Stewart Appears on Television Show

Former Undergraduate Council President Beth A. Stewart '00 took her political opinions to the national airwaves last Thursday, appearing as a guest on ABC television's late-night talk show "Politically Incorrect," hosted by comedian Bill Maher.

The show, which is finishing its third season on ABC and averages 1.66 million viewers, appears five nights a week and features a variety of celebrities and politicians discussing current events.

Stewart, who debated topics from gun control to next year's presidential election on the episode along with author Erica Jong, NYPD Blue co-star Andrea Thompson and comedian Rob Schneider, said she has been a long time fan of Politically Incorrect.

"I was originally attracted to the show because I sometimes think people take politics too seriously," Stewart said. "I liked the idea of having an informal discussion about politics where everyone is laughing."

According to Stewart, she landed a spot on the show after first sending a "ridiculous" joke fax to its producers last year. Stewart also says the show heard of her as a result of her participation in a conference for student leaders sponsored by the Young America's Foundation--an outreach organization with the goal of introducing American youth to the principles of the Conservative Movement.

"She reached out to us," said Dawn Defalco the segment producer who booked Stewart.

According to Defalco, getting a place on Politically Incorrect by contacting the show directly is usually a long shot.

"There are just two spots or one spot where we could utilize someone who is not recognizable, so to speak, so that's difficult for us and we can't respond to everyone," Defalco said.

Defalco was interested in doing a show on the rise in campus conservatism and thought Stewart's letter made her stand out as someone with "very strong opinions."

Stewart, who was flown first-class to Los Angeles, put up in a hotel suite and paid to appear, was prepared to talk about campus conservatism and the "disconnect between older and younger feminists." However, after events in Congress that day, the topics of the show ere changed to gun control and displaying the Ten Commandments in classrooms--two issues on which Stewart does not consider herself particularly conservative.

According to Stewart, the only conservative booked on the show, the producers encouraged her to "find points of contention" and "play devil's advocate."

As a result, Stewart characterized the taping of the show as a "painful and miserable experience."

"I went home and called everyone I knew and told them not to watch the show," said Stewart.

After viewing the episode, Stewart believed that her appearance was much better than she had originally thought.

Current Council President Noah Z. Seton '00 believes that Stewart did very well, despite the last-minute change of agenda.

"She went on a very difficult show for a conservative to go on. The format of Politically Incorrect is to have two liberals, one conservative and a comedian whose job is to make fun of the conservative," Seton said. "She did outstanding, I was very happy and proud for her."

In retrospect, Stewart said she was pleased with her appearance.

"No question, it was a positive experience," Stewart said. "They spent ridiculous amounts of money just to hear my worthless opinion."