Stewart and O'Reilly get ready to 'Rumble'

[a kennedy]

NEW YORK (AP) -- One is from Fox News, the other Comedy Central. They might as well be the Capulets and the Montagues.

But despite their opposing sides on the political spectrum, something almost like - gasp! - friendship has evolved between Bill O'Reilly and Jon Stewart. The two have frequently appeared on each other's shows, exhibiting actual respect for the other's views.

On Saturday, Stewart and O'Reilly will square off in a mock debate in Washington, D.C., to be streamed online for $4.95, with half the proceeds going to charity. As the two prepare for the clash in their respective corners - the event has been dubbed "The Rumble in the Air-Conditioned Auditorium" - Stewart and O'Reilly took a moment to reflect on their unique relationship.

"I think he idolizes me secretly and that's what it's all about," says O'Reilly.

Stewart, in turn, compares them to "The Princess and the Pea."

"And I'm going to go with me as the pea," he says.

But both, in separate phone interviews, also quickly follow those descriptions with praise. O'Reilly calls the "Daily Show" host "a good guy" and "very talented."

When it was suggested that their relationship is one based on both mutual respect and mutual disgust, Stewart laughs but says: "I enjoy talking to the guy. I find him very entertaining. He's got a good sense of humor. He's smart. I think he comes by his views honestly. I can't say I agree with him.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_STEWART_OREILLY_DEBATE?SITE=FLTAM&SECTION=ENTERTAINMENT&TEMPLATE=

[madamesilverspurs]

1. Wish I could watch.

Stewart has brains where O'Reilly has ego. Jon will be smart, Bill will be snotty.

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[Guy Whitey Corngood]

2. There is nothing and I mean nothing honest about Dil D'Oreily. nt

[TlalocW]

3. The sad thing about Bill is

He actually thinks he's as funny as Stewart.

And while I don't think he's as smart as Stewart either, O'Reilly is okay in the smarts department, but he's boxed in by having to toe the conservative line. He can't break out of that. Bill could bring up something stupid that a small subsection of liberals do, that even most liberals look askance at, and Jon would say, "Yeah, that is stupid, but that's hardly representative of the democratic party (or whatever). Would you be willing to condemn <insert activity here> that conservatives do and is much more widespread?" Bill wouldn't be able to do it.

TlalocW