As promised, Microsoft chairman Bill Gates was on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart last night, pimping his little heart out for Windows Vista. I didn't get to watch it then, but thankfully Comedy Central has put the whole interview online. It's not a laugh riot, and I'm sad to report that John Hodgman (the PC from Apple's "I'm a Mac" ads and a regular Daily Show contributor) didn't make an appearance, but there's plenty of cute banter between Gates and Stewart. Here's Part 1:
Gates seems a little ill at ease, but I guess I would too if I were a guy not known for his sense of humor trying to sell a product on a show run by a guy known for skewering public figures. But everything goes down without any trouble until the very end, when Gates, apparently unaware that the usual talk show protocol is to sit and chat (or pretend to chat) with the host while the credits run, BOLTS OFF STAGE! But, when you're worth $50 billion, I guess you can get away with that.
Check out the second part of the interview, and Gates' sudden departure, after the jump.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-30-2007 @ 11:41AM
glacia said...
Jordan just try to watch it without so much anger. I swear you guys are going to burst a blood vessel some day with your MS hatred.
It was a really good interview. He wasn't strutting around and playing the look at me game like, well that guy you drool over. He was just being a regular guy.
Reply
1-30-2007 @ 12:14PM
Jordan Running said...
glacia: There wasn't an ounce of hatred, or even unpleasantness, in my post. I enjoyed the interview. I like Bill Gates. I thought it was funny when he ran off stage. What more is there to say? You take care of your blood vessels, I'll take care of mine. :)
Reply
1-30-2007 @ 12:59PM
justelise said...
Ever notice that Bill Gates sounds like Kermit the Frog when he laughs?
At any rate I think he's doing a good job. He doesn't seem comfortable but he doesn't seem defensive either. Might be a fun guy to have a drink with as long as he doesn't try to sell me Vista.
Reply
1-30-2007 @ 1:17PM
toosday said...
I'd probably actually hang out with Bill Gates after this interview. Good to see him actually loosen up.
He's only the 2nd person I've ever seen run off stage after the Daily Show interview. the first was music mogul Quincy Jones.
Reply
1-30-2007 @ 1:21PM
Ryan Carter said...
Bill Gates is like a normal person with their social skills removed, we call them geeks. He is a great guy, and very focused, I loved this interview...
Reply
1-30-2007 @ 3:25PM
Reader said...
Do you mean "apparently not unaware that..." or just "apparently unaware that..." or "apparently not aware that..."?
Reply
1-30-2007 @ 3:26PM
Reader said...
(Continued)
Or even "apparently aware that..."?
Gotta watch those double negatives, you know. ;)
Reply
1-30-2007 @ 4:08PM
Arun said...
Good time pass.
Reply
1-30-2007 @ 11:39PM
Eludium-Q36 said...
Poor Bill, when he tries to be "regular people" he comes off as cerebrally awkward, kinda Stephen Hawking-ish. But the Zen-Moment of the interview for me came when John asked him what computer he uses, apparently looking for a Dell or Alienware plug. Instead Gates ticks off that he uses a tablet for meetings, one for his office, and ONE at home. One. One at home. The Ubergeek himself, in a mall-sized mansion, Leader of the PC World, head of the world's largest philanthropy, and he wants us to believe he's got ONE computer at home ? I expected him to launch into a scree about a dozen wirelessly linked tablets spread through the manse. No -- One. As Marge would respond, "hmmm".
Reply
1-31-2007 @ 7:41AM
Awod said...
That was somewhat funny.
Reply