Robert N EmersonThe Daily Show with Jon Stewart – Entertaining, Informative and Important
October 12th 2006 02:35
There are plans in my household to upgrade to Foxtel Digital from our basic analogue package. I’m looking forward to it for one reason – that reason is Jon Stewart.
Jon Stewart, in case you weren’t aware, is the host of The Daily Show, a satirical news programme that delves into biting political commentary as well as trends and social issues. It is hilarious and thought provoking, and Jon Stewart is a very charismatic presenter.
The full show is exclusive to the Comedy Channel, but a ‘Global Edition’ does air on SBS on Thursday nights at 10.00pm. This half-hour show takes highlights from the preceding week that aren’t too America-centric. The editing is poor and the apparently some of the funniest content is lost because they believe we antipodeans won’t get it, but it is still entertaining viewing.
I think it is a shame that this sort of scathing satire is somewhat absent from Australian TV. The closest we have are The Glass House and The Chaser’s War on Everything. The Glass House seems to have lost its way in recent years – the show is becoming less political and more superficial. It doesn’t help that Wil Anderson and Corinne Grant seem to become less and less likeable with each passing episode.
As for the boys from the Chaser, their effort to keep Australian political and social commentary alive is commendable. The show does tend to delve into shock-value stunts and amusing-but-trivial gags fairly frequently though.
So you’re probably wondering why I think it is so important that programmes such as The Daily Show are on the air. While the show may brand itself as ‘the fake news’, it is hardly the case. A recent study found that The Daily Show is just as substantive as network news coverage. Vehicles like The Daily Show are an excellent way for young people who aren’t interested in ordinary news to become informed and politically minded. It also keeps the media and politicians on their toes – without the checks and balances provided by satire, it is easy to become complacent.
So I will eagerly await the day where I can watch the non-truncated Daily Show to my heart’s content. The only thing that could be better would be if they also aired The Colbert Report straight afterwards – a spin off that lampoons cable opinion shows such as The O’Reilly Factor. I also hope that, someday soon, our own Jon Stewart will emerge from the proverbial primordial swamp, wide eyed and ready to take on Australian society.
Jon Stewart, in case you weren’t aware, is the host of The Daily Show, a satirical news programme that delves into biting political commentary as well as trends and social issues. It is hilarious and thought provoking, and Jon Stewart is a very charismatic presenter.
The full show is exclusive to the Comedy Channel, but a ‘Global Edition’ does air on SBS on Thursday nights at 10.00pm. This half-hour show takes highlights from the preceding week that aren’t too America-centric. The editing is poor and the apparently some of the funniest content is lost because they believe we antipodeans won’t get it, but it is still entertaining viewing.
I think it is a shame that this sort of scathing satire is somewhat absent from Australian TV. The closest we have are The Glass House and The Chaser’s War on Everything. The Glass House seems to have lost its way in recent years – the show is becoming less political and more superficial. It doesn’t help that Wil Anderson and Corinne Grant seem to become less and less likeable with each passing episode.
As for the boys from the Chaser, their effort to keep Australian political and social commentary alive is commendable. The show does tend to delve into shock-value stunts and amusing-but-trivial gags fairly frequently though.
So you’re probably wondering why I think it is so important that programmes such as The Daily Show are on the air. While the show may brand itself as ‘the fake news’, it is hardly the case. A recent study found that The Daily Show is just as substantive as network news coverage. Vehicles like The Daily Show are an excellent way for young people who aren’t interested in ordinary news to become informed and politically minded. It also keeps the media and politicians on their toes – without the checks and balances provided by satire, it is easy to become complacent.
So I will eagerly await the day where I can watch the non-truncated Daily Show to my heart’s content. The only thing that could be better would be if they also aired The Colbert Report straight afterwards – a spin off that lampoons cable opinion shows such as The O’Reilly Factor. I also hope that, someday soon, our own Jon Stewart will emerge from the proverbial primordial swamp, wide eyed and ready to take on Australian society.
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Comment by Ruth
NSW
ACT
VIC
SA
WA
NT
QLD
TAS
Both are refreshing alternatives to the crap current affairs and bigotry preaching shows like O-Reilly and Nancy Grace.
Comment by Nina
Have you ever seen his work in Strangers With Candy? The show is absolutely twisted, but so clever.
Comment by Aaron
Aaron.
Comment by Big Cat
Chatterpillar
Goodonyuh.
Big Cat
Comment by Nina
Always nice to meet another television enthusiast and struggling university student. I see you are in the US so I will have to be careful with spoilers when on your blog - here in Australia we tend to be very, very far behind on shows!
BigCat,
Pervez Musharraf was a very entertaining guest, and is actually the first acting head-of-state to appear on the show. I admire a politician who is willing to take a risk by appearing on a show such as this and doesn't take himself too seriously.
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Closest thing we have to the comedic holy trinity Bill Hicks, Lenny Bruce and George carlin.
Comment by Nina