The Daily Show has become lame

[Nie Trink Wasser]

I posted this at the Daily Show message board (http://www.comedycentral.com/tv_shows/thedailyshowwithjonstewart/community.jhtml) in response to seeing this irresponsible hogwash (rtsp://st21g1.services.att-idns.net/v1/494/1742/2597/dailyshow/stewart/jon_7131_300.rm)



Daily Show Political Bias has Ruined The Comic Value of the Show
Trink Nie Wasser posted 2003-30-04 12:21
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comedy is something that is supposed to make you laugh regardless of your political party or political leanings.

You genuinely laugh when something is funny.

YOU FAKE IT when the comedian is just pushing a political message and you HAVE to think it's funny if you agree with the message.


If you don't agree with the message and think there are elements being NEGLECTED and LEFT OUT...............then it's extremely lame.

lame.

a word that has come to be tied to the word GAY.

the Daily Show has become GAY/LAME and I rarely find it funny.

If I want to watch bull slack political manipulation I'll go watch that dead corpse of a show Saturday Night Live or maybe Hardball.


This is in response to watching the BUSH v/s BUSH debate.......it helped me understand even more (and after watching years of standup comedy) that really BAD WRITING is ruining comedy.


people dont laugh anymore because it's funny, they laugh because they feel like they have to.

[Mr Manifesto]

And now you've started a thread about it here. How nice for you.


There are a lot of threads with a lot of traffic in this forum. Could you post this elsewhere in future?

[ssibal]

I thought the Bush/Bush debate was funny. But, they could have done that with any president.

[RandFan]

I did not watch the Bus vs Bush thing. Though I do like the Daily Show. Sometimes it can be damn funny. Other times it can be obvious a sketch is done mostly for propaganda than for humor.

I really don't mind the goring of my sacred cows. I loved it when Robin Williams poked fun at Regan and other right leaning issues that I identify with. I find it insulting when a commedian makes political commentary with little attempt at humor. Ok, sometimes jokes bomb regardless of the content. But I think sometimes it is overt that the commedian is really more ineterested in his message than making people laugh.

I should say that I used to like allot of the SNL political stuff but I don't care much for SNL anymmore. I usually watch the begining but usually go to bed after awhile. In the past if I was tired I would record it and watch it the next day. Now I find it is not worth the effort. I liked it up to about 2 years ago.

[corplinx]

The Daily Show has become such a waste of good talent. My favorite daily show contributor of all time (including the Kilborn years) would have to be Steve Colbert. That said, there is way too much meme propagation done in the name of comedy. Of course, Stewart just replies "hey, we just make this stuff up". However, there is a lot of undercover activism on the show.

They have done some really funny segments on the Bush admin. At other time they have done the sort of cheapshot activism that marked the Al Franken writing years on SNL.

[Nie Trink Wasser]

They have done some really funny segments on the Bush admin. At other time they have done the sort of cheapshot activism that marked the Al Franken writing years on SNL. [/B]


now that's what I'm getting at.

they feel obligated to appease the ideals of their audience in subtle ways, while still remaining relevant in political discourse.

I think that their writers are failing to stay centrist politically in the hopes of rallying support from other networks, celebs and for ratings.

subtle activism that I feel is irresponsible and undermines the quality of comedy and humor.

if I want to watch political arguments from a anchorman....there are plently of channles that do that.....if Im going to watch the Daily Show, I want to laugh.....not want to argue. Politics make entertaining things get boring.

[A_Feeble_Mind]

I felt the show lost its edge when Kilborn left. He was amusing, had the 5 questions and gave the show a slightly uncomfortable feel. I even remember the good old days when it wasn't taped in front of an audience and the moment of Zen would be cool things like people feeding baby chicks to crocodiles.

[JAR]

Nie Trink Wasser. It's interesting that you should use the word "gay" with the definition of "lame."

Where I live that use of the word "gay" is dying out. The last time I said something was "totally gay", one of the two people I was talking to said, "I don't see how it's homosexual."

I said, "No, by "gay" I mean that it is stupid or something. It's a term my generation uses."

[Crossbow]

Well, if you do not like the program anymore then I humbly suggest that you do not watch it.

Or I am missing some other point you are making?

