Professors: Stewart, Colbert's tactics unconventional, effective

[underpants]

Source: LSU Reville

(Poli-Sci/Mass Com prof Michael) Xenos said satirical political programs like “The Daily Show” and “The Colbert Report” bring in viewers for different reasons. Some viewers are just fans of comedy and are only interested in their political and financial interviews because they are on a comedy show.

But some are actually interested in politics because of “soft” news shows like this, he said.

Bob Mann, mass communication professor, said Stewart is one of the few correspondents who bring honest media criticism to television.

“The one thing that “The Daily Show” does better than anybody else is media criticism,” Mann said. “It’s something that’s really missing in journalism today.”

“Why is it that a comedian is doing better interviews than most correspondents on television?” Mann said. “I’m not sure if it says more about Stewart or American politics, but it says something.”

Read more: http://www.lsureveille.com/entertainment/professors_stewart%252C_colbert_s_tactics_unconventional%252C_effective-1.1619929

[lumberjack_jeff]

1. Simple explanation: our system has become ridiculous.

I like to think that this wouldn't have worked for Edward R Murrow because governance was treated as serious business by elected officials.

Now, elected officials frequently don't care very much about governance, their only care is politics and self-interest. It's easy to poke fun at people who run for office on the basis that government inherently sucks, and then win, thus getting the opportunity to prove themselves right.

Their philosophical frame dictates that they do their job as badly as possible without jeopardizing reelection.

[rrneck]

2. It doesn't hurt that

they can use file footage to throw politician's words right back in their faces.

Given the ineptitude of the previous administration, the material almost wrote itself.

[otohara]

3. When you're more interested in being someone's BFF

seduced by corporate perks or even married to those in power, the result is a biased, out of touch media.

Thank God for John Stewart & Stephen Colbert.

[riverdeep]

4. Because we get our serious information from five corporations.

They control the horizontal, they control the vertical. They control what you see and how you will buy. There are certainly places that do uncompromising journalism, but no where that the masses watch. How many people watch Democracy Now? The only way to piggy-back on one of those corporations to get your message out, is to do so on the sly. Republicans tried it, but they keep on failing. Except for King of the Hill, I've never seen a funny Republican show, and that show is moderate Republican, not batshit crazy freeper Republican. Even on radio, where they dominate, it's only because of ownership rules. Dennis Miller is their funniest comedian and he sucks.

[CountAllVotes]

5. that pitchfork that Colbert had the other night

sent a very crystal clear message to me.

GO GET THE BASTARDS!!!

:kick:

[roguevalley]

6. I love his burning portfolios and general all around grooviness. :)

[KakistocracyHater]

7. Stephen Colbert is the sh**

He roasted Bush to his face-he's hot! Gutsy & awesome.

[intheflow]

8. Stewart doing such good reporting says more about corporate media gatekeeping than

it says about either Stewart or American politics.

[eridani]

9. Why is it? Because we live in a feudal society.

The court jesters are the only ones allowed to tell the truth.

[No Elephants]

10. Stewart, Colbert, effective. Gee, ya think? True AND entertaining. Imagine that.