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Jon Stewart is a better journalist than real journalists
Excuse the hyperbole of the title - I know sitting behind a desk cracking jokes isn't the same thing as reporting from the field.
Nevertheless, I saw this on the Daily Show a couple of nights ago, and as happens most nights, was blown away at the level of candor that Stewart brings to the show, and prompts his guests to achieve.
Flash back to his amazing appearance on Crossfire a few years ago, and it seems like he (and Colbert) have taken their form of "reporting" more seriously than the folks who are Constitutionally charged/protected to keep us informed. He does us a great service each night by shaming the MSM - and making us laugh while doing it. Why can't real journalists do their jobs as well? And to those who argue ratings - my guess is that hard-nosed, unbiased TRUTH would bring astonishing ratings because of its sheer novelty. 'Course, it probably helps that Stewart isn't above dorm room humor...
Comments (33)
Why can't real journalists do their jobs as well?
At least part of the reason is explained by Lara Logan in Stewart's interview of her that you linked to. The self-censorship and self-filtering of the editorial processes in the MSM prevent good journalists from getting their work out into the public domain.
I'm not sure by what fluke of the process that CNN has allowed Michael Ware so much air time with his Iraq War coverage, but I'm really thankful they've let him slip through the cracks. The bluntness of his reporting is almost shocking, it stands in such sharp contrast to the usual cliche drivel coming out of their broadcasts.
But you're absolutely right. If you want to watch consistently critical, thoughtful, intelligent reporting on TV, you almost have no choice but to turn to the comedians.
How sad is that?
June 19, 2008 1:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sorry, I tried to wrap that first question in quote html, and failed. ;)
June 19, 2008 1:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
No apologies on this post!! (unless you do something mean. then you should say sorry).
You're sadly right about turning to the comedians. I have to say, I love watching the MSM now just to see if I can guess what Stewart will skewer the next night. So far, my record's been good (esp. w/ Anderson Cooper and his floating pie chart).
June 19, 2008 2:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't know that I could have handled the last few years without him. I'm serious about that.
June 19, 2008 2:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
For real. I'm ashamed to say that when he took over for Craig Kilborn and started talkin' politics I was pretty p.o'd. My bad. He and Colbert are the only shows on my DVR.
June 19, 2008 2:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Stewart & Colbert have genius status, what would we do without them? May they last forever.
June 19, 2008 4:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
and cheers for Lara Logan being so candid.
that's when you the Daily Show was an hour long.
June 19, 2008 5:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Amen! The half-hour format is way too short for the good work that they do!
June 19, 2008 9:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Agreed. Rec'd.
June 19, 2008 6:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Could you imagine Lara Logan running Meet The Press?
June 19, 2008 6:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh, I'd LOVE to see her as a moderator on that show - talk about holding politicians' feet to the fire!
Doubt it would ever happen, though. She's too blunt, too useful in the field, and, you know, has a vagina and all...
June 19, 2008 9:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
George Carlin for Meet the Press!
But yes, this was a great item.
I'd like to see Jon get BuZh to comment on his brain-knuckle policies right now ..
June 19, 2008 8:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Agreed. The Lara Logan appearance this week was a stand-out moment among stand-out moments on The Daily Show. I recall reading an essay that Bruce Sterling wrote about science fiction authors being the court jesters of literature. He explained that this affords them a freedom to tell certain truths that would see others beheaded at their utterance. It shouldn't be surprising that a jester less metaphoric would also enjoy such freedom. Stewart has done everyone a great service by making us laugh while taking opportunity to ask the small, simple and necessary questions. Not to mention pointing out when the emperor stands before us in the nude.
June 19, 2008 9:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
Here's what I think we should do...
I really, really, REALLY want to see a presidential debate moderated by Stewart and Colbert. Talk about enjoyable TV where you might actually see the moderators get the candidates to ANSWER THE EFFING QUESTIONS
June 19, 2008 9:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Here's what I think we should do...
I really, really, REALLY want to see a presidential debate moderated by Stewart and Colbert. Talk about enjoyable TV where you might actually see the moderators get the candidates to ANSWER THE EFFING QUESTIONS
June 19, 2008 9:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
dammit, I hate it when it just posts like that...I just hit "enter" and it posted twice.
