Janeane Garofalo turns serious on CNN's 'Crossfire'

Philadelphia Inquirer ^ | 8/21/2003 | Gail Shister

[sjersey]

Tucker Carlson is no match for Janeane Garofalo.

As Carlson's liberal sparring partner on CNN's Crossfire this week, the former Saturday Night Live star has more than held her own. And anybody else's, for that matter.

What's the deal?

"Tucker's madly in love with me," says Garofalo, 38, tongue firmly in cheek. "His shrill nature and constant need to marshal my opinions are just masking his deep admiration.

"Like Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice, his aloofness is a cover for his ardent feelings."

Garofalo's scathing public criticism of the United States' going to war with Iraq angered many Americans. An actor's opinions, they said, held no weight.

News flash: Garofalo is no political dilettante. A Providence College grad with a degree in American studies and history, she devours all things political. She even watches C-Span.

The stereotype of airhead actors "is perpetuated by the mainstream media's need to idolize and tear down celebrity," says Garofalo, whose movie credits include The Truth About Cats and Dogs and Reality Bites.

"It's the myth of the limo liberal vs. the Ford Taurus conservative. All liberals are out of touch and wealthy. That myth has been a useful tool for the right."

A frequent guest on political talk shows, Garofalo is one of a select few actors to host CNN's 4:30 p.m. weekday slugfest. (Others include Ron Silver and Alec Baldwin.)

"I actually find political talk shows interesting. I am a fan of the form. If anyone would hire me, I'd like to have a show like [Chris Matthews'] Hardball or Crossfire."

But at a much lower decibel level, a la Charlie Rose.

"Having people constantly fighting and being so constrained by time is very anxiety-producing," Garofalo says. "The level of discourse is not edifying enough. When you talk about things as complex as the Middle East, one needs time."

So why host Crossfire for a week? "I cannot deny my attraction to it. I can get emotional and quite strident."

Garofalo continues doing stand-up and is writing a collection of essays, The Dumb and the Mean. Her first effort, 1999's Feel This Book, with her pal Ben Stiller, was a best-seller.

A development deal with ABC went south about six weeks ago because the two sides had totally different visions for the series - a subtle office comedy in the style of the BBC's The Office.

On the personal side, Garofalo recently went blond and is living happily with rock musician Chris Anderson. After quitting for a year, she's back to a pack a day of English Ovals.

The trigger, she says, was a visit to former CNN star Connie Chung's talker. "The typical faux questioning made me so angry, I started smoking again. It was infantilizing."

[dirtboy]

News flash: Garofalo is no political dilettante. A Providence College grad with a degree in American studies and history, she devours all things political. She even watches C-Span.

Oh, that makes her a heavyweight, all right. I bet she even reads the NY Times...

[mhking]

A development deal with ABC went south about six weeks ago because the two sides had totally different visions for the series - a subtle office comedy in the style of the BBC's The Office.

Is that her excuse today?

[dirtboy]

As Carlson's liberal sparring partner on CNN's Crossfire this week, the former Saturday Night Live star has more than held her own. And anybody else's, for that matter.

I like how the reporter made this claim yet gave no actual examples. The Black Knight thought he was ahead, also...

[smith288]

She said she has a satellite dish...she is very informed.

Excuse me as I laugh until my side hurts.

[GodBlessRonaldReagan]

Garofalo still owes me $7.00 and two hours of my life sitting throught the mega-barfer flick Reality Bites. Someone really needs to die for that POS!

[smith288]

I saw "Truth about cats and dogs"... She owes me money for that too.

[StarCMC]

She even watches C-Span.

So do I. Can I have a talk show? I'm about as qualified. And I'd be equally awful at it I'm sure!

"It's the myth of the limo liberal vs. the Ford Taurus conservative. All liberals are out of touch and wealthy. That myth has been a useful tool for the right."

What media is she reading??? I thought that's what the rats say about the conservatives. She's off her nut!

Garofalo's scathing public criticism of the United States' going to war with Iraq angered many Americans.

Well, at least they got something right!

[Pokey78]

Hey Janeane . . .

Boo!

[Consort]

A Providence College grad with a degree in American studies and history,....

That makes her an academia-nut.

[clintonh8r]

Advice I shouldn't have to give to Tucker Carlson: Never wrestle with a pig.

[coder2]

She even watches C-Span.

WOW !!! I am soooooo impressed !!! NOT !!!

[Feckless]

I caught a few minutes of this yesterday. A few minutes was all I could take. She was mouthing liberal catch phrases and stuff from Mao's little red book. Not a brain in her head, she better hope she's never unconcious due to an accident and on a monitor. No brain activity, pull the plug. The liberal idiots at whatever pinko college they were at ate it up.

[Frank_Discussion]

"All liberals are out of touch and wealthy. "

Oh, wait, I thought the myth was that all the Repubs and conservatives were "Rich Fat Cats"? Oh, I'm so confused.

I gotta get a sattelite dish...

[Sir Gawain]

News flash: Garofalo is no political dilettante.

News flash: This editorial is crap.

[AppyPappy]

The next excuse is a kiln explosion.

[AngryJawa]

ROFLMAO!

I was just thinking "big deal, she can take Tucker Carlson". TC is on CNN for a reason.

[farmer18th]

All liberals are out of touch and wealthy. That myth has been a useful tool for the right

The fact that it's more or less true helps some...

[Guillermo]

Tucker Carlson is no match for anyone.

[Mr. Thorne]

Have they had Brian Kilmeade on yet? Her performance against the Fox and Friends sports guy was... less than stellar, shall we say.