Word: stewart
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Dates: during 2000-2009
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...least some of this success comes from the serendipitous influence of America’s bumbling leadership. Both Colbert and Stewart rely on the ridiculous moments in actual news for their satire, and for eight years, the Bush Administration has been running a veritable ridiculousness factory...
...even if Obama somehow morphs from untouchable messiah into comic goldmine, something will still be missing. Colbert and Stewart are fundamentally opposition figures—Stewart once described his job as “throwing spitballs” from the back of the room. This outsider status is a key element of their identity. For years, I have watched their shows because, in a country seemingly dominated by conservative ideologues, they offered an oasis where Right was still wrong, and laughter could lighten the burden of the very unfunny things happening to America...
...Stewart and Colbert’s predicament is emblematic of a much larger problem facing the American Left. For years, we have been content to throw spitballs—now we have to teach the class...
...Stewart and Colbert’s critique, while incisive, is not programmatic. They tear apart the foibles of politicians but offer no clear alternative themselves. This “Daily Effect” has even been empirically verified, as two East Carolina University researchers found that viewers of “The Daily Show” expressed more cynical views of presidential candidates, the media, and the entire electoral process. This cynicism may be healthy, but it can only carry you so far. Jokes are far easier to concoct than solutions...
...sincerely hope that Stewart and Colbert can find a way to successfully navigate the transition from Bush to Obama, but more importantly, I hope that the Democratic Party can transform itself from opposition into leadership. Since winning control of Congress, Democrats have not handled their newfound power as gracefully as possible—though admittedly there have been considerable obstacles posed by a hostile executive branch. Now, with the Senate, the House, and the Presidency all in Democratic hands, there are no more excuses. The laughs are over. It’s time to get serious...