The Daily Show is a source of controversy when its affect on democracy is analyzed. Some critics, like Roderick P. Hart and E. Johanna Hartelius who wrote “The Political Sins of Jon Stewart”, believe that Jon Stewart and his use of cynicism are harmful to Democracy. Conversely, Robert Harriman who wrote “In Defense of Jon Stewart” concedes that Jon Stewart is a cynic “for [the purpose] of coming to the key point of judgment” (274) although he considers Jon Stewart a helpful defender of democracy rather than a harmful offender. Similarly, Lisa Colletta the author of “Political Satire and Postmodern Irony in the Age of Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart” feels that satire, rather than cynicism, which she believes is the form of rhetoric that Jon Stewart uses, is beneficial to democracy. In all, through an analysis of Roderick P. Hart and E. Johanna Hartelius’ “The Political Sins of Jon Stewart”, Robert Harriman’s “In Defense of Jon Stewart”, and Lisa Colletta’s “Political Satire and Postmodern Irony in the Age of Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart” I feel that Jon Stewart’s use of satire on The Daily Show is constructive for democracy.…
In Jason Zinser’s “The Good, the Bad, and The Daily Show” his purpose was to formulate a response to the uncertainty regarding the legitimacy and ethics of ‘fake’ news sources. Zinser begins by discussing if it is acceptable to obtain information from a humorous and often satirical news source (in this example, The Daily Show), he points out that “the question isn’t whether Jon Stewart or the show’s producers and writers are morally corrupt people, but whether or not fake news is, on the whole, beneficial or damaging to society” (Zinser 363-364). In other words, he begs the question, can we really be an informed public that can contribute, comprehend, and function as a democracy through the projections of a ‘fake’ news source?…
Politically smart people watch shows attuned to a higher understanding of politics and the involved players. The average person does not watch shows such as “Meet the Press” or “Face the Nation”. A higher percentage are instead undereducated, unsure or lacking in opinion when it comes to submitting their vote. As such, programs starring Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers and Stephen Colbert are making up the difference in supplying current political information (Kolbert, 71). Political comedy programs discuss current events, encouraging politicians to make appearances to discuss their recent decisions, actions or mistakes.…
In 1860, the public were eager to listen to Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas debate for several hours; however, since television is centered around entertainment, most of today’s public focus on the presidential nominees criticizing each other, attending talk shows, and posting pictures on social media. For example, after an hour-long democratic debate, the media and social media erupted about Bernie Sander’s “burn” against Hillary Clinton. Most people do not even know what the debate was about. Also, “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon” and “Saturday Night Live” often make fun of the presidential nominees. Americans love these talk shows, catchy news headlines, and blowups in social media, but, simultaneously, television is mitigating the seriousness of the presidential election. Television forces Americans to think lightly of the presidential election, which ultimately affects the way citizens vote. In today’s society, citizens are more likely to vote for a presidential candidate based on their looks or humorousness than in the 1800’s. Altogether, television has blinded Americans about the seriousness of the presidential…
Conceive of a time of an active shooter situation was occurring somewhere around the USA an instead of CNN’s Anderson Cooper report the news, a comedian such as Jon Stewart is the newscaster. Most likely viewers would shake their heads and change the TV channel to another news channel. An article by student Christopher Moore called “Information Plus Satire: Why The Daily Show and The Colbert are Good Sources of News for Young People” in the anthology Writing Arguments a Rhetoric with Readings by John d. Ramage, Jon c. Bean, and June Johnson; Moore writes about why satire news like The Colbert Report and The Daily Show good sources of news for young people This is not true, major news channels like CNN, FOX News…
Steve Harvey wants to help the black community but, going to trump tower and taking a picture with trump on martin luther king weekend made it look more agreeable than helpful. The Purpose of this research paper is to prove that trevor noah on the daily show was wrong with every word he had to claim. Bringing a fake steve harvey on to the show just made the mood more easier but he made some important points. The Daily Show with Trevor Noah is a big time Tv show where they talk about different events every day.…
2. To "function as sort of editorial cartoon" means he draws editorial cartoons that contain some sort of political or social commentary. When he says that "we [the show] are a digestive process" he means they break down any complicated political or social issue going on in the world and they present in a humorous or satire way.…
If straight, white males make up around 20 percent of the population in America, how is it that they are the face of American television, on and off screen? Minorities, such as women and African Americans, are under-represented in media, especially television. The lack of diversity is evident, and unfair to minorities, and it is necessary to introduce variety in television.…
