S. Samuel
After challenging "Daily Show" host Jon Stewart to appear on his Fox News television program to debate rapper Common's invitation to a White House poetry event this week, media personality Bill O'Reilly's wish comes true.
According to new reports Friday (May 13) evening, the face-off will take place next week.
The host of Fox News Channel’s “The O’Reilly Factor” has invited the host of Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show” as a guest Monday. Fox News said Friday that O’Reilly and Stewart will debate the invitation for Grammy Award-winning rapper Common to perform at a White House poetry night this week. The O’Reilly-Stewart faceoff airs Monday at 8 p.m. Eastern. (The Washington Post)
Earlier in the week, O’Reilly used his televised Fox News show to call out Stewart.
“I would like to debate you,” O’Reilly challenged Stewart. “I would like to debate you about the Common situation because it’s important. This is far beyond dopy lyrics and dopy presentations. Again, we don’t care about that…Imagine what the mothers of the slain police officers are thinking when they see a guy like Common in the White House. I mean, Joanne Chesimard who killed a [New] Jersey state trooper — and Common thinks she’s swell? Come on. So with all due respect, I think Jon Stewart made a big mistake trying to run down Fox News and defend Common and I look forward to Mr. Stewart coming on the program, on ‘The Factor,’ to discuss it.” (“The O’Reilly Factor”)
Prior to the challenge, Stewart stood up for the Chicago emcee.
“Are we really doing this again? For this guy, Common? The guy from the Gap ads? The guy from the Queen Latifah rom-coms? Elmo’s friend?” (“The Daily Show”)
Despite the hype, Common still attended Wednesday’s White House event.
Common performed at Michelle Obama‘s White House Music Series, despite a media hullabaloo surrounding his appearance. A Fox News website had dubbed the Grammy-winning rapper “vile” and a “cop killer.” The event was put on in front of an audience of high-schoolers and Common’s performance was decidedly child-friendly. “I woke up with the sunshine, a sunshine I had never seen,” he sang over an arpeggiated piano. “There was light at the end of it, reminding me to forever dream. I was dreaming I walked into the White House with love on my sleeve and love for each and every one of you, reminding you to believe.” (RTT News)
Check out Bill O’Reilly’s challenge below:
