October 5, 2007

"It strikes me as a self-hurt book."

Jon Stewart assails Chris Matthews about his book that tries to get you to use political strategies to succeed in your personal life.

ADDED: Here's the video. (I took down the YouTube version that became unavailable.)

40 comments:

AmPowerBlog said...

"This video is no longer available..."

Maybe Chris Matthews will be no longer available...

Burkean Reflections

shadow said...

I like Chris Matthews but the comments he made reminded me of some Customer Support training I once had (I'm a software engineer). We were given a very specific sequence of steps to take when dealing with clients. It was reasonably effective but seemed overly manipulative and formulaic. It didn't bother us too much until the trainer casually mentioned that if we found his techniques efffective, we should try them on our family and friends. That made everyone in our group go ballistic. The thought of interacting with people we cared about in that same shallow way seemed like a terrible idea.

Chris' comments about his book seemed like they were headed in a similar direction. The end was all that mattered. He said it's OK if people don't believe you as long as they vote for you. Personally, I'd like my friends to believe me.

George M. Spencer said...

It's all for yucks.

Great publicity for Matthew and the other guy.

What a facelift and dye job on Matthews. He's 62, looks 43.

Would have been better if Edwin Newman had done the interview

titus22 said...

I like Stewart but I thought this was kind of ugly and sanctimonious.

hdhouse said...

How to succeed -

Talk right over the other person.
Cut the other person off.
Ask endless questions in one long sentence.
Get the best people around you to talk with and then don't let them talk.
When in doubt, say you ran out of time.

tedious tedious tedious

Anonymous said...

Shadow hit the nail on the head--to Matthews and his ilk, the end justifies the means. That's why it's okay to suppress free speech, conveniently labeled as hate speech.

Matthews is a disgusting person. His mistreatment of Zell Miller was shameful, and his bias is so blatant, he should move to Air America or NPR, where there is no pretense of impartiality.

Stewart painted Matthews in the ugly hues that comprise his soul. His reference to "The Prince" was priceless. Trotting out the fascist line was humorous, but as over-the-top as when it's used against Bush. Bottom line is, though, the Matthews crowd is much closer to fascism than Bush and his crowd.

The video is still available on HotAir. Look in the vault in October and scroll down just a little.

Matthews emerged with folded arms, and before the interview ended, he was wagging his finger in Stewart's face. How condescending and rude. He talked over Stewart like O'Reilly does his guests. Take a pill, Chris. He tried to put a deeper meaning on petty selfishness. Stewart was squirming in repulsion at Matthews' ideas.

Trooper York said...

Veronica Corningstone: Mr. Burgundy, I am a professional and I would like to do my job.
Ron Burgundy: Big deal. I am very professional.
Veronica Corningstone: Mr. Burgundy, you are acting like a baby.
Ron Burgundy: I'm not a baby, I'm a MAN, I am an ANCHORMAN.
Veronica Corningstone: You are not a man. You are a big fat joke.
Ron Burgundy: I'm a man who discovered the wheel and built the Eiffel Tower out of metal and brawn. That's what kind of man I am. You're just a woman with a small brain. With a brain a third the size of us. It's science.
(Anchorman 2004)

Modern Otter said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Modern Otter said...

Also at http://rawstory.com/news/2007/Chris_Matthews_to_Jon_Stewart_This_1003.html

Laura Reynolds said...

Unfunny guy with huge ego and unfunny book to promote. Funny guy with comedy show pretending to be a serious show, interviews the unfunny guy about his unfunny book and naturally tries to find something funny to talk about.

In the real world laughs and hijinks may not follow.

rhhardin said...

I thought it was amusing.

Two guys trying to step back to reality from show biz against each other. A battle of wits in a race to what will stand as defendable reality.

I think Matthews lost the particular duel.

A resourceful producer would have a guy come in at gunpoint and take their wallets.

rcocean said...

I thought is was humorous. Some people are taking this too seriously. Both men were just doing their shtick.

Why expect a comedian and a blowhard, doing a show aimed at stoned-out slackers, to be an insightful book discussion.

Unknown said...

I think Stewart see Mathews as what he is; a shill for whoever happens to be on his show.

Whether it be Ann Coulter or a Democratic/Republican hack, he sucks up to them.

