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Exclusive: Jon Stewart on 'Fox News Sunday'

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    'Daily Show' host talks politics, media bias in extended, unedited interview

  • Duration 24:11
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It was last November when Jon Stewart promised on his show he would come here and answer my questions.

After months of -- -- disconnected phone numbers and press agents and who are you again.

It appears he finally ran out of excuses and so Jon Stewart welcome.

To FOX News Sunday.

Thanks so much -- I really appreciate it I just wanna say as a viewer I can't tell you -- disappointed.

That you would sell the program of this integrity.

This quality.

With a presence.

Stewart sort of a genetic Groucho Marx and you don't want to be a member of a club Italy and you'll you'll be reading on -- -- angry email about the fact that.

How does it feel to be in the belly of the -- This is the belly.

Yeah ought to realize -- in the belly there was this slightly different open -- that was that -- -- -- think this is.

I told -- -- as a first human beautifully climate controlled.

And ease of parking for New Yorker this is and he got invalidated yet I got my parking.

-- -- -- still have it I got my parking validated I will ask you this.

And I don't know if this is a metaphor.

For Washington bureaucracy but if somebody here could explain to me why New York avenue becomes Massachusetts avenue for no apparent reason without making turn really appreciate.

Not allowed to tell you really don't I don't get it checked out the months -- the very nice to be very criticized on the inside of the mugs.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Aaron Brown yes yeah elect Obama probably toast and we both take a big -- out of -- months I'd be.

You know it's interesting that the mug -- adulterated -- -- talking just drink -- drink the water why you wanted to just place.

But just interest thing you want to drink it when you have a taste of the stars I'm drinking it myself -- we can have different Waller could now I've seen this was spotted this.

Now set.

-- and why your drinking you love to take shots.

We're now what would you do that don't make her in my one little more but we you love to take shots at five it is yes I -- over the years you have called us and -- but those on the screen caucuses please heavy stuff being biased organization.

Relentlessly promoting an ideological agenda.

Under the rubric of being a news organization rubric anti -- actually that was slightly the wrong use the word -- -- a relentless agenda driven 24 hour news opinion.

Propaganda delivery system where do you come out -- that stuff.

It's actually quite easy when you feel -- you gotta feeling your soul and I got a really just lay it out there -- that where there so is that are you suggesting.

You were impressed with how well I describe things or.

I'm not sure what you you you like the explicit and specific nature of.

Well here's the deal.

Aren't -- on to say the same thing about the mainstream media about ABC CBS.

NBC.

Washington Post New York Times would you say the same thing about them that they are.

In your -- propaganda delivery system relentlessly pressuring a liberal agenda.

-- into one because I don't think they are I think I think you are but there's much more.

Reactive in the sense that -- like someone like my show.

You know the idea I guess I would say that's.

You are MSNBC is attempting that I think they're attempting they've looked at your business model and they've seen success -- it.

And I think there are attempting to be -- more activist organization.

You don't think the New York Times is a liberal organization.

Now pushing a liberal agenda.

The New York Times.

Now I think that they are to a certain extent do I think there are relentlessly activist now.

In any purely.

Liberal partisan way no I don't but I think this is fox is very special -- the -- -- to go from your eyes because I'm going to prove it to you know a few minutes.

Oh okay that I don't I'm excited about that every guy I had it.

-- -- -- -- You really -- -- you believe that Fox News.

Is exactly.

The ideological equivalent.

I -- -- and.

I think -- the -- of you believe I think that they have a liberal agenda and I think we tell the other side of the story but since this is my show I'm asking the question you're -- right -- politics Sara Taylor.

I don't let them get my I won't get my parking on ballot and how you can you're you're gonna get your apps currently such a Barack I gave you that you made.

Even make fun of the fact that the New York Times the Washington Post when this.

Document dump of 24000 email from Sarah Palin was released and -- got so excited about it they asked.

There -- -- can help us go through these 44000 documents.

How do you explain the fact that they would do that they would ask their readers to help those with the 2000 pages of the Obama health care.

Because I think their bias is towards sensationalism and laziness I wouldn't say it's towards a liberal agenda and I think.

You -- -- maybe they went a little easier on the Obama health care bill.

All I think they when -- Johnny Obama helped -- in the -- when it -- easier on the Levin Coburn.

Financial disaster -- I think that the these emails a day there in.

You know.

Twitter type so it's a lot easier to go through.

B it's like -- So it's absolutely within the wheel house I mean if your suggestion is that they are relentlessly partisan then why haven't they gone.

