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My Interview with Jon Stewart

by Jim Wallis 06-22-2009 | 7:50pm
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"A joyful heart is good medicine," the scriptures say in Proverbs 17:22. Laughter truly is good for the soul, and quite possibly a democracy. I have often said that the Hebrew prophets used humor and satire as they spoke truth to power. In this month's redesigned Sojourners magazine, I interviewed Jon Stewart, who has done the same thing with Comedy Central's The Daily Show. As Brian McLaren pointed out last week, Stewart reminds us that the media have an important role, even when they make us groan and laugh. Jon has long been one of my television favorites, and appearing on The Daily Show twice so far has been a lot of fun.

I invite you to check out the new look of the magazine and read the extended interview. Judge for yourself whether Jon Stewart might just be a modern day prophet (He says he's just a comic, but don't believe him!), or at least have some lessons for us all on how to be one.

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by: Common Loon

07-14-2009 @ 8:17pm

Despite Stewart's insistence that he's actually who he appears to be, namely a successful TV personality doing his job attracting audiences in order to "sell enough Budweiser [so] that Comedy Central will let us stay on the air," Wallis remains unconvinced and tries in vain to frame him in the prophetic tradition of "speaking truth to power." The irony of it all is that Stewart recognizes his clear lack of prophetic/spiritual credentials even as Wallis continually offers him the mantle if he wants it.

Granted, Stewart's clever satire mocking politicians and 24-hour cable news coverage can be both entertaining and insightful when he's exposing the phoniness of Washington-style politics. And yes, The Daily Show still makes me laugh from time to time, although I'm starting to outgrow its crass humor and cheap laughs at the expense of religion. But last time I checked, Hebrew prophets in the Scriptures were not primarily comedians delivering applause lines for big audiences. They were typically unpopular and counter-cultural messengers who preached repentance and obedience to God.

With all the untold stories of Christ-centered ordinaries doing justice, loving mercy and walking humbly with God among the least of these, I'm not convinced we need to co-opt the bright lights and celebrity of a mainstream entertainer to build the mustard seed kingdom Jesus spoke of.

If Jon Stewart is the closest approximation to a modern-day prophetic voice Sojourners can find for its cover story, we're in a lot more trouble than I thought.

http://thecommonloon.blogspot.com/2009/07/is-jo...

by: thecommonloon

07-14-2009 @ 6:17pm

Despite Stewart's insistence that he's actually who he appears to be, namely a successful TV personality doing his job attracting audiences in order to "sell enough Budweiser [so] that Comedy Central will let us stay on the air," Wallis remains unconvinced and tries in vain to frame him in the prophetic tradition of "speaking truth to power." The irony of it all is that Stewart recognizes his clear lack of prophetic/spiritual credentials even as Wallis continually offers him the mantle if he wants it.

Granted, Stewart's clever satire mocking politicians and 24-hour cable news coverage can be both entertaining and insightful when he's exposing the phoniness of Washington-style politics. And yes, The Daily Show still makes me laugh from time to time, although I'm starting to outgrow its crass humor and cheap laughs at the expense of religion. But last time I checked, Hebrew prophets in the Scriptures were not primarily comedians delivering applause lines for big audiences. They were typically unpopular and counter-cultural messengers who preached repentance and obedience to God.

With all the untold stories of Christ-centered ordinaries doing justice, loving mercy and walking humbly with God among the least of these, I'm not convinced we need to co-opt the bright lights and celebrity of a mainstream entertainer to build the mustard seed kingdom Jesus spoke of.

If Jon Stewart is the closest approximation to a modern-day prophetic voice Sojourners can find for its cover story, we're in a lot more trouble than I thought.

http://thecommonloon.blogspot.com/2009/07/is-jo...

by: thecommonloon

07-14-2009 @ 6:17pm

Despite Stewart's insistence that he's actually who he appears to be, namely a successful TV personality doing his job attracting audiences in order to "sell enough Budweiser [so] that Comedy Central will let us stay on the air," Wallis remains unconvinced and tries in vain to frame him in the prophetic tradition of "speaking truth to power." The irony of it all is that Stewart recognizes his clear lack of prophetic/spiritual credentials even as Wallis continually offers him the mantle if he wants it.

