What is Roll 212?
1.
The phrase "Roll 212" or any variation thereof was popularly coined after an interview between Jon Stewart of Comedy Central and Jim Cramer of CNBC in a discussion centering around CNBC's complacency leading up to the economic crisis of 2008. Stewart introduced several video segments in a manner much like a criminal prosecutor would present video evidence in court. The phrase is meant to highlight a person's culpability by presenting them with damning evidence.
Stewart: "How do you respond to this video of an ethically dubious conversation during your days as a hedge fund manager?"
Cramer: "Oh that! It was a hypothetical situation exemplifying how traders abuse the market; in no way am I doing anything ethically dubious."
Stewart: "Roll 212."
Cramer: "No, not 212!"
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2.
Calling up a clip to prove a point about someone by showing them a clip of something that they had said in the past. Started by Jon Stewart in his interview with Jim Cramer.
JS: I’m sorry You’re absolutely right. I always wish that people would swear themselves in before they came on the show. I’ve had a lot of CEO’s lie to me on the show. It’s very painful. I don’t have subpoena power.
JS: But don’t—You’re pretending that you are a dew-eyed innocent. Watch. Roll. I mean, if I may…
JC: It’s your show for Heaven’s sake.
JS: Roll 212.
JC: No! Not 2:12!
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3.
A phrase used to segue to a refutation (usually an embarrassing video) of a claim made by an individual on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. Began with his interview of Kramer from Mad Money, where Jon got angry and rather than say anything challenging Kramer's words, simply shouted, "Roll 212!" which was a video of Kramer describing sketchy business practices he had done.
Guest: "I don't do that, I've never done that."
Jon: "Roll 212!"
*Video of guest doing "that"*
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