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The Daily Show skewered Fox News during the Iraq War.

The Daily Show skewered Fox News during the Iraq War.

After 9/11, Fox News Channel rallied much of the country to the Bush administration's world vision. But as the US went to war in the Middle East, journalists, liberal watchdogs and comedians began to push back. Could The Daily ShowFox News' liberal pundits or an employee-turned-whistleblower are causing Fox to falter?

Want more from Slow Burn? Subscribe to Slate Plus to unlock full access to all seasons, including member-only bonus episodes of The Rise of Fox News. You can also listen to all your favorite Slate podcasts ad-free. Visit Slate.com/slowburnplus for access anywhere.

Season 10 of Slow Burn was written and reported by Josh Levin. The executive producer was Lizzie Jacobs.

Slow Burn is produced by Sophie Summergrad, Joel Meyer and Rosie Belson with help from Patrick Fort, Jacob Fenston and Julia Russo.

Derek John is the executive producer of narrative podcasts at Slate.

This season was edited by Susan Matthews and Hillary Frey.

Merritt Jacob is our senior technical director. Mix and sound design by Joe Plourde.

Our theme music was composed by Alexis Cuadrado. Derreck Johnson created the artwork for this season. Episode artwork by Ivylise Simones.

Sources for this episode:

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Smith, Chris. The Daily Show (The Book): An oral history told by Jon Stewart, the correspondents, staff and guests, Grand Central Publishing, 2016.

Winstead, Lizz. Lizz Free or Die: EssaysRiverhead Books, 2012.

Article

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Reina, Charlie about Jim Romenesko. “'The Memo' is the Bible at Fox News,” Romenesko/Poynter, October 29, 2003.

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Smith, Austin. “The 'girl' with the glasses – Fla. Mess Puts Spotlight on MSNBC Host,” New York Post, November 27, 2000.

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Wolcott, James. “Fox Populi?”, Vanity Fair, August 2001.

Wright, Megh. “Jon Stewart looks back on the first 'Daily Show' episode after 9/11,” Vulture, November 22, 2016.

Audiovisual

“'He didn't like losing, but he knew there was a greater purpose': Remembering Washington Generals coach Red Klotz,” StoryCorps, August 9, 2024.

“No Liberal Limbaughs,” On the Media, August 29, 2003.

This content is only available to Slate Plus members Bonus episode

Ed Helms and more Daily Show Alumni sparring with Fox News

Behind the scenes of a fake news show during the rise of Fox News.

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