Russell Brand shoots on MSNBC's 'Morning Joe'

VIDEO: Russell Brand Unplugged - Letting loose on Morning Joe

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RUSSELL BRAND: Is this what you all do for a living? I'm here to promote a tour called 'Messiah Complex'... You're conveying news to the people of America? People of America we're going to be OK. Everything's alright. These are you're trusted anchors. Is that your news there? Give us your papers, I'll shuffle them for you.
(adopts the role of a news anchor)
We are going to talk about the situation with Edward Snowden...
That’s the problem about current affairs. You forget about what’s important. You allow the agenda to be decided by superficial information. What am I saying? What am I talking about? Don’t think about what I’m wearing. These things are superficial.

Russell Brand on MSNBC: Poking fun at our Newsroom

Comedian Russell Brand appeared on MSNBC's 'Morning Joe' program to promote his 'Messiah Complex' comedy tour. The interview had some underlying tension with the three hosts at times talking around or patronising their Comedian Guest. Russell was quick to point this out, eventually hijacking the show then playfully demonstrating how the News should be delivered.

This episode is reminiscent of when Jon Stewart appeared on CNN's 'Crossfire' and admonished his hosts Paul Begala and Tucker Carlson for "Hurting America" when they needed Media the most. 'Crossfire' was cancelled soon after. In wrestling this is known as a 'Shoot Fight'

Shoot Fights: When pundits get personal - Kilmeade VS Garofalo, Stewart VS Crossfire
In wrestling, a 'shoot' is when one of the combatants overrides the agreed script and does something unexpected by injecting real emotion. This may involve actually hitting (physically connecting with) other wrestlers or using very personal verbal attacks. In essence making a fake wrestling scenario or feud into a real one. Shoots aren't necessarily a bad thing as the heightened realism makes for compelling viewing and is sure to garner an audience.

Real American: Jon Stewart, Sarah Palin and Hulk Hogan

Daily Show: Pfriend or Pfoe


Jon Stewart speaks to the charges made by some in the McCain camp that not all Americans are "Real" Americans:

Nancy Pfotenhauer - McCain Campaign spokesperson
But the rest of the state, real Virginia, if you will, I think will be very responsive to Senator McCain’s message...

Sarah Palin - GOP Vice Presidential Nominee
We believe that the best of America is in these small towns that we get to visit, and in these wonderful little pockets of what I call the real America, being here with all of you hard working very patriotic very pro-America areas of this great nation...

Congresswoman Michele Bachmann for Minnesota
What I would say is that the news media should do a penetrating expose and take a look. I wish they would. I wish the American media would take a great look at the views of the people in Congress and find out, are they pro-America or anti-America? I think people would love to see an expose like that...

Jon Stewart
You know the third crazy lady is right. Right now you're probably thinking to yourself "Am I one of these Unamericans i'm hearing so much about?"

VIDEO: Watch the original "Real American" - Hulk Hogan

Ironically, Hulk "Real American" Hogan endorses Barack Obama. In fairness Hogan did proclaim this earlier in the year well before Sarah Palin entered the stage.
Watch Hulk Hogan endorsing Barack Obama

Jon Stewart began his rebuke of the "Real American" messaging during a comedy routine at Northeastern University days earlier.

"I can't take it anymore...After eight years of this divisiveness, we're back to this idea that only small-town America is the real America," he said.

- Read a report from The Weekly Standard- Jon Stewart to Sarah Palin: '[Expletive] You.'
- Watch Jon Stewart lambasting Palin at Northeastern University (poor sound)

Fight on the Right: Laura Ingraham vs Heather Mac Donald

In the last week there have been a string of prominent Conservative pundits airing strong reservation against the McCain/Palin candidacy with tacit endorsement of the Democratic nominee Barack Obama. The timing of these public objections prior to the final debate is notable as it serves to undermine any gains McCain might from the encounter and further deflates further his already sagging campaign.

Heather Mac Donald is one of a parade of conservative critics.

