Jon Stewart is an Idiot
This guy:
is an idiot. He used to be funny - sometimes still is - but has combined a potentially hilarious format and demeanor with politics in a way that is nothing but bitter propaganda wrapped in a sweet tortilla shell of comedy.The problem is not primarily that he rips on conservatives and conservative ideas. His bias is quite clear. The problem is that he does it in a way that isn't funny. Here are some examples I found on a discussion board, although every episode has plenty of them:
"Hurricane Katrina is George Bush's Monica Lewinsky. One difference, and I'll say this, the only difference is this: That tens of thousands of people weren't stranded in Monica Lewinsky's vagina. That is the only difference."Not funny. His "humor" is "funny" for his audience because it is cynical mocking of conservatives, and that's the problem. As a contrast, Stephen Colbert, who is on right after him, is immensely funny, even though a lot of his humor is directed at conservatives. Humor is not Stewart's first priority; attacking conservatives and Republicans is.
"George W. Bush is going to build a new dam in Iraq..so that we can fight the water over there..instead of over here."
Stewart also intentionally takes quotes out of contrast to make public figures look like idiots. He tries to appear to be objective by doing it to liberals too, but "mocks" them by merely making them sound funny, not moronic. Despite the unbalanced attacks, his "funny" quotes would still be fine if he did it right (in a way where it is clear they are out of context), but he doesn't. The sole purpose is mockery, and in a way that isn't even fair. This reveals a principal many on the Left live by: the truth doesn't matter, only the point that is being made.
Essentially, Jon Stewart is a propagandist, who has little concern for either accuracy or true comedy. That is why Jon Stewart is an idiot.
posted by Chris Hill @ 4/03/2007 08:14:00 PM
12 comments
12 Comments:
Chris,
Even though I don't watch TV, or have cable for that matter, I completely agree. I've observed people on the left going on ten years now, and have come to several conclusions, one being that liberalism is felt, not thought. He would have a very difficult time defending his arguments, which seem to be based solely on emotion, if he were challenged with logic, facts, and reason. But this rarely occurs. That's the beauty of being on the left. You don't have to know anything. This is one reason why there are so many marginal people within the left's ranks. Every anti war rally displays this beautifully. Unfortunately, his mentality is shared by those who now run our Congress, at a time of war no less. Never before has our country been so poorly served by one of our two political parties.
Jed
Jed,
Agreed. He had John (Jon?) Bolton on the other week. Bolton said some things he didn't agree with (issues of fact), and Stewart didn't say much in the interview. The next show, I believe, he had someone else on the phone with lots of qualifications. She was on a previous show and had said something contrary to what Bolton said (don't remember what it was for now). Because this person agreed with Stewart and said that Bolton was wrong, it was funny and Bolton was made to look like an idiot. There was very little discussion of why such and such was fact, and certainly not an intelligent dialog.
I've never thought John Stewart was funny; his humour is actually very bland in my opinion. Ragging on conservatives is totally the trendy thing to do these days anyway, even more so than owning an Mac or eating organic food, you must not have gotten the memo.
Chris,
You can see Jon Stewart's interview with John Bolton here.
Bolton made himself look like an idiot when he contested the historical fact that Lincoln's cabinet was made up of people who disagreed with him. Watch the video at 6:00 remaining.
I'm also going to have to disagree with you guys about Stewart being an idiot. He may not be the most hilarious man on the planet, but he knows his history and politics, he's got a quick wit (which also means that I disagree with your comment about his discussion with Bolton lacking intelligence), and he has made some excellent (or at least thought-provoking) points in the past.
Knowledge isn't what makes him an idiot. His techniques do.
Regarding Bolton, the issue was not the facts of history, but the manner in which it was "discussed." The purpose was mockery, not intellectual pursuit or comedy (2 things that, when attempted to be combined, create something such as Jon Stewart).
Dominic: "you must not have gotten the memo"
Why do you find the need to insult others so frequently?
Hahaha. Wow... I looked something like this after I read that.
If you're upset about not getting the memos there's two things you could do. One: become MySpace buddies with any one of the Clinton's, or two: buy a hybrid car. Both will automatically allow you to recieve mass-emails describing the new fashionable trends for the politically minded youth of this generation! It's that easy!
I definitely agree with the assessment that Colbert is funny while Stewart is not. Both clearly make fun of conservatives. I have thought about this some and, as you alluded to, I think the key is John Stewart's bitterness. Conservative or liberal, bitter people are more annoying than they are funny. Stewart comes across as bitter and agenda-driven while Colbert is pure comedic satire. Both rip on conservatives but only the latter is entertaining.
Jordan,
I think you hit on something powerful there. Stewart is definitely bitter.
Dominic,
Your insult was not warranted. I don't know why that's funny. You seem to insult others frequently. As such, I would ask that you please not post here unless you can refrain from doing that. Thank you.
"I don't know why that's funny."
Your reactions make me laugh sometimes, no offense. I mean, I post a humorous, light-hearted remark and you think I'm trying to insult you. Seriously, that's kind of funny. It's like you think I'm out to get you so immediately the defenses go up. Even funnier is the fact that your blog entry is called "Jon Stewart is an idiot" and you scold me for insulting you, but whatever. Blogs are for fun. Surely you got that memo. Lighten up. Sorry for insulting you. This picture is a fair expression of the spirit I am trying to communicate in. This is not.
Comprendes?
Dominic,
You come across as condescending in a lot of what you say (including what you just said, comprendes?). To ask me if I got the memo is a rather rude comment, even if you meant it in a light hearted way. Yes, blogs can be fun, but they also can be serious. I've had both kinds of posts on mine.
I don't take the comment personally, am glad you didn't mean it as an insult, and forgive you. I don't think you're out to get me, but my response to you was a fair one.
Again, I would ask that you please refrain from insulting others as you have on my blog (whether intended or not). And since this was way off topic, I don't intend to continue discussing the issue.
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