# Obama to appear on Daily Show tonight **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 27, 2010, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-to-appear-on-daily-show-tonight/558513 "2010-10-27T13:24:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![joebuck20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2010, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-to-appear-on-daily-show-tonight/558513/21 "2010-10-27T21:21:42Z")
> [@PunditLisa](#): > > I mean, seriously, the Prime Minister could probably boost his ratings immensely by making a guest appearance on _Top Gear_ and blowing something up. However, it would also damage his credibility as a statesman. When you’re a powerful person at the level of the PM or POTUS, you remain above reproach. Speaking of which, Obama will be appearing on Mythbusters. I’m sure they’ll blow something up, but whether or not he himself will be the one firing the detonator I cannot say. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2010, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-to-appear-on-daily-show-tonight/558513/22 "2010-10-27T21:24:36Z")
Now Mythbusters, I can potentially see the indignity there. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2010, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-to-appear-on-daily-show-tonight/558513/23 "2010-10-27T21:30:46Z")
> [@Shagnasty](#): > > I think it is getting pretty clear that Obama has little interest in politics for its own sake. He just always really wanted to be on TV and becoming president seemed to be the best way to get his pick of shows to appear on. He should just get an agent and move to New York or Hollywood. This goes against every inside book or article I’ve ever read about him. On the contrary, one of the main criticisms is that he takes the actual nuts and bolts of the job seriously to an almost naive degree and doesn’t care _enough_ about his public image or politicking. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2010, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-to-appear-on-daily-show-tonight/558513/24 "2010-10-27T21:32:13Z")
> [@Don\_t\_Call\_Me\_Shirley](#): > > Richard Nixon was on fucking _Laugh In._ If memory serves, this was before he was president. Ah, yes, September 16, 1968. Roddy ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2010, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-to-appear-on-daily-show-tonight/558513/25 "2010-10-27T23:26:02Z")
> [@joebuck20](#): > > Speaking of which, Obama will be appearing on Mythbusters. I’m sure they’ll blow something up, but whether or not he himself will be the one firing the detonator I cannot say. I though you had to be kidding about his going on Mythbusters, but nope, he’s going on an upcoming episode. My gawd! Words fail me. I just hope the episode doesn’t feature water skis and a leather jacket. ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2010, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-to-appear-on-daily-show-tonight/558513/26 "2010-10-27T23:34:14Z")
The dignity of the office? Oh man, you folks sure were lucky to grow up in an era when the office of President was some fancy pants thing. Speaking as a 24 year old, my earliest Presidential memories included cigars and cumming on dresses. Then there was the whole Bush period. Look, the Daily Show is no big deal at all. Knock yourself out, Mr. President. ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2010, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-to-appear-on-daily-show-tonight/558513/27 "2010-10-28T00:11:46Z")
> [@Shagnasty](#): > > I think it is getting pretty clear that Obama has little interest in politics for its own sake. He just always really wanted to be on TV and becoming president seemed to be the best way to get his pick of shows to appear on. He should just get an agent and move to New York or Hollywood. I suspect this was a very sucessful whoosh. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2010, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-to-appear-on-daily-show-tonight/558513/28 "2010-10-28T02:36:53Z")
I saw it. I liked it. Obama came off okay and clearly has a sense of humour about himself. Stewart was restrained, asked intelligent questions without too much softball in them. Obama: [on what his campaign slogan would be, in hindsight] Yes we can, but… [audience laughs]… it won’t be overnight. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2010, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-to-appear-on-daily-show-tonight/558513/29 "2010-10-28T03:55:35Z")
Stewart was pretty challenging with him (though I suppose some people will think he was soft because he didn’t demand to see Obama’ birth certificate or call him a Socialist), but the President came back pretty strongly for the most part. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2010, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-to-appear-on-daily-show-tonight/558513/30 "2010-10-28T04:07:45Z")
> [@Shagnasty](#): > > I think it is getting pretty clear that Obama has little interest in politics for its own sake. He just always really wanted to be on TV and becoming president seemed to be the best way to get his pick of shows to appear on. He should just get an agent and move to New York or Hollywood. You’re saying somebody would get elected President of the United States because it seemed like a good way to do a couple of guest appearances on cable TV? Do you even read the things you post? ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2010, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-to-appear-on-daily-show-tonight/558513/31 "2010-10-28T04:12:35Z")
[QUOTE=DiosaBellissima] Speaking as a 24 year old, my earliest Presidential memories included cigars and cumming on dresses. [/QUOTE] I really hope you’re referring to Monica Lewinsky and not a meet and greet you went to. I thought Stewart did a good job of not giving him a foot massage while remembering (as Fox does not) that he’s not an investigative journalist. And I thought Obama parried well and made some good points in his defense. And yet again I regret that even with a hand tied behind his back and as a comedian first and foremost Stewart still asks more intelligent questions than any cable news network host. Many will claim Stewart soft balled him, forgetting his interviews with the likes of Zell Miller, Rick Santorum, Frau Cheney and other conservative players. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2010, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-to-appear-on-daily-show-tonight/558513/32 "2010-10-28T04:13:18Z")