In a post for City Journal Heather writes:

Gettin’ All Mavericky by Heather Mac Donald
There was a time, however, when conservatives upheld adult standards—such as clarity of speech and thought—without apology, even in the face of the relentless downward pull of adolescent culture. But now, when a vice-presidential candidate talks like a teenager, mugs like an American Idol contestant, and traffics in syntactical dead-ends and non sequiturs, we are supposed to find her charming and authentic.

APF pundit Laura Ingraham invited Heather Mac Donald for a spirited debate and to explain her piece. Laura and Heather clearly have mutual respect for each other and they are pained by they're contradicting stances.
Listen and download the showdown between Laura Ingraham and Heather Mac Donald

Heather's appraisal of Sarah Palin

I think conservatives are just trying to beat liberals in their own game. When she was first nominated, she presented herself as the continuation of Hillary Clinton... "women are going to break the glass ceiling, we're not done yet"... since then we've had an expansion of the gender politics to lifestyle politics where she's being celebrated for being so normal... these are all fine traits... but they do not constitute qualification for the Presidency

Heather's tacit endorsement of Obama

I feel that Obama has the capacity to think through issues that makes me have confidence that he's going to be able to take on the hard issues of the economy and possibly foreign policy... I for one, I have not come out for Obama and it's not the issues alone. It's the capacity to make judgment under pressure...

Laura Ingraham is vigorous in her critique of Obama and comes to the defense of Sarah Palin

... whatever you say about Sarah Palin. I think what we know about her is that she has conservative impulses, that she thinks government has gotten too big. She thinks these institutions need to be reformed for the betterment of our country and our people and that framework I think is what people like about her Heather. Not the "golly gee", "Shucks", "say it ain't so Joe". I mean that's not why I like Palin, not because of the down home stuff. I like Palin because she's closer to my political philosophy than Barack Obama could ever hope to be

Read the disucssion from HotAir - Audio: Laura Ingraham versus Heather MacDonald on Palin and identity politics

Hannity and Colmes: Sean Hannity and Robert Kuttner Face off

VIDEO: Sean Hannity tries to bully Robert Kuttner

When it comes to encapsulating what PunditFight is all about, this video probably sums it up best.
It ticks off a lot of the subjects I deal with in this blog:
1) Features an APF pundit
2) Framing the debate
3) It's theatrically combative
4) It's meta

1) APF Pundit - Sean Hannity

2) Framing. The first half of the clip, guest Robert Kuttner does a good job of framing the debate in progressive terms as he speaks to the sympathetic Alan Colmes

...If people are going to vote on whether Sarah Palin is better at shooting a moose, the Democrats are toast... this is a fight about whether the election is about culture or (inaudible) issues...I think Democrats need to run on a narrative. And there's a narrative of the ordinary hard-working family just getting the short end of the stick... I think sometimes he (Obama) tries to be too high minded.

Read the full transcript from FoxNews - Book Urges Obama to Transform America
3) Theatrics. When Sean Hannity enters the frame the conversation devolves into name calling and bravado. There seems to be a lot more raw emotion in this exchange, Kuttner obviously prepared himself for Hannity's run-in and puffed his chest to match his rhetoric

HANNITY: Stop it. Stop it. This is -- this is garbage you're spewing here.
KUTTNER: No name calling yet.
HANNITY: No, it's not name calling. But it's garbage you're spewing.
HANNITY: ... You are voting for Obama, by the way. This is a pro-Obama book. You are voting for Obama.
KUTTNER: But I'm not here to do Obama...
HANNITY: Stop it. You -- when you say...
KUTTNER: I'm not here to be insulted either. You're doing RNC talking points, Sean.
HANNITY: Excuse me. I don't have RNC -- these are Hannity talking points. I write the talking points.
KUTTNER: Right. Yes, yes. Where do you get them from?
HANNITY: Here's what we have. You say -- you spew this line, DNC talking points.
KUTTNER: I don't spew any goddamn line.
HANNITY: You said the economy...
KUTTNER: Stop insulting me or I'm walking off the set.
HANNITY: Go ahead. Go. Good-bye. Walk off.
KUTTNER: Are you going to let me have my two minutes?
HANNITY: Please. I don't care. Go right ahead. Walk off. You said the economy is in dire straits.
KUTTNER: It is in dire straits. You want to deny that, you fool?
HANNITY: You fool, you idiot.