I was going to add:
Wouldn't it be a beautiful thing to see?
June 19, 2008 9:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
Outstanding idea! It would probably the most watched debate ever. It might even be the most useful debate we'll see during the 2008 Clusterf@#k to the Whitehouse.
June 20, 2008 10:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
i will cosponsor your proposal.
i'd even let it be held in a town-hall.
June 19, 2008 10:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Awesome - let's get a petition started...
June 19, 2008 10:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/2008/05/obamamccain-debate-on-comedy-c.php
June 19, 2008 11:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Stewart/Colbert '08
The Unity Ticket Yes We Can Believe In At 3AM For Honor, Integrity, Guns, and Leadership!
If a Democrat and a Republican on the same ticket is unpalatable, then I might suggest instead:
Stewart/Kilborn '08
My VP Is Just a Pretty Boy! Charming, Though!
Homework assignment:
Pick your favorite two Daily Show alums and make up a ticket and a slogan.
Beth Littleford was a favorite of mine, I wonder what she's doing now...
June 19, 2008 10:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
She's doing commercials for Laughing Cow cheese and color copiers.
June 19, 2008 11:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
sounds like a real step down, sadly. she was good in that job.
June 20, 2008 12:42 AM | Reply | Permalink
Happy hearts for her frosted lens interviews :)
June 20, 2008 9:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks for the link - recc'd.
June 20, 2008 12:42 AM | Reply | Permalink
Absolutely!
I share the sentiment that Stewart and Colbert have often made the unbearable, bearable. I loved the recent show when Jon brought out the news that a senate investigation into the evidence found that the administration had altered evidence/information and misled the public and apparently congress to make the case for the war in Iraq... and that the MSM in hearing these findings was practically silent.....(crickets).
June 20, 2008 1:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, I liked that one a lot too.
June 20, 2008 9:59 AM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks for that. Watching Tucker Carlson squirm and get hot around the bow-tie was priceless.
June 20, 2008 1:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
That Crossfire was so great. Hadn't seen that in awhile.
Jason Holt wrote a book on some of this. Well, it's kind of a book of essays, so I guess he put it together.
One of my professors wrote an essay for it, which you can read here, if you're so inclined:
http://www.faculty.fairfield.edu/rtorosyan/Writing/TDS_Philosophy_v5rev
It has the book intro and then his essay, so there's a lot of scrolling to be done. But it's pretty interesting.
June 20, 2008 8:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks! I look forward to reading it.
June 20, 2008 9:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
This *is* really interesting -
"As usual, Stewart portrays himself as a mere clown. When he himself is interviewed, he denies that The Daily Show is anything but comedy or at best, political and cultural satire. Such denials only reaffirm that Stewart’s self-inclusive way of poking fun embodies a powerful way of being in the world – one of thoughtful, self-reflective, and modest engagement."
It's completely true - his style of critical thought as humor provides the context necessary to understand larger, complicated political issues in a way that the MSM in general just can't or won't do.
So, I guess the question is: Is Stewart so successful because he uses humor to dissect the information, or because the MSM is so unwilling to do its job? In other words, could the MSM actually provide this level of meaning without humor? Do they (Stewart and MSM) in effect need each other to reach us as an audience?
June 20, 2008 10:42 AM | Reply | Permalink
Recommended for being dead on.
Crossfire interview came at a very important time. He pulled up the curtain and said "look, I'm pulling up the curtain." And the hosts of the show didn't understand what he was saying. That was the most interesting part to me. Tucker and Begala could not grasp what he was doing. Stewart was like a man loading a gun while the targets analyze what he's doing. "Oh that crazy comedian, why should anyone take HIM seriously," was the sentiment.
Most of the media is so hopelessly embedded with divide and conquer strategies of their executives that the hosts are mostly unaware of what the consequences are to their actions.
Great post. Stewart's guest is beautiful on every level.
June 20, 2008 9:32 AM | Reply | Permalink
I know! It's like they couldn't decide if he was joking...and they really wanted him to be joking, so they played it off like he was.
Altogether, when I watch the news now, it doesn't seem like much has changed since the 2004 election. Sad, isn't it?
June 20, 2008 9:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
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