Behind The Daily Show

From IMDB:

the show is pulled together in this way: a researcher scans major newspapers, the Associated Press, and cable news channels, then gives possible topics to the ten writers. These meet to discuss headline material for the lead news segment. By 11:15 a.m. they meet with Jon Stewart, and by 12:30 they have come up with jokes for the day's show. The cast hold a rehearsal, then the show is taped at 6:30 in front of an audience.

I was able to look up the entire article and here's some good things that I found.

A favorite target is the Fox News Channel, but Stewart says that's not liberal bias: Republicans -- and conservative-leaning news outlets -- are simply richer comic territory. "What makes them successful is also what makes them mockable, and that is they have the clearest point of view of any of the networks. It's harder to mock something that doesn't know what it is."

Stewart enjoys the show's "creative freedom" and has signed a contract that will keep him there through the 2004 election. Yet he concedes he's restless. "I like doing different things by nature." He was a contender for ABC's late-night job that went to Jimmy Kimmel, and he is considered a potential David Letterman replacement.

Still, he isn't pining just yet. "I look at the late-night guys and what they've been able to build up over time, and I must say I'm very admiring of it; I just don't know if I can do it, personality-wise."

Shame on ABC. I'm a Disney stockholder and would rather see Jon Stewart hosting at that spot. If he gets the Late Show desk, Conan's ratings will just sink.

In another article on the same day, I learned that Bob Dole was on the show as a correspondent.

"I actually think he's so reasonable that in that field it seems crazy," says Stewart, recognizing that dark horse Edwards probably scored a few points among younger voters for his "playful" but weird political maneuver.

He credits Bob Dole-- former senator, presidential candidate and Viagra endorser -- who served as a correspondent during the show's "Indecision 2000" election coverage. "This is not a traditional stop for either media watchers or pundits or politicians. He came on and it was a vouch, by somebody that had tremendous political street cred. He was not only insightful, but a really funny, cutting guest."