[Gregor]

His point (and I agree with it) is that it is too bad that The Daily Show has turned out so much overt leftist political propoganda in the past 24 months. It's just too bad that a sometimes funny show has decided to turn off at least three viewers who post here and who now watch the show less frequently.

And Louis Black's weekley diatribe is still the best part of the show.

[Clancie]

If "The Daily Show" is "leftist propaganda", does that mean all those shows making fun of Clinton year after year (often just crude, not funny at all) were "rightist propaganda"?

I thought the idea of Gov. Bush debating President Bush was funny. They used entirely his own words and didn't misrepresent his "anti-nation building" stance prior to becoming President at all.

I think that their writers are failing to stay centrist politically in the hopes of rallying support from other networks, celebs and for ratings.


The U.S. public at the moment is more favorable to "right wing propaganda" than criticism of Bush.

With so many "right wing propagandists" saying "rally around the President during a war", I think "The Daily Show" takes risks in being critical with humor. (It's lucky someone does....)

[Crossbow]

The last 24 months eh?

Well, it was about 24 months ago George W. offically became president, so I expect that the Daily Show is just reacting to events. This sort of thing always happens with topical programming since is so reactive (as was the case with the endless Clinton/Lewinsky jokes they, and everyone else, was doing way back when).

If a liberal were president, then I expect that the Daily Show would take a turn to the right and not think twice about it.

[Nie Trink Wasser]

Originally posted by JAR
Nie Trink Wasser. It's interesting that you should use the word "gay" with the definition of "lame."

Where I live that use of the word "gay" is dying out. The last time I said something was "totally gay", one of the two people I was talking to said, "I don't see how it's homosexual."

I said, "No, by "gay" I mean that it is stupid or something. It's a term my generation uses."


Where I live the word gay just depends on how it's used and it's used very matter-of-factly. You can easly determine whether someone is talking about something as homosexual or whether they're saying that something is annoying/lame/not funny/weak .....



Crossbow

Or I am missing some other point you are making?




yes you are.

next time you object to what a news anchor, writer, etc has to say, don't complain. Any complaint or protest you make against it is useless because the only conclusion should be "just don't watch/read/listen"....nice logic.

[Nie Trink Wasser]

Originally posted by Crossbow
The last 24 months eh?

If a liberal were president, then I expect that the Daily Show would take a turn to the right and not think twice about it.


I doubt it.

when clinton was in office the harshest criticism was usually about getting blowjobs and thats it. It's not really a criticism really. I can't remember seeing one objection to his policies, actions, or words.

help me remember one ?

[RandFan]

Originally posted by Gregor
And Louis Black's weekley diatribe is still the best part of the show. Louis Black is the greatest.

"If it werent for my horse, I wouldnt have spent that year in college"

[Gregor]

I'm not saying it's wrong, I'm just saying that (while I'm not wholly on board with W on stuff) TDShow has seemed more slanted that the usual 'loyal opposition.'

And you really can't deny that Stewart's liberal on all issues - he admits it. Watch his interviews of guests, he freely challenges conservative ideas and supports liberal ones. And he's free to do so - more power to him, and I like hearing competing views.

I simply agree with the sentiment that, for my taste, TDShow has sometimes gone beyond my bounds of personal enjoyment, so I switch the channel. The same way I switch the channel when some artist or athelete starts thanking god for his/her success.

[Crossbow]

To those of you who are still upset at what the Daily Show is, then I suggest that you keep in mind that it is etertainment programming. I do not believe that anyone has ever claimed that it is a serious news show, and as such, if you do not like it, then do not watch it.

So what if it is liberal? It is entertainment!
So what if it is conservative? It is entertainment!
So what if it is dumb? It is entertainment!
So what ... (well, I think you get the idea)

These days there are hundreds of other TV shows on at the same time as the Daily Show so one does have a great deal of choice in other programming if desired.

[RandFan]

Originally posted by Crossbow
To those of you who are still upset at what the Daily Show is, then I suggest that you keep in mind that it is etertainment programming. I do not believe that anyone has ever claimed that it is a serious news show, and as such, if you do not like it, then do not watch it.

