Jon Stewart like Edward R. Murrow: Are you kidding?
Did Edward R. Murrow host the Oscars? Jon Stewart did two years ago. Photo credit: Mark J. Terrill/AP Photo
Many viewers rightly admire Jon Stewart for his deft skewering of the pretentious and hypocritical.
But a New York Times analysis Monday took the high regard for the “Daily Show” host to new levels of adoration. He was compared to CBS News legend Edward R. Murrow. The reasons: Stewart helped gain support in Congress for health-care funding for 9-11 responders.
Stewart like Murrow? I can’t believe that’s what any comedian wants. Yes, it’s nice to be compared to the serious, dignified, truth-seeking Murrow. But a comedian needs to be, well, funny.
I can’t wait to hear what Stewart has to say about that comparison on “The Daily Show.” I have a feeling he’ll mock it. He should.
Stewart did something admirable in helping the 9-11 responders, but let’s not get carried away. Losing perspective isn’t funny. The comparisons make me wonder if people know Murrow.
Murrow may be best known to many people today as a figure in the George Clooney movie “Good Night, and Good Luck.” I talked to Walter Cronkite, Andy Rooney and other veteran newsman about that movie five years ago.