It’s Time for Jon Stewart to Stop Hurting America
Like most writers, I dream of writing a bestseller. In recent days, there’s been an added dimension to this dream. I’d like the book to be popular enough to merit an appearance on Jon Stewart’s The Daily Show. When he asks me a question, I want to take the opportunity to tell him exactly what I think of his show and tell him to stop hurting America.
This stunt would be the same one that Stewart pulled in 2004, when he was given the opportunity to appear on CNN’s Crossfire to promote his book and instead decided to rip the show and its hosts for “hurting America” with its sharp partisan banter, which Stewart didn’t even view as real debate.
Stewart fans credit this moment with causing the cancellation of Crossfire the following year. In reality, the show had been tanking in the post-Pat Buchanan era and had a declining viewing audience. Contrary to Stewart’s self-righteous rant, the show couldn’t hurt Rhode Island, let alone the whole country. But never mind, it was Stewart’s moment to shine, even if it was the equivalent of dressing down Steve Urkel during the last season of Family Matters.
Stewart is a talented comedian. He skewers politicians and the media with precision. Along with Stephen Colbert, Stewart has raised mocking politicians to a whole new level. However, The Daily Show is not mere comedy. While the show argues that it’s not a significant news source for Americans, studies tell another story. Pew Research found that two percent of Americans — and six percent of young people — identified Stewart as their favorite journalist. While studies also indicate he’s not his viewers’ only source of news, it’s clear many in Stewart’s audience view him as a source of news. This is where the situation gets sticky.
The Daily Show is an exercise in creative editing in the style of Michael Moore. Putting clips together to make a point or a joke doesn’t give an accurate impression of reality. Unlike The Onion or Saturday Night Live’s obviously satirical “Weekend Update,” Stewart gives the impression that he is making fun of what has actually happened rather than embellishing reality to create humor or outrage.
For examples of creative editing, one need look no further than the interview with CNBC stock analyst Jim Cramer. The network aired part of the interview with Stewart and then placed the full, unedited exchange on its website, thus putting The Daily Show’s editing methods on display.
The video shows that The Daily Show heavily cut out information that would have made Cramer a more sympathetic figure to Stewart’s liberal audience, including:
- Cramer did not agree with Rick Santelli and considers people who have stayed in their homes with high mortgage payments by holding down multiple jobs “fighters” not “losers.” The studio audience cheered Cramer’s statement.
- Cramer voted for President Obama. His only concern with Obama’s programs is that the president is moving on his agenda items too quickly. He thinks America needs to “win the war on unemployment” before passing programs that scare CEOs to death.
- Cramer has suggested other earnings vehicles to people, including CDs, rather than stocks during the recent downturn.
When you have people educated in government schools who think the most important thing in life is who will be the next “American Idol”, and vote based on slogans and sound bites, what do you expect? To make any political or social judgment based on Stewart’s obnoxious jokes speaks for his audience.
Great article Adam. Enjoyed the read.
His utter smugness is repulsive. When he starts giving a hard time equally to his side, then, maybe I might waste a second watching him. Otherwise, he’s a showbiz hack, people. The right has Bill Buckley. The left has this guy.
You know, even as a conservative, I mostly have liked Stewart, but he’s really been kind of insufferable since Obama was elected. It’s like he’s afraid to laugh at Obama, and he doesn’t have Bush to kick anymore, so he’s just doubling-down on nastiness. It’s not working. He may get yelps from his audience, but he’s not actually funny, anymore.
And he’s a bit cowardly. I’ll start thinking Stewart has balls again when he runs videotape of Obama’s teleprompter gaffe with the Irish PM or makes fun of Obama’s “special olympics” remark with even 1/10th of the vigor he’d have done with Bush.
Until then, I’m off the Daily Show. It’s one thing to be a partisan humorist, Mr. Stewart. It’s another thing to just be a partisan hack.
Societies and cultures have collapsed or declined into non existance since time immemorial, from Sumer to Rome to the Ottoman Turks to Czarist Russia and may soon include the Judeo Christian West at the hands of it’s own nihilists like Jon Stewart and Islam. Jon Stewart is vicious, mean spirited, hatefilled, and egocentric whose supposed humor or comedy is nothing but character assassination and iconoclasm with nothing positive or worthwhile in his narrative. Just ask yourself what or who did Jon Stewart skewer last time around and what was the sum total of his supposed jest? You will largely find that it is anyone or anything which indentifies with common sense, self control, morality, ethics, or decent behavior and you will find that his humor is often downright cruel and juvenile and after you finish laughing at his debasement of another human being or ideal, you feel as if you need a bath after wallowing in the filth that Jon creates as humor. Yes Jon Stewart is hurting America by his attacks on her values and beliefs, but worse he is hurting Americans by his constant corruption and degradation of the humanity of his audience.
Anecdotally, based on seven years as a professor, I can attest that many college kids do indeed get their news from Stewart–and think he’s always telling the truth. So this article makes an excellent point.
I personally would have loved to see Jim Cramer employ a set and stand up for himself. A few points he could have raised:
1) “Jon, where do you put YOUR money? Did you lose any?” I’d bet Stewart doesn’t keep his scrilla under the mattress.
2) Why the stock market is unpredictable, how it is subject to manipulation, but it is in the long term a weighing machine.
3) That Obama’s policies, as he’d originally said, are causing wealth destruction and why.
4) That Americans are as never before invested in the stock market, so that said policies are hurting ordinary people– and that the investment is good, so the policies are bad.
Most of all, he should have stood up for himself instead of buckling under. For shame.
if you don’t believe that the daily show is a comedy show, just ask his conservative guests who always have a laugh-fest when they come on. yes, comedy.
It’s time for America, to hurt this marxoid piece of trash:how about going on his show and heckling him?
Stewart, ever the expert on everything, concluded that long-term investing is a scam and that our “wealth is in our work.
There is nothing funny about vicious attacks on a man who is protecting his country and liberating 60 million people from genocidal maniacs. Stewart has the mentality of 12 year old. The object of Stewart’s attacks has now been replaced with a rank amateur of dubious ethics.
It is tough to decide who is the more insufferable boor, Jon Stewart or Bill Maher. The shallow audiences of man-like herd animals who follow these egomaniacal cult leaders sends shivers down my spine. Stewart and Maher claim to be entertainers but act as opinion leaders without the courage to admit as much. They are cowardly and less astute than Rush Limbaugh, and all the bad attributes given to him they actually suffer. And like most cult leaders, Stewart and Maher come to believe just because their audiences are rank idiots that means they are smart.
God help the Republic that so many younger people find merit in this pair of mouth-breathing dolts.
Stewart is in it for ratings. The problem is that he focused his comedy at Bush and the Republicans when they were unpopular, and he this got ratings. It also provided a liberal audience. Simply put, Stewart can’t make fun of Obama. If he did, he would lose his audience, an audience that has come to expect a good bashing of conservativism every night.
He has to be liberal. He’s put himself in that box. To be honest, it’s got to be hard for him right now. There are so many funny Obama gaffes that are rippable, but he just can’t go there. So he has to manufacture outrage at Jim Cramer. Jim Cramer? Create a feud with Cramer. Get the audience whipped up. Lay into AIG (but not the administration for its role). Next week it will be another manufactured crisis (Repubs and stem cells, Repubs and the death penalty, Repubs and abortion, Repubs and gay rights, Repubs and obstructionism). All the while, pay no attention to the man behind the curtain. Who’s Obama? We have Cramer to blast!
Neither Sterwart, nor Maher, are entertainers.
They’re comissars of the networks, telling us what to think.
Stewart is the embodiment of ‘distain chic’ — the cynical, above-it-all, hyper-judgemental condescension which is the default pose of young cooler-than-thou hipsters and hipster wanna-be’s. Accessories include the smug perma-sneer, the you-can’t-possibly-impress-me attitude, the substitution of snark and put-down for discourse, the over-validated sense of importance and individuality, and the reflex ridicule and abuse of those on the paying fields of life by those in the bleacher seats.
It’s popular with young people for whom the worst sin is to be a step or two out of fashion. People who’ve been taught that morality emerges from group concensus. People who’ve yet to assume the sort of burdens and rresponsibilities of those they mock and skewer.
In that sense, Stewart and Maher are like those older teenagers who always hung out with kids much younger, because they were simply much easier to impress. I suspect at some point many of those tuning in today will understand that remaining a detached spectator, sitting in judgement of everyone else is not an option for a responsible adult.
As for Maher, it was once said that Gandhi had the good fortune to struggle against the British instead of the Chinese or the Soviets. Otherwise we’d never have heard of him. Similarly, creatures like Maher or Michael Moore could only prosper in an indulgent West, railing against the very societies which makes their lives possible.
I never have been able to see anything about Stewart or his show that would keep me from preferentially watching paint dry.