So what if it is liberal? It is entertainment!
So what if it is conservative? It is entertainment!
So what if it is dumb? It is entertainment!
So what ... (well, I think you get the idea)

These days there are hundreds of other TV shows on at the same time as the Daily Show so one does have a great deal of choice in other programming if desired. Oh, I agree. But what good is the forum if we can't bitch about things? And the Daily Show can be damn funny. After watching it for years one gets the illusion of ownership, "it's my show" so I want to bitch at the direction it has taken. But I do understand your point. It's like when people bitch about the Rush Limbaugh show, I want to say, "hey you don't like it change the station".

But we are free to dream about what could be and bitch about what isn't.

[Sundog]

I admit it would irritate the hell out of me if all the comedy shows took digs at liberals instead of conservatives. I probably wouldn't watch.

Having said that, why are there no funny conservatives? Are they just too angry to be funny? Look at Dennis Miller - he's not funny any more, he's just pissed off.

I love the story Phil Austin tells about hearing a Firesign Theatre clip on Rush Limbaugh and being horrified to find out that Rush was a huge Firesign fan. :D

[RichardR]

Originally posted by A_Feeble_Mind
I felt the show lost its edge when Kilborn left. He was amusing, had the 5 questions and gave the show a slightly uncomfortable feel. I even remember the good old days when it wasn't taped in front of an audience and the moment of Zen would be cool things like people feeding baby chicks to crocodiles. I disagree. I think Stewart is much funnier, and the five questions were lame. Just an opinion, of course. ;)

[RichardR]

Originally posted by Nie Trink Wasser
they feel obligated to appease the ideals of their audience in subtle ways, while still remaining relevant in political discourse.

I think that their writers are failing to stay centrist politically in the hopes of rallying support from other networks, celebs and for ratings.Isn’t that because they have to be satirical about whoever is in power right now? The Republicans are the ones in charge, the ones making mistakes, making asses of themselves. They are the ones to make fun of.

What are the Democrats even doing, let alone what are they doing that we can make fun of?

[Crossbow]

Originally posted by RandFan
Oh, I agree. But what good is the forum if we can't bitch about things? And the Daily Show can be damn funny. After watching it for years one gets the illusion of ownership, "it's my show" so I want to bitch at the direction it has taken. But I do understand your point. It's like when people bitch about the Rush Limbaugh show, I want to say, "hey you don't like it change the station".

But we are free to dream about what could be and bitch about what isn't.

So that is what this is all about?

People are just griping that the show is not doing what they like and/or complaining that the show is not as funny as it used to be?

OK then, I think that I see just what and where the real problem is.

Thanks much!

[corplinx]

Does anyone remember when we went from Bush to Clinton and SNL couldn't write a funny skit for the life of them. The stagnation caused by Al Franken refusing to target someone he idolized is something anyone who was a fan remembers. Before Clinton took office, SNL was a neat show will great political parody. It was the reason many people tuned in. However, after Clinton got in office we found out it wasnt thumb in your eye parody, it was activism.

Is the same thing going on with the Daily Show? Perhaps. But hey, its just a tv show. So what if Jon Stewart has Joe Lieberman on and showers him with praise. If you think its pretentious "we had Bob Dole on twice so we arent activists" tv then don't watch. I do agree however that the show has gone downhill.

[hgc]

corplinx:

Does anyone remember when we went from Bush to Clinton and SNL couldn't write a funny skit for the life of them. The stagnation caused by Al Franken refusing to target someone he idolized is something anyone who was a fan remembers. Before Clinton took office, SNL was a neat show will great political parody. It was the reason many people tuned in. However, after Clinton got in office we found out it wasnt thumb in your eye parody, it was activism.
Bitching about how SNL isn't funny anymore is one of the great American pastimes. It's been going on since 1977, at least. I didn't watch every weekend during the 8 years of the Clinton presidency (and the 1992 campaign), but I can't remember a time that I did that a Clinton skit wasn't done.

[RichardR]

Didn’t they make fun of some left wing protester last night, who had chained himself to the wrong building? I forget what he was protesting about, but I’m pretty sure he wasn’t a Republican.

[RichardR]

Did you see the show last night? They had a lengthy section where they made fun of the Democrats candidates’ debates that were (apparently), held over the weekend. There was nothing that made fun of the Republicans.

I’m not seeing that much of a Left Wing bias.