Jon Stewart and Bill O'Reilly are taking their status as BFFs — best frenemies forever — to the next level early next month when they square off in a 90-minute, pay per-view event in the nation's capital.
Dubbed "The Rumble in the Air-Conditioned Auditorium," the face-to-face meeting Oct. 6 will be moderated by CNN anchor E.D. Hill and will be modeled after a mock presidential debate: 60 minutes of conversation between the host of Comedy Central's "The Daily Show" and Fox's top-rated "The O'Reilly Factor," then 30 minutes of audience questions.
The trash-talking between the pundits, who sparred frequently and appeared on each other's program, has already begun.
"I told him we'll pick up all the hair mousse he needs," O'Reilly said in a telephone interview. "There's not an area on earth where I'm not stronger or more compelling than him."
Asked what area might prove to be O'Reilly's biggest weakness, Stewart replied, "Obviously, I think the biggest vulnerability will be his thoughts and ideas — the things he thinks in his brain."
The curious can watch the live-streamed debate for $4.95. "We kept [the price] low. We wanted everybody to get in the tent," said O'Reilly.
So far, interest appears high: Tickets to the live show at George Washington University's Lisner Auditorium, which seats about 1,500, sold out almost as soon as they went on sale Tuesday, despite costing $100 a pop.
O'Reilly and Stewart say their goal is not to enlighten or edify but merely to entertain — and raise money for charity in the process. Half of the net proceeds from "The Rumble" will go to a number of causes selected by Stewart and O'Reilly.
cool. do watch the whole thing. I'm just in awe at how Bill is approaching this. The mayor of Bullshit Mountain will not step off the stinking pile. f'ing crazy...
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