The feud: Crossfire never saw it coming. When Jon Stewart was booked as a guest on the CNN talk show in October 2004, he came out with guns blazing, deftly dodging questions about The Daily Show to turn the tables on hosts Paul Begala and Tucker Carlson, forcing them to answer his charges that Crossfire was "hurting America" by encouraging divisiveness. A shell-shocked Carlson could do little more than futilely chirp, "Aren't you supposed to be funny?"
Chance at reconciliation: Too late now. CNN canceled Crossfire in a move some speculate was prompted in part by Stewart's criticism.
He said/He said:
"I made a special effort to come on the show today because I have privately, amongst my friends and also in occasional newspapers and television shows, mentioned this show as being bad. And I wanted to — I felt that that wasn't fair, and I should come here and tell you that I don't — it's not so much that it's bad, as it's hurting America."
— Jon Stewart, Oct. 15, 2004
"Oh, Jon, Jon, I'm sorry. I think you're a good comedian. I think your lectures are boring."
— Tucker Carlson, Oct. 15, 2004