sincere | The real disappointment

You know, I just have to say this. I think Jon Stewart loves his fans, I really do think that. And I think he cares about this country, I really do.

But I don't think he has a lot of respect for his fans.

He's said over and over ago that The Daily Show isn't a real news show and that he's honestly scared of the idea that some people's only source of news is TDS. Over and over, no matter how many times he points out that "real" network news is retarded. No matter how many studies indicate that TDS has as much news content as real network news.

And the other day he said that there's nothing better than a 'Stewart/Colbert for president' t-shirt to say that I have huge disrespect for the American government.

It's kind of funny. I always wanted one because I thought it said that I watch Comedy Central and have a sense of humor.

The article goes on and on, condescending and insulting, talking about how there's "rumors" of his running for president and how fans can "stop hoping" because they got Jon to confirm that he's not running for the White House. And Jon keeps confirming for them, hey, there's no way people could get news out of a show that takes news and presents it to people via an interesting and humorous format.

Maybe I'm just feeling oversensitive today, but I'm a little sad about one of my heroes.

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Oh, Jon. Why do you have to be so mean to us? D:

C, cruel to be kind?

I have to wonder if it's a PR kind of thing, honestly- in a lot of ways it's the "we're not real news REALLY" angle of the show that lets them get away with a lot of the things they do, while at the same time they're pretty much saying what's on every sane person's mind. Genuine news shows that are billed as such are held to certain journalistic standards; a parody show- and its host, who is clearly very passionate and very right- are not. It means he can call the president a fuckhead if he wants to, and instead of a thousand right-wingers jumping down his throat for his lack of journalistic morals, all they do is roll their eyes and mutter about that damn liberal comedy show.

Meanwhile, the people are listening.

You do make a really good point, and a lot of times I think he says that to TRY and get the point across to people who are SUPPOSED to be doing real news. When he went on Crossfire he said "We're not real news we only pander to our audience but YOU'RE REAL NEWS, stop pandering to the politicians and give people HONEST NEWS and we'll stop MOCKING YOU."

I do think that he needs a new defense, though "We're not real news" just sounds weak in light of studies saying A) TDS viewers are more involved in politics than regular Americans, B) TDS viewers are better informed than regular Americans, and C) TDS has as much content as real news. XD

It's sad to think that someone who spends so much time in the media can seem to be so unaware of the power/influence of the media, regardless of forum or presentation. He seemed aware enough of it when he went on Crossfire.

Do you have a link to the article you're talking about?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061009/ap_en_tv/people_stewart_colbert

Thanks. ^^

I can kind of see his point about people who seriously want him and Colbert to run for office. You would have to be pretty damn disappointed in/embarrassed by the government to think salvation can be found in the hands of a pair of comedians.

I'd really like to see a transcript of the speech and New Yorker interview. The quotes the AP used were "provocative" but I'd like to see the context. The media loves Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert, except when they're being serious.

I do agree with you and I totally don't buy that article. It had a very negative slant on TDS and viewers/fans of TDS. I find it rather likely that they quoted only insulting bits. XD

Also, I don't think you're "disappointed" in your government if you'd elect comedians. I think you're totally crazy. Jon was probably being politic. XD But see, that's what I wanted to hear him say. "You'd have to be crazy to REALLY want me to be president. But these people probably don't REALLY want me to be president -- they probably just think it's funny. Funny is what we do."

I'm not entirely sure I blame him that much. I think the worst thing he's done is be a bit, well, frightened of his fan base.

But there's no reason to be frightened of them! As fanbases go his is relatively free of stupid people!

...okay, maybe he could be a little scared of the slashfen, but still.

Perhaps it's more his worry he'll end up sponsoring the same ego-casting/edited thought that we all look at FOX news for and hiss?

Who GENUINELY thinks that Stewart would run for president? Funny as I think it is, I don't think I'd actually want him as a president-- he's so much better being the last bastion of sanity in journalism. But disrespect for the government, what? That doesn't even make sense. It's obviously meant for humorous effect, and hasn't he made mocking the government his job? Us plebes can't do the same thing?

And a journalist is what he is. The humor label lets him get away with a lot of things, but he brings more news than many actual news shows. Sure, he started as a comedian, but he's got a much more critical eye and a keener mind (as, honestly, all good comedians do) than most people. I understand that it's a parody show, and that gives him a lot of leeway, but come on.

I can see him saying "getting your news from one source" is bad. It's true. It is. I read the papers, and I watch TDS when I can, and honestly, the genuine information I get from TDS-- around the mocking and the jokes-- tends to be more valuable and better presented than what I read in the paper, or see on network news.

Word.

That's exactly my point! It doesn't really reflect government, although certainly it's partially an indication that we're all fed up with corrupt politicians. But most of us don't disrespect our SYSTEM of government. What that shirt really reflects is a sense of humor and what we watch on TV.

I get my news from ~~way too many sources as of discovering Google Reader~~ more than one source, but Jon is the only one who guarantees I'll listen to everything.

Isn't political satire still one of the most common forms of satire out there? Eesh.

I can disrespect our government ~~because we're technically a fascist state now, according to the guidelines that outline what makes a given country what sort of government~~, and I kind of want to say that I don't have much respect for the system either-- but then, no system is perfect and able to protect itself from the people themselves.

Jon makes things interesting! More journalists should do that. More journalists should be journalists out of passion, and the field should foster that sort of attitude and... /grumbles from a once-upon-a-time journalism student.

Honestly, I don't know why it would be such a horrible thing to have a comedian run for president. I mean, first of all, as a third-party candidate, he would never win. Secondly, our founding fathers sort of frowned upon career politicians. Thirdly...Ben Franklin, Statesman.

Personally, though, I lack respect for our government because they're lazy asses who've abrogated their most basic duties to check and balance one another and to protect the rights and freedoms of the people who put them in office. Putting somebody who can make me laugh in office isn't going to make me respect the government less; him doing a good job might actually make me respect the government MORE.

It's very, very sad, though, that a parody show has as much factual content as network news. Shame on you, American news media! SHAME!

Oddly enough, we were just talking about that t-shirt today at work.

I think there are a lot of crazy people in this world, and Jon probably gets a looooooooooooot of crazy ass letters, e-mails, pigeon-grams, etc from lunatic fans. I think as much as he jokes about no one watching cable, he knows what kind of power he has. And I think as harsh as this may sound to the "balanced" of his fanbase, he may see it as a necessary disclaimer.

Anyway, I should know crazy. I probably would vote for him if he ran for president. I see the president is mostly a figurehead anyway--albeit an incredibly prominant one. His power comes mostly from choosing those who support him in government. I think Jon would make wise choices. Also, he looks good in a suit, can pronounce a multitude of words, and knows how to work an audience. That's more than we have now.

I'm pretty sure the Robin Williams movie coming out is based around Jon and Stephen's popularity. I haven't actually seen or heard that it is, but come on...

The real disappointment

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