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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Bee is clearly comedic fiction. Sorry, she is. Starting with a predetermined destination is no way to argue your point, at least not with any critical thinking involved.
Oliver is quite a bit better, but clearly has his own bias/blind spots as do we all. Plenty of critical thinking goes on with his show. I don't always agree with the conclusions, but I don't see any hard line agendas. There are often slants towards the left, but I think they are expected due to who Oliver is. I like that he calls out the lefts BS often enough to maintain some credibility.