Are they, at all, relevant in today's mainstream media? Do you think they are a reliable source for news and/or punditry?
Finally, who do you think their "equivalents" might be on CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, ect.?
2007-08-09 10:23:08 · 21 answers · asked by Sangria 4 in Politics & Government ➔ Other - Politics & Government
How are they "left"? I've heard critics call them "liberal", too.
How is that exactly, when any regular fan will tell you that Republicans & Democrats are equally skewered in their routines?
2007-08-09 10:28:15 · update #1
Also, what is your political affiliation?
2007-08-09 10:29:04 · update #2
To those calling them lefties: It's only because the right has provided so much material for them. They're comedians. Their material comes from current events and you can't top the absurdity of this administration. Remember, Jon Stewart wasn't too friendly with Clinton when he was in office.
I would like to see the rights equivalent of Stewart and Colbert but I don't think the show would succeed. What are you going to make fun of? People in favor of bettering the country(left)? The right isn't capable of doing it as tastefully as Stewart and Colbert have.
It's no stretch to say that the news on Jon Stewarts show is much more accurate then anything you see on Fox News. All polls show that the Daily Show viewers are more in tune with current events then Fox News viewers.
I think they're both doing a great job in exposing the hypocrisy of the system. Most people don't have the patience to investigate the corruption in our govt.. The show provides an entertaining medium to get the information out there.
2007-08-09 11:19:18 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think they are relevant to mainstream media, they have enough viewers.
They are what I would consider a half source of news. You can get the gist of a story from watching them but it is funnier if you already know what they are talking about.
They have no equivalents on other networks.
They are liberal or left because the way they make fun of current events stems from liberal criticisms.
You are right other comedians also are politically and their humor can be skewed. However this doesn't prove that Colbert and Stewart aren't political but rather that many comedians have political biases. This is ok though because they are not really considered as news sources but are seen as entertainers.
I am liberal. I love Colbert and my favorite thing that he has done was his speech at the White House Correspondent's Dinner- look for it on youtube. Priceless.
2007-08-09 11:14:37 · answer #2 · answered by sbcalif 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I love Jon, but Colbert is kind of silly.
They do have a relevant voice; they reach a lot of people who have a sense of humor. They also don't preach and label, don't see the world in black and white, and Jon raises what to me are the most important questions of the day. Jon isn't totally biased like Hannity or O'Reilly, who seem to be "the Church Lady's hottest fantasies. I haven't given Colbert much time. I'd rather watch Sean and see the holes in most of his arguments. But I think it's great to see Comedy Central having news shows. The TV news networks and cable tend to be shallow, repetitive, and incomplete at best. And not a bit funny, which helps the medicine go down.
2007-08-09 10:35:44 · answer #3 · answered by topink 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
They are not intended to be reliable sources for news or opinion. they're supposed to be funny. In this, they are wildly successful, in my opinion. They are relevant in that important people are actually willing (In some cases, eager) to appear on their shows. The questions are not often hard-hitting, but they do provide a platform.
I don't think they are supposed to have any real-life equivalents. Colbert is an amalgam parody, making fun of the concept rather than an individual example of the concept. Stewart doesn't even bother to act like a real anchor.
2007-08-09 10:28:25 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 0⤋
I think they have been an inspiration to the young people to get involved in politics. Their style of political satire has put the MSM to shame in the fact that the people who watch them know more about current events around the world than those who watch the so called NEWS outlets.
They were the first to take the govt to task over so many issues. As i think Jon Stewart said himself it is a sad indictment of the country when people have to watch a satire to get their news.
2007-08-09 10:30:10 · answer #5 · answered by ??? 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I'm a liberal/progressive. I think they're both brilliant, although I give the edge to Jon Stewart. They both brilliantly skewer stupidity and hypocrisy. They're also willing to ask questions and make points that the mainstream media just don't have to guts to do.
2007-08-09 10:34:36 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
best thing jon stewart did was on crossfire calling their program a joke and other "news" co as well -he was right when he said that "real" news was a disservice to the countries citizens and then the rep and dem tried accusing him of the same and he said "my show is right after a show about puppets making prank phone calls how can you compare "
2007-08-09 10:42:48 · answer #7 · answered by rooster 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think they are both brilliant. Love em. Stephen Colbert, especially, but they both have a great way of bringing truths about politics to light. They have guts. Can't get enough.
2007-08-09 11:39:20 · answer #8 · answered by Linz ♥ VT 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They're very funny when they talk about current events, which makes it more relatable to the "MTV Generation". I don't think people should use them as their only source for news, but it is a good way to stay current.
2007-08-09 10:31:36 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Although comedians their shows present relevant information intentionally skipped by the so called real news.
2007-08-09 10:33:57 · answer #10 · answered by Jose R 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