Liam Neeson Visits Jon Stewart’s Daily Show, Things Get Heated

When Jon Stewart booked Liam Neeson to come on his show, he probably didn’t think much about it. Just another actor coming to talk about his new movie. But things didn’t exactly go smoothly when the British actor stopped by on Wednesday night.

While the 61-year-old actor was there to talk about his action movie Non-Stop, the discussion quickly turned to New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and his decision to shut down the horse and carriage industry in the Big Apple, which Liam Neeson vehemently opposes.

“I am a little bit pi**ed off at our elected new mayor. He wants to close this horse and carriage industry in New York. There was a poll last week: Over 60 percent of New Yorkers want to keep the horse carriage industry in Central Park.”

The poll in question was conducted by Quinnipiac University in January and found that 61 percent of New York City voters oppose placing a ban on the carriages.

Liam Neeson — who has been an outspoken advocate for the industry — is supporting his close friend Colm McKeever, who is a horse and carriage business owner in the city.

On a piece the British actor wrote in the Irish Central, he was openly critical of de Blasio, saying in part:

“I was appalled to learn of your intent to obliterate one of the most deep rooted icons of our city!”

“The horse drawn carriage industry is an integral part of this city and has been since the early 1860s. It has been serving New Yorkers and tourists alike for generations. I have heard you declaring it inhumane and not fitting with the fabric of our city. I am compelled to strongly challenge these declarations.”

In the face of complaints by those in the industry and their supporters, de Blasio has agreed to visit the stables where the animals are kept to see for himself the conditions in which they live, but says he will not change his mind and the business will be shut down.

Stewart suggested that the horses were not treated humanely in many cases as he tried to deflect the uncomfortable situation.

The late night host was put on the spot and tried to keep things light, when it was apparent that he did not agree with Liam Neeson’s position and ended the segment before an apparent fist fight, when the actor stood up and pretended to get ready for a fight.