Granted, Stewart's clever satire mocking politicians and 24-hour cable news coverage can be both entertaining and insightful when he's exposing the phoniness of Washington-style politics. And yes, The Daily Show still makes me laugh from time to time, although I'm starting to outgrow its crass humor and cheap laughs at the expense of religion. But last time I checked, Hebrew prophets in the Scriptures were not primarily comedians delivering applause lines for big audiences. They were typically unpopular and counter-cultural messengers who preached repentance and obedience to God.

With all the untold stories of Christ-centered ordinaries doing justice, loving mercy and walking humbly with God among the least of these, I'm not convinced we need to co-opt the bright lights and celebrity of a mainstream entertainer to build the mustard seed kingdom Jesus spoke of.

If Jon Stewart is the closest approximation to a modern-day prophetic voice Sojourners can find for its cover story, we're in a lot more trouble than I thought.

http://thecommonloon.blogspot.com/2009/07/is-jo...

by: Joe_Allen_Doty

06-23-2009 @ 10:26pm

That was a great interview and I was able to see some of Jon Stewart's sense of humor in it. Of course, I like to listen to Jim Wallis talk, too. It was because of seeing him being interviewed on TV several years ago, that I got interested in what Sojourners is all about.

I like Stewart's show and I do sort of tolerate his use of so-called "Adult" language.

Mr. Stewart, unlike Stephen Colbert, doesn't pretend to be someone who he is not. It's what you see is what you get.

Colbert's act on his "Colbert Report" makes him out to be a hypocrite since he claims to be Christian (aka Roman Catholic) and he uses filthy language, too.

I am on poverty level income and trying to pay off my debts. Because of that, I had to drop my subscription to the magazine.

by: jiman

06-24-2009 @ 12:52am

There's little worse than a priggish humorist who so clearly favors instruction over entertainment. The comic medium purges most of these of itself--they just don't fly. So it is somewhat disingenuous of the Bruces, Sahls, Stewarts, and Colberts to say that ALL they are doing is trying to amuse and it either works or it doesn't from night to night, gig to gig.

There are subjects worthy of critique even when the only critique allowed is mockery, sarcasm, and silliness. Court jesters were the only ones allowed to mock the king--the truth was conveyed through the pose of silliness.

In a prophetic sense comics perform sacred work by pointing out the truth often in the only way an audience is ready to hear it. Serious satire of inconsequential matters is a contradiction in terms--that's why it bites. The bigger the hypocrisy, the bigger the balloon begging to be pricked. And if they laugh (and let you live), that's frosting on the cake.

Comedians pointing to the truth help us recognize ourselves and change for the better. Comedians of hatred reinforce prejudice and keep people frozen in ignorance. Comedians of hatred may have made us laugh; comedians of truth have set us free. There's always an agenda.

by: Common Loon

07-14-2009 @ 8:17pm

Despite Stewart's insistence that he's actually who he appears to be, namely a successful TV personality doing his job attracting audiences in order to "sell enough Budweiser [so] that Comedy Central will let us stay on the air," Wallis remains unconvinced and tries in vain to frame him in the prophetic tradition of "speaking truth to power." The irony of it all is that Stewart recognizes his clear lack of prophetic/spiritual credentials even as Wallis continually offers him the mantle if he wants it.

Granted, Stewart's clever satire mocking politicians and 24-hour cable news coverage can be both entertaining and insightful when he's exposing the phoniness of Washington-style politics. And yes, The Daily Show still makes me laugh from time to time, although I'm starting to outgrow its crass humor and cheap laughs at the expense of religion. But last time I checked, Hebrew prophets in the Scriptures were not primarily comedians delivering applause lines for big audiences. They were typically unpopular and counter-cultural messengers who preached repentance and obedience to God.

With all the untold stories of Christ-centered ordinaries doing justice, loving mercy and walking humbly with God among the least of these, I'm not convinced we need to co-opt the bright lights and celebrity of a mainstream entertainer to build the mustard seed kingdom Jesus spoke of.