Stewart is great. That Cramer episode was nothing short of a populist skewering. Stewart’s questions were direct and fair. The video clips he showed were incontrovertible evidence of malfeasance. His use of Cramer as a high-profile personality to reveal the media’s role in helping the financial industry rape the American Dream was absolutely justified.
Stewart DOES take Democrats/Obama to task. Do ratings matter? The fact that conservatives crumble on that show says more about them than Stewart. Republicans can’t spend their ENTIRE career getting a Hannity handjob. Every once in a while they get called on their crap, and that’s what Stewart does. And he does it extremely well. And that’s why this post was written. And that’s why you’re all whining about him.
As for editing techniques, I see no valid content in this post. Stewart was not compelled to post the unedited content. The fact that they did shows more commitment to transparency and fairness than has EVER been offered by conservatives. Remember when El Rushbo called our returning military “phony soldiers” and then claimed he didn’t? “I was taken out of context,” Rush said, “And so I have posted the segment in its entirely on my web site. You can listen to every word and decide for yourself.” One problem, the posting had been edited, leaving out the troublesome context. When confronted on this, Rush blubbered, “Yes, well, uh, that’s right, but we did that in the interest of time.” That’s the difference between Limbaugh and Stewart.
You have every reason to fear Jon Stewart. And every reason to dismiss Limbaugh and Hannity and Levin and Beck and Ingraham and Coulter and any number of right-wing arbitrarians. And yet you will continue marching on with your head up their ass, them waddling around the shores of Palm Beach and Long Island, leading you around by your necks while they cackle about the marketability of feeding your ignorance. And you shall perish in the political wilderness for your hubris.
Great! Keep it up. That’s exactly what we want.
He does very well for Viacom stockholders. That’s what matters. If he didn’t, he’d be out of a job. Quit whining and make yourself as much money as Stewart does.
one of my own: Did you say something?
One Of My Own, do you have any idea how ironic it is to hear YOU accusing others of hubris? I’ve read plenty of your comments, and you’re right up there with Stewart, Maher, and the gang. Which, I suppose, you’ll take as a compliment.
If it’s time for Jon Stewart to stop hurting America, then it’s time for Rush to do the same.
Seriously, for the amount of conservative hotheads there in the media who have their own methods to skew thing in their favor, you’re going to pout about Stewart? Please.
Stewart is just another example of the dumbing-down of America. That anyone would get their news and make any decisions based on what he shows on his TV makes me weep for America.
I frankly find Stewart a sanctimonious @-hole who is not very funny or bright.
He is dumb. College age and embarassingly older people get their only news from him. Mostly, I don’t care. It’s that these people are making real life decisions in the world that scare me. Stupidity is dangerous, but it’s not the end of the world.
If Jon Stewart is a comedian, then I am King Farouk. Milton Berle made me laugh; Rodney Dangerfield made me laugh; Jackie Mason makes me laugh. When I watch Jon Stewart, I doze off and snooze.
Who cares? This is more smoke screen so we don’t notice the billions and trillions of dollars that are being spent everyday by Congress and President B.O. B.O. and the liberal media succeeded in geting everyone crazy about a few hundred million AIG dollars and Cramer while they gave over $150 billion to AIG and just gave $5 billion more to the auto companies. The $2 trillion cap and trade plan is right around the corner.
Stop worrying about Limbaugh Stewart, and Cramer. Regardless of their political views, they are entertainers and need ratings to define their success.
People who take hacks like Glen Beck or Sean Hannity seriously really don’t have much credibility attacking Jon Stewart, and from a site that promotes Aryan skinheads like Joe the Plumber as a correspondent. How exactly is Jon “hurting” America, can you get vaguer than that? Maybe we should all chuck our cable TV and radios out and do some real research instead of relying on entertainers!
I watched 15 minutes of Jon Stewart and did not laugh once. On the other hand, I tune in to Rush and Mark Levin and Michael Savage daily and sometimes have to control myself they are so funny. Liberals seem to be able to laugh only at someone else’s expense.
This indicates the state of TV journalism more than where those people are using as a primary news source. Stewart is much more funny if you know the news. Even if we take as given that this 2% go to Stewart as a primary news source, in that last poll I saw nearly 14% listed talk radio as their primary news source. Talk radio is every bit as partisan (though to your side), more guilty on the editing front, frequently cuts of guests mikes, and regularly hides behind the I’m just an entertainer line. The recent kerfuffle over Rush and the flurry of responses that he isn’t a leader, he’s an entertainer talk illustrates this rather well.
Re: the editing of the Cramer piece
I watched both and Cramer came of every bit as bad in the unedited version.
God, this article is filth. John Stewart is a comedian, just like Rush Limbaugh. How is that you morons can write a whole weeks worth of articles screaming at liberals to leave Rush alone, but then the very next week are screaming about how Stewart needs to be stopped because he’s “hurting” America? Probably because you’re a bunch of hypocrites? Probably because you’re just bitter that once again, a liberal is made a cultural hero while a conservative is reviled? Or is it just that you don’t get the jokes?
I tried to watch it a couple of times, couldn’t find anything funny about it. I thought even Colbert was funny at times, despite the liberalism. But this guy? I don’t know what people see in him, really.
Horace Ills(Hortense) #25 People who think Joe the Plumber, is an Aryan skinhead,or who think that a glib a marxoid twit like Jon Stewart is in the same league as Glen Beck or Rush Limbaugh,needs to shuck his liberal-contaminated brain,and grow another one.But what can one expect from a victorian cross dresser, obsessed with antimacassars, pessaries, and burkhas?
“I watched 15 minutes of Jon Stewart and did not laugh once. On the other hand, I tune in to Rush and Mark Levin and Michael Savage daily and sometimes have to control myself they are so funny. Liberals seem to be able to laugh only at someone else’s expense.”
Did you honestly just type this? Rush and Savage’s entire career is based off basically being a baboon throwing verbal fecal matter at people he dislikes.
Despite that, at the end of the day it’s all about freedom of choice. I’ll take my Beatles and Stones over your Pat Boone.
In the end, the most influential media person for the Obama Youth Brigade is a comedian. A late-night TV comedian. Ask any OYB member who they listen to for “news”, they will say Jon Stewart. Let that sink in for a minute.
Steve P. & Middleman,
You seriously fail to comprehend the critical difference between a half-hour, heavily edited, tape-delayed show on Comedy Central and a three-hour, live (OK, five-second delay for liberals spewing profanity when they call)), non-edited radio show? Seriously? Wow. I would pay large dollars to see JS field three hours’ worth of live unscripted phone calls from people across the fruited plain!
dumb of your own,
You are referring to the phony soldiers that turned out to be phony soldiers, yes? Interesting point. As for editing, here is your post edited for sensible content:
.
This man & his tactics reveal efforts by some to undermine civilized discourse in America, in favor of an agenda that is tailored to promote only specific agenda. Stewart has not only gone too far, his edits are almost criminal & should be the subject of investigation. his distortions of facts & truth go far beyond comedy & come dangerously close to hyper-partisan cheer-leading. If a Republican or conservative had manipulated facts the way he has, the hew & cry would be deafening. Its time we began to play the same hard ball those who hate America & the free market system are playing. They are dangerous & their plans reflect serious intentions to effect oppression by government over innocent people.
The only thing that Stewart is hurting are the right wing nuts because he is exposing their nuttyness. Wow that really damages teh USA!
#28:Steve P. You have got it exactly wrong:Jon Stewart is not a comedian(although his views are indeed, comic). Limbaugh is the most gifted, and funny social commentator/political analist since HL Mencken,why is why you lib.tumors villify him so hysterically.Not once did Bush ever notice Stewart’s buffoonery,whereas the Ohole,and his libtard minions, here and elsewhere,are hysterically,unsuccessfully, trying to smear and isolate him.Keep trying impotent Stalinists, ain’t the first(and the second) amendments hell?
Those who are snoozing through the Daily show – I guess the humor is a bit above you – go back to watching Rush
25L Horace
Typical lib tactic. The conservatives are “Aryan skinheads”. Don’t explain what makes them so, don’t present any evidence, just talk your s*** and then run off with your tail between your legs.
Just one question: Who are you and why should we care you are writing a book?
I certainly hope your book would be better than this immature drivel. Christ, Joe the Jackass had a better grip on journalism.
donttreadonme,
The length and format of the show is irrelevant. Stewart is providing a form of media entertainment to a hungry and existing audience, just like Rush and Savage and the like. It’s ALL entertainment. How he does it and which way he goes doesn’t make a difference. He’s there so deal with it.
If young kids get most of their news from his own, it’s their own fault and their parent’s fault. It’s not like intellectualism is rewarded these days. We have candidates like Sarah Palin that would not be able tell you where most countries are located a map.
donttreadonme: In the end, the most influential media person for the Obama Youth Brigade is a comedian. A late-night TV comedian. Ask any OYB member who they listen to for “news”, they will say Jon Stewart. Let that sink in for a minute.
