Postmortem on The Daily Show
Well, I survived my appearance on the Daily Show. Some random reflections on the experience.
First, Jon Stewart sure seems like a fantastic guy. Smart, friendly, down to earth, funny the whole time on and off the camera. Maybe he should run for president sometime. I would vote for him. His only problem is that he is not so tall, and Americans grow their presidents tall.
Second, sitting in the studio, no matter how hard you to try, it is impossible to imagine that 2 million people are watching what you are doing (actually in my case 2,000,002 because my parents don’t usually watch, but they were watching last night). Which is good if you are someone like me who is inherently anti-social and frightened by crowds. It certainly would be more nerve-wracking to do an interview in front of a live audience of 2 million people stretched out over the Mall in Washington.
Third, television, except maybe Charlie Rose, is a terrible medium for trying to talk about books. I had a long interview — over 6 minutes — but Stewart was asking hard questions that I couldn’t give real answers to (essentially he wanted me to explain regression analysis, but to do it in 15 seconds). One key point in Freakonomics is that we try to show the reader how we get our answers, not just assert that we are right. On TV, there just isn’t time to follow that path.
Fourth, it sure is nice to be in front of an audience that is dying to laugh at and respond to anything you say. (For instance, I’m not sure why, but the audience burst out laughing when I mentioned crack cocaine.) I wish the students in my 9 am undergraduate lecture were so responsive. Of course, if my lectures were one-tenth as entertaining as the Daily Show, I bet my students would be plenty responsive.
Anonymous
Nixon was short ...
Nigela
I'm a college student and regular viewer of the Daily Show. I enjoyed watching your interview. I'm going to pick up a copy of your book when I've finished a few term papers. I'm an English major, but I've always had a secret love for economics and, from what I garnered in your short interview, freakonomics might be right up my alley.
Anonymous
I'm a high school student and just watched your appearance, I'm visting Borders this weekend and I'm going to pick it up then. Wal Mart didn't have it.
Anonymous
I really enjoy the Daily Show, especially Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, and Lewis Black.(The occasional diversions into juvenile humor about sexual perversion is the show's lamest aspect, IMHO.)The interviews are often frustrating though, exactly for the reasons you describe. Jon Stewart can be brilliantly funny, but sometimes the need for a laugh takes precedence over the need to elucidate a complex point. But the interview was great in terms of giving us all a taste of what your book is about, and I suspect it will drive many more readers to buy the book.
Anonymous
you were great! instantly sparked my curiosity and went straight to my computer to google your book. i'm inspired. I'm in university as well and i'm sure any class you teach would be much more engaging than any i've taken so far.
JLP
I as eating lunch at Quiznos today with my wife and I overheard two kids talking about Freakonomics. This book sure is getting a lot of buzz.JLPAllThingsFinancial
dan dan noodles
As the son of an economics professor, I've always been interested in the field but was always bored stiff whenever I tried to talk to my dad about it.I'm not sure if I got the full gist of what Freakonomics is, but I'm definitely going to buy the book and find out.Oh, and just so you dont think all the people who post here are college kids, I'm a 32-year-old journalist.
Victoria
Hello professor Levitt, I took your Econ 200 class last spring. I really enjoyed your appearance on the Daily Show. And it's funny, because I also noticed when the audience started laughing at the mention of crack cocaine. I guess not everyone is used to hearing "crack" used nonchalantly in a scholarly context. :-)
Andy_Martini
I got your book at iTunes (it's also at Audible.com) so I could listen on my iPod. The book was great, and I can't wait for the next one. As for the Daily Show, you did great considering you are averse to public speaking.
suz
Gabriel Manis
First I read the book, but I am still working on the regression analysis thing in my Prob and Stats and Econ classes... So, don't worry about not being able to teach 2 million in 15 seconds. I am glad to recommend this book to many friends and I hope the success is long lived. Does anyone know if there is a transcript available from the Daily Show interview?
RK
I truly believe that if you are reading this, it is not a coincidence--go to:http://whowilldietoday.blogspot.com/
Gus
Interesting... Hopefully I catch a repeat of the show because I must have missed it. Freakonomics sounds intriguing. Oh, and Bush certainly isn't Shaq.
357martini
Love your concept....application of demographic statistics of the mess of reality today....so cool.spookyoptics
redsock
I could tell you were uncomfortable, but you did fine.Also, I will now check out the book. I like things that go against conventional wisdom -- these truisms that we just spout without knowing if they are true or not -- especially when it comes to baseball.Congrats on the exposure.
TonyGuitar
Martini357 above mentions Spookyoptics (hic). I think he ment Spookytopics, like say the economist's report resulting from the study of loss of American lifestyle, should there ever be a summary accounting of the country's books. But about the daily show. The world's leading econmists do not have to be correct about anything, however they must be eintertaining and engaging. This field is ideal for the brighest. They see at an early age that there is no penalty for error. There is no guarantee and no refunds required. Gailbraith is a famous econmist, yet his strengths were charm, sense of humour and diplomacy. He was totally and absolutly wrong with several major forcasts. No matter, Gailbraith's answer to serious major incorrect tangents, is a low key chuckle and he hobknobbed with whithouse hoypaloy without interuption. A visit to the John Daily Show is logical step in that direction... Rock on pal... scoot right on past Gailbraith. TonyGuitar
bitingsarcasm
Professor, I really enjoyed your book, and after I finished it last week, in a span of 2 hours listened to your NPR interview and then noticed you were on The Daily Show. As an Economics major at NYU, I can say that in our classes, your book is certainly being talked about. I wouldn't worry about explaining regression analysis in 15 seconds. It takes most Economics professors about 30 seconds, so you're right on target.Keep up the blog--a lot of people really like it.
Holden
Great post to show your own thoughts on your appearance on tv! I saw you on the daily show, you did a great job.i probably gonna read the book too. It seems really interesting...Dancing With Tears In My EyesMatt
*P Hilton
My body is a daily show.<3,ParisP.S. Freakonomics? It's pronounced ec-o-nomics. Even I know that.
L-girl
You were terrific. When I'm interviewed, my mouth goes completely dry and I forget everything I've ever known. You seemed very calm and relaxed, and you managed to answer all the questions concisely - and with humor. I think you did great and I can't wait to read the book.