Unknown said...

rcoceansays: "Why expect a comedian and a blowhard, doing a show aimed at stoned-out slackers, to be an insightful book discussion."

Stewart is a "blowhard" who's show is aimed at "stoned-out slackers"??

Talk about ridiculous right wing spin...

The demographics of who watches his show certainly don't bear that out in any way, shape or form.

*An how does one become a "discussion?"

I'm Full of Soup said...

90% of the readers of Althouse could write a better advice book than that suckup, beltway-blindered, arrogant, out of touch wheeny Matthews.

Onn the other hand, he was in the Peace Corps so he is an expert on foreign policy (at least that is what he claims).

I'm Full of Soup said...

Lucky:

FYI- you and hdhouse are among the 10%.

The Pretentious Ignoramus said...

Does anybody think we will be reading Matthews' book 20 years from now, notwithstanding his claim that it rivals, nay surpasses, The Prince?

I find Jon Stewart to be highly annoying, but he gets a pass on this one because Matthews is such a horse's ass. Why are people like Matthews so afraid to wear the face God gave them?

hdhouse said...

AJ Lynch...10% of what? Upper? certainly you jest.

Scrutineer said...

Aaron: ".... I believe that Tom [the anchorman], while a very nice guy, is the Devil. ....What do you think the Devil is going to look like if he's around? Nobody is going to be taken in if he has a long, red, pointy tail. No. I'm semi-serious here. He will look attractive and he will be nice and helpful and he will get a job where he influences a great God-fearing nation and he will never do an evil thing...he will just bit by little bit lower standards where they are important. Just coax along flash over substance... Just a tiny bit. And he will talk about all of us really being salesmen."

- "Broadcast News"

ron st.amant said...

Matthews' thesis is "treat your life like a political campaign"

Stweart's retort is "gee, that's a soulless way to live your life"

I'm with Stewart on this.

howzerdo said...

"Why expect a comedian and a blowhard, doing a show aimed at stoned-out slackers, to be an insightful book discussion."

This description made me smile! (I rarely LOL while reading my screen.) I have no idea what the demographics are for Stewart (or Matthews), but it describes a friend of mine, who is a major fan of Stewart's brand of "news," to a tee...and I think it sums up Stewart and Matthews pretty well, too. Thanks.

howzerdo said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

AJ Lynch,
I have no idea what your point is.

I never defended Mathews, I think he's pretty much like most talking heads...full of it.

Unknown said...

Daily Show Demographics:

1. Viewers of Jon Stewart's show are more likely to have completed four years of college than people who watch "The O'Reilly Factor," according to Nielsen Media Research.

2. A recent study by the University of Pennsylvania's National Annenberg Election Survey, which said young viewers of "The Daily Show" were more likely to answer questions about politics correctly than those who don't.

*And by the way, rcoceans's "stoned slacker" comment is a direct quote from...Bill O'Reilly...what a shocker.

The Exalted said...

do any of you disagree with stewart's comments? or do you criticize him as some knee-jerk response

Anonymous said...

Life’s a Campaign

People try to convince others all the time to do what they intuitively are hesitant to do and for good reason. They want to take you on their terms so that they get what they want. They try to convince you what they want is really what YOU want, or that what they propose is in your interests, or what’s morally best blah blah. Too many people do act like politicians and they’ll redefine or steal that essence of who you are, if you’re not properly, morally selfish. Know thyself and thine own spirit. Don’t be talked into life-changing circumstance to please another, and life will be good and interesting, or least on your own terms.

As for me, children are grown, I recently got in shape and am back in the metropolis meeting all sorts of wonderful people and amazing, successful men. The ones I enjoy are strong and fascinating but not manipulative or desperate. I don’t need to be sold or to settle. I especially don’t want to have my life defined downward to suit a man’s out of the way location or financial middling situation.

Unknown said...

The Exalted said..."do any of you disagree with stewart's comments? or do you criticize him as some knee-jerk response"

Which "comments?"

It was about a ten minute interview that was all over the board.

Trooper York said...

