2008 Woodie Awards
Daily Show: News with a Laugh
Maria Miaoulis
Issue date: 12/7/06 Section: Entertainment
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Comedy Central is perhaps the last channel one would expect to tune in to for news. However, the satirical program, "The Daily Show," has become a pop culture phenomenon as the most trusted source in television for political news.
The show opens with host Jon Stewart putting a comedic spin on the major news headlines that are pulled from a variety of newspapers and cable news channels. "On location" reports are sometimes included, but it is obvious that the "senior correspondents," or actors, are using green screens. Interviews with actual politicians, celebrities, etc. then follow.
This humorous format has won "The Daily Show" numerous awards including the Peabody and several Emmies for best news and information program. Despite this prestige, Stewart insists he is a comedian, not a journalist. In constantly pointing out the show's lack of credibility, the writers have freedom to say what news programs cannot under a comedic pretense and still make an impact.
In fact, the show's success was officially recognized in a 2004 National Annenberg Election Survey. The survey indicated that "Daily Show" viewers were better informed about the election as opposed to people who relied on broadcast television and newspapers for their information.
Reuters.com commented on the surprising results and came to the conclusion that "… a comedian… has more sway with the average 18-to 34-year-old than Tom Brokaw, Peter Jennings and Dan Rather combined."
When asked whether "The Daily Show" had any significance in his life, senior communication major Devin Miller replied, "I watch it almost religiously or TiVo it."
The show's spin-off, "The Colbert Report," parodies political programs such as "The O'Reilly Factor" in a similar format to "The Daily Show." Yet host Steven Colbert attacks guests who do not agree with him instead of graciously questioning like Stewart.
"[Colbert] goes a little too far with his Republican rightist views, and he definitely pushes more buttons than Stewart," said Miller.
The two extremes represented in each program highlight America's principle political affiliations. Whether or not the audience agrees with either is far from the point. Since the debut of these satirical news programs, Stewart and Colbert have forced Americans to become critical media consumers and to notice that the world is changing.
"The Daily Show" airs Monday through Thursday at 11 p.m. followed by "The Colbert Report" at 11:30 p.m. on Comedy Central.
The show opens with host Jon Stewart putting a comedic spin on the major news headlines that are pulled from a variety of newspapers and cable news channels. "On location" reports are sometimes included, but it is obvious that the "senior correspondents," or actors, are using green screens. Interviews with actual politicians, celebrities, etc. then follow.
This humorous format has won "The Daily Show" numerous awards including the Peabody and several Emmies for best news and information program. Despite this prestige, Stewart insists he is a comedian, not a journalist. In constantly pointing out the show's lack of credibility, the writers have freedom to say what news programs cannot under a comedic pretense and still make an impact.
In fact, the show's success was officially recognized in a 2004 National Annenberg Election Survey. The survey indicated that "Daily Show" viewers were better informed about the election as opposed to people who relied on broadcast television and newspapers for their information.
Reuters.com commented on the surprising results and came to the conclusion that "… a comedian… has more sway with the average 18-to 34-year-old than Tom Brokaw, Peter Jennings and Dan Rather combined."
When asked whether "The Daily Show" had any significance in his life, senior communication major Devin Miller replied, "I watch it almost religiously or TiVo it."
The show's spin-off, "The Colbert Report," parodies political programs such as "The O'Reilly Factor" in a similar format to "The Daily Show." Yet host Steven Colbert attacks guests who do not agree with him instead of graciously questioning like Stewart.
"[Colbert] goes a little too far with his Republican rightist views, and he definitely pushes more buttons than Stewart," said Miller.
The two extremes represented in each program highlight America's principle political affiliations. Whether or not the audience agrees with either is far from the point. Since the debut of these satirical news programs, Stewart and Colbert have forced Americans to become critical media consumers and to notice that the world is changing.
"The Daily Show" airs Monday through Thursday at 11 p.m. followed by "The Colbert Report" at 11:30 p.m. on Comedy Central.
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