Beatnik

Here's an article from the Times about Jon Stewart and The Daily Show. It's nothing new, really but a good summary of TDS so far. Even though in my opinion the writing's been subpar lately, at least compared to 2004-2006 or so, it's still some of the best political analysis on TV, and it's funny to boot.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/17/ar...on/17kaku.html

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Sharingan

I never had the pleasure of watching it back then since it only started in the UK recently. If he's subpar now, I would probably be gagging with laughter when he's on form. It's great since there's so much material everyday.

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...If you can dream--and not make dreams your master,
If you can think--and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same...

Zoopy

I despise the Daily Show and the Colbert Report for making young people think they have valid political views. They are even worse then Michael Moore for making young people believe in bullshit.

Sure, Stewart and Colbert are hilarious, I just hate everyone in the 14-30 demographic that watches them.

Tarheel

Zoopy hates something. I'm shocked I say, SHOCKED!

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ANGELofDEATH

I watch them, sometimes (maybe once a week, maybe)... But Im over 30..

So, Wat Up?



jk . I Live in a college town, and I know exactly who you are talking about, but I hate everyone under 30.

AND.. I was under the impression you hated everyone anyway. lulz

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jepzilla

He was funnier back when he just made fun of everybody and didn't pander to his audience and inject politics directly into his jokes. Same with Colbert.

Beatnik

Zoopy's logic on hating the daily show is as valid as his logic hating everything else.

If you hate people who like the daily show, you're a part of the problem buddy. Because after all, what's the alternative?

And if you're not at least moderately informed, most of the jokes on the daily show (referencing say Rick Santorum or Ted Stevens for example) won't be funny. I know I didn't really know who Rick Santorum was until after TDS started mocking him in 2002-3.

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bleckuhffinity

The Daily Show under Stewart has always had a liberal/political slant. That's why he's 20 times the host Kilborn ever was. I really can't think of a single time when the show wasn't injected with politics; that's kind of the point.

I don't think I would've survived the last seven years if it weren't for Jon Stewart guiding me through the absurdity. It's been rough, and they've made the most of it.

Also, obligatory Santorum family pic:

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-F- bleak

jepzilla

No, it went from pointing out political absurdity from a left perspective to cheap shots and pandering. First words from Jon Stewart's thursday show last week:

Yes, it's a joke. But what makes it sad is there's more than just a grain of truth to it. And the next story is the ongoing tensions between Russia and Georgia. So how did TDS use that story? Why yes, as a reason to make fun of Bush! Ho, ho, I never saw that coming. Keep 'em guessing, Jon.

Seriously, was that all they could come up with? That joke is old and stopped being funny years ago.

Jon Stewart probably would have deserved the title of 'Most Trusted Man in America' back in 2004, when the show was in its stride and he made his (in)famous appearance on Crossfire. But today he's become part of the problem he was venting about against back then.

Well that was the brilliance of the Daily Show back then. Like you said, you didn't really know who Rick Santorum was until they started mocking him, yet I bet you still found it funny (because it was).

Sharingan

I can't say how the Daily Show used to be but I don't see that much of a leftist slant. If you've been watching recently Jep You'll remember him interviewing someone and just saying as a passing comment (Paraphrasing here) "So is Obama really as good as everyone says he is, does he really wear a long flowing white robe." I also remember a point about offshore drilling, how McCain previously said we shouldn't do it, and then a few months later saying we should, and then the same being said to Obama. It's just much easier to make fun of Bush (and McCain)...because there's more to make fun of.

And I also remember him saying that Jep when Ben Stiller was on for an interview about Tropic Thunder. Now how many other people would actually admit that? When was the last time you saw Bill-O say "I'm going to make fun of Obama today, but you probably knew that since I'm a racist bastard." He's pretty much making fun of himself as well, and that's what's great, they never take themselves too seriously, although they do raise pretty serious issues.

I don't think anyone should form complete political opinions on satirical shows like the Colbert Report and Daily Show, but they should definitely somewhat shape what you think, and they will challenge what you think you know.

I was ecstatic to see that there were actually people out there quite rightly smearing stupid people's reputations into the dust while being civil and damn funny.

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...If you can dream--and not make dreams your master,
If you can think--and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same...