NEW YORK – One is from Fox News, the other Comedy Central. They might as well be the Capulets and the Montagues.

But despite their opposing sides on the political spectrum, something almost like — gasp! — friendship has evolved between Bill O’Reilly and Jon Stewart. The two have frequently appeared on each other’s shows, exhibiting actual respect for the other’s views.

On Saturday, Stewart and O’Reilly will square off in a mock debate in Washington, D.C., to be streamed online for $4.95, with half the proceeds going to charity. As the two prepare for the clash in their respective corners — the event has been dubbed “The Rumble in the Air-Conditioned Auditorium” — Stewart and O’Reilly took a moment to reflect on their unique relationship.

“I think he idolizes me secretly and that’s what it’s all about,” said O’Reilly.

Stewart, in turn, compares them to “The Princess and the Pea.”

“And I’m going to go with me as the pea,” he said.

But both, in separate phone interviews, also quickly follow those descriptions with praise. O’Reilly called the “Daily Show” host “a good guy” and “very talented.”

When it was suggested that their relationship is one based on both mutual respect and mutual disgust, Stewart laughed but said: “I enjoy talking to the guy. I find him very entertaining. He’s got a good sense of humor. He’s smart. I think he comes by his views honestly. I can’t say I agree with him.

“He’s like comfort food for me,” added Stewart. “I feel like I grew up around these guys. He’s my shepherd’s pie.”

Their 90-minute debate will be moderated by CNN’s E.D. Hill. The sold-out event at George Washington University’s Lisner Auditorium will be live-streamed at TheRumble2012.com.

Blaine will attempt electifying stunt

NEW YORK – David Blaine is lying low and fasting berfore his next stunt.

Beginning Friday, Blaine will spend three days and nights standing in the middle of a million volts of electric currents streamed by coils.

The feat is called “Electrified: One Million Volts Always On” and takes place at Pier 54 in New York City.

The 39-year-old will wear a chainmail bodysuit, a wire helmet and protection for his eyes and ears. He will have a tube for water in and another for water out, so to speak.

The stunt will be open to the public and streamed online.

Swift will give deaf students show tickets

BOSTON – Taylor Swift is giving concert tickets to a Boston school for the deaf after a prank during an online contest promising an on-campus performance by the Grammy-winning singer.

Horace Mann School for the Deaf was disqualified from the contest because many of the votes were from pranksters who thought it would be funny for a school for the deaf to win a concert.

Swift, known for hits including “You Belong With Me” and “Love Story,” said every student at the K-12 school will receive a ticket to her next local concert.

She and the contest sponsors also donated $50,000 to the school, and VH1’s Save the Music program donated $10,000 in musical instruments.

“Any kind of specific instrument that can be purchased to bring music alive for these students will go a long way,” Boston Public School spokesman Matt Wilder said.

Swift is releasing her fourth studio album, “Red,” on Oct. 22.

NEW YORK – One is from Fox News, the other Comedy Central. They might as well be the Capulets and the Montagues.

But despite their opposing sides on the political spectrum, something almost like — gasp! — friendship has evolved between Bill O’Reilly and Jon Stewart. The two have frequently appeared on each other’s shows, exhibiting actual respect for the other’s views.

On Saturday, Stewart and O’Reilly will square off in a mock debate in Washington, D.C., to be streamed online for $4.95, with half the proceeds going to charity. As the two prepare for the clash in their respective corners — the event has been dubbed “The Rumble in the Air-Conditioned Auditorium” — Stewart and O’Reilly took a moment to reflect on their unique relationship.

“I think he idolizes me secretly and that’s what it’s all about,” said O’Reilly.

Stewart, in turn, compares them to “The Princess and the Pea.”

“And I’m going to go with me as the pea,” he said.

But both, in separate phone interviews, also quickly follow those descriptions with praise. O’Reilly called the “Daily Show” host “a good guy” and “very talented.”

When it was suggested that their relationship is one based on both mutual respect and mutual disgust, Stewart laughed but said: “I enjoy talking to the guy. I find him very entertaining. He’s got a good sense of humor. He’s smart. I think he comes by his views honestly. I can’t say I agree with him.

“He’s like comfort food for me,” added Stewart. “I feel like I grew up around these guys. He’s my shepherd’s pie.”

Their 90-minute debate will be moderated by CNN’s E.D. Hill. The sold-out event at George Washington University’s Lisner Auditorium will be live-streamed at TheRumble2012.com.

Blaine will attempt electifying stunt

NEW YORK – David Blaine is lying low and fasting berfore his next stunt.

Beginning Friday, Blaine will spend three days and nights standing in the middle of a million volts of electric currents streamed by coils.

The feat is called “Electrified: One Million Volts Always On” and takes place at Pier 54 in New York City.

The 39-year-old will wear a chainmail bodysuit, a wire helmet and protection for his eyes and ears. He will have a tube for water in and another for water out, so to speak.

The stunt will be open to the public and streamed online.

Swift will give deaf students show tickets

BOSTON – Taylor Swift is giving concert tickets to a Boston school for the deaf after a prank during an online contest promising an on-campus performance by the Grammy-winning singer.

Horace Mann School for the Deaf was disqualified from the contest because many of the votes were from pranksters who thought it would be funny for a school for the deaf to win a concert.

Swift, known for hits including “You Belong With Me” and “Love Story,” said every student at the K-12 school will receive a ticket to her next local concert.

She and the contest sponsors also donated $50,000 to the school, and VH1’s Save the Music program donated $10,000 in musical instruments.

“Any kind of specific instrument that can be purchased to bring music alive for these students will go a long way,” Boston Public School spokesman Matt Wilder said.

Swift is releasing her fourth studio album, “Red,” on Oct. 22.

– From news service reports