From News to Comedy Shows?

Ok, I can't judge on this subject, because I have not all the information due to me being a German and not a US citizen. I have recently read an article at the German Online newspaper SpiegelOnline, where they debate the change of educated (College/University) people from mainstream news networks to comedy centrals Daily Show with Jon Stewart and The Colbert Report. The article concluded that this was a reaction to the belief that mainstream media have turned out to be no more than a propaganda machine for the US government (regardless of CNN or FOX News). So, amongst the college students and graduates, serious news media have lost their appeal and instead they are watching the cynical little sisters at Comedy Central.

Is there any truth in this article/notion? Are those shows liberal-biased or are they just funny? Have the educated gone dumb?

Post 1

Sunday, October 30, 2005 - 1:09pm

My quick impression is that it's true, Max. Though THE DAILY SHOW does take jabs and features guests from both sides of the spectrum, you get the feeling that it's more liberally inclined. (Hence the remark by Tucker Carlson that Stewart was Kerry's "buttboy"). The book The Daily Show with Jon Stewart Presents America (The Book): A Citizen's Guide to Democracy Inaction should tell you the slant the show presents, and Stewart is a liberal. The main thrust of THE DAILY SHOW, though, is mocking the media. And making us forget about Craig Kilbourne.

Post 2

Monday, October 31, 2005 - 3:16am

Well, at least he is mocking the nationalized media services ;) and he does indeed point out some very humorous (albeit ripped out of context) glitches in the shows (just found the video footage on the website). Although, I prefer Colbert's very dry sense of humour, he is the better comedian (and not so obviously left-leaning).

Post 3

Thursday, November 10, 2005 - 11:17am