(CNN) -- By most accounts, the showdown was pretty brutal. Many declared Jon Stewart, right, the victor in his face-to-face with Jim Cramer on "The Daily Show." Many watching Thursday night's "Daily Show" on Comedy Central felt that comedian-turned-media-critic Jon Stewart held bombastic financial guru and CNBC "Mad Money" host Jim Cramer's feet to the fire. And Cramer flinched. Stewart, known for his zany, satirical take on the news, was serious as he took Cramer's network to task for what Stewart viewed as their "cheerleading" of corporations at the heart of the nation's current economic crisis. And despite the title of his financial show, Cramer came off as less mad and more apologetic. Watch Stewart vs. Cramer »
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Critics and viewers see Stewart as victor after interview with "Mad Money" host
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Pair squared off in an uncomfortable debate on "The Daily Show"
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iReporter: Surprised at how Stewart "attacked Cramer's credibility"
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Howard Kurtz: "Important moment for holding financial journalists accountable"
"You have the comedian as journalist, and you have the financial journalist as clown, in that on his show, @placeholder's goofing around and plays the clown," Brancaccio said.
Despite what has been written about @placeholder, the things he's gotten incorrect and the calls he has made, he's still popular and one of the most entertaining for people who are interested in that type of financial news."