Viewers of The Daily Show are on average better informed about current events than both viewers of Fox News and Rush listeners. Let that sink in for a minute.
I think you are unlikely to find any way to make that case.
Stewart is more civil, more accurate and more entertaining. To claim that Stewart is “nastier” than Coulter only reveals that the author has not researched his subjects.
There is a reason Jon Stewart’s show does so well – it provides timely and topical entertainment by exploring the absurdity of our culture, while doing a better job of news reporting and interviewing than most 24 hour news networks manage.
When you ask Jon Stewart to “Stop Hurting America”, you fail the most basic test. You can’t even point to any harm!
Stewart was right to take Cramer to task; jumping on the anti-Stewart bandwagon with Tucker Carlson is only going to reinforce your irrelevance.
Comedy is and should be a realm for honesty, even when that may rub some people the wrong way. You are free to criticize Stewart, but don’t demean yourself by pretending that he is hurting America by speaking his mind.
Peace.
DS
Peace.
DS
I would venture to say Viewers of the Daily Show are on the average better informed than most of the posters here. Let that sink in for a minute!
Talk radio hosts actually DO things for people. Michael Savage has donated to the legal defense of Lt. Chessani and is investigating the probable murder by Arabs of the pro-Israel activist Dr. Dan Kliman in SFO; Hannity donates tickets to the Freedom Concert to people that cannot afford to attend but want to; Mark Levin donates to animal shelters and helps get those animals adopted; Rush appears at charity events all over the country. If someone can tell me what Jon Stewart done for his fellow Americans, I will retract my statement.
#38 Robert Hurley: “To each his own”. If you think what Stewart does is humor, you’re entitled to your opinion. I think he is an Obama butt boy, a Democrat party ass kisser, and a leftist shill, but in my humble opinion, he is not a comedian. Groucho Marx was a comedian, Laurel and Hardy were comedians. If you want to call Jon Stewart a leftist commentator – fine. But a comedian he is not.
Oh, so we can dish it out but we can’t take it! Conservatives have wallowed in the mud slung by blow hards like ORielly, Limbaugh, and Hannity who lie their asses off, perpetrate libel on their political opponents and support the kind of ruinous free market principles that have brought this country to its knees. Now that conservative rhetoric and lies have have crippled conservative ideology, you’re going to whine about how unfair and uncivil Stewart is. Suck it up and grow a pair…or not…you’re all political dinosaurs so who cares.
#47 M. Maclenan: The Obama butt boy Jon Stewart has an absolute right to say what he wants to say. We still do have the 1st Amendment. You miss the point: Stewart is a leftist ass kisser; he is not a comedian. There is a distinction there. The former kisses liberal asses, and the latter makes people laugh.
Conservatives hate Jon Stewart because he succeeded widly at what conservatives have always failed at – providing biting political commentary that is funny and appeals to an intelligent audience.
Conservatives tried to do that on Fox with the 1/2 Hour News Hour and failed miserably.
Liberal writers are just smarter and funnier, I guess.
Jonathan Leibowitz changed his name to Jon Stewart. Why he’s embarassed of his Jewish ancestry in the 21st century is baffling.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009:
Support for the Democratic Congressional candidates fell to a new low over the past week, allowing the GOP to move slightly head for the first time in recent years in the Generic Congressional Ballot.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 41% said they would vote for their district’s Republican candidate while 39% would choose the Democrat. Democrats held between a 4% and 7% lead in January.
——————-
I guess that Jon Stewart “is” hurting the country… at least the looney left part of it, eh? What else could possibly explain this trend? It certainly can’t be the fine job that Pelosi and her merry band of pranksters are doing… could it?
“”"”"”Cramer voted for President Obama. His only concern with Obama’s programs is that the president is moving on his agenda items too quickly. He thinks America needs to “win the war on unemployment” before passing programs that scare CEOs to death.”"”"”"
While I found Jonathan (“Jon Stewart”) Leibowitz’s behavior unconscionable, I find Cramer to be a “useful idiot” on the basis of the above remarks. Why are policies that will revive the economy only considered temporary measures by Cramer so that the better economic climate that results becomes a good time to then re-sabotage that economy with grandiose social programs and massive government spending?
As a Jew he should be ashamed of his ignorance regarding Israel, his scope of knowledge appears to be incredibly limited.
Jon Stewart is to Comedy what Barak Obama is to Comedy
Jim Cramer is an outright crook – but don’t believe me, listen to what he has to say: http://www.thestreet.com/video/cramermarketupdates/10329438.html
Make no mistake about it, in this video Cramer admits to engaging illegal activity in order to manipulate the market. He confirms what many have believed for a long time – that the market is literally rigged, and the regulators have not only turned a blind eye to the problem, they are in on it. The fact is that Jon Stewart exposed Jim Cramer in a way that, in any sane world, he would have been exposed a decade ago.
There is a criminal conspiracy at work here that makes 9/11 truthers look sane. The worst part of this conspiracy is that it is 100% true! The more I dig into the issue, the more despair I feel about my government, the regulators, the press and all of Wall Street itself.
Don’t take my word for this, please look into this yourself – http://www.deepcapture.com
#54Jon Stewart is to Obama what a fly is to excrement
The Daily Show is hilarious and usually on point. I’ll continue to watch – you conservaturds need to lighten up.
The comments of the leftards here just proves that liberals are scum of the earth.
And if I want comedy, I’ll watch South Park. Those guys mock both sides of the political spectrum, something that @$$hole Jon Stewart is incapable of doing.
Furthermore, anyone getting their news from ‘The Daily Show’ is a complete moron. I am far more informed than they are and I don’t waste my time with that crap. Liberal propaganda doesn’t inform anyone.
#55 deguello: A great analogy. #54 spacelawd: another great analogy. If the Obama butt-kisser Jon Stewart had either of you writing his material, he might actually start transforming himself from a leftist lap dog into a real comedian, but I’m afraid if he did that, the leftist lap dogs who make up 99% of his audience would stop watching him, and his show would be cancelled due to low ratings.
David S.
I disagree with the notion that Stewart is more civil than Coulter. His show frequently has bleeped “f – you’s” for individuals he dislikes (recently Jim Cramer). It’s juvinile, not funny (but it does get a laugh) and is quite nasty. If Coulter was saying “f- you” to Obama or other liberals nightly, it would probabally be news. She uses language a little better than Stewart, calling 911 widows harpies, for example, but both she and Stewart are not at all civil.
You are correct in that Stewart, Rush, Coulter and numerous others are all playing the same game, just to a different audience. They are in it for the ratings first. I feel that Coulter and Rush are a little more honest in saying that they are conservatives and they admit to supporting conservative principles, whereas Stewart hides behind the “I’m just a comedian” stuff. If he were honest about his show’s liberal bent I would have far more respect for him.
And this nonsense about Stewart taking apart conservatives is simply not true. For example, when Christopher Hitchens has been on the show, Stewart generally looks the fool.
I am glad all you nuts are watching the Daily show so often
As I watch the bartender, and she is very attractive, pour my last, (I think)Tennessee “sippin” whiskey into my glass full of ice, let me say this about Jon Stewart. He is a very rich man, and he has made the most out of his very limited talent. I respect people who make the most out of the talents they were born with.
Wow really PJTV? Blaming a comedian for hurting America? It’s his job to edit things, then poke fun at him he’s a comedian. Who ever takes a comedian as their primary source of news needs better parenting and/or needs to be sterilized. PJTV isn’t a member of the Fighting Rainbow Peacocks is it I sense some hurt pride coming from this part of the internet.
HA Ha HA! I enjoy listening to the comedy on the daily Show. He is very articulate and funny. I guess that was and is his intention.
Way to go Stewart!!
Middleman #41: Wow, that was very weak. I think that between Michael Moore, Jon Stewart and the pseudo-science of global warming the left has finally lost their brains entirely. If you can’t see the difference in credibility between Rush’s three hour live show and 1/2 hours of highly edited fake comedy then there is no point in arguing with you.
one of my own #16: See, even you take Stewart’s show seriously, like as though it represents a fair take on events. I imagine you enjoy Michael Moore documentaries and believe he is providing a valuable point of view even if it is filled with blatant lies. Please, correct me if I’m wrong. The staunch defenders of progressive ideology obviously don’t flinch when it comes to lies and deception. But we knew that before we saw this post.
To the masses, John Stewart is funny. I will admit to liking his comedy when it is truly funny. He is absolutely great at what he does, and is consummately like-able despite my political persuasion. His intellect is custom made for brilliant comedy, and he is clearly engaged in his calling. We should all be so lucky.