And backed away from -- Now they don't think they've they've.

Jumped into the -- pool.

So with such delight and such relish because the body that women are indefensible the bias of the -- a lot lots and -- defensible.

But the -- to the mainstream media is towards sensationalism.

Conflict and laziness well took your suggestion is -- but you've proved very little.

By suggest that -- Sarah Palin you mails.

Were understanding -- are not an electric you're gonna take you around shot at recently at Sarah Palin you compared.

-- video of her one boss one nation bus -- to a certain commercial let's tackle Belcher.

No it's cool man.

The way they -- reporters finishing each -- sentences.

We're seeing that technique before.

-- -- -- -- Sarah Palin and her herpes drug really.

That's a technique for the commercial.

You don't you so you're saying that by comparing the technique that she used in her video to a -- and garbage you're not making a political common.

You really think that's a political common yes you're insane.

Really yeah here's the difference between you -- up.

I'm a comedian first my comedy is informed by an ideological background there's no question about that but the thing that you will never understand.

And the thing that in some respects conservative activists will never understand is that Hollywood -- they're liberal but that's not their primary motivating force I'm not an activist.

I'm a comedian right and my comedies informed by ideology there's no question about that fine but I'm not an.

-- -- -- want to thank you for saying that because yeah Baltimore Sun TV critic David -- whack them.

But it up on the screen says that is your -- Stewart has never held accountable to the media criticism Izzy.

When he is wrong he goes into the tap dance as saying okay is only coming -- -- this -- to be taken seriously.

What about that when that I -- you I'm only comedian I said I'm a comedian first that's not only being a comedian is harder than what you do.

What I do is much harder I put material through a process comedic process I don't -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- We're that's -- I can only go wow us all -- -- it is.

I -- president treaties we'll have to fit on the back gonna cereal box.

Yeah I honestly did you address we'll be delivered in the bottom of the -- include higher.

Can I do not like to read.

You.

Planning a remake of Amos and Andy.

Want you show you wanna show me doing all the voices for all the other people that we can do -- -- see my New York voice.

A Chinese -- voice.

Are you suggesting that you and I -- the same.

Are you suggesting the cut what -- my at my highest aspiration and what are you I'm desperate I think coming -- late on I think you wanna be a political -- there.

You are wrong.

The dead wrong.

We might perish I appreciate where exactly do I want might do what hurt do I want my voice heard absolutely -- -- got a comedy I mean I cannot carry itself.

Not idea coming have what -- my at my highest aspiration and landline.

I think MI Edward.

-- dot of those two marked one right.

But but so has anybody got a lot of political impact.

But it was that his main thrust MI -- activists in your mind ideological partisan activist okay that I disagree with.

Look I absolutely disagree that that's the case I think -- and I don't think and I think.

I think you take shots at at at although I think it's mostly to maintain credibility and you're not as comfortable whether it let me take a sign that Obama and your level here's what I'm -- I was going to -- -- conserve and.

You can't understand.

Because of the world you live in.

That there is not -- designed.

Ideological agenda on my part to affect partisan change because that's that's -- abuse women.

And I appreciate that and I understand it reminds me of you know.

You know in ideological regimes.

They can't understand that there is free media other places because they received marching orders and if you want to go through bill -- emails.

And -- -- how do you explain me.

Oh I think you do a nice job and I've told you that on the show I think you're one of the most interest -- -- I get I think there's.

I think that you are here.

In some respects.

-- bring.

A credibility and integrity to an organization that might not otherwise have it.

Without your presence so you well you are here as a counterweight to Hannity let's say.

Or you are here as a counterweight to -- back because otherwise it's just pure talk radio.

And it doesn't establish the type of.

But the critical -- and that that part of what went right for you but that's part there are -- -- this is important -- this is now.

But you're so I got that I like not Edwards during a CNN debate and my dodging you -- and -- dodging it by now -- just right here is that what I sent here is it is the question and I and I think they're plenty of examples -- -- just give you another example are.

This isn't yet this is the mainstream media.

Because we look for examples of liberal bias of no partisan agenda I just I'm not.

Suggesting there's no liberal bias in the media but you -- suggesting.

That there is an equivalence.

Of fox and ABC and I think that -- so rightly -- here's.

Diane Sawyer.

Last year announced in the new immigration -- take a look.

It's a stranger walking down the street are riding the bus does not seem to be a US citizen.

Is it all right for the police to stop and question him.

Well today the governor of Arizona signed a law that requires police to do just that.

