwhelming success of the non-liberal Fox News Channel proves there is an audience looking for more traditional presentations. I don't want to sound racist, but is there a black list?
But let's get back to Jon Stewart, who recently called FNC "the lupus of news." I will concede that, at times, the man seems to be genuinely upset when Obama-care is compared to socialism. And he gets a bit riled up when global warming is challenged as well. After Fox News reported that ice masses in the Arctic are actually increasing, Mr. Stewart looked ashen. Or maybe it was the lighting.
I will admit that I like Jon Stewart and perhaps that's why I am rooting for him to like Fox News. He is a great talent, and my sparring with him on TV brings us both great rewards. There is no way I would ever call him lupus or lumpen or even Lumpy Rutherford.
And I'd never tell him to go "F" himself, either.
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