To those educated in matters of policy, John Stewart is himself comedy. A peddler of surface level understandings at absolute best. And I expect nothing less of a former MTV talk show personality. He is quick to harness his comedic talents to score political points, but never ceases to inject comedy when a point is made against him, to be quickly reinforced by his homogenous, hopelessly conformist audience. His comedy unsubtly proceeds from the absurd notion of many liberals, that conservatives are simply evil.
John, do you hear me? You are smart enough to know that this is true, and yet you continue to engage in it because you believe your cause is just. You are a special comedic talent, but as for politics, you have simply picked a side. And frankly, as a Jew, he seems to have picked the wrong side.
One of my own- I only care to comment about one segment of your screed. The part about Rush Limbaugh is revisionist history on your part. Something libs are experts at, but it won’t fly here.
I have been listening to Rush Limbaugh for years and heard the entire segment regarding the phony troops. First, Rush was referring to actual phony soldiers purporting to be involved in combat in Iraq when they were not. He was NOT talking about troops actually serving in Iraq. You see, regular listeners of his audience GET THIS, and it’s also clear you received your skewered version of Rush from the Kos kids or perhaps your hero Jon Stewart. Rush also wasn’t trying to cover up anything and he certainly wasn’t stuttering and stammering about it. You must be confusing him with your Telepromper of the United States.
For the record, there’s a lot that separates Rush Limbaugh from Jon Stewart.
curlyfester:
The Daily Show is hilarious and usually on point. I’ll continue to watch – you conservaturds need to lighten up.
And you’re a libtard!!!! Wow, what sparkling political discourse. Unbelievable.
During the nineteen fifties a shpritzer named Joe Anson got laughs by commenting on current events. A scnorrer named Lenny Bruce borrowed Anson’s routine and made it popular.
After several generations of comedic devolution, every comedian today imagines himself a political and social commentator. Coming up with a political opinion is easier than coming up with a funny joke. And if its the popular opinion du jour, its good for laughs. As good as any joke any genuine comedian ever came up with.
Laughter on shows like John Stewart isn’t a response to humor. Its an expression of communality with like spirits. A liberal love-in. Like minds in happy communion.I’m okay and you’re okay-and we love our fellow man and hate war and violence. Hahaha.
John Stewart is ill informed, his opinions are predictable and he is absent any semblance of insight. Not a failing if you want to make jokes about the salesman and the farmer’s daughter but not sufficient for political and social commentary. Funny or not.
Finally there’s Stewart’s character or the lack thereof. Jewish tummlers who change their names for “professional” reasons are merely cowardly and untrustworthy. Jewish tummlers with anglicised names who make self-deprecating jewish jokes and criticize the Jewish state are another matter. Stewart or whatever his name is needs to be publicly horsewhipped.
and his humor runs to doubletakes, pencil playing and other tired late-nite-host shtick. He is neither informative nor dependably amusing.
During the nineteen fifties a shpritzer named Joe Anson got laughs by commenting on current events. A scnorrer named Lenny Bruce borrowed Anson’s routine and made it popular.
After several generations of comedic devolution, every comedian today imagines himself a political and social commentator. Coming up with a political opinion is easier than coming up with a funny joke. And if its the popular opinion du jour, its good for laughs. As good as any joke any genuine comedian ever came up with.
Laughter on shows like John Stewart isn’t a response to humor. Its an expression of communality with like spirits. A liberal love-in. Like minds in happy communion.I’m okay and you’re okay-and we love our fellow man and hate war and violence. Hahaha.
John Stewart is ill informed, his opinions are predictable and he is absent any semblance of insight. Not a failing if you want to make jokes about the salesman and the farmer’s daughter but not sufficient for political and social commentary. Funny or not.
Finally there’s Stewart’s character or the lack thereof. Jewish tummlers who change their names for “professional” reasons are merely cowardly and untrustworthy. Jewish tummlers with anglicised names who make self-deprecating jewish jokes and criticize the Jewish state are another matter. Stewart or whatever his name is needs to be publicly horsewhipped.
@64 If you can’t see the difference in credibility between Rush’s three hour live show and 1/2 hour of highly edited fake comedy then there is no point in arguing with you.
Well said. We’ll see how relevant Stewart is as President Obamateur continues to implode.
67 flying right . . . Complete and utter nonsense. I’ve been listening to the Rotund One for years as well. I was listening the day he made the “phony soldiers” comment, and I followed every nook and cranny of the issue thereafter. I know as much about this particular matter as anyone on this planet. The man is a complete charlatan. And you’re the classic example of a ditto head – too stupid to think for yourself, so you get pushed around by this whore-mongering junkie.
Here’s a direct quote from Rush’s show . . . in answer to a frustrated caller . . . and I think it pretty much sums you up perfectly:
“The next time they say you can’t think for yourself, here’s what you tell them…”
Mega-dittos! Now go back and open up another can of dumbass.
Does anyone ever get the impression that the problems with the world are largely a result of the kind of tone that is displayed here? There are no attempts being made to understand one another, or reconcile viewpoints. Emphasis is placed on differences, with invective and disrepect uttered without regard for the fact that everything here has been thought of by your fellow humans.
Jon Stewart is successful at what he does, as is Rush Limbaugh, and the majority of us couldn’t do what either do – so lets give them credit for their capabilities. And be reminded that civilized discourse is important for improving all our lives.
I for one think that Jon Stewart is a great journalist, not for any keen insight or groundbreaking reports, but for his ability and consistency in showing the absurd circus act that is American politics. The Daily Show is at its best when it splices together clips of politicians saying one thing out of one corner of their mouths, and then turning around the next minute to say something completely different. This holds true no matter what side of the political spectrum they align themselves with. Very few other news agencies spend any amount of time revealing these men and women for the professional hypocrites they are; and for that, I appreciate Jon and what he does. And, while his particular political leanings are no secret, I argue that he throws a fair amount of pies toward his left in addition to his right (I don’t know if anyone saw the segment on Chris Dodd yesterday?). I noticed that the leading story on this website concerned Obama’s withdrawn plan to have military personnel tap into their own insurance providers for service-related healthcare; Stewart trashed Obama over this idea just a couple of days ago.
I’m a regular watcher of The Daily Show because I enjoy good satire – which they provide without fail – and not for political insight. I would also argue that my many friends who are also viewers share this same mindset. For true journalism, I turn to an assortment of other sources (of which, I might add, PJM is not one of).
Also, in defense of The Daily Show and Jim Cramer, the interview shown on Comedy Central was substantially edited to fit in the 30 minute time slot the show is provided with. You can, however, view the full interview on The Daily Show’s website which gives a lot more insight into the mind of Cramer, none of which is very redeeming though.
What Stewart and Maher lack is wit. If they didn’t surround themsrelves with juvenile audiences there would be deadly silence. For wit from the left, I am waiting for a successor to John Galbraith. Sneering and low comedy double takes are the substance of Stewart and Maher.
#49 Steve P. Yes liberal writers are funnier, they are easy to see through as they are taught what to think rather than how to think.
Bravo posters 14 (Vinny) and 31 (Middleman).
You are both spot on!
John Stewart is NOT funny in the slightest, and I’m willing to bet that your favorite TV show is Two and a Half Men if you happen to think that.
The only funny parts of his show are when the correspondents do their stories. Anything out of Stewart’s mouth is completely unfunny.
Oh, come on! Jon Stewart’s ratings cannot beat a fart jokes cartoon on the same channel. How relevant can he be?
I am sorry, but I don’t agree with your opinion. I don’t consider him to be a a blend which includes comedy and news anchor…He isn’t mocking politicians by using information from a news network and twist it in a way to humiliate his guest simply to bring comedy to another level. Nor is he trying to compare his show to a serious news channel.
The simple thing he does each week in a fresh and ingenious way is to invite politicians and important people that all have a very important influence in our lives. Once they sit a few inches in front of him he makes them realize how these people act towards the population. – Like he did with Cramer and all the other ones he is mocking them the same way they all do with us simple people…In a certain way he throws a cream cake on their faces. When he told Cramer say the real thing cause you can’t f*ck with the money or 401K people worked hard for all their lives…He doesn’t use comedy. He is only using very serious situation and showing to the guest the kind of comedy they pull on each and everyone of us by using lies, greed and other twisted ways to screw us…When he is in front of his guests, he only makes them feel as if they were faing their mirror. The only difference he does that has nothing to do with comedy or moching is that he found a method of showing us how much leaders of this planet are having fun with us…The only poeple he is hurting are those that abuse the systems with loopholes…
“…one need look no further than the interview with CNBC stock analyst Jim Cramer…”
Maybe you should look a little further. This is exactly why he makes fun of you. And it is you, because anyone who is a Republican, Conservative, OR can’t admit to either but is more like them than not, is always seemingly offended personally when their entire populace or one member thereof is made fun of.