Angie, Angie, when will those clouds all disappear?
Angie, Angie, where will it lead us from here?
With no loving in our souls and no money in our coats
You can't say we're satisfied
But Angie, Angie, you can't say we never tried
Angie, you're beautiful, but ain't it time we said good-bye?
Angie, I still love you, remember all those nights we cried?
All the dreams we held so close seemed to all go up in smoke
Let me whisper in your ear:
Angie, Angie, where will it lead us from here?
Oh, Angie, don't you weep, all your kisses still taste sweet
I hate that sadness in your eyes
But Angie, Angie, ain't it time we said good-bye?
With no loving in our souls and no money in our coats
You can't say we're satisfied
But Angie, I still love you, baby
Ev'rywhere I look I see your eyes
There ain't a woman that comes close to you
Come on Baby, dry your eyes
But Angie, Angie, ain't it good to be alive?
Angie, Angie, they can't say we never tried
(M. Jagger/K. Richards)

Anonymous said...

Just who are you, Trooper York, and have we met in Chinatown or at a newspaper stand in East Village?

Yes, it's SO good to be alive.

Anonymous said...

Oh, forgot to say good-bye, fare thee well, it was great while it lasted ever so briefly.

Anonymous said...

How many times must we tell the tale?
How many times must we fall?
Living in lost memory
You just recalled

Working on the sound of the band
Trying to get the music right
Two go out working
Three stay home at night

That's when she said she was pretending
Like she knew the plan
That's when I knew she was pretending
Pretending to understand

Pretending, pretending
Pretending, pretending

Satisfied but lost in love
Situations change
You're never who you used to think you are
How strange

I get lost in alibis
Sadness can't prevail
Everybody knows strong love
Can't fail

Don't be pretending about how you feel
Don't be pretending that your love is real
Don't be pretending about how you feel
Don't be pretending that your love is real

Pretending, pretending
Pretending, pretending

(Clapton)

The Exalted said...

eh, dont be obtuse

the entire interview was stewart criticizing matthews' nonsense

matthews go-to ace argument apparently is "clinton got laid in college"

after that, all he has is "why are you being so hard on me har har har you're a jerk"

what a tool

Unknown said...

Luckyoldson said...

I still have no idea what you're talking about when you say: "do any of you disagree with stewart's comments? or do you criticize him as some knee-jerk response"

What comments?

He was highly critical of the premise of Mathews' book...period.

Steve M. Galbraith said...

Well, Matthews is saying that he bested Stewart during their exchange which tends (ahem) to indicate that Stewart was right about the premise of the book.

You really can't go through life faking it.

SMG

Methadras said...

Why the Ted Kennedy's drinking buddy, Chris Matthews is allowed anywhere near a pen, a typewriter, a microphone, or a television camera, or a telephone is beyond me. The man is a danger to himself and to the political news he reports and commentates on. He is one of the lower common denominators in leftist politics. Say anything to get elected, smear the other side to get elected, just as long as your a liberal and a leftist, then get elected and I'll try to help you.

KCFleming said...

The end usually determines the means.

Matthews simply exposed his ultimate goal in dealing with all people: to use them as objects to satisfy his needs. That is the motto of a sociopath, to be sure. And he makes the sociopath's mistake in thinking, You only wish you had the guts to do this. Stewart, of whom I am no admirer, gives the correct fully human response, No, Chris, I don't wish that.

I'm glad our society, made highly diverse by the mechanisms of capitalism, offers such venues to this hateful portion of our population. Just think of the mischief Matthews would beget absent these paths of vainglorious self-love.

What would the world would have been like had Hitler or Stalin had instead been mere titan CEOs, asshole bosses for multinational companies? Just another way in which capitalism saves the day.

But does it ever get any thanks? Does anyone ever call for an interview? Nope.

reader_iam said...

Although I've come to the conclusion that my posting source links here is mostly, at best, an annoyance, I'm still going to post one to Chris Matthews' 2003 commencement address at Holy Cross, his alma mater and also that of several family members and friends (and their family members, etc.)

I haven't read the book yet, but the descriptions of it, as well as the Matthews-Stewart encounter, immediately brought this address to mind, which some may or may not find of interest.

reader_iam said...

Apart and separate from anything other issue, by the way, I found Matthews' 1997 book "Kennedy and Nixon: The Rivalry That Shaped Postwar America" (a quick read) to be quite interesting in key respects and areas, and useful since then.

I'm Full of Soup said...

Lucky & hdhouse:

You both proved me correct. I said 90% of Althouse readers could write a better advice book than Chris Matthews.

But I placed you in the 10%- get it?? 100-90= 10% who could not !

The Exalted said...

lucky,

you need a reboot.