I wouldn't characterized SBJ as "an assistant" - he's the executive producer of the program, and that is *not* chopped liver.
I gladly stand corrected. That said, it doesn't change the impact. A second hand e-mail versus an announcement on a nationally syndicated show - Which would you rather have?
Maybe it's just me...but when a national talk show host takes a shot at FReepers in a somewhat 'crybaby' kinda way, and then tries to appease that audience with an e-mail second hand, I'm a cynic.