In fact, even in looking at the Cramer case, which you purport to have done, you probably missed the part where Jon mentioned the fact that he wasn’t mad at explicitly Cramer and he was “sad” that Cramer had to have become the face for it, but he was mad at the entire network for not actually doing journalistic work, instead they simply regurgitated what they were hearing on the Street – never investigating in depth on their own.
You know what really hurts America? Hypocrites. People who for years supported or stood by while things “changed,” and now all of a sudden decry “change” in a different direction without even acknowledging the path they were on to begin with.
Stewart USED to be funny, before he took the Daily Show gig. His stand up was great. He skewered everyone, and he didn’t rely on those stupid edited clips and muggings for the camera. He was great in things like Big Daddy. Same for the Daily Show, when Craig Killborn was on. It was hilarious! Remember his 5 questions bit? My kids are 19 and 20, they occasionally will turn this and Colbert on, but since they follow politics in a real sense, they mostly think it is childish. My son calls it the weed smoker’s show. Same mentality.
I just read your piece at PJM. Thank you. It was perfect. I have several close relatives who think Jon Stewart is amazing. For instance – the night of Stewart’s smackdown of Cramer – one twittered the following:
“Stewart is genius, but interestingly Cramer is actually engaging in the discussion. I think he has a soul.
7:15 PM Mar 12th from twhirl”
“Oh my god. John Stewart just blew Jim Cramer out of the water. It’s no longer comedy, this is amazing journalism.
7:13 PM Mar 12th from twhirl”
“New Emmy Category: Outstanding Coverage of a News Story in a Comedy Show.
7:28 PM Mar 12th from twhirl”
I just wanted to share this with you to confirm the entire premise of your story.
Stewart uses the comedy defense as if to say, “What? Are you going to hit a clown?”
Bozo? No. Ronald? No.
Joe Davola in his Canio suit? Maybe.
Poor America. Getting hurt by a basic cable show.
Stewart’s show has become a joke.
Perhaps they want this controversy, but I believe what he has done to his show (and Colbert’s) has degenerated comedy and as a result, they have lost viewers, such as myself.
I have not taste for their type of humor anymore. Watched them for years, ate it up. No longer. They are not comedians, they are just repulsive partisan hacks all of a sudden.
Give us something different Comedy Central. Give us more South Park.
Satire.
@Allen
I find him hilarious and not afraid to say I for one have not outgrown fart jokes. A well timed iFart (an iphone app) can get any room laughing like never before.
Oh and BTW my favorite TV show isn’t two and a half men. Its Hajime no Ippo: New Challenger fan subs.
(puts on the TAKE THAT face from Phenix Wright: Ace Attorney)
Laura @ 45:
Ok, you say you’re looking for an example of Jon Stewart’s good works. From http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/03/27/daily-shows-stewa_n_93719.html; posted March 2008:
“Comedy Central’s Jon Stewart was in Washington, DC Tuesday night for the USO-Metro Awards Dinner, where the Daily Show host was honored with a Merit Award from Joint Chiefs vice-chair General James Cartwright. If it seems an odd fit for a comic who consistently lampoons the Bush administration, the Washington Post’s Reliable Source informs readers that all the comedic comfort Stewart gives critics of the Iraq War is matched by his efforts to comfort our wounded soldiers: Turns out the comedian has been quietly visiting soldiers at Walter Reed and Bethesda hospitals, trips he began in 2004 to better understand the Iraq war. “I felt that I was living in a world of theory,” he told the audience, “but I hadn’t touched the reality and the humanity of it.” The first patient he met was “funnier than I was” — and Stewart’s been a regular ever since.”
Yep, those Joint Chiefs, they’re just a bunch of libtards–honoring Jon Stewart for comforting soldiers while their commander-in-chief, George W. Bush, was letting Walter Reed rot and become rat-infested.
I’ll take that retraction now, Laura.
Flyingright @ 67: “For the record, there’s a lot that separates Rush Limbaugh from Jon Stewart.”
Yeah. About 400 pounds of Vicodin-infused blubber.
Vinny VidiVici wrote:
“Stewart is the embodiment of ‘distain chic’ — the cynical, above-it-all, hyper-judgemental condescension which is the default pose of young cooler-than-thou hipsters and hipster wanna-be’s. Accessories include the smug perma-sneer, the you-can’t-possibly-impress-me attitude, the substitution of snark and put-down for discourse, the over-validated sense of importance and individuality, and the reflex ridicule and abuse of those on the paying fields of life by those in the bleacher seats.”
That is exactly the way I feel about Stewart. Smug, self-righteous, and above it all. That’s an attitude that seems to be all too common today.
John Stewart isn’t hurting America. His fans and audience are nothing more than ignorant and shallow under achievers with 13 year old school boy mentalities. It’s not illegal or immoral, just pathetic. Anyone who takes Stewart, Colbert, or Maher as serious information deserves to be a left behind loser in life. There are more important things to worry about.
#42 “Viewers of The Daily Show are on average better informed about current events than both viewers of Fox News and Rush listeners. Let that sink in for a minute.”
Oh, is that a fact? Actually, you’ve got that precisely backwards:
Limbaugh’s Audience Better Informed Than Those Of Most Media Outlets
“A poll from the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press casts more doubt on the wisdom of the Democrats’ coordinated strategy to tie elected Republicans to radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh. When it comes to American political knowledge, Limbaugh’s audience is better informed than those of most mainstream media news outlets.
The poll tested the audiences of a host of news magazines, radio and television shows, and newspapers on three basic political questions: the majority party in the House of Representatives; the name of the Secretary of State; and the identity of the Prime Minister of Great Britain. On the American political questions, Limbaugh’s radio audience scored the highest, in a virtual tie with viewers of fellow conservative talker Sean Hannity’s Fox News show Hannity and Colmes audience. Eighty-three percent of Limbaugh listeners correctly identified the Democrats as being in control of the House and seventy-one percent were able to correctly name the Secretary of State. On all three questions combined, readers of The New Yorker and The Atlantic fared best. But Limbaugh’s audience easily outperformed those of all three major networks’ nightly news programs, readers of community and daily newspapers, as well as viewers of the news networks CNN, Fox News, C-SPAN, CNBC, and MSNBC.”
And to be more specific, Pew: Limbaugh and Hannity Fans Politically Smarter Than Colbert’s, CNN’s and Stewart’s.
And to be yet more specific:
“Here’s a detailed breakdown of the percentage of individuals answering each of the three questions correctly from the different news audiences:
The New Yorker/Atlantic: 71 percent (correctly identified Democrats as the majority in the House), 71 percent (correctly identified Condoleezza Rice), 59 percent (correctly identified Gordon Brown)
NPR: 73 percent, 72 percent, 57percent
Hannity & Colmes: 84 percent, 73 percent, 49 percent
Rush Limbaugh: 83 percent, 71 percent, 41 percent
Colbert Report: 73 percent, 65 percent, 49 percent
Daily Show: 65 percent, 48 percent, 36 percent
NewsHour: 66 percent, 52 percent, 47 percent
O’Reilly Factor: 70 percent, 60 percent, 41 percent
C-SPAN: 63 percent, 59 percent, 35 percent
Letterman/Leno: 51 percent, 42 percent, 31 percent
CNN: 59 percent, 48 percent, 29 percent
National Enquirer: 44 percent, 32 percent, 22 percent”
Just thought I’d check out a “conservative” blog for a change. Sorry folks, can’t stand it any longer. I think some of you could use a drink and some sex to calm you down. Make up a batch of Kool-Aid and give Satan a booty call.
Cramer showed up unprepared, got caught in a lie during the first minute of the interview…..
and that’s that.
Am I missing something here? Is someone pointing a gun at conservatives’ heads and forcing them to appear on the Daily Show?
The liberal reactions to this article are ten times funnier than any 30 second scan I have ever given John Stewart while channel surfing. I find his type of sarcastic attempts at humor boring, narcissistic,and downright lacking intellectually.
The same goes for his brain cell starved audience.
“Stewart, ever the expert on everything, concluded that long-term investing is a scam and that our ‘wealth is in our work.’ Great news if you’re a New York Times best-selling author and host of an Emmy Award-winning show.”
You forgot to mention that his show makes its money through the sponsorship of multibillion-dollar corporations.
“Stewart, ever the expert on everything, concluded that long-term investing is a scam and that our ‘wealth is in our work.’ Great news if you’re a New York Times best-selling author and host of an Emmy Award-winning show.”
You forgot to mention that his show makes its money through the sponsorship of multibillion-dollar corporations.
SOUTH PARK FOREVER! Watch the last episode: “CHANGE” – “WHEN?”
(www.southparkstudios.com)
@ Moochy:
Sorry Mooch, Laura’s point was whether someone could tell her “what Jon Stewart done for his fellow Americans”. Your post responded with the following: “his efforts to comfort our wounded soldiers: Turns out the comedian has been quietly visiting soldiers at Walter Reed and Bethesda hospitals, trips he began in 2004 to better understand the Iraq war. “I felt that I was living in a world of theory,” he told the audience, “but I hadn’t touched the reality and the humanity of it.” The first patient he met was “funnier than I was” — and Stewart’s been a regular ever since.””
