CNBC’s Jim Cramer tapes show at OU

BY DON MECOY | Published: October 31, 2009

NORMAN — Jim Cramer, the bombastic host of CNBC’s "Mad Money,” taught some classes at the University of Oklahoma on Friday. Then he went on the air and taught some more.

Cramer, whose outlandish style has made him an easy target, concedes that his show has changed "radically” as markets soared and soured over the past several years. Gone are the high-flying days of picking stocks. Cramer said his job now is to educate entertainingly.

With CNBC playing in his dressing room — "sheesh, the Dow’s down 260” — Cramer talked to The Oklahoman about his current job, which comes after careers as a journalist, hedge fund manager, money manager, Web start-up entrepreneur and television personality.

"I’m an entertainer about business — a business entertainer,” he said a few hours before taping his show while at OU. "I’m a televangelist for money. I do a one-man sports show about business.”

When asked about his regrets, Cramer immediately recalls some bad recent market calls.

"I try to do a good show every night, but I’m very critical of myself,” he said.

He believes he was humiliated during a confrontational appearance on "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart” but is proud that he maintained his composure — and that his spot produced a bump in "Mad Money” ratings.

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