Once and for all: Why do non-celebs agree to appear on The Daily Show?

[Bossy Monkey]

We've all asked. Hell, we all ask every time. And really, I should have said "Why does anybody agree to appear on the correspondent segments of TDS?" since often they ARE celebrities. (I think that may have been a NASCAR driver tonight, though I was a little confused about this.) Regardless, why, why, why?

Feel free to share your favorite mortifying moment from correspondent segments. Mine was the Visitors' Bureau lady in Florida showing the correspondent, Ed Helms I think, her cooter.

[NYCGirl]

1. Maybe some of them have a sense of humor and like The Daily Show. NT

[Bossy Monkey]

2. If so, they're the best actors on Earth, and should look into new careers

as such. (That was my other thought; how many of these people are actually paid actors brought in as ringers?)

[NYCGirl]

6. It's all in the editing. NT

[Bossy Monkey]

3. Still wondering. :-)

[jpgray]

4. Sometimes they allow guests a dignified image in the segment

A good example was when Steve Colbert was doing a bit on Mary Carey's visit to some GOP fundraiser. They had a Democratic official interviewed, and the humor came from Colbert asking ridiculous questions, and the Democratic official being serious and logical. The guy was also a good enough sport to take a bite of the classic porno pizza delivery boy's pizza, and I think he came off well. :D Mary Carey, not so much.

[gmoney]

5. They believe THEIR position is unassailable

It's always some true believer (or paid flak) and they probably feel "Well, how could they make fun of ________?"

And they may not be aware of how TDS lampoons most guests.

Ali G has been getting away with it for years, and he's certainly a lot more conspicuous.