Cramer became the face of this, or at least its most obvious and easily available target, when he went around to the other shows to openly mock Stewart ("a comedian is making fun of me!"). Well, that comedian swatted him like a naughty puppy. To his credit, Cramer took it on the chin, but his best response was basically shrugging and saying "we tried."

Jon put those dicks at CNBC to shame. He slammed those assholes for not asking any CEOs the hard questions - and explained that it's because CNBC is in bed with Wall Street.

An excellent interview. Kudos to Stewart. I'll give Cramer props for showing up. As idiotic as Cramer can be, it's that scumbag Rick Santelli who deserves heaps of scorn.

Stewart is absolutely correct about the short-selling, side-betting aspect of Wall Street. It's a reckless adventure being funded by our money. And there are many who seek to turn over the entirety of our Social Security account to these motherfuckers so they can fund their spread bets. It's gambling, pure and simple. Nothing more. Hedge funds are risky enough, but when you have larger institutions acting like hedge funds it's only a matter of time before we get to where we are at present. My partner works at a hedge fund. They have 14B dollars under management, and if I could tell you what I know now about short-selling and credit derivatives, you would laugh to keep from crying. Some of this stuff goes right to the very edge of legality. She'll explain to me some aspect of what they're up to, and I'll ask, "And this is legal?" It's extraordinary. Who has our backs? Not CNBC, for damn sure.

All I can say is thank God for Jon Stewart. That was no comedy show last night nor was it an interview. It was a reckoning. Unfortunately, Jim Cramer received the brunt when I think he actually does uncover some of the nasty sides of Wall Street (just not enough or all of them). I used to enjoy Cramers show and I learned alot from reading his book. I think he has some good intentions but has been in the game too long to see the good from the bad. Stewart and Colbert will go down in history as heroes.

Did Scarborough even mention the epic interview this morning on his show?

CNBC and Cramer staffer's should have been researching the guest CEO's company financial's to verify accuracy and eliminate the bullshit !!

That was EPIC, indeed. Anyone who dismisses John Stewart as "just a comedian" obviously does not watch his show. It will be interesting to see if this has any effect on Cramer's format...

Cramer deserves a lot of credit for showing up knowing full well he was going to be spanked. Stewart certainly did administer a spanking too. It made the best political team on television look like a Jr. High news channel--not that they looked all that terrific to begin with. Still, it was something like actual journalism; confronting a subject with proof of the things he's said and demanding an explanation. What? That's just crazy. You mean Blitzer's method of ask a question, get a lie, don't follow up is not journalism.

I really believe Stewart took his show and his reputation to a new level last night. I hate to say it but for the first time, I felt like someone was representing the rest of us to the Masters of the Universe. Not all that posturing in congress where they yell at bank CEOs about things that don't matter. Fuck all that. Stewart really was the representative of all of us who don't have a decent public voice.

I was very surprised by my reaction to the show. Stewart, to me, was a known factor and he did not disappoint my expectations. On the other hand, I always thought that Cramer was an ass. I have reevaluated my opinion of him. I thought he did very well under the circumstances. As JeremyB said, "Cramer took it on the chin" like a man. Cramer could have done *much* worse and all things considered he did as well as he could.

Sick Rantelli is a coward who is fortunate that he managed to get Cramer to stand in for him.

Just a continuation of camel54's excellent point...

I would hope that the very serious news outlets take some time to reflect on what transpired here.

A comedy show garnered national attention by taking down a very serious news channel. It’s not really about Cramer, he was the face of CNBC - their sacrificial lamb.

They did indeed get spanked hard – now will they recognize the lesson inherent in this?

@jjasonham: No. No he did not.

Great interview. It reminded me of Rachel's (gentler) hammering of the Drake(?) Energy guy. And I really hope that all so-called journalists, not just the financial ones, heard themselves get called out last night. Inviting someone on your show to spout talking points is not journalism, it's turning yourself into a megaphone. A monkey could do it. If the stimulus bill is online, get a bunch of interns to read it, summarize, and arm yourself with the actual facts when you invite these blowhards on.

@J:
Duke Energy ;)

Stewart's point about CNBC advocating, rather than illuminating is the most essential flaw here.

I suggest the Planet Money podcast from NPR. Looks it up.

Morning Joe was twittering from home before his show. He expected to have Cramer on. When he got there.... he "says" Cramer didn't show.

But it's widely believed after revelations and implications of possible securities fraud.... CNBC is ready to put the brakes on all of this.

@Constance: thanks!

"after revelations and implications of possible securities fraud." Yeah, about that? Does anyone know where did Stewart get those tapes--I think it said "the street" at the bottom? And if they weren't from some kind of crazy hidden camera set-up...why did it take a (admittedly awesome) comedy show to bring them to light????

All this fuss about Cramer who quipped...
The Daily DID show a "variety" of clips.

I had to pick my jaw up off the floor after the interview. It was like watching a UFC champion choke out an invalid grandmother.

Yesn Cramer showed up - that took some nuts.

But he was woefully ill-prepared for the onslaught he strolled into.

Maybe he thought he'd get away with a comedy-laced light tongue lashing like McCain got on his last (final?) appearance on The Daily Show. No, it wasn"t funny (though Cramer had the I-just-got-caught-on-To Catch A Predator-smile going the whole time). It was sad to me. Sad that it takes Jon fuckin Stewart to ask these questions for us to get a minute amount of satisfaction.

Cramer and his ilk are filthy ambulance chasers/clowns, but it isn't his fault that we are all starving.

We need someone with true authority to step up and ask these questions to the folks who are STILL playing craps with our pensions and futures.

Kudos to Jon and TDS.

PS. Santelli is a coward, the new rally cry