I’ve got news for you, pal. John Stewart is doing that for himself, and not for anyone else — and his quote virtually admits this. How many times can you say “I” when discussing what you’re doing for others? And by the way, he is massively complementing himself when he says that he is living in a “world of theory”. If he bothered to educate himself with any degree of depth, I might agree with that statement. [For instance, his regular "Mess-o-potamia" gags while our troops were fighting and dying do not seem to proceed from any "world of theory". In fact they proceed from political motivation mixed with a desire for ratings. I'm sure Stewart rationalizes this as most pacifists do, i.e., purported "tough love" in order to create a climate that results in the troops coming home earlier. But listening to anything a pacifist says about how a war is going seems unproductive.]
What he seeks is credibility. He has never had to make a decision, and yet his instincts are to criticize those who do. On some level he understands that he needs more substance in order to justify his conduct. But don’t mistake that for altruism.
Last, I would argue that a better measure of would be, how much of his income does he give to charity, and how does this compare to the conservatives he routinely seeks to embarrass? I would venture to suppose that it is less.
And as for your “400 pounds of Vicodin-infused blubber” remark: I personally cannot stand Rush and find it much easier to tolerate Stewart. Ironic, because regarding most things, I am conservative. But they are both ideologues. The only difference is that one of them tries to conceal that fact, which I frankly find dishonest and cowardly. Although I don’t expect better from most people and therefore don’t worry about it. But either way, your mean-spirited comment is highly suggestive that you are as much motivated by hate as many liberals — I mean real hate, not “hate” defined as “disagreement with the left”. Twit.
Has my comment been excluded (I saw it was successfully posted, awaiting moderation)? If so, why?
This would seem to prove my point – what is your beef with Stewart’s interview of Mike Huckabee? If my comment cannot pass your moderation, what rational argument do you have for opposing “gay marriage”?
What is your beef with Stewart period?
— ORIGINAL COMMENT —
You raise matters worth discussing, but I question the timing. Stewart’s interview of Cramer was inspired by Santelli’s generalization of struggling home owners as “losers”. (Did he ever qualify that statement?) Stewart made a very important point about some malefactors in the financial sector: We, with our savings, were “capitalizing their adventure”.
I saw the Huckabee interview, but I am not sure what your problem is. Stewart’s point to Huckabee was that conservatives think same-sex sexual activity is something you do, whereas Stewart himself believes so-called “homosexuality” is something you are.
I think Stewart is wrong since the only objective way of knowing if someone is so-called “homosexual” is if they commit a same-sex sexual act. You are not a “homosexual” male if you say you like flowers.
It is, however, far from clear whether conservatives believe or disbelieve in the fiction of “homosexuality”. (For all intents and purposes it is a fiction, unless you want to start claiming – and proving – that Ponzi schemers have a genetic predisposition to kleptomania.)
If conservatives do believe in it, then Stewart’s logic is correct – why bar them from equal rights with so-called “heterosexuals”?
Mina is now going to reveal her IQ score
Rachel:your information proves nothing about the reader’s intelligence or ability to understand logical points
Hey Roderick – Why did your family change their name from O’Reilly
Stewart is good at one thing, delivering lines, period. Seriously, have any of you Stewart fans ever seen how many writers he has for his meazly one half hour show? It’s ridiculous. Does the guy have any thoughts of his Own?
Sheeeeesh! Now contrast that with someone like Savage or Rush….need I say more? Man, you libs are a sorry bunch.
LennyB @ 101:
Was I talking to you, or did you just interrupt with your own agenda?
By the way, it’s JON Stewart.
And I’m a woman, paaaaaaal. :-p
Most of all, you’ve proven nothing by your stupid rant. So, someone who’s taking time out of his life to give cheer to others for the past five years isn’t doing as much as someone who gives his MONEY to charity? Please. If this is the only thing you understand, I can assure you he’s given plenty to charity.
If you think all he does with conservatives on his show is embarass them, you haven’t watched it. What’s more, this has zero to do with Cramer, who’s not a conservative.
And whether I hate Rush or not, the reality is he’s a self-medicating, self-indulgent blimp.
Choke on that, twit.
middlemuck
Yea, and your Messiah thinks we have 57 states in our union….hmmmmmmmm
“But listening to anything a pacifist says about how a war is going seems unproductive.”
Oh, and speaking of hateful comments? This only proves that YOUR OWN distaste for the “other side” goes well beyond disagreement.
Stevie Pee
Care to offer some stats on that claim. I’ll wait.
cricket, cricket….
Obama didn’t create the current economic mess. But, no doubt about it, he is simply making things worse.
Jon Stewarts’s half hour comedy show simply can’t make that fact go away. No matter how hard Stewart tries to create a diversion with Cramer etc.
Smart people know Jon Stewart is funny. Smart people know that Stewart’s attack on Cramer was because Cramer attacked Obama and that Stewart is only trying to protect Obama.
Smart people know this.
Well then, SheilaCA, “smart people” would be wrong.
Check out this Daily Show segment from March 2008:
http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=164178&title=broken-arrow
Stewart has been attacking Cramer’s logic for over a year.
I really love the mindless condescension of this site.
RE 107/moochy: [...] And I’m a woman, paaaaaaal. :-p [...] And whether I hate Rush or not, the reality is he’s a self-medicating, self-indulgent blimp. Choke on that, twit. [...]
Moochy, since you’re also a liberal, you got to update youself – you are not a woman, you are a FALLOPIAN.
Misanthropicus channeled Jacques Derrida from the lefty deconstructionist bolge.
a jackass among jackasses!
Gee, misanthropicus, what does that make you? *bats eyelashes*
I think Stewart’s schtick has gotten old. I tune in while flipping channels and it’s always him going over other people’s newcasts. I remember seeing him on his old Fox show and he’s come a long way since then, now he can make anyone look bad, but I wouldn’t call that neccesarily a positive trait.
Moochy,
The link you sent was mostly making fun of Bush with Cramer and a few others thrown in last minute for a chuckle.
Not the same thing as the going after Cramer and CNBC during Obama’s presidency.
When Jon Stewart makes fun of Obama the way he made fun of Bush and the way he makes fun of everyone and anyone who challenges Obama then your point will become valid.
Until then you will have to face the fact that Jon Stewart adores Obama and would never make fun of him….EVER. Maybe he would (or has) but in a cutsy sort of way that still makes Obama look cool and smart.
Jon Stewart’s comedy is comedy by consensus. It’s meant to keep people in line.
concluded that long-term investing is a scam and that our “wealth is in our work.”
Cool! Keep talking them down John, you are going to make me a millionaire. I very much look forward to retiring at 50.
Keep filling the pie hole with nonsense.
Great great article. From an independent, all I can say is if Obama was more Clintonian, the right would have much less to bark about and Jon would have little to talk about. Jon is about as independent as Sean Hannity….so gimme a break and start being concerned about America first, and partisan party crap second or third. Jon Stewart only attacked Cramer once he complained about Obama’s wealth destruction spendoholic-ways….we’re all screwed unless folks put the kool-aid down and start being pragmatic and honest about Obama’s failures thus far.
SheilaCA:
Your points–and everyone’s here–would make a lot more sense if so many of you weren’t so impressed with Limbaugh, Hannity and Savage. Were any of them balanced about making fun of Bush when he was in office? No, all they did was make fun of people who criticized Bush. Are any of them prepared to support a good idea from the left, or even have a guy from the “other side” on their show, and treat them with civility, as Stewart has? Again, no.
I’ll use your words. As soon as your guys excuse Obama the way they excused Bush for rank incompetence, you will all become valid.
And Stewart has made fun of Obama, and will no doubt have 8 more years to do so. He ragged on Clinton, too.
You know what else is irritating about this whole thing? Conservatives slam Stewart for what they call “clown nose on/ clown nose off?” but what about Santelli, Cramer and CNBC? Stewart tries to remind Cramer of CNBC’s responsibility as a finacial news network–I mean, then ran ads saying “In Cramer We Trust”–and Cramer immediately retreats behind the “I’m just an entertainer” guise. Why isn’t anyone criticising that? Unlike Cramer, Stewart BILLS himself up front as a comedian. He’s never said you should take me seriously, he’s saying you should be able to rely on the news.
If Santelli or Cramer had questioned Bush’s policies, most of you would be on top of them like white on rice.
Here’s the thing. How many liberals AND conservatives have compared Stewart to Rush in various posts? I agree that they are cut from the same cloth as entertainers, but Rush is more honest about his approach. He admits to being conservative. Stewart gives us the “I’m just an entertainer”. Stewart even claims to go after both sides, but I would guess that Rush skewers more Republicans on his show than Stewart does Democrats.
