What has happened to the media's ability to perceive satire?

Question

The Washington Post spent an entire article discussing a satirical blog post by Ken Jennings without realizing that it was satire. In fact, they cut it to shreds so badly that I thought he was going off on Jeopardy until I read the post.

Now I just watched an entire 5 minute spot on Today discussing "Retrosexuals" that pointed to the self-depricating commercials by Dial and Burger King. Strangely they ignored any comedic value of the commercials and thought that it was a sign of a revolution by men against metrosexuality.

What is going on that the media (and a lot of their viewers) have no grasp of comedy?

Answer 1

It is a symptom of society as a whole. And it is strange because I do not know one person who agrees with the way media, whats the word I am looking for.........mutates i guess, the news and what the public perceives as news. They are constantly looking to expose a scandal so when they see comedy, they do not take it at face value, they try to expose a hidden injustice behind it when it is really just entertainment. And that brings up another subject I could write a book about. Is entertainment news???? Look at today for example, all I have heard about all morning is Lance Bass coming out of the closet. First of all, we all knew anyway didn't we? second, I think there are more newsworthy topics out there. Those topics (lance bass, et al) are and should remain fodder for the tabloid shows that I can choice not to watch, there is no need to have it on "real"news programs.
Anyway, just my opinion, have to get back to work.......

Answer 2

I don't know the answer to your question, but the Colbert Report the other day showed some really spectacular examples of this from Good Morning America and The Today Show. Thanks for an intriguing question!

Answer 3

Lazy Journalism. :o(