I love Jon Stewart.
So it was no surprise when I recently learned that the comedian and fake newsman was chosen as
America’s Most Trusted Newscaster following the death of Walter Cronkite. In an online Time magazine poll, Stewart beat out NBC’s Brian Williams, ABC’s Charlie Gibson, and CBS’s Katie Couric. Granted, only 9,410 people participated in the poll, but I’d say it’s probably pretty accurate.
I am an avid fan of “The Daily Show” but I was a follower of Stewart’s even before the comedian got the gig as America‘s favorite fake newsman. His stand-up has always been heavy on political and media scrutiny, and although Stewart’s politics appear to be progressive, he does a great job of skewering both political parties with equal zeal.
However, I don’t think it’s Stewart’s politics that have made “The Daily Show,” and its anchor, so popular. My guess is, it’s the enlightening real news and research that goes into the show’s story segments.
When politicians or political pundits say one thing then turn around and contradict themselves later without admitting that they were wrong the first time, “The Daily Show” is probably the only place you’ll see that contradiction exposed.
Jon Stewart was the only person who had the kahones to look Jim Cramer, of CNBC’s “Mad Money” Wall Street investment advice show, in the eyes and ask why the average American investor should “Trust in Him” when he told viewers that Bear Stearns was going to be fine moments before the investment bank tanked in 2008. And that was only one of the instances where the financial wizard got it wrong.
Stewart has also scored interviews with many political, financial, science, history, military, and foreign relations experts and key players, in addition to hosting popular artists, entertainers and musicians.
“The Daily Show” audience learns a great deal about world issues, domestic affairs and pop culture on a nightly basis.
Admittedly, Stewart has an easier job of telling the news - he can use sarcasm, cynicism and silliness to deliver the day’s insanities. He can be incredulous over the idiocy of the “Birthers” movement (a group that questions President Obama’s nationality), mocking of the media circus that was, is and will be the Michael Jackson death saga; and critical of political pontification regardless of the party it comes from.
Network newscasters are charged with relaying the news in an objective manner. Just the facts. Unfortunately, they often interpret journalistic integrity to mean just letting each side state it’s case without really questioning the validity of the arguments presented.
Politicians on both sides of the aisle constantly give incomplete, misleading, and just plain false information. Very few network and cable newscasters ever call them on it. “The Daily Show” often does. THAT’S not fake.
Stewart also has the benefit of comedy.
It’s a lot easier to swallow the bitter pill of disappointing politicians, government leaders, and fellow humans, with a spoonful of laughter.
Johnny Carson, Lenny Bruce, Richard Pryor, George Carlin, Whoopi Goldberg, Dave Chappelle, George Carlin, Lewis Black, Janeane Garofalo, Margaret Cho … the list of brilliant, provocative jesters goes on and on and on. Messengers of misery that delivered the disappointments of society with grace and guffaws.
Comedy is the one place where blacks, whites, Latinos, Muslims, Christians, Jews, cops, criminals, homo- and heterosexuals can come together and laugh at our hypocrisies and prejudices.
Let’s face it, we’re all guilty of preconceived notions and biases. We’re only human, after all.
The one place where we accept each other and our ugly truths is at a comedy show.
Humor makes the icky stuff go down smoother. So, Stewart has a slightly more receptive audience than network news.
While the Time poll is completely unscientific, I hope network news will take the hint and start giving viewers news they can use to make informed decisions about the difficult issues facing America and the world.
* New episodes of
“The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” air
at 11 p.m. ET, Monday through Thursday on Comedy Central. Catch full episodes online.
Here are some other great reasons NOT to kill your TV:* If you like “The Daily Show’s” satirical take on politics and media, you’ll probably also enjoy its spin-off
“The Colbert Report,” which follows at
11:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday on Comedy Central, anchored by the brilliant blowhard, Stephen Colbert. He’ll keep you laughing while thoroughly offending SOMEBODY.
* Season 4 of the sizzling hot series
“America’s Best Dance Crew” premieres
at 9 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 9 on MTV. Watch determined dance crews perform some of the most amazing feats on this fresh, hot dance show. I’m amazed at some of the routines these crews come up with.
* Watch comedienne Joan Rivers get ripped a new one on
“The Comedy Central Roast of Joan Rivers” at
10 p.m. Sunday, August 9 on Comedy Central. Kathy Griffin emcees the festivities, which will feature some of the most offensive and ribald slams television can broadcast. Get ready to laugh.
*
“Lords of the Revolution,” a documentary series on counterculture icons,
kicks off Monday, Aug. 10 with an examination of the influence of Muhammad Ali. Other icons include Cheech & Chong, The Black Panthers, Timothy Leary and Andy Warhol.
The shows air at 8 p.m. each night next week on VH1. *
“Woodstock: Now & Then” premieres
at 8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 17 on the History channel. The documentary uses music, pictures, film and interviews to explore the legendary festival, from the days leading up to the historic event through its crazy, hazy, muddy, exhausted conclusion.
*
Finally, the BEST fashion designer competition series -
“Project Runway” - returns for a sixth season
at 10 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 20 on Lifetime. You can’t beat the talented team of Tim Gunn, my favorite uptight fashionista, and svelte supermodel, Heidi Klum. I’m so glad this show is back!
Here’s a recap of some upcoming local events:* The
167th annual Chemung County Fair kicks off today, Aug. 4 through Sunday, Aug. 9 at Chemung County Fairgrounds on Grand Central Avenue in Horseheads. The gates open at 11 a.m. daily. Visit the Web site for details.
*
Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at The Glen, the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series revs up the weekend, starting Thursday, Aug. 6 and running through Sunday, Aug. 9 at Watkins Glen International. www.theglen.com.
* The
43rd Annual Tioga County Fair takes place Aug. 10 through 15 at Tioga County Fairgrounds midway between Mansfield and Wellsboro in Whitneyville, Pa. The fair opens at 3 p.m. Aug. 10, and at 10 a.m. Aug. 11 through 15. Head to the website for more information.
* Catch
Chad Lefkowitz-Brown & Company at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21 at
the Starlite Room on Lake Road in Elmira. Enjoy fabulous jazz music in a swanky atmosphere at this martini bar and lounge.
* The mother of all fairs, the
New York State Fair, kicks off
Aug. 27 and runs through Sept. 7 in Syracuse. There will be lots of great entertainment, displays and more. Visit the website for details.
*
Mr./Miss Chemung County Pageant and Benefit, 8 p.m. Aug. 30 at the Starlite Room in Elmira. Catch an exciting drag pageant while helping out the American Red Cross and local food pantries. Admission is $5 and a can of food.
