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Fake Reporters Are Rock Stars in Denver

Quick turnaround and evasive guests make Stewart's life a little harder on the road

By Harry Kimball, Newser Staff

Posted Aug 28, 2008 4:05 PM CDT

(Newser) – it's hard enough for the reporters swarming all over the Democratic Convention to score good interviews; fake reporters have it even harder. The Daily Show's correspondents are now such big stars they draw admirers—and hecklers—every time they try to record, USA Today reports. Which doesn't exactly help them catch catch unguarded delegates doing embarrassing things.

“There are tons of people who still have no idea what our game is and what we do,” a producer says. “But not in this setting.” Add next week’s stand in Minnesota for the Republican convention, and host Jon Stewart is a little worried. “We've never produced two weeks in a row on the road. It's always the fear you run out of juice.”

[Images (3)]

[Quotes (2)]

Jon Stewart on the set of "The Daily Show." (AP Photo)

John McCain as he speaks with host Jon Stewart during a break at a taping of Comedy Central's "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart." (AP Photo)

Barack Obama is greeted by host Jon Stewart during an appearance on Comedy Central's "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart." (AP Photo)

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Even though everyone's here, it's harder to get them. We're a little out of the way. I've grown more comfortable with the idea it's OK not to get access, it's OK not to get a big interview as long as we feel good about the content. - Jon Stewart, on the DNC coverage

I think he sees himself as…a truth-teller and an antidote to what he sees as being artificial and false. Has he helped the perception of the press in general? Probably no. - Richard Stengel, TIME, on Jon Stewart

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Fake Reporters Are Rock Stars in Denver