John Stewart, well-known for his tenure as the host of Comedy Central’s The Daily Show, was announced as the new host of CNN’s political debate show, Crossfire, in 2013. However, after just a few months on air, the show was abruptly cancelled in 2014.
The Return of Crossfire
Crossfire had originally aired on CNN from 1982 to 2005, but was cancelled due to criticisms that the show was more focused on partisan arguing than actual productive debate. However, in an effort to boost ratings and engagement, CNN decided to bring back the show and announced John Stewart as one of the hosts.
Stewart, who is known for his comedic approach to politics, was seen as an unconventional choice for a political debate show. However, many were excited to see how he would bring his unique perspective and humor to the program.
The Early Days of Crossfire
The first few episodes of Crossfire showed promise, with Stewart bringing a refreshing energy to the show. However, it wasn’t long before tensions began to rise between the hosts and the show’s guests.
Stewart, who was known for his liberal views, often clashed with the conservative guests on the show. While this made for good television, many felt that the show was devolving into partisan bickering rather than productive debate.
The Cancellation of Crossfire
After just a few months on air, Crossfire was abruptly cancelled by CNN. While the network cited low ratings as the reason for the cancellation, many speculated that the show’s contentious atmosphere played a role in its demise.
Stewart, who had been a vocal critic of the show’s format, took the cancellation as a victory. In an interview with The New York Times, he said, “I think it’s fairly clear that I made a choice to move away from the show because I didn’t feel that it was a constructive environment.”
The Legacy of Crossfire
While Crossfire may have been short-lived, its impact on political media is still felt today. The show’s format, which pitted guests with opposing views against each other, has become a staple of cable news programming. However, many argue that this format has contributed to the polarization of American politics.
Stewart, who went on to host The Daily Show for another 11 years, continued to be a vocal critic of cable news programming. In a 2014 interview with The Guardian, he said, “The 24-hour, multiplexed shit show that is cable news is just so devastatingly boring.”
The Future of Political Debate
As political polarization continues to grow, many are looking for new ways to engage in productive political discourse. While cable news programming may not be the answer, there are many organizations and initiatives working to promote civil discourse and understanding.
The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation recently launched the “The Listening Post” project, which aims to bring together people with different viewpoints to engage in meaningful conversations. The project has been successful in promoting understanding and empathy among participants.
Conclusion
While John Stewart’s stint on Crossfire may have been short-lived, it had a lasting impact on political media. The show’s contentious atmosphere and partisan bickering may have contributed to the polarization of American politics, but it also paved the way for new forms of political discourse and engagement.