Make no mistake: Jon Stewart, host of The Daily Show, is not your typical low-brow talk show host who tells funny jokes about the news. He’s one smart cookie. And he’s fast on his feet. With scores of politicians, journalists and policy makers as nightly guests, Stewart takes on –- and sometimes takes down -– some of America’s boldest and brightest.
Take, for example, his wicked (and right) debate with CNBC’s Jim Cramer.
So whom else would we like to see Stewart go up against? We have some thoughts.
1. Glenn Beck
Stringer/Getty Images
Glenn Beck, host of Fox News’s The Glenn Beck Show, is one of the country’s more polarizing figures these days. He’s called President Barack Obama a racist and even suggested some of the artwork at Rockefeller Plaza in New York City was inspired by communism. Stewart has taken him to task many times. It’d be wonderful to sit Beck across from Stewart and let Stewart go to town. Oh, what fun!
2. George W. Bush
Handout
Having the former president of the United States sit down with Stewart would be a headline event. And while Stewart was no fan, I suspect the interview wouldn’t go anything like you’d think. I’d guess there would be a bit of compassion involved. And my guess is, that although Stewart never agreed with Bush’s policies, he’d like the guy. Or at least like to be around the guy.
3. Ann Coulter
Peter Kramer/Getty Images
Sense a theme in this list? Yes, Stewart has little patience for talking heads like Coulter and Beck. Especially those that are so polarizing. I’m going to guess he’d have the least amount of patience for Coulter. She’s the author of books titled Slander: Liberal Lies About the American Right and Treason: Liberal Treachery from the Cold War to the War on Terrorism, so you know she’s got a lot to say about a lot of issues. And I’m sure Stewart would love to ask her a few questions.
4. Philip E. Johnson
Getty Images/Ethan Miller
The 69-year-old retired UC Berkeley law professor and author is considered the father of the intelligent design movement, which rejects the theory of evolution. This would be for pure debate purposes. Stewart would certainly treat the professor with respect, but he would not shy away from asking tough questions and pointing out flaws in the theory. It would be a wonderful thing to watch.
5. David Letterman
Getty Images
Stewart’s visited Letterman’s Late Show more than once, but I don’t think Dave has ever crossed town to Stewart’s studio. We’d like to see this less because it’s someone we want to see Stewart debate or challenge, but more because we’d like to see Dave on the other side of the couch. Plus, if Stewart could ask about recent events in Letterman’s life, it’d make for one heck of an interview. Talk about hot seat. Though I think the two respect each other too much for the seat to get too steamy.