If Jon Stewart is the closest approximation to a modern-day prophetic voice Sojourners can find for its cover story, we're in a lot more trouble than I thought.

http://thecommonloon.blogspot.com/2009/07/is-jo...

by: Joe_Allen_Doty

06-23-2009 @ 10:26pm

That was a great interview and I was able to see some of Jon Stewart's sense of humor in it. Of course, I like to listen to Jim Wallis talk, too. It was because of seeing him being interviewed on TV several years ago, that I got interested in what Sojourners is all about.

I like Stewart's show and I do sort of tolerate his use of so-called "Adult" language.

Mr. Stewart, unlike Stephen Colbert, doesn't pretend to be someone who he is not. It's what you see is what you get.

Colbert's act on his "Colbert Report" makes him out to be a hypocrite since he claims to be Christian (aka Roman Catholic) and he uses filthy language, too.

I am on poverty level income and trying to pay off my debts. Because of that, I had to drop my subscription to the magazine.

by: jiman

06-24-2009 @ 12:52am

There's little worse than a priggish humorist who so clearly favors instruction over entertainment. The comic medium purges most of these of itself--they just don't fly. So it is somewhat disingenuous of the Bruces, Sahls, Stewarts, and Colberts to say that ALL they are doing is trying to amuse and it either works or it doesn't from night to night, gig to gig.

There are subjects worthy of critique even when the only critique allowed is mockery, sarcasm, and silliness. Court jesters were the only ones allowed to mock the king--the truth was conveyed through the pose of silliness.

In a prophetic sense comics perform sacred work by pointing out the truth often in the only way an audience is ready to hear it. Serious satire of inconsequential matters is a contradiction in terms--that's why it bites. The bigger the hypocrisy, the bigger the balloon begging to be pricked. And if they laugh (and let you live), that's frosting on the cake.

Comedians pointing to the truth help us recognize ourselves and change for the better. Comedians of hatred reinforce prejudice and keep people frozen in ignorance. Comedians of hatred may have made us laugh; comedians of truth have set us free. There's always an agenda.

by: officialpain

12-10-2011 @ 10:01am

I to have enjoyed Jon Stewarts Daily show except I cringe when he says the "F" word. Is that really necessary? What recentntly has turned me off to not watching his show any more is his war with christmas with fox news. In his show he stated in response to Fox News, " F*ck you and your baby Jesus." This is blasphemy against our Lord and Savior. If I were Jim Wallis I would move away from Jon Stewart as fast as He could. If Jim doesn't renounce his association with Jon Stewart because of Jon blaspheming Jesus, I will drop my monthly support of Sojourner's.  

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by: Joe_Allen_Doty

06-23-2009 @ 10:26pm

That was a great interview and I was able to see some of Jon Stewart's sense of humor in it. Of course, I like to listen to Jim Wallis talk, too. It was because of seeing him being interviewed on TV several years ago, that I got interested in what Sojourners is all about.

I like Stewart's show and I do sort of tolerate his use of so-called "Adult" language.

Mr. Stewart, unlike Stephen Colbert, doesn't pretend to be someone who he is not. It's what you see is what you get.

Colbert's act on his "Colbert Report" makes him out to be a hypocrite since he claims to be Christian (aka Roman Catholic) and he uses filthy language, too.

I am on poverty level income and trying to pay off my debts. Because of that, I had to drop my subscription to the magazine.

by: Joe_Allen_Doty

06-23-2009 @ 10:26pm

That was a great interview and I was able to see some of Jon Stewart's sense of humor in it. Of course, I like to listen to Jim Wallis talk, too. It was because of seeing him being interviewed on TV several years ago, that I got interested in what Sojourners is all about.

I like Stewart's show and I do sort of tolerate his use of so-called "Adult" language.

Mr. Stewart, unlike Stephen Colbert, doesn't pretend to be someone who he is not. It's what you see is what you get.

Colbert's act on his "Colbert Report" makes him out to be a hypocrite since he claims to be Christian (aka Roman Catholic) and he uses filthy language, too.

