“Like court jesters of old, [Jon] Stewart and [Stephen] Colbert – politically marginalized with their “’fake news’” formats – criticize the ruling administration in a manner that is humorous and therefore non-threatening while also insightful and brutally honest” (Julia Fox, 2011). For years, Stewart and Colbert have used their “fake news” programs on Comedy Central to shed light on important political issues and governmental missteps to viewers who shy away from traditional journalism sources. Stewart and Colbert’s style of “fake news” can be very beneficial in getting viewers interested in politics and the important issues of the day, but they can also cloud the subject. On an even more somber note, the popularity of “fake news” shows can
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Stewart is even on record stating that he is a comedian and that “[he’s] just doing what idiots like [him] have done for thousands of years” (Fox, 2011; Lynch, 2012). Colbert describes his character, an ultra-conservative Republic who strictly adheres the party line in an exaggerated manor, as “an active idiot” (Lynch, 2012). While Stewart and Colbert have been compared to the fools of Shakespearean plays, they have also been compared to Edward R. Murrow, Walter Cronkite, and the Greek philosopher, Socrates (Lynch, 2012). The Daily Show(TDS) and The Colbert Report (TCR) were designed to mix important current issues for public consideration, couched in humor and silliness. While TCR is a spin-off of TDR, both shows take unique approaches in pulling back the curtains to expose the truth behind media …show more content…
Now that both gentlemen have left their respective shows, there is a vacuum in the “fake news” arena. The new host for TDR has failed to make the same lasting impression as Stewart and there was no replacement for Colbert, who shed his TCR persona when he took over The Late Show. This absence was never more apparent than in this year’s election. In elections past, both Stewart and Colbert focused their shows on candidate and election coverage, informing the voters on such things as candidate status. Without their strong presence, many voters who had come to rely on their “fake news” shows were left to research candidates and I think that the results speak for themselves. Over this election year, I have heard numerous people around me wondering who they should vote for, with many focusing on the two main political parties without researching the multitude of other candidates on the ballot. Stewart and Colbert tried to use their influence on The Late Show to get voters out there, but it seems that it was too little, too
Stewart is even on record stating that he is a comedian and that “[he’s] just doing what idiots like [him] have done for thousands of years” (Fox, 2011; Lynch, 2012). Colbert describes his character, an ultra-conservative Republic who strictly adheres the party line in an exaggerated manor, as “an active idiot” (Lynch, 2012). While Stewart and Colbert have been compared to the fools of Shakespearean plays, they have also been compared to Edward R. Murrow, Walter Cronkite, and the Greek philosopher, Socrates (Lynch, 2012). The Daily Show(TDS) and The Colbert Report (TCR) were designed to mix important current issues for public consideration, couched in humor and silliness. While TCR is a spin-off of TDR, both shows take unique approaches in pulling back the curtains to expose the truth behind media …show more content…
Now that both gentlemen have left their respective shows, there is a vacuum in the “fake news” arena. The new host for TDR has failed to make the same lasting impression as Stewart and there was no replacement for Colbert, who shed his TCR persona when he took over The Late Show. This absence was never more apparent than in this year’s election. In elections past, both Stewart and Colbert focused their shows on candidate and election coverage, informing the voters on such things as candidate status. Without their strong presence, many voters who had come to rely on their “fake news” shows were left to research candidates and I think that the results speak for themselves. Over this election year, I have heard numerous people around me wondering who they should vote for, with many focusing on the two main political parties without researching the multitude of other candidates on the ballot. Stewart and Colbert tried to use their influence on The Late Show to get voters out there, but it seems that it was too little, too