Bad timing
: What a rotten week Jon Stewart picked to take off. What he could do with Newsweek….
44 responses to “Bad timing”
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You mean, what he could do with Scott McClellan and the war party hypocrites.
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I can’t believe that. He would probably run with the same meme he ran when the CBS memos story blew up with them; they will pretend this is the same as the Iraq-WMD situation and turn it into an occasion to criticize Bush.
They have recently been so one-note, I’ve stopped watching. -
Jeff,
Stewart was funny, once. But all he is doing is the Rush Limbaugh schtick from the left instead of the right. He takes news bits out of context and uses them to caricature his ideological targets. In fact, I’ll think I’ll refer to him as Rush Stewart from now on.
Newsweek isn’t one of Rush Stewart’s targets. He would find some way to spin Newsweek’s sin against the Bush administration and the military. He’ll just come up with a less-vitriolic version of Mork’s 11:08 comment above. Rush Stewart’s schtick is getting tiresome.
Predictable punchlines are not funny. -
I don’t agree at all. I think they are still very funny. That bit they did on the blogosphere and the MSM coverage of it was hilarious. (Among others) Maybe you are just too sensitive about the current party in power to listen to jokes about it.
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HA wrote: “But all he is doing is the Rush Limbaugh schtick from the left instead of the right. ”
We must be watching a different version of the Daily Show. I watch the funny show played here on Earth.
Unlike limbaugh, I don’t think that the Daily show is an echo chamber for a party’s talking points. The Daily Show is still a great source for insightful humor and one of the only shows that puts news context. Unlike actual news departments, the Daily show actually catches people in the act and exposes them with humor. Whether it is showing up people for hypocrisy with clips of their directly contradictory statements, or exposing the way the media covers pre-packaged news, the Daily Show’s “fake news” is ironically more informative than most “real” news shows . -
I gotta disagree, Skate. When Stewart did his famous appearance on Crossfire, all the chatter about it was on the left side of the blogosphere. I would have thought since almost everyone hates the press, regardless of political leanings, that there would had been more diversity of those commenting about the Stewart/Crossfire kerfuffle, but not so. Some bloggers/commenters on the center/right said they used to watch The Daily Show until it became obvious that Stewart had become just another partisan hack shilling for Kerry.
I only saw The Daily Show once, only for about 10 minutes, because it seemed aimed at the Middle School boy demographic.
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I was thinking the same thing about DS taking the week off. A shame.
Re; “Middle School boy demographic”
Oh I think you mean Letterman! I’m a woman and a feminist and well past my college years BTW and I LOVE Jon Stewart.
Jon Stewart is a bright wit in a culture like yours (I’m Canadian) where sarcasm rules the day and satire is as precious and rare as the fine French wine that burns the lips of those zealot republicans.
Speaking of the French, I think iconoclast poet Charles Baudelaire sums of the US taste for good comedy/satire in the following poem:
THE DOG AND THE SCENT-BOTTLE
COME HERE, my dear, good, beautiful doggie, and smell this excellent perfume which comes from the best perfumer of Paris.
And the dog, wagging his tail, which, I believe, is that poor creature’s way of laughing and smiling, came up and put his curious nose on the uncorked bottle. Then, suddenly, he backed away in terror, barking at me reproachfully.
“Ah miserable dog, if I had offered you a package of excrement you would have sniffed at it with delight and perhaps gobbled it up. In this you resemble the public, which should never be offered delicate perfumes that infuriate them, but only carefully selected garbage.”
… I think he could smell the stench of O’Reilly, Ann Coulter, Fox, reality television, et al decades ago. -
News flash: The Daily Show airs on Comedy Central! It’s not a news program, it’s not a pedastal for the Democratic party, it’s a bunch of guys (admittedly, most likely left-leaning) making jokes about things that everyone is talking about.
John Stewart is a comedian, not a politician. He’s not trying to influence anyone’s political views, he’s trying to make you laugh!
Relax already. -
Predictable punchlines are not funny.
Neither is calling him “Rush Stewart” -
I’m not interested in your aging, college educated uterus, Mel, but your political leaning. You say you’re Canadian. I won’t need Nostradamus to predict you’re a liberal who was hoping Kerry would win the US election—-just like Jon Stewart.
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But do you think that the nicely packaged excrement that was gobbled up for so long was the lefty-leaning network news? I do.
Baudelaire died as a wacko from abuse of drugs and alcohol and was dead broke.
You also commented on “your culture”. I’m curious as to how you would describe Canadian culture. Because I think the worldview is that Canada is milque-toast and irrelevant.