4) It's meta. The irony of this clip is the point Kuttner made about substance being overshadowed by presentation was realised once the name calling and Hannity's supposed meltdown became the story. In effect the 2nd half of the clip nullified the first. Rather than the guests' points being discussed, attention is drawn to the presentation

Did this man just call Sean a FOOL??? WHOA! That CERTAINLY was NOT necessary. This is such a problem with liberals- they just don't know how to behave like adults, even on national television!
They really are losing it!

Read the discussion on Sean Hannity's official forum - Robert Kuttner on H&C

Robert Kuttner describes the experience on his blog

You do all kinds of dubious things when you're promoting a book. But when my publisher suggested that I accept an invitation to appear on Fox's "Hannity and Colmes," I was a bit skeptical. I've been on O'Reilly a few times over the years, and have stopped doing it, because these people play with such a stacked deck. They control the format, the timing, they flat-out lie, and they're rude as hell. Even if you win the debate, you're lending credibility to a propaganda act...

Read his entire post here - Shaggy Fox Story

Democratic convention tension: PUMA, Matthews and Olbermann

Coming into the Democratic convention, the media focused its attention on the possible fireworks between Barack Obama and the Clintons. The promise of tension from feisty Hillary supporters and republican mischief makers, the most notable being The P.U.M.As. Short for "Party Unity My Ass", the meaning has since changed to the tamer "People United Means Action".

After Bill and Hillary's gracious and full-throated endorsement of Barack and the non-impact of the P.U.M.As, it seemed the media wasn't going to get the drama it wanted. Ironically the tension and fireworks anticipated from the convention came from the media themselves.

Keith Olbermann who's recent feature in the 'New York Magazine' was titled 'One Angry man' lived up to it by causing friction with MSNBC stablemates Chris Matthews and APF pundit Joe Scarborough. Republican strategist Mike Murphy stirred the pot. Conservative blogger Michelle Malkin was attacked by a mob led by underground media personality and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones.

1) Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews fight to be the alpha dog

Keith Olbermann steals Chris Matthews' thunder by assigning credit to Matthews' observations to fellow MSNBC pundit Rachel Maddow. Matthews gets upset by Olbermann's seeming oneupsmanship

2) Keith Olbermann tries to wrap up mischievous Republican strategist Michael Murphy from ring side

'Let's Wrap Him Up': Olbermann Tries To Get Rid of Republican Murphy
As Chris Matthews was interviewing GOP consultant Mike Murphy in the interlude between Bill Clinton and Joe Biden tonight, Olbermann could be heard off-camera angrily demanding "let's wrap him up, alright?"

From Newsbusters.org

3) Keith Olbermann harrumphs Joe Scarborough, “Jesus, Joe, why don’t you get a shovel?”


4) Chris Matthews makes a stinkface after Olbermann steps on his line

Matthews Furious—Did Olbermann Lift His Lines?
Matthews appeared to be reading a script from his laptop, when he suddenly stopped. Olbermann picked up the thread and threw it to young Russert. A furious expression crossed Matthews' face and he began to shake his head and mutter, until his image was blotted out by a prominent NBC logo.

From Newsbusters.org

5) MSNBC in defense of their Convention lineup

MSNBC prez defends convention team
DENVER — Amid a spate of awkward on-air conflicts among MNSBC anchors at this week’s Democratic convention, some staff members say there are sharp internal disputes at the cable network over whether its opinion and personality-driven political coverage has crossed the line.

“The situation at our channel is about to blow up,” a high-ranking MSNBC journalist told Politico on Wednesday.

From Politico.com

Update: A new PunditFight animation

Shoot Fights: When pundits get personal - Kilmeade VS Garofalo, Stewart VS Crossfire

In wrestling, a 'shoot' is when one of the combatants overrides the agreed script and does something unexpected by injecting real emotion. This may involve actually hitting (physically connecting with) other wrestlers or using very personal verbal attacks. In essence making a fake wrestling scenario or feud into a real one. Shoots aren't necessarily a bad thing as the heightened realism makes for compelling viewing and is sure to garner an audience.