I am on poverty level income and trying to pay off my debts. Because of that, I had to drop my subscription to the magazine.

by: jiman

06-24-2009 @ 12:52am

There's little worse than a priggish humorist who so clearly favors instruction over entertainment. The comic medium purges most of these of itself--they just don't fly. So it is somewhat disingenuous of the Bruces, Sahls, Stewarts, and Colberts to say that ALL they are doing is trying to amuse and it either works or it doesn't from night to night, gig to gig.

There are subjects worthy of critique even when the only critique allowed is mockery, sarcasm, and silliness. Court jesters were the only ones allowed to mock the king--the truth was conveyed through the pose of silliness.

In a prophetic sense comics perform sacred work by pointing out the truth often in the only way an audience is ready to hear it. Serious satire of inconsequential matters is a contradiction in terms--that's why it bites. The bigger the hypocrisy, the bigger the balloon begging to be pricked. And if they laugh (and let you live), that's frosting on the cake.

Comedians pointing to the truth help us recognize ourselves and change for the better. Comedians of hatred reinforce prejudice and keep people frozen in ignorance. Comedians of hatred may have made us laugh; comedians of truth have set us free. There's always an agenda.

by: jiman

06-24-2009 @ 12:52am

There's little worse than a priggish humorist who so clearly favors instruction over entertainment. The comic medium purges most of these of itself--they just don't fly. So it is somewhat disingenuous of the Bruces, Sahls, Stewarts, and Colberts to say that ALL they are doing is trying to amuse and it either works or it doesn't from night to night, gig to gig.

There are subjects worthy of critique even when the only critique allowed is mockery, sarcasm, and silliness. Court jesters were the only ones allowed to mock the king--the truth was conveyed through the pose of silliness.

In a prophetic sense comics perform sacred work by pointing out the truth often in the only way an audience is ready to hear it. Serious satire of inconsequential matters is a contradiction in terms--that's why it bites. The bigger the hypocrisy, the bigger the balloon begging to be pricked. And if they laugh (and let you live), that's frosting on the cake.

Comedians pointing to the truth help us recognize ourselves and change for the better. Comedians of hatred reinforce prejudice and keep people frozen in ignorance. Comedians of hatred may have made us laugh; comedians of truth have set us free. There's always an agenda.

by: thecommonloon

07-14-2009 @ 6:17pm

Despite Stewart's insistence that he's actually who he appears to be, namely a successful TV personality doing his job attracting audiences in order to "sell enough Budweiser [so] that Comedy Central will let us stay on the air," Wallis remains unconvinced and tries in vain to frame him in the prophetic tradition of "speaking truth to power." The irony of it all is that Stewart recognizes his clear lack of prophetic/spiritual credentials even as Wallis continually offers him the mantle if he wants it.

Granted, Stewart's clever satire mocking politicians and 24-hour cable news coverage can be both entertaining and insightful when he's exposing the phoniness of Washington-style politics. And yes, The Daily Show still makes me laugh from time to time, although I'm starting to outgrow its crass humor and cheap laughs at the expense of religion. But last time I checked, Hebrew prophets in the Scriptures were not primarily comedians delivering applause lines for big audiences. They were typically unpopular and counter-cultural messengers who preached repentance and obedience to God.

With all the untold stories of Christ-centered ordinaries doing justice, loving mercy and walking humbly with God among the least of these, I'm not convinced we need to co-opt the bright lights and celebrity of a mainstream entertainer to build the mustard seed kingdom Jesus spoke of.

If Jon Stewart is the closest approximation to a modern-day prophetic voice Sojourners can find for its cover story, we're in a lot more trouble than I thought.

http://thecommonloon.blogspot.com/2009/07/is-jo...

by: thecommonloon

07-14-2009 @ 6:17pm

Despite Stewart's insistence that he's actually who he appears to be, namely a successful TV personality doing his job attracting audiences in order to "sell enough Budweiser [so] that Comedy Central will let us stay on the air," Wallis remains unconvinced and tries in vain to frame him in the prophetic tradition of "speaking truth to power." The irony of it all is that Stewart recognizes his clear lack of prophetic/spiritual credentials even as Wallis continually offers him the mantle if he wants it.

