Jon Stewart and Bill O'Reilly promote debate

In boxing, when two prize fighter get together to promote their bout, things can get ugly. Punches might be thrown at the weigh-in, insults will be exchanged, and if Mike Tyson is involved, the opponents’ children will surely be threatened with cannibalism. The badder the blood, the bigger the gate. It’s just good business.

Somehow, Jon Stewart and Bill O’Reilly missed this lesson. The two touched gloves on O’Reilly’s turf last night to promote their upcoming political debate, and it’s clear that the political showmen have a lot in common — including a shared condescension for each other. But beneath those political differences, they clearly have a begrudging respect for each other. (Maybe it’s because they both loathe CNN?)

Watch the entire segment below, as Stewart sets up a Luke Skywalker-Darth Vader analogy that he thinks is complementary to them both, but only makes me worry that Stewart could lose his arm on Oct. 6.

The Rumble in the Air-Conditioned Auditorium streams live online Oct. 6, with all proceeds from the pay-for-view event going to charity.

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