Apr 24, 2008 7:21 pm US/Central
'The Daily Show' Coming To St. Paul For RNC
ST. PAUL (WCCO) ―
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When John Stewart rolls into St. Paul for the Republican Convention, local fans can get their fix. (File)
AP
The Republican National Convention is going Hollywood with a popular show, known for hosting and skewering politicians will be broadcasting live from St. Paul. Must-see TV for political junkies, Jon Stewart's "The Daily Show" will make a big impact during the convention's run.
When Stewart rolls into St. Paul for the Republican Convention, local fans can get their fix.
"There's just amazing energy around this show. And Jon in particular," said Howard Kessler who runs a local music production and consulting company.
He spent months convincing the popular cable television program to broadcast from the History Theater in St. Paul, just a few blocks from the Republican Convention.
"It is a show that is
really engaging to the public," said Howard Kessler, who runs HK
Productions. "It's very substantive. We've come out of the period
(where) politics and comedy are strange bedfellows. I think
that politicians have embraced the fact that this is a very successful show." The History Theater is attached to the McNally Smith College of Music. The college will delay classes for a week to accommodate the 100-plus staffers and production crew that will set up camp inside the building.
The irreverent and topical "Daily Show" is for many younger voters a primary source of political news. A phenomenon media analysts say is a gold mine for politicians
"The whole aspect of satire is something isn't funny unless you understand the fundamental news story that's behind it. What he's particularly gifted at is, in a very compact way, being able to describe the story, and then mock it concurrently," said John Rash of Advertising Agency Campbell Mithun.
For Howard Kessler, it's a chance to showcase the convention city, and a great way to have fun while the party's in town.
"It's not preachy. It's not standoffish. It's not this side or the other side. It's just addressing issues about what's going on in politics. And it's a great forum," he said.
And a little bit of Daily Show trivia, who is the most frequent guest on the program since it started in 1996?
Arizona Senator John McCain. Appropriate, considering he'll be nominated for President just down the street from where the show will take place. The Republican National Convention runs from Sept. 1 to 4 at the Xcel Energy Center.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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