Great Moments In Punditry

The Daily Show debuted a brand-new segment this evening, called Great Moments In Punditry. It is perhaps the finest sixty seconds of television ever produced. Here's how it works: transcripts from obnoxious political commentary shows are dramatized in deadpan fashion by young actors (aged 9-12). Tonight's debut edition featured a segment from Hannity and Colmes on August 19, 2003 in which Hannity threatened to cut the microphone of Art Torres, the California Democratic Party chairman. Here's the dramatized dialogue, courtesy of Lexis-Nexus.

HANNITY: All right. Wait for your turn. You'll have your say. Be quiet unless we ask you questions.

TORRES: Don't tell me to be quiet.

HANNITY: So the audience can...

TORRES: Don't tell me to be quiet when I have a point to make.

HANNITY: I'll turn your microphone down if you have to. If you're not going to play by our rules...

TORRES: Then put your microphone now. If I'm not going to be allowed to express my opinions, then why have me on this show?

HANNITY: If you will not allow other people to speak, I will turn your mike down and then we're going to ask you to go. So the choice is yours.

Of course, the whole point of these segments is to accentuate the childish behavior of our political commentators by using real children to portray them. But it's superbly executed -- another reason to watch the Daily Show regularly, so you can make sure you catch the next installment!