But that -- what the law requires them to do in fact the law says the only way.

That you can stop somebody is it as part of late lawful enforcement stuck he can't -- site.

-- you're walking down the street exactly she suggested it has to be because there's a broken taillight or their loitering where they're doing something else.

Don't think she shouldn't mention that your.

Yet -- -- I think you're right I think we have more full context.

And more.

Of the types of things that -- time but but I don't understand how that's purely liberal.

Or conservative bias that's like I said sensationalist and somewhat lazy but I don't understand how that's partisan.

I don't think -- you know here's our resident Ashley Arizona law to mischaracterize.

What it did.

First of all if that's -- bash.

Then that is the -- this form of back.

It's a form of subtle misinformation let me tell you exactly and another example let's not make let me -- -- -- so I -- -- just stopping our -- you can you can give -- another example when -- give you.

My feeling about the context of what that is.

Yesterday there was the -- -- a press conference.

Every single 120 foreigners or 24 -- -- there was -- built for one thing and that's nine elevenths.

And the type of you know gigantic.

News event.

That the type of apparatus that exists in this building and exists and -- one of foreigners ours is perfectly suited to cover any absence of that.

They're not just gonna say there's not that much that's urgent or important or conflict -- happening today so we are going to -- up.

We are going to bring forth.

More conflict and more sensationalism because we want to continue watching us 24 hours a day seven days a week.

Even when the news doesn't necessarily warrant.

That type of behavior so here's my example of what news biases in my mind.

Three networks fox CNN MSNBC.

Are going live to the -- -- -- news conference because they are sure coming on the heels of Anthony -- resigning.

That she is going to make some sort of incredible statement about.

You know I've disappointed at him in about so they're all locked on.

And the whole time pandering.

I can't believe we've got to go in and do this you know the American people don't care about this -- about jobs they care about the economy that's what the American people care about.

We're about to go -- Speaker Pelosi she's about to do that.

She steps up to the podium and -- one.

Not gonna comment about Anthony -- and we'll talk about -- -- -- -- talk about the economy and what did everybody do a lot.

So what's your proof again about the partisan agenda and what I do.

That's the embarrassment the embarrassment is that I'm given credibility in this world.

Because of the disappointment.

That the public has in what the news media does.

I don't and not because I -- I haven't I realized I don't think our viewers are the least bit disappointed with us.

I think our viewers think -- finally running getting somebody who tells the other side right district and one independent and no one more -- -- Apple's.

That we misinformed media viewers the most consistently misinformed.

Fox.

Fox viewers.

Consistently.

Every poll can we talk about your network.

That we talk about Comedy Central because he's delighted to -- case in point are.

How did you musically -- excellent -- -- he -- -- -- and he did that thing in my case I wouldn't know what they're actually.

-- -- -- Look it's not exactly masterpiece theatre your work and for your damn right and I think I'm perfectly placed I think that is my that is -- the counter balance.

To that now I know that I -- I don't I did -- -- to prepare for the I had to prepare to go to episodes of South Park I -- -- his mom is a slot parts one and -- -- I look like Reno 91 wanted to ask him about those guys.

There are brilliant guy.

South Park guys are drilling guys and their abilities that type -- the next time you're sitting there her ranking fox just remember.

That's what you work.

-- -- Larry I completely agree and -- -- -- talking about it are you suggesting you and I are the same that's what I'm trying to get my head around.

No I don't ask that by design so why shouldn't I Brian I am suggesting that Mike -- has good stuff and bad stuff I'm suggesting that there is -- And that you only tell part of the story.

Oh there's no question that I -- I don't tell the full story.

I'm not I don't disagree with that but I -- not tell the full story based on it purely ideological partisan agenda that's my point.

My point isn't I think you like and it doesn't fit your agenda is more out there in your pushing more -- an agenda and you pretend.

I disagree with -- I think that I'm pushing.

Comedy.

And my ideological agenda informs it at all times now.

That agenda or my ideology is at times liberal at times can lean more conservative but it's about absurdity.

It's about absurdity and it's about corruption.

And that is the agenda that we push it is an anti.

Corruption.

Anti.

-- lack of authenticity it's anti contrivance.

And if I see that more in one area and I do and another well then but I will defend every single thing that we put on that show.

And I'm not dodging you in any way by suggesting.

That our main thrust idled is immediately and that -- event everything that we put on that -- -- all and and by the way.

How often do you see your show on my show.

I don't I'm I'm my beef isn't with you cut it but I but little by -- exist as I think that that mr.

