Is Jon Stewart making a tactical mistake by criticizing Dems too harshly?

[kentuck]

In my opinion, Stewart thinks he will be able to go to NYC and criticize the Repubs even more severely. But after he has damaged the Dems with his lackadaisacal coverage, he may find that once he gets to NYC, he will become the object of criticism himself. They are capable of turning the tables on him and making him a focus of ridicule and attention. He could find himself the target of jokes with this bunch. So he should tread lightly, in my opinion.

[Worst Username Ever]

1. Nope

Just wait till the repug convention. And he has no alliance with the dems anyway, so he doesn't owe us anything. He is just a guy doing a job, and happens to be a little nice to dems than pugs.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

2. He is making a comedic mistake by telling jokes that aren't funny.

Which will be far more damaging to his career.

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

41. His appearance with Katie Couric...

...smelled a little too much of Dennis Miller.

I don't know if he was tired. Maybe he smoked a joint or had a glass of wine or a couple of longnecks before sitting down for the interview.

But in that interview, and to a lesser degree on the Daily Show this week, he has lost the "absurdity," he has lost the "moment of Zen," he's lost that one split second where you KNOW it's satire. With Couric, he was bitchy. Like Dennis Miller is bitchy. I'm not accustomed to seeing him that way and would be very happy to not see him that way again.

SOMETHING is going on with him this week. One of the key elements of satire is that you're SUPPOSED to be able to direct it anywhere..."nothing is sacred."

It's not about Stewart taking shots at the Dems. He fucking RIPPED the Dems during the debates and no one, myself included, had anything negative to say about that. I thought those shows were great! It's about "why am I getting a Dennis Miller vibe" from him this week?

Just my opinion. This has not been his best week.

[Sabriel]

54. Well, he's got an infant at home.

If you've ever had one, you know what it can do to you, mind and body. Yikes.

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

58. That may be it...he seemed "tired" or "irritated"...just "off."

I don't know. It was some little element of the mix that I hadn't seen before.

[NYCGirl]

3. No.

I love Jon Stewart and TiVo him every night, but he's not a politician or a journalist — he's a comedian. A very good one, with amazing insight, but being the "target of jokes" would not be a problem.

[ProfessorPlum]

4. Mr. Stewart is doing just fine without your advice

thank you very much. I wouldn't worry about him. He is providing a rare bit of truth in these times of propaganda TV, and the GOP can ridicule him at their peril. People can tell shit from shinola, especially when they finally get an honest outlet to compare it with.

[SeattleRob]

5. Relax...

He's not damaging the Dems with his coverage. He showing some of the usual BS that happens at the convention. Wait until you see the Republican Covention coverage. I can't wait.

[JHB]

6. I think the notion that 'The Daily Show' should plan tactically...

...would make a great "investigative segment" ON 'The Daily Show'. :wtf:

[kentuck]

11. Good one JHB...

:)

[SoCalDem]

7. I have not enjoyed his DNC coverage much

Not because it has skewered dems..but because it's not been funny..

He has made it too much about his "crew"..and has actually covered very little so far of the convention and the goings on..

Maybe it will get better.. He really should have expanded it to an hour a day, and just do interviews and show clips..

Look for the RNC to "woo" him.. They cannot afford to piss him off :)

[Rainbowreflect]

16. I think his "crew" stuff has been great.

Making fun of the media's lack of substance.

[wicket]

39. Exactly!

The bit last night with them picking on the media and their obsession with new gadgets: oooooo here's my new wireless mic, ooooooo here's my new headphones, etc., it was great!

[xxqqqzme]

21. but I thought that was the point

Jon/TDS has been harsh on the media. His interview w/ wolfie last week was great. His first night convention coverage skewered the media - Ed - it's my job to interview uninteresting people and show stupid pictures of candidates - Jon - glad you're remaining irresponsible.

TDS is way more critical of the media, which deserves every slam sent their way. It is why Jon always protests 'But we're fake news'

and so are they all, he is just honest about it.

[stanwyck]

44. I've also been disappointed

the gang isn't up to their usual standards. So far, Joe Biden has been the wittiest contributor.

[WolverineDG]

47. i think by paying too much attention

to his "crew," he's making fun of the media making themselves the story, rather than the convention, ie cnn's day in the life of a bobblehead.

that's what that whole segment about the cans, wireless mike & star trek-like vehicle was about last night.....making fun of the media.

dg

[thebigidea]

because as we all know, the Repubs are known for their great jokes

Something tells me Mr. Stewart has nothing to worry about.

What are they gonna do? Sic Dennis Miller on him?

[obnoxiousdrunk]

8. The last

2 shows this week were boring.

[Selteri]

9. Get over it

He's a Comedian who runs a farcical news program that goes after anyone who opens themselves as a target. I agree that his coverage of the DNC hasn't been as good as I'd hoped, but I have no doubt he will tear open the republicans much more harshly as they will be giving him actual fodder to work with.

[zappaman]

15. lighten up

Is it off limits to joke about our own party? It's amazing to me how many people get so upset when the slightest bit of comedy is applied to the democrats. Stewart always has and always will go after hypocrites and just outright foolishness. I expect that once Kerry is in office, he will make jokes about him. What, do the democrats deserve a free pass cuz they're nowhere near as slimy as the republicans? Almost all politicians invite ridicule by their words and actions and thus are fair game for comedians and satirists.

[qanda]

10. Will they even let him speak during the RNC?

I think they'll trot out Dennis Miller and that other idiot that comes on after Jon, I think his name is Colin Quinn.

[NYCGirl]

12. I don't think he's planning to speak from the RNC...

unless I missed it, I don't think he spoke at the DNC.
:shrug:

[qanda]

36. I meant on the "news"

They seem to be trotting him out everywhere.

[Dover]

13. I think Stewart NEEDS to stand outside of partisanship to speak Truth

and maintain credibility. Truth is not partisan, and there is plenty of BS to go around on both sides. Actually, Stewart disapproves of the political system and business as usual which is in evidence on both sides. The 'debate' is essentially non-existent. As he told Ted Koppel the other night, it's the equivalent of watching Coke and Pepsi debate their product, and that the Conventions have become nothing more than a launch for the new and improved product.

[Selwynn]

19. He doesn't need credibility - he's a comedian.

[Dover]

26. Truth is the heart of comedy.......

and your truth has to be credible for it to work. People actually count on comedians to bring levity and perspective to their lives...with a laugh. And Stewart offers that and much more...

We hunger for truth......it's rare.

[kentuck]

20. But it's not just a "launch for the new and improved product"...

Stewart should know this. It's about getting rid of a dangerous leader that is harmful to this nation. It's not "they are the same" story. It's more important than that.

[stavka]

14. No, not at all.....

[kentuck]

17. After watching last night's show, it seemed to me...

he gave the right wingers some good talking points for the day. He is political, as well as a comedian, and that is why we watch him. Not just because he is usually "funny". He's also a social commentator, in a way. I understand everybody's points about his comedy and not to worry, he will singe the Repubs also...Just a tempest in a teapot, perhaps?? :)

[Selwynn]

18. Nope, and its been hilarious. :)

[senseandsensibility]

22. Stewart is very

talented, can be very funny, and