In punditry, shoot fights may come in the form of pundits ambushing their unsuspecting guests by injecting their own personal feelings (usually contempt) in interviews. Essentially turning a professional disagreement into a personal one. A certain level of decorum is expected during interviews even from those with opposing ideological perspectives. Largely because the interviewer may want the interviewee to return for future appearances, a reputation as a hostile interviewer may also dissuade any other potential guests.

Below are a few examples of Pundit shoots:

Brian Kilmeade of Fox and Friends shoots on Janeane Garofalo, whilst the interview begins cordially its clear that Brian gets personal by the end. To her credit APF pundit Janeane holds her own.

VIDEO: Brian Kilmeade and Janeane Garofalo debate the Iraq War

Hugh Hewitt is known for being a tenacious interviewer to those he disagrees with, even Republicans aren't spared. Helen Thomas was subjected to Hugh Hewitt's lawyerly badgering by pressing her for her ideological leaning. Helen is clearly flustered by the questioning and vainly tries to convince Hugh that journalism by its nature should not have bias. Listen here.

Former Air America talker Al Franken did a shoot on conservative Radio host Neal Boortz who was a guest on his show. Although the two are (were?) amicable with each other, Franken was particularly fixated on undermining Boortz in this exchange. Whilst Neal expected a discussion of current issues, Al started it off by playing a succession of clips that appeared to show Boortz misrepresenting things and pressing him to explain. Neal did not take too fondly to Al's tactics, hitting back saying

NEAL BOORTZ: (10m 5s) Be prepared to talk about some issues, not play a stupid, childish, moronic Al Franken game of 'Gotcha!... I am tired of playing the little nursery school thing with you Al.

Neal hangs up the phone.

Listen to the exchange between Al Franken and Neal Boortz

Finally, Jon Stewart does a shoot with a difference. Usually shoots are conducted by the interviewer largely because they come from a position of strength/control. John Stewart appeared on CNN's Crossfire hosted by (liberal) Paul Begala and (conservative) Tucker Carlson. Whilst Jon wasn't as influential as he is now, he was arguably more reputable than the dual hosts. He was openly hostile to the show (specifically its combative format) and took pot shots at Tucker. Its been said that his damning indictment of the show eventually led to its cancellation.

VIDEO: Jon Stewart challenges hosts 

Tucker Carlson and Paul Begala on CNN's Crossfire

Jon Stewart confronts CNN's Crossfire
JON STEWART: (5m 2s) Its interesting to hear you talk about my responsibility, I didn't realise --and maybe this explains quite a bit-- that the News organisations look to Comedy Central for their cues on integrity. What I would suggest is when you talk holding Politician's feet to the fire. I think that's disingenuous
TUCKER CARLSON: How are you holding up? -- I mean c'mon.
STEWART: No no no no but my role isn't I don't think... If you're idea of confronting me is that I don't ask hard enough News questions we're in bad shape fellas
CARLSON: We're here to love you not confront you.
STEWART: But what I'm saying is this, I'm not. I'm here to confront you cause we need help from the Media and they're hurting us
PAUL BEGALA: If the indictment is -- and I have heard you say this -- Crossfire is everything asI said in the intro left/right, black/white. Its because we are a Debate show...
STEWART: That would be great! I would love to see a debate show... to do a debate would be great but that's like saying pro-wrestling is a show about athletic competition
CARLSON: I think you're a good comedian. I think your lectures are boring...

Update: I almost forgot, Mark Levin. Anyone with even a cursory awareness of Mark Levin knows that he is curt with people whom he disagrees with. He dominates all conversation with liberal callers, often shouting down and abruptly ending conversations. This is simply Mark Levin's persona, and his audience enjoys it. Paul Hackett, veteran of the Iraq War who famously sought office as a Democrat appeared on Mark's show. Paul was there to clarify some controversial statements he had made on another program. Paul Hackett showed poise against Mark who was a stiff worker, firing insults and pointed questions.

Listen to the exchange here - Audio: "Unterfuhrer," round two — Levin vs. Hackett