-- has very brilliantly.

What you want and I think you're a tough interviewer I think you're fair interviewer I think some of the things that.

Couple I wanna a couple of final placards and where did you really have to watch -- -- South -- -- they are funny well.

-- those guys are -- I disagree with you again -- -- are you disappointed in Barack Obama's president.

Yes I think I have.

Do you think -- lived up to his promise to fix the economy.

Now I don't know the kind of sway that a president can have on the economy but do I believe that he's.

Who who lived up to the promise is not I think the fundamental disagreement I probably -- when this administration is simple.

And that is that.

He came in and said.

You can't expect to have.

A different result.

With the same people that was in many ways his.

Seminal campaign focus.

And all I see as far as economic stewardship are the -- that got us into this mess in the first and Geithner Summers and those guys and the types of policies that got -- -- Honestly.

Did you did you watch any of the CNN debate with the Republicans.

Did you see anybody on that stage -- you could envision voting for against Obama.

That debate to me focused you know is very large sectors right now they're still in red meat mode.

And so when I see debate.

That still -- so much on.

You know gay marriage and Don't Ask Don't Tell and the types of things where you know I tend to glaze over and I thought that in general.

You know their responses to things in terms of tax cuts being.

The magic bullet as what it is so far I haven't heard anything that appeals to my sense that that intrigues me politically or.

In any way that is different what intrigued me about Obama was a statement that I thought he understood.

The corrosive -- of the system that exists and I thought he was gonna do mortal blow that system -- When's the last time you voted for a Republican for president.

For president.

HW.

Against Bill Clinton.

Now.

Against Michael dukakis' -- really and -- -- He seemed like a different.

There is an integrity about him.

That I respect greatly and there's something about tiny people in helmets.

But who he would have been great for eight years as president -- But I -- house yeah I mean that wasn't I wasn't a comedian percent at that time but.

You don't.

If that's the barometer of whether or not I'm an ideological warrior and -- I think that's what you're suggesting.

Is that an ideological warrior is someone.

That will not vote.

Against party I mean again.

I'm not exactly sure.

I assume that.

Part of this is to delegitimize.

Criticism against fox by suggesting that it's coming from a place.

Contrived and just political and -- is that is that really true because here's the thing that surprises me about that I've existed in this country forever.

There have been people like me -- satirize the political process.

And satirist was at the will Rogers said you know how crazy is it went politicians are -- -- and comedians are taking seriously.

-- existed forever.

The box that I exist and has always been around the change is the box that you guys you've moved closer to me.

But I'd like to know what I'm doing that's really different than what you've seen previously from satirical comedians that work in the political milieu what what is different about it.

That makes you so perplexed.

I'm not I don't I'm not set up perplexed I -- trying to figure out why -- -- What -- -- what I'm trying to send.

Is that all on -- -- to do you make it sound like I'm trying to delegitimize.

You to defend fox.

That -- what is what is the surface of how -- what is the purpose.

Of trying to that assumes I yeah it kind of and this is where I think your wrong and right you don't get at that later is that.

There's not -- a single marching -- there's not.

Some kind of command there's not there's talk about that memo I'm sad or disagree I am sitting here talking to Jon Stewart.

And trying to get it trying to understand you trying to see whether or not you recognize that what I believe is -- those as much by us on the other side as you subscribe to -- And why you -- I believe that go easy on the.

I believe that the counterweight to fox is attending -- BM is here's what I.

That the mainstream media that you showed deride -- I also -- the -- derided for very different reasons.

I -- the mainstream media because of their focus on sensationalism.

And conflict.

And you deride them because you think they're relentlessly partisan and I just disagree with that I think that.

There is a probably.

A liberal bias that exists within the media that is because of the medium and in which -- -- I think that.

The majority of people working and it probably hold liberal viewpoint bought.

I don't think that they are as relentlessly activist.

As the conservative movement that has risen up over the last forty years and that movement.

Has decided that they have been victims.

Of a witch hunt and to some extent they're right.

People on the right are called racists and they're called things.

With an ease that I -- -- comfortable.

And homophobic and all those other things and I think that that is.

Absolutely.

Something that they have a real right.

To be angry about and feel that they've been vilified for those things and I've been guilty of doing some of those things myself.

And that that's what -- -- because we gotta go oh I accept or are you just yet have talked to secretary of defense gates -- is that really.

Your priority for -- And and it's I accept your apology.

I want to thank you for -- on do you get me well you know what -- come back we can explore this and more time and we we acknowledge that.

Still.

Human.

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