Quote:
Originally Posted by Direckshun
Ah, and step number three is where you’re mischaracterizing these guys, and epically so. This is precisely why you’re twisted up about these guys.
Ask yourself: what comedic editorial trick did the Daily Show master under Jon Stewart?
Playing clips of politicians and media figures shamelessly contradicting themselves for political expediency. The Daily Show also earned a reputation for playing soundbites of hilariously stupid arguments made by the media and those in power and shitting all over them for it. Colbert Report mastered that. Oliver and Bee take it to the next level by shattering the arguments that those in power are making — and we know they are making those arguments because both Oliver and Bee play clips of them making those arguments.
So to correct your reductive pattern of Stewart/Colbert/Oliver/Bee:
They have an idea.
They wonder why that idea hasn’t been enacted.
They then play clips of people in power and the media saying why it hasn’t been enacted.
They then call their bullshit, and present their counterargument.
That’s why these shows are influential editorials. They are funny, but they actionably take a stand that you can evaluate.
To call them “comedic fiction” is ridiculous.
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Don't even try this bullshit.
This bullshit is EXACTLY what is pernicious about their method.
'They play clips' - yeah, 2 seconds clips completely out of context that they then spend the next 5 minutes explaining to you what the person meant, probably meant, and why they said it.
And the thing is, it's not that their methods can't be rebutted, but it takes time, research, and energy to rebut 'an entertainment segment' that just isn't worth it, particularly with the sheer volume they put out.
That's not to say there are aren't times when they get the argument completely right, but that's part of the point. The few times they clearly get it right lend unearned credibility to the many many other times they are shamefully misrepresenting or distorting the facts.
It's entertaining and lucrative, and they work hard on it. But it's no more truthful or journalistic than any other partisan talking head. If you insist that they are presenting 'humor filled editorial' that consistently gets it right, you're no different from a Rush or Hannity fan.
Case in point, the segment above about 'Late Night Journalism' is long. 20 minutes long. And it only highlights a couple of aspects about a few clips from a particular point in time. Watch the segment and tell me it doesn't have merit.