Granted, Stewart's clever satire mocking politicians and 24-hour cable news coverage can be both entertaining and insightful when he's exposing the phoniness of Washington-style politics. And yes, The Daily Show still makes me laugh from time to time, although I'm starting to outgrow its crass humor and cheap laughs at the expense of religion. But last time I checked, Hebrew prophets in the Scriptures were not primarily comedians delivering applause lines for big audiences. They were typically unpopular and counter-cultural messengers who preached repentance and obedience to God.

With all the untold stories of Christ-centered ordinaries doing justice, loving mercy and walking humbly with God among the least of these, I'm not convinced we need to co-opt the bright lights and celebrity of a mainstream entertainer to build the mustard seed kingdom Jesus spoke of.

If Jon Stewart is the closest approximation to a modern-day prophetic voice Sojourners can find for its cover story, we're in a lot more trouble than I thought.

http://thecommonloon.blogspot.com/2009/07/is-jo...

by: Common Loon

07-14-2009 @ 8:17pm

Despite Stewart's insistence that he's actually who he appears to be, namely a successful TV personality doing his job attracting audiences in order to "sell enough Budweiser [so] that Comedy Central will let us stay on the air," Wallis remains unconvinced and tries in vain to frame him in the prophetic tradition of "speaking truth to power." The irony of it all is that Stewart recognizes his clear lack of prophetic/spiritual credentials even as Wallis continually offers him the mantle if he wants it.

Granted, Stewart's clever satire mocking politicians and 24-hour cable news coverage can be both entertaining and insightful when he's exposing the phoniness of Washington-style politics. And yes, The Daily Show still makes me laugh from time to time, although I'm starting to outgrow its crass humor and cheap laughs at the expense of religion. But last time I checked, Hebrew prophets in the Scriptures were not primarily comedians delivering applause lines for big audiences. They were typically unpopular and counter-cultural messengers who preached repentance and obedience to God.

With all the untold stories of Christ-centered ordinaries doing justice, loving mercy and walking humbly with God among the least of these, I'm not convinced we need to co-opt the bright lights and celebrity of a mainstream entertainer to build the mustard seed kingdom Jesus spoke of.

If Jon Stewart is the closest approximation to a modern-day prophetic voice Sojourners can find for its cover story, we're in a lot more trouble than I thought.

http://thecommonloon.blogspot.com/2009/07/is-jo...

by: Common Loon

07-14-2009 @ 8:17pm

Despite Stewart's insistence that he's actually who he appears to be, namely a successful TV personality doing his job attracting audiences in order to "sell enough Budweiser [so] that Comedy Central will let us stay on the air," Wallis remains unconvinced and tries in vain to frame him in the prophetic tradition of "speaking truth to power." The irony of it all is that Stewart recognizes his clear lack of prophetic/spiritual credentials even as Wallis continually offers him the mantle if he wants it.

Granted, Stewart's clever satire mocking politicians and 24-hour cable news coverage can be both entertaining and insightful when he's exposing the phoniness of Washington-style politics. And yes, The Daily Show still makes me laugh from time to time, although I'm starting to outgrow its crass humor and cheap laughs at the expense of religion. But last time I checked, Hebrew prophets in the Scriptures were not primarily comedians delivering applause lines for big audiences. They were typically unpopular and counter-cultural messengers who preached repentance and obedience to God.

With all the untold stories of Christ-centered ordinaries doing justice, loving mercy and walking humbly with God among the least of these, I'm not convinced we need to co-opt the bright lights and celebrity of a mainstream entertainer to build the mustard seed kingdom Jesus spoke of.

If Jon Stewart is the closest approximation to a modern-day prophetic voice Sojourners can find for its cover story, we're in a lot more trouble than I thought.

http://thecommonloon.blogspot.com/2009/07/is-jo...

by: officialpain

12-10-2011 @ 10:01am

I to have enjoyed Jon Stewarts Daily show except I cringe when he says the "F" word. Is that really necessary? What recentntly has turned me off to not watching his show any more is his war with christmas with fox news. In his show he stated in response to Fox News, " F*ck you and your baby Jesus." This is blasphemy against our Lord and Savior. If I were Jim Wallis I would move away from Jon Stewart as fast as He could. If Jim doesn't renounce his association with Jon Stewart because of Jon blaspheming Jesus, I will drop my monthly support of Sojourner's.