the buzz log

Well, that was awkward. "The Daily Show"'s Jon Stewart interviewed CNBC's Jim Cramer on Thursday night. The half-hour back-and-forth managed to be both incredibly uncomfortable and highly entertaining.

After a video introduction that mocked the anticipation of the interview, Stewart began hammering Cramer on his poorly timed financial advice. It only got worse for poor Jim, who looked like a deer in headlights. Stewart repeatedly put Cramer on the spot with clips of the "Mad Money" host in a 2006 interview. In it, the excitable host spoke about manipulating futures trades as a hedge fund manager. Stewart told Cramer that the video made him very angry. Fortunately for Cramer, Stewart did not rip off his shirt and turn into the Incredible Hulk.

As expected, the interview sparked a wave of Search activity. Lookups surged for many of the companies mentioned during the evisceration, with Bear Stearns leading the charge. Also seeing a rise: David Faber, a CNBC host who both Stewart and Cramer agreed was actually doing a good job of reporting the financial crisis.

Bloggers and newspapers had a field day with the interview. Business Insider wrote that Stewart "definitely got the better of his adversary," but noted that Stewart appeared overly serious. Gawker Media wrote that Cramer came across as "absurdly contrite" by "seemingly apologizing for everything CNBC has ever aired." Other sources within the Buzz agreed, writing that the conclusion to "the weeklong feud of the century" was won by the "Daily Show" host.

After the mauling was over and the two shook hands, Stewart closed the segment by turning to camera and saying that he hoped that the interview was just as awkward to watch as it was to partake in. It was, Jon. It really was.

Filed under: Journalism, Economics

In the days before the Internet, a journalist could let loose a few profane words, send a bikini shot to a married man, or be completely without a clue without many repercussions.

Not anymore. Former Philly anchor filly Alycia Lane still rules the buzz roost, first by sending suggestive photos to pal and NFL Network anchor Rich Reisen (which were intercepted by his wife) then, later, striking a police officer. However two other broadcasters could overtake her in Search. Golf Channel anchor Kelly Tilghman recently returned from a two-week suspension, after joking that Tiger Woods' competitors should "lynch him in a back alley." (Cluelessness unfortunately can be a contagion: Searches for "golfweek noose" leapt more than 1,200% with that magazine cover's illustration choice in covering the scandal, which then led to a firing.)

Online investigations into Tilghman's background and, of all things, marital status continue, but the chastened anchor may see relief from further scrutiny. ESPN First Take anchor Dana Jacobson has her own one-week boot, thanks to a drunken display that was too dirty even for a roast. The debacle has doubled her Buzz profile compared to Tilghman and launched her into the top 1,000 searches. Despite a protest, there hasn't been firm confirmation nor searches that Jacobson tried to be a poor woman's Kathy Griffin. Instead, ESPN said alleged profane comments referred to the University of Notre Dame's stadium view of a mural. Lookups however did soar for her insult to Notre Dame. Don't mess with the Fighting Irish.

Filed under: Sports, Golf, Journalism, Scandals