> [@PunditLisa](#): > > He’s not a movie star or some junior senator. He is the most powerful man in the world. Once he’s done serving his time, I have no issues with a POTUS appearing wherever he pleases. I really enjoy listening to Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton when they appear on talk shows. But while he’s serving as the elected President, I believe that he should maintain an air of dignity and not appear as a guest on popular entertainment shows, especially ones that blur the lines between comedy and news. My attitude is almost exactly the opposite. The traditional forums for political discourse (speeches, press conferences, Sunday talk shows) have become utterly pro forma. The interviewers have learned what they’re expected to ask, and the politicians have learned how to not answer them. I find out more about issues and people in settings like this, where they have to think on their feet and answer plain (yet still intelligent) questions in plain language. ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2010, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-to-appear-on-daily-show-tonight/558513/33 "2010-10-28T04:58:09Z")
TDS is not just any comedy show, they have had several sitting heads of state on. Pervez Musharraf, Evo Morales, and recently the King of Jordan. Stewart is as good an interviewer as many of the actual newsmen, and better in that he’s not afraid to crack a joke or ask a probing question now and then I’m sure Shagnasty would change his tone pretty quick if Palin was president and appeared on Fox News. It’ll be the first uncensored basic cable showing of mutual masturbation ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2010, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-to-appear-on-daily-show-tonight/558513/34 "2010-10-28T05:25:02Z")
It has not been my impression that **Shagnasty** is a Sarah Palin type of conservative. I’m pretty sure he identifies as libertarian. ---
**Author:** ![Locrian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/locrian/32/14146_2.png) [@Locrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Locrian)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2010, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-to-appear-on-daily-show-tonight/558513/35 "2010-10-28T06:22:49Z")
I’m watching it now. This is hilarious! I like the casual banter from both so far. “I don’t want to put you in a group of pundits…” “I don’t want to put you in a group of former presidents…” HA! ---
**Author:** ![dzero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f9b8f/32.png) [@dzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dzero)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2010, 9:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-to-appear-on-daily-show-tonight/558513/36 "2010-10-28T09:00:08Z")
> [@joebuck20](#): > > Speaking of which, Obama will be appearing on Mythbusters. I’m sure they’ll blow something up, but whether or not he himself will be the one firing the detonator I cannot say. I don’t have a problem with this, or TDS. I’m just grateful that Pimp My Ride is no longer on the air. ---
**Author:** ![Koxinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4af34b/32.png) [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2010, 9:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-to-appear-on-daily-show-tonight/558513/37 "2010-10-28T09:25:25Z")
Obama seemed to me to be pretty stiff and defensive; he hardly ever smiled, and only did so grudgingly, and on two or three occasions looked like he was about to start wagging his finger in Jon’s face before thinking better of it. And anyone notice how at the beginning of the piece he set aside the gift mug as far as possible away from himself, with almost a little moue of disdain? I don’t think he did himself any favors with this appearance. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2010, 11:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-to-appear-on-daily-show-tonight/558513/38 "2010-10-28T11:23:48Z")
> [@Koxinga](#): > > And anyone notice how at the beginning of the piece he set aside the gift mug as far as possible away from himself, with almost a little moue of disdain? I thought that was funny, myself, in light of how Stewart had immediately before transferred the water into “Mug Force One” from a standard TDS mug. And the “heckuva job” moment was amusing as well. One thing I would have liked Obama to say, when asked about the glacial pace of Washington, was to point out that Washington is slow _by design_ and as such has kept the country stable since the Civil War. Were it subject to radical sweeping changes with the election of a new president, the U.S. would be prone to mass instability and bouts of dictatorship, as are many (indeed, most) countries around the world. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2010, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-to-appear-on-daily-show-tonight/558513/39 "2010-10-28T13:17:54Z")
> [@Koxinga](#): > > Obama seemed to me to be pretty stiff and defensive; he hardly ever smiled, and only did so grudgingly, and on two or three occasions looked like he was about to start wagging his finger in Jon’s face before thinking better of it. > > And anyone notice how at the beginning of the piece he set aside the gift mug as far as possible away from himself, with almost a little moue of disdain? Yeah, there was that (I had the impression maybe he was annoyed to not be getting a regular Daily Show mug, but who knows), and the exchange when Stewart said, “Does that mean I’ve just been invited to the White House?” and Obama immediately said “No.” On the other hand, Obama did give a shout out to the “Rally for Sanity”, so he’s got that going for him. Anyway, an interesting TV artifact, if not especially compelling. One thing I did find amusing to contemplate, though: Bill O’Reilly (if not Colbert as well) must be positively _seething_. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2010, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-to-appear-on-daily-show-tonight/558513/40 "2010-10-28T13:25:14Z")
> [@El\_Kabong](#): > > Anyway, an interesting TV artifact, if not especially compelling. One thing I did find amusing to contemplate, though: Bill O’Reilly (if not Colbert as well) must be positively _seething_. Don’t worry. O’Reilly is a conniver. When the next Republican is elected President, he’ll be free to use the O’Reilly forum to give a free one-hour campaign commercial, under the guise of an “interview,” right before the mid-term election, too. And the liberals will cry “Foul!” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-to-appear-on-daily-show-tonight/558513.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-to-appear-on-daily-show-tonight/558513.md?page=3)