Jokesters now the go-to guys for U.S. candidates

[DaveSZ]

This guy gets it about our media:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20040826/DOYLE26/TPEntertainment/TopStories

Jokesters now the go-to guys for U.S. candidates

By JOHN DOYLE
Thursday, August 26, 2004 - Page R2

John Kerry can't do comedy. The world kind of knew that already, but Kerry can do bemused politician. This talent might help him in his television appearances. It is unlikely to help him change the minds of rabid Republicans who hate his stinking guts.

The Kerry-hatred went up a few notches recently and that's why Kerry made a surprise appearance on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart on Tuesday night. The Daily Show (seen in Canada on CTV, weeknights at 12:05 a.m.) is an American cable show, airing on Comedy Central, which spoofs the news. It looks like a news program, with its grand opening music signalling puffed-up commentary about important issues. But what follows in the show is drenched in irony. It simultaneously sends up TV news programs and current events. A good deal of its comedy is very childish. Bizarrely, it has become one of the most important programs on American television.

-snip

Kerry needed to appear on The Daily Show because the American media itself has become ridiculous and he needs the endorsement of the jokers, not political pundits. The cable news shows that Jon Stewart mocks have become absurdly partisan. The print press is going through a period of self-flagellation as newspaper after newspaper apologizes and backtracks on its initial coverage of the need to go to war with Iraq.

There is no longer a mainstream media in the United States. Every outlet postures and preens. Comedy is now as important as political commentary. Only the jokers have integrity.

-more

[Stuckinthebush]

1. Isn't this the truth...

There is no longer a mainstream media in the United States. Every outlet postures and preens. Comedy is now as important as political commentary. Only the jokers have integrity.


We've been saying this for a while now.

[DaveSZ]

2. Kick

[thebigidea]

3. nothing bizzare about well-written stuff that cares about the truth

it deserves being "one of the most important programs on American television" - what else to do you have? The O'Reilly Factor?