The tensions and distrust of Republican officials by the disenfranchised party members has provided the backdrop to Donald Trump’s presidential campaign. In the current presidential election Republican candidate Donald Trump has been covered more extensively than any other candidate. Much of Donald Trump’s rhetoric are centered around shock value statements that make perfect controversial sound bites that are then repeatedly played on news channels, television shows, and posted online. According to an estimate by the New York Times the air time Donald Trump has received is worth over two billion dollars. Regardless of the fact that much of the coverage Trump has received the main value of all of that television coverage has been name recognition.…
The 16th episode of season 29 of Saturday Night Live welcomed the presidential hopeful Donald Trump to host the show. The sold-out performance received copious amounts of criticism from a variety of pro-immigrant, hispanic and other minority organizations. Despite the speculation, the show went on, and Trump was warmly welcomed onto the SNL stage. Despite their host, the show did not hold off in making fun of the guest. Saturday Night Live was adequately funny and witty as usual, though I do not believe that the host contributed to their success.…
Today media through television and publications have seen a rise in fake news, especially through the internet on social media. “He was not troubled by the fact that every word he murmured into the speakwrite, every stroke of his ink-pencil, was a deliberate lie. He was as anxious as anyone else in the Department that the forgery should be perfect” (Orwell 151). The corruption of language and veracity was foreshadowed by George Orwell in his writings. The term “fake news” first broke out at a press conference where the new President-elect, Donald Trump, exclaimed “You are fake news!” to Jim Acosta of CNN. The past presidential election was a basis for this practice of distorting facts for emotional persuasion in order to cause action among viewers (Carson). The Two Minutes hate in 1984 can be an example of that, members of the party watch videos everyday about supposed “enemies” of the party and everyone takes part…
Cartoons Daily | Facebook. Conservative Political Cartoons Daily, 17 Oct. 2011. Web. 09 Nov. 2013.…
Most citizens wouldn’t have much negative feelings towards the bias in the media, if said media wouldn’t have so much animosity to change based on the news topic at hand. Most well-known media members are stubborn and believe what a particular political party dose or says is right. So much so, they agree with said party even if they believe they’re far left on certain situations. However, a questionable television show mocks and makes fun of politics. They try to bring laughter about the matter instead of sugar coating and being bias about the situation. Brian Anderson said, “South Park, now in its eighth season on the cable channel Comedy Central, is something of an acquired taste; its plot twists are grotesque, and foul language spews forth from its button-cute protagonists. But laced among the obscenities is some surprisingly sophisticated political satire. And unlike typical Hollywood fare, South Park picks its targets on an equal-opportunity basis, skewering figures on the Left and Right alike.” (Anderson) The general public would be more reluctant to view the media as bias, if they would simply call it how it…
The Colbert Report made a parody about the small city of Vicco. More importantly, the parody focused on making a joke of the mayor of Vicco (Johnny Cummings) who fought to pass a fairness ordinance on LGBT discrimination. This ordinance would give lesbians, gays, bi-sexual, and transgender citizens the protection from being denied of jobs, housing, and fair treatment. The ordinance was indeed passed, and became the smallest town in America to pass something of this sort. The mayor, being an openly gay individual, was the main focus of Mr. Colbert’s jokes, as well as other fellow citizens of the city of Vicco. The parody also showed the other citizens opinions of the ordinance. Most of the people of Vicco agreed with Mr. Cummings, and wanted to pass this ordinance; but some, such as the local pastor, Truman Hurt, strongly disagreed with this ordinance. “We should be able to fire them, deny them service, or deny them help.” declared Truman. He did not agree with gay people’s lifestyles, and he did not want them to give them the protection that this ordinance would give them if passed. Mr. Colbert’s claim is that the mayor of this town is trying to make Vicco better by making it “gayer”, which he does not agree with. Where as the majority of the people of Vicco are open minded to the situation, and see no problem with it at all. Mr. Colbert claim’s that by Johnny Cummings fight for less discrimination of LGBT people, he is destroying America. It seems as if Mr. Colbert does not want this to spread to other cities, but the mayor of this town does. They are on opposite sides of the spectrum, defending opposing opinions.…
Chuck Klosterman delves into the concept of overall coercion and deception with his strong analysis on the superficial topic of a television show in order to analyze society on a micro and macro level. Throughout the article, “Being Zack Morris”, Klosterman uses NBC’s coercion of their audience as an extended metaphor for the political corruption of the government due to consumerism and Marxism.…