Anyway, If most of us agree that the comparison between Rush and Stewart is valid, do you think Stewart would agree with such a comparison? I think Stewart would be most highly offended to be labeled the Limbaugh of the Left. In fact, if he was called as such, he would smugly tell us that we “just don’t get the joke”.
It’s that smug lack of honesty that bothers me the most. Really, with Stewart, it’s Dan Rather all over again. Claiming objectivity, being biased, and being angry at you for calling him out.
“If Santelli or Cramer had questioned Bush’s policies, most of you would be on top of them like white on rice.”
Yes, maybe some of us would, if we happened to disagree with them. That’s the way it is when people have different opinions. The point that some of you seem to gloss over with regard to Stewart is the tactics he uses and the fact that many people are fooled into thinking his show is anything more than a bit of comedy. And in your arguments to defend Stewart you continue to play both sides of the fence by continuing to equate his form of opinion politics with Rush and Sean Hannity and by letting him hide behind the guise of a comedian when we talk about his dishonest tactics.
It seems to me that moochy and others’ definition of right wing dishonesty is anyone with an opinion show who consistently argue a conservative point of view. That’s why we are supposedly hypocrites for criticizing Stewart but not criticizing conservative media.
If Comedy Central wanted to be funny, it would cancel Stewart and South Park and put on reruns of I Love Lucy. I don’t think Comedy Central wants to be funny. I think it wants to be insulting, offensive, degenerate and depraved and vapid. There is nothing virtuous about that network. It stinks; which is why it’s appropriate, I suppose, that its biggest advertisers are deodorants.
He is a comedian. He is liberal. He is funny. He is not hurting America. If you don’t find his style or presentation of humor entertaining, then tune him out.
I don’t watch stewart, because he obviously hates real americans. I’m sure the polls would show that most of us here get our news from Hannity and Limbaugh, but at least they love our country, or at least used to.
“The point that some of you seem to gloss over with regard to Stewart is the tactics he uses and the fact that many people are fooled into thinking his show is anything more than a bit of comedy.”
Which is not Stewart’s fault, any more than people follow Cramer’s idiot recommendations. What some people here keep missing is the fact that Stewart has never, ever, EVER claimed to be more than a comedian. He debunks any effort to see him as more than that.
The fact that he, on occasion, wants to have a serious conversation does not mean he stops being a comedian. It’s his right to enter the discourse.
Cramer, on the other hand, allows his network to sell the notion IN CRAMER WE TRUST. Which makes him the biggest liar going.
There are people calling Rush the unofficial head of the Republican party. Has he ever said don’t call me that, I’m just an entertainer, or has he allowed this to be said? Frankly, all I know about him is insulted Michael Steele.
Moochy, so you are admitting that you hate Rush, then? Nice to see a liberal admit it when they hate someone.
I don’t hate Jon Stewart. As I said, I think he’s funny. But if you think it’s only cheer he’s spreading, talk to a child who lost their parent in the war and flipped on the Daily Show to see Jon’s “Mess-o-potamia” skits. Because your arguments on here are obviously driven by emotion rather than actual analysis, that is something that should translate even to you. That doesn’t bother you?
“What some people here keep missing is the fact that Stewart has never, ever, EVER claimed to be more than a comedian. He debunks any effort to see him as more than that.”
That’s just it, you’ve hit it exactly. He hides behind comedy and surrounds himself with a conformist studio audience, so when he goes after a guy like Cramer, he never has to worry about someone going after him. I have seen the daily show many times, and whenever someone makes a point that doesn’t fit the political point he is trying to lamely and adolescently make, he simply turns it into a joke and pretend that was his intention all along. It is dishonest and cowardly. I might actually respect him if he ever had to answer for or substantiate his own opinions. At least Rush explains in precise detail who he supports and exactly why. Jon never explains who he supports or why, and that is why IMO it most certainly not “his right to enter the discourse”. He hides and calls himself a satirist. Similar to the way you hide in your posts and make accusations that others “rant” while apparently you believe your own name-calling is something else.
“Frankly, all I know about him is insulted Michael Steele.”
and yet
“And whether I hate Rush or not, the reality is he’s a self-medicating, self-indulgent blimp. Choke on that, twit.”
If all you know about Rush is that he insulted Michael Steele, seems to me you don’t have enough information to make that conclusion. So I will choke on exactly nothing. But, I would recommend a little introspection — for instance, turning your ideas inside out and upside down, forwards and backwards, really make an effort to figure out exactly what it is you are really trying to say, before inflicting your posts on us. But I will still read them anyway
Anybody who finds that mongrel Micheal Savage funny is an a-hole and should shut thiers when it comes to talking about “hating/bad for” America; grow UP already!!!
South Park is WAY funnier than I Love Lucy ever was; anyone who thinks otherwise is a shriveled-up old fossil in the midst of decomposing…
South Park is way funnier than I Love Lucy to people who are deprave and have no class.
“But if you think it’s only cheer he’s spreading, talk to a child who lost their parent in the war and flipped on the Daily Show to see Jon’s “Mess-o-potamia” skits.”
If a child who lost his/her parent in the war is upset with Stewart’s Mess-o-potamia skits, then that child is seriously deluded. Who he/she should really be upset with is the jackass leader who sent his/her parent to a pointless war.
You know, LennyB, you’re really the guy who’s twisting the arguments around. You and yours don’t really fully seem to understand why Obama won this election. And you’re not really open to learning why, either. You just want to debunk everybody who doesn’t think the way you do.
I grew up with a father who’s conservative enough to make all you look like New Dealers, who was a POW in World War II. I got news for you, even he thinks Bush was an idiot and Rush a joke. I know 70-year-olds who are crazy about The Daily Show, some of who are Republicans. These are honorable people because they think outside the box. You don’t.
You aren’t interested in reading my posts and thinking about what I’m saying; you’re interested in reading them to see how you can put me down. You aren’t interested in giving the “other side” any credibility at all. Stewart does an honorable act–visits the troops (have you done this?)–and you find the dishonor in it. You thjink that going “Rah, Rah, U.S.” makes you a patriot.
Whatever. You haven’t got a clue.
Moochy,
You play the diversion game very well. I said nothing in my comments about Rush, Hannity or Savage, so back to the main issue.
You still don’t have a valid argument. Jon Stewart is by and large a left wing comedian whose primary goal (but not only goal) is to keep people thinking Obama is cool and smart.
Again, maybe Stewart has made fun of Obama like he did Bush and I’ve missed it.
Did Stewart make fun of Obama’s recent teleprompter mishap where Obama thanked himself instead of the Irish PM?
That was Obama’s “Ron Burgundy” moment if there ever was one. A comedians dream come true.
Please send the link.
“The Daily Show is hilarious and usually on point. I’ll continue to watch – you conservaturds need to lighten up.”
And when you’re finished sucking Jon Stewart’s bling-bling, do you honestly believe he is going to stick around to help pay the tab of this massive Debt Party being thrown by your Slavemaster-in-Chief?
Rush wants me to keep my money, he is on my side and is fighting my right to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.
On the other hand, Jon Stewart is an ugly handmaiden in the con game call Obama.
Stewart’s peeps are SUCKERS!
“You still don’t have a valid argument. Jon Stewart is by and large a left wing comedian whose primary goal (but not only goal) is to keep people thinking Obama is cool and smart.”
No, SheilaCA, that’s not his primary goal, and it has never been. That’s your right wing paranoia talking. Like I said, you’re all in a box.
His primary goal is to be a media satirist, which is a form of comedian. And apparently, he’s so good at it he’s got you all scared witless. My take on this? Keep it up, Jon. Stay strong.
Speaking of diversionary games, all I had to come on here and do was disagree with YOUR talking points, and suddenly I’m a “left winger.” Doesn’t matter that you had no solid evidence of that one way or another, your decision was made.
No, he didn’t make fun of Obama’s teleprompter incident. He did make huge fun of Obama’s diplomatic gift to Brown, however, as well as criticizing Obama’s take on veteran’s insurance benefits. But I’m sick of doing links for you all. Go find it yourself.
And while we’re on the subject, this whole business of Obama stealing your wealth is paranoid, too. He’s raising taxes on the wealthy 3 percent, from 36 to 39 percent. Eisenhower would have taxed the wealthy at 90 per cent. And did.
Obama is puitting MORE money into my paycheck. I’m paying less withholding than I did under Bush.
If Rush is telling you anything different, he’s the liar.
136 Moochy: Obama isn’t putting anything into your paycheck. Unless you’re a panhandler, the money you earn is your money, not Obama’s. Obama has a half-brother living in a corrugated box somewhere in Kenya. I’m sure his half-brother could use some of Obama’s own money, but apparently the CARE package from “light-weight” didn’t make it to Africa, because to the best of my knowledge, Obama’s half-sibling still hasn’t redecorated that cardbord box he’s living in. Marxists/Communists are good at spending other people’s money, not their own.
JON STEWART IS TOO INSIGNIFICANT TO HURT AMERICA
Yes, Hollywood and MSM try to sell Stewart (or whatever his real name is) as something big, but he’s not. His words are able to cause real damage, but it’s not because of him personally, but because of his specific audience. He’s not their leader, he’s just a cook in a third-class restaurant, going to the back door and throwing bones to a pack of hungry street dogs. If he stops, they’ll look for another one. It’s how they live. He doesn’t make them live like that, he just feed them with their favourite food.
“Pew Research found that two percent of Americans — and six percent of young people — identified Stewart as their favorite JOURNALIST”. EXACTLY, that’s the point! Stewart is not a journalist, i.e. HIS AUDIENCE IS STUPID. He makes a show for stupid people. Why do you bother? There allways will be stupid people, but to identify them with “America” …
You say: “Stewart simply tells his core audience what they want to hear”. EXACTLY! If this stupid crowd wants to hear it, it will, no matter from whom. If Stewart will shut up, the next one will come and will feed those idiots with hate and pseudo-information. STEWART MAKES A SHOW FOR STUPID PEOPLE in America, not for all the people in America. How can you hurt America by giving a herd of hate-hungry idiots what they want to have anyway, i.e. by telling them what they already believe?
And again: not only Stewart, even Colbert (“the funniest man in America” or whatever they’ve proclaimed him) cannot outrate South Park. You overestimate the importance and significance of those two. Not all people in America are stupid enough to consider them journalists. And those stupid enough are so stupid that I think it’s a permanent brain damage, so nothing can help them anymore. Even if Stewart suddenly converts to G-d and starts to tell the truth, his stupid audience will look for another hate-monger to feed it. Fortunately, they are not America.
Thus Stewart has no REAL influence on the politics! People voted for Obama because he openly promised them the money of other people, not because Joh Stewart crucified Sarah Palin. Stewart’s audience is stupid, but they were only a small part of Obama voters. Stupidity is typical for liberals, but it’s not the leading feature. Envy and greed of what the others have along with the laziness and unwillingness to earn the same is what makes an Obama voter. Stewart could make up news as long as he wanted, but he couldn’t prevent Bush from becoming President. Because the majority of Americans are not stupid. Unfortunately, it seems, the majority is envious, greedy for other people’s money and lazy. Let’s hope it’ll chage.
P.S. “independent-minded college student” … Sorry, but that’s a 99,9% oxymoron. That’s why Obama is so popular on campuses: students use brains of their libtard professors, that used brains of their libtard porfessors, that used… etc. etc. Yeah, “independent-minded college professor” – another funny oxymoron.
Stewart is just another media shill for Comrade Zero – he took a hatchet to Cramer only after Cramer went sour on Obama. Have to keep the faithful in line.
Not that I feel the least bit sorry for Cramer – he’s a jack*ss, such a clown it’s actually painful to watch him.
Try to watch asnd listen, but his snark cuts the laughter. And as everyone but one comments–he just has very little to make a laugh out loud. Colbert does emancipate a giggle, and he does work on both ends. Jon S is taking low-hanging fruit, eternally. That is not a platform from which he can make me laugh. Maher is not even in the neighborhood of funny. He consists of 97/5 hatred for women as equas,and 3% unsufferable self amusement. No one ever laughs with him. Unless he is next to them on the set.
“Obama isn’t putting anything into your paycheck. Unless you’re a panhandler, the money you earn is your money, not Obama’s.”
Right. And under Bush it was being taken out of my paycheck via taxes. He was bankrupting the middle class to pay for an illicit war, while his rich CEO buddies were eating and drinking like f***in Rome.
Don’t try to sell me any myths about Obama and his brother. I’m sick of this paranoid B.S.
And Marina? Your concept of what is and what isn’t America is really, really sad. We are all America, including Jon Stewart. If you can’t get that, I feel sorry for you.
Brilliant points made in this article. Celebrities who believe appearing on The Daily Show is a good idea should realize their banter is subject to the kind of editing likely to make them look foolish and Jon look funny. (Though in Cramer’s case I was cringing a minute into the broadcast – he was just too pathetic editing or no editing.) On another note though I occasionally like the show, I’m astonished at how a guy who makes millions a year for a 22 minute program 4 days a week has become a spokesman for the poor masses. Just a little disingenuous….
Moochy: what an appropriate name for a lying,non productive,libtard,who wants America’s Hugo Chavez to beggar productive americans,so that he can have a little more to spend on drugs.Moochy:perfect Obama voter. You are not a left winger;you’re right about that;you are just a member of the leech canaille that EMPOWERS the left.Jon Stewart is Ohole’s lickspittling buffoon.
#72 One of my Own(turds). Just read your libtard comments on Rush;I believe what little sanity you have left, can only be preserved by an effort to stop confusing your excrement with your commentary;removing your head from your anus would be a good start.
144 deguello . . . MEGA DITTOS deG-thing! And thanks for that turd reference. Been almost three days since of of you hifalutin brainiacs on this here board evoked that particular bit scatology. I think it’s a deep and relentless yearning to have T Blossom back in the White House. Then again, you did double up with the E-word and the A-word. You’re on a roll.
No, dispute if you can anything I said about your fearless leader – El Tubbo. Liar? Check. Junkie? Check. Whore monger? Check.Gasbag with now sense of irony . . . allow me to repeat the critical reference:
“The next time they say you can’t think for yourself, here’s what you tell them…”
Enjoy your time hunkered down in the deep and dark folds El Rushbo’s scrotum . . . gotta be getting crowded down here though. Perhaps you should consider leaving the fold and embarking on a journey of self discovery. It’s a great big wonderful world out there, G-thing. You’d be surprised how easy is is to form your own opinions. Try it! It’s fun!
One more just for fun:
134 syn thinks . . . “Rush wants me to keep my money”
Then why does he have so much of your money?
146&147 OOMO; Annoyed are we?,Hysteria often accompanies Copremia.Let’s see:”whore monger’,(Clinton, Barney Frank) junkie,gasbag with no sense of irony(you mean like cronkite,rather, or franken?),liar. Gee, this doesn’t sound lke Rush at all;it sounds like the typical liberal actor, Obama voter, or member of the NYTimes editorial board, or a combination of the above.No wonder you’re confused;living on a diet of turds(especially some of your own)cannot be good for your physical health or your emotional stability.You need to vary your diet,get an enema,(I’m sure Barney Frank would be glad to help)and start from scratch:Coprophagy is a bitch.
Moochy: “If a child who lost his/her parent in the war is upset with Stewart’s Mess-o-potamia skits, then that child is seriously deluded.” Deluded? You’re liberal enough to correctively employ the gender neutral term “he/she”, and yet you don’t have the decency or compassion to put yourself in that person’s shoes and show some humanity, for goodness sake? Because you think the leader that made that decision is a “jackass”? Seriously? Conceding that point detracts from your worship of John Stewart and your agreement with his ideology so much that you won’t acknowledge that Stewart might actually cause someone some pain with his insensitivity?
Look, no offense, but your introversion and narcissism is borderline sociopathic. In all seriousness, you should consider laying off the politics for a while and possibly getting some therapy. I’m not trying to put you down, you’re doing that all by yourself.
And by the way I highly doubt you are old enough to have a World War II dad. Your posts suggest you are far, far younger than that. So grow up, and understand that you’ve merely picked a team, and that really doesn’t make you all that special.
148:MOOCHY, MOOCHER, MUCHO, CRETINO!
148: I disagree Lennie, Moochy IS special…as in Special Ed.!
“Jon Stewart is by and large a left wing comedian whose primary goal (but not only goal) is to keep people thinking Obama is cool and smart.”
I would argue that’s not Stewart’s goal. That being said Obama is cool and smart. Get used to it.
#152:PAT J: Yeah, he really”outsmarted” Putin,The Chinese ,Ahmadinejad,AIG,not to mention the state department professionals whose advice he ignored,during the Brown visit.Today, he’s just outsmarted the president of the european union who condemned his economic “rescue” plan as” dangerous”‘.He also outsmarted Special Olympic children(the only group he can really bully and outsmart).Yes Pat, Obama is sure cool and smart! This is a guy who thinks he can negotiate with”moderate members of the taliban:”What are you,fourteen?”
Pat j, is it cool and smart to willingly prostrate himself and the USA to the murderous king of Saudi Arabia? Kissing Ortega’s and Chaves’s ass? Obama is a muslim kiss ass, no other world leader present bowed to this murderous potentate as did the usurper Obama. Stewart kisses the ass OF a kiss ass. Gotta wanna make me puke.
Wow conservatives are a bunch of babies….grow up!