“In an emergency Canada will give you all aid short of help.”–Bobby Kennedy -
Ah, the truth hurts. That must be why the devastatingly quick witted Stewart has earned the ire the right. Of course Stewart mostly skewers the right, they are the majority power responsible for almost all of the decisions and actions of government. Although he is liberal, Stewart also makes fun of liberal tom foolery as well, and when a Democrat becomes president, assuming Bush and company don’t cancel the next elections in the interests of national security*, Stewart will make fun of him, too.
The right is increasingly hostile to facts. They run from evidence like vampires from daylight. Stewart is just a comedian, but the invective against him here in the posts shows the right can’t stand the revealing light of day.
*Someone is going to claim I’m totally off suggesting the possibility of a right wing coup, but it is happening in the Senate right now, as the Republicans are openly planning an unconstitutional move to change the Senate Rules without a 2/3ds majority. -
Anyone who thinks Jon Stewart is a ‘wit’ must have a qualifier before theirs. The same skit was only on SNL 30 years ago. The only difference is if you had a head full of chemicals it was funny then .
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At 10:48 A.M. Skate says “Unlike limbaugh (sic), I don’t think the Daily Show is an echo chamber for the party’s talking points”. At 2:11 PM, Skate says” “of course Stewart mostly skewers the right..”. Hey Skate, have you and Stewart forgotten the Senate is full of liberal Democrats? You and Stewart can’t find anything to mock about Reid, Pelosi, Biden, Kerry, Kennedy, etc. etc.? What about Howard Dean? Yeah, sure, Stewart will mock a Democrat if one is ever one is elected. HAHAHAHAHAH! And you say the right is hostile to facts? Bust out of your bubble, Skate, and join the real world! That “cancel the next election” has been around since at least the l960’s. How can we take you seriously when you parrot idiocy like that?
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“Hey Skate, have you and Stewart forgotten the Senate is full of liberal Democrats?”
If only it were so. How conveniently you ignore the Republican Majority, yet you still play the oppressed victim. -
“Hey Skate, have you and Stewart forgotten the Senate is full of liberal Democrats?”
If only it were so. How conveniently you ignore the Republican Majority, yet you still play the oppressed victim. -
I’m not playing the victim Skate, I’m only pointing out there are plenty of opportunities to skewer Democrats, if Stewart was so inclined—-which he ain’t!
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The Bush Mea Culpa Scorecard:
– Newsweek: 1
– CBS News: 1
– Bush Team: 0 -
Well… You can always listen to AM radio for an unbiased opinion from a drug addict or turn over to FOX news. You can pass some laws that make it illegal for a show to make fun of the majority party because you cannot find the channel up/down button on your remote. Stewart leans left, but he does make fun of both sides. Why is the right so defensive? Is it that they are doing wrong and know it? To have complete power in all branches(except judicial) and crying foul every five mins is really getting old.
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The endless victimization of the right is so boring “john stewart makes fun of us…he must be a liberal boo-hoo, i’m going to say he’s not funny anymore”. What a bunch of whiners you are.
You control the country – that’s not an opinion but a fact. Satire’s job is to go after the powerful (except I’ve noticed what the right takes for satire, they go the other way targetting the powerless, welfare mothers, illegal aliens etc etc).
The Daily Show goes after the powerful, whether they be in politics or its relentless jokes at the expense of the powerful media. Pretty much everytime I see them go after the media it is usually CNN and not Fox – I guess that channel is such a joke they probably think it beneath their mockery. -
“have complete power in all branches(except judicial) and crying foul every five mins is really getting old.”
Nope, they have it there to. Most Federal judges are *Republican* appointees.
Even with a total majority the Republican’s aren’t happy. The drunk with power, they want more. No comes the time when the demonize the minority. Like an abusive husband, they blamce their abused spouse for their problems. Hubris anyone? -
Bravo Franky!
As for paladin’s comment about my “aging, college educated uterus” (actually it’s a *university* educated uterus but I’m not going to nitpick) he proves out my point about the sophomoric sarcasm and insult that passes for humour in your country …
Cal’s “worldview” of Canada should be contrasted against the worldview of the US. Our government’s dignified refusal to send our troops into harms way to join Bush in his illegal war is something most Canadian’s are proud of. We here in Canada don’t go barging into other people’s backyards unless they expressly ask for our help. We are not paternalistic towards other nations and we do not engage in Empire building. Call us what you will but at least we have the respect and admiration of other nations – including our mutual allies. Our citizens don’t have to go bankrupt to pay for routine surgeries and our children receive a decent public education. The way your government treats its citizens – and many nations – is simply appalling.
Jon Stewart is valued by Canadians and Americans or many of the same reasons. Folks like him make being your neighbour a little bit easier (and less terrifying). I feel for those of you who have to abide the fuming lickspittles and nitwits of your radical right.
As for your internationally esteemed popular culture … we, Canadians, would scarcely notice if Paris Hilton grew a third breast and gave birth to a litter of kittens. Although we know the difference between irreverance and irrelevance. -
Canadian’s ? … Canadians, rather.
you see what happens when we go across the border to make a comment?
BTW – for your collective bookmarks: how Canadians really feel about the US and the further deep integration of our policies and laws
http://www.vivelecanada.ca/staticpages/index.php/ribbon -
Canadian’s ? … Canadians, rather.
you see what happens when we go across the border to make a comment?
BTW – for your collective bookmarks: how Canadians really feel about the US and the further deep integration of our policies and laws
http://www.vivelecanada.ca/staticpages/index.php/ribbon -
“Our citizens don’t have to go bankrupt to pay for routine surgeries”.
Then why are they driving to Detroit and shelling out mass dollars instead of waiting for their medical care in Canada?
I don’t think you answered the question about Canadian culture. Seriously, what is it? There’s definitely a lot to admire about Canada but our “cultures” aren’t really that different.
Forbid anything should happen to Canada like 9-11. Wouldn’t we be the 1st to help? And then what of all your anti-American sentiment? Your economy and security is intact why? Mainly the U.S. right? And so many Canadians rip the U.S.? -
Uh, Mel, you’re the one who said you’re “well past my college years…” This doesn’t give you much credibility when you can’t remember what you said at 12:39 PM. What else are you lying about? Also you prove my point that Jon Stewart is just a partisan shill. I couldn’t care less about Jon Stewart, I think his show is juvenile, but it’s useless to try to convince the larger public that he has anything to say to anyone who doesn’t share the liberal mindset. That you (and Skate, and franky and crash) are shouting loud hosannahs to Jon Stewart just reinforces my opinion.
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I bet Stewart’s really distressed he can’t win you over Paladin.
Let’s do a show of hands: who would like to spend an evening supping warm milk with Paladin or beers with Jon Stewart?
I’ll start the ball rolling – Jon Stewart. -
Sorry some posts provide so much material that more than one reply is needed.
the “liberal mindset”? Is this opposed to the Britney Spears mindset?
“Honestly, I think we should just trust our president in every decision he makes and should just support that, you know, and be faithful in what happens.”
http://www.cnn.com/2003/SHOWBIZ/Music/09/03/cnna.spears/
(Democrat presidents need not apply for said trust). -
Hey Cal,
I see you have bought into the right wing myth about Canadians flocking across the border for surgeries. That was debunked with an Academic study outlined here: http://cthealth.server101.com/myth_canadians'_use_of_healthcare_in_the_u_s_.htm
I’m sure those anecdotes you here from your right wing friends will outweigh empirical evidence but I thought I’d let you know.
And Stewart is funny. He would have torn apart this ridiculous hypocrisy that is the White House’s fake outrage over what Newsweek did. I do wish they were on this week. I’ve always noticed conservatives decreased ability to understand irony. They are just a too loyal, committed, and god-fearing bunch to recognize when perception and reality are out of alignment. But of course, that makes them perfect targets of satire. Witness the fantastic Mea Culpa link above.
Poor, poor conservatives. -
Hey Paladin,
Give us an example of someone or some show you think is funny since you find Stewart juvenile.
Let me guess, “Full House” or maybe that Urkel show. That was a good one. -
Limbaugh said that what Stewart does now he was doing on TV 13 years ago. Sadly he is right.
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I’m not anti-American, I’m anti-idiot. I don’t like where the radical right have taken your nation and all the good people in it. And thanks to all the corporations who are running the show (the media, the economy, your privatised everything) you have the finest garbage culture known to mankind. I don’t dislike Americans or America I dislike America.Inc. Your founding fathers would be disgusted with the way things have gone. Your historical documents feature some of the most beautiful and inspiring words about freedom and democracy. It’s a shame that those liberties and freedoms your country was built on are being so debased by the authoritarian and theocratic Bush republicans (because I recognise that there are more sensible and socially progressive republicans – they just don’t have any power in your country at the moment).
Read some Sarah Vowell, now there’s a liberal who could give you a history lesson. liberal who loves history and adores her country. Just like all the other liberals. They adore your country and they’re fighting to get it back. I applaud them in their efforts. I agree that Kerry wasn’t a strong contender and that he went back and forth on things. He shot a Canada goose for heaven’s sake! One of our national symbols! and had photo ops taken to prove he’s a tough guy – POW POW – like Bush (shaking head). But the reason I disliked him is very different than the reason you disliked him – I felt he didn’t go far enough. I felt he was flirting with a conservative middle. I was bigger fan of Dean. Obama would be great as well. -
Will the real Paladin please shut up.
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Mel, I must correct you.
Liberals hate our Leader. Liberals hate the vast majority of the voters in the last election. Therefore, liberals hate America.
Corporations employ the vast majority of Americans. what would we as a nation do if there were no real industries? We must protect the industries in order to protect America. If some of our corporations move their operations overseas, we just have to realize that the cost of doing business for them is becoming prohibitive. We should continue to give them tax breaks so that hopefully their success will translate into our success.
For those of you who don’t like the way America has been going, you can move to Canada or France. -
The Daily Show used to do more than 1 joke, which made it funny to view and observe. Then Jon Stewrat took over and it turned into a 5 year broken record. I can only find the same punchline funny a certain amount of times before it becomes tired.
Stewart -
“For those of you who don’t like the way America has been going, you can move to Canada or France. ”
I hope you are joking, ARV18. America is not your property. I don’t have to leave just because I’d like to see a better America. When a country is under attack by ignorant Fascists you don’t abandon it, you try and help it.
Right now, the country is under attack by people who want to subvert the constitution in every way–deliberatly and through deliberate ignorance.
“what would we as a nation do if there were no real industries?”
The right wing isn’t pro-America just because they are pro corporation. Corporations are country agnostic in the sense they only care about profit. Giving corporations a free ride isn’t good for Americans. Corporations show their gratitude by incorporating outside the US, by dodging corporate taxes, and moving as many jobs *outside* the US as possible while giving corporate executives unjustified mufti-million dollar raises.
Letting Bush run the whole country like a CIA black book project is bad for America.
PS
Nobody can tell you what is funny. I think Stewart is the best thing on TV. If you don’t, well, I just think you are missing out. Perhaps you don’t get irony or satire. -
Josh, whoever you are, you have lost all credibility. The Daily sucked when Kilborne hosted. It had potential but they were too mean, too sarcastic. Stewart brought irony into the show and it flourished.
I’ve noticed many a time that when people don’t know how to criticize comedy they repeat the “they always tell the same joke” canard. If you study comedy you’ll notice that every comedian suffers from this so it is hardly a criticism. Perhaps the simpliest example is the pretty funny Jeff Foxworthy. Now that guy milks one narrow joke for all its worth. Stewart has his joke too. In your face satire with a touch of the absurd. Stewart has his one joke as did Lenny Bruce, as did Charlie Chaplain, as did Richard Pryor, as did Johnny Carson. It’s a stupid criticism.
And why the hell did I write that. I guess because I actually spent part of my graduate education studying comedy. Finally a use! Yoohoo! -
‘you have the finest garbage culture known to mankind. ‘
Sorry but coming from a country whose primary cultural contributions are pro hockey and clubbing baby seals your opinion doesn’t mean much.
‘I think Stewart is the best thing on TV.’
Then TV sucks even more than I think it does.
Sorry but IMHO Chevy Chase was a lot funnier. Let me rephrase that, Chevy Chase was funny, Stewart is boring. I can’t imagine him bothering anybody. It’s like listening to the political insights of Billy Joe Armstrong. -
“I’m sure those anecdotes you here from your right wing friends will outweigh empirical evidence but I thought I’d let you know.”
Of course I would accept evidence–why so snarky?
As far as health care, there certainly are plenty of examples of Canadians who do indeed come here for surgeries rather than wait or use the doctor they get. And Canadian healthcare is not “free”. We roughly pay the same amount as Canadians do, just not in the form of taxes.
I love how Mel talks about Obama. I’m sure you’ve known about him for all of a few months now. -
Sorry for the snark Cal. Sometimes I make assumptions.
I do need to give you information on how ridiculously ineffecient our health care system is. You say we spend about the same on health care as Canadians. Not even close. We spend way more, they get better results. According to the ODEC, we spend 14.6% of GDP on health care while Canada spends 9.6% of GDP (http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/13/11/31963489.xls). The biggest reason for the difference is administrative costs are about 300% higher in the U.S. Wow, those private enterprises sure are more efficient, eh? As for outcomes, the OECD ranks Canada 30th, while we rank 37th despite costing Canadian citizens way less (France is numero uno by the way). And in reality, vital surgeries are actually done quicker, on average, in Canada than in the U.S. It is the elective surgeries that Canadians often wait a few months for. Overall, I’d take the tradeoff since it would cost me 34% less and I’d live longer. -
“Chevy Chase was a lot funnier”
But not nearly as funny as Rich Little and Hee Haw ;-) -
I’ll repeat what i said earlier.
> They have recently been so one-note, I’ve stopped watching.
They have always leaned left, and that is life, but they used to find the left funny, too, at times.
And aren’t they?
But these days, the punchline always is some variation of “the left is perfect and right about everything, and the right is evil, and stupid and so on.” And ultimately it is not even fair.
I mean come on, did Stewart have anything snarky about the leader of the Senate DEMOCRATS calling Bush a “loser.” Does any democrat have the right to call any republican a loser right now?
But no, Jon is not interested in those kinds of foibles and hypocrisies. And that is why he is boring me right now. -
Thanks KJ. Good stuff.
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