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.
