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."

[fortunecookie]

This editorial is crap.

The editorial is simply trying to create credibility and professionalism where none exists. Lib media doing a makeover.

[Maelstrom]

"...crawl on my knees across broken glass..."

[smith288]

Have her fill in for Alan Colmes against Sean Hannity... I dont like Hannity's debate tactics but at least he is a formidable foe for her ugly A**

[KellyAdmirer]

Garofalo continues doing stand-up and is writing a collection of essays, The Dumb and the Mean.

Since this is the moron-Democrat default view of Republicans, I can guess what that is going to be about. Yep, she has satellite tv, she's a real Rhodes Scholar!

[AngryJawa]

The content of Colmes' debate is, of course, pathetic. But at least it isn't the voiced in the high-pitched screech of Garafalo.

I beleive my TV would be adversely affected by flying masonry units after about 37 seconds of her act.

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

Go see " The Matchmaker". It's about a Boston Senator who is losing his race, and sends Garafalo over to Ireland to find Irish relatives to help his campaign, but she finds out that he isn't Irish at all, he just changed his name Irish so He could be elected in Massachusetts.

Hmm, I wonder if his last name was Kerry.

[smith288]

Garofalo continues doing stand-up and is writing a collection of essays, The Dumb and the Mean.

How does an act that appeals only to about 45% of the population going to get her anywhere? I just know thanks to her total abandonment of moral conviction in a public setting will give me the pleasure of not having to see her in a main stream sitcom.

[Enterprise]

I would love to see her against Brit Hume.

[JoJo Gunn]

I got yer news flash right here - this is a paid publicity piece.

That flaming wacko, on Bill Maher's HBO show, tried to say this didn't happen.

[Havoc]

Nobody takes her serious in this crowd though. She's a mean spirited hateful little do nothing that can't think past her emotions or the chip on her shoulder.

[Porterville]

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.

Jesus, I picked up a History degree and an Economics degree drunk for 4 years, according to this guy/gal/gay/lesbot I must be a frickin' genius

[GodBlessRonaldReagan]

Sounds like a film for lying down and avoiding.

[mrtysmm]

Ya think maybe this is a try-out for the New Liberal TV station that Algore is working on? Such rave reviews could be a build up for her up and coming talk show should the endeavor ever take off. She's a blond now...(possible competition for our Ann Coulter???) Maybe she should to try to use something besides an eggbeater to style her hair. Just a suggestion.

[Modernman]

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

He's the conservative version of liberal punching-bag Alan Combs. CNN puts him on as the token conservative so he can get his butt whooped.

[fortunecookie]

Ya think maybe this is a try-out for the New Liberal TV station that Algore is working on?

Oh, no, I had forgotten about that. Yes, it seems quite likely. What a joke, a new Liberal TV station. Aren't most stations that already??!!!

Such rave reviews could be a build up for her up and coming talk show should the endeavor ever take off.

It makes perfect sense. I guess we'll be seeing more carefully engineered 'rave' reviews. Yay.

She's a blond now...(possible competition for our Ann Coulter???)

Is that what the new feminism teaches us? (/sarcasm) To compete, we must be blonde? Guess I'd better stop at the store after work and pick up some l'oreal. How does the ever brunette, no make-up, casual clothes Janeane square this up with her previous ultra-lib, feminist beliefs? Anything to get back on the air regularly? Wow.

[Gothmog]

You know why this 'news article' is so lacking in substance? That's because Gail Shister is the TV columnist for the Philly Inquirer. She writes gossipy items and re-types press releases. Not exactly an expert on political debate. But wait, there's more! If you search "Shister" on the Inquirer's web site you will find this:

http://www.ecola.com/go/?f=&r=pa&u=www.phillynews.com/inq/

"Gail warning

"Source: STU BYKOFSKY
"MORNING YAWN TV columnist Gail Shister launched into 'a high-volume, obscenity-laden rant' when CNN's Tucker Carlson told her he was forced to cancel an appearance at last year's National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association convention, the 'Crossfire' host writes in his upcoming book. (He canceled his appearance because his wife went into labor.) Asked if she'd delivered the rant, Gail says sweetly, "I don't even remember, to tell you the..."

Published on July 22, 2003, Page 34, Philadelphia Daily News (PA)

I think the excerpt from this report fully illuminates the reason for Shister's little diatribe against Carlson.

'Hell hath no fury like a lesbo scorned'

Note: I don't have access to the full report because even though I signed up to register for "Real Cities" (which controls the content) and was going to purchase said article for $2.95, the site would not let me.

[mondonico]

Silly bunt.

[Monty22]

It's hilarious cause she is exactly rich and out of touch.


Bizarre.

[OpusatFR]

I did the history degree in the 60's. Super easy courses. Then the real world intruded and I actually had to go for the seriously difficult courses to become employed.

[smiley]

You have just described, and beautifully I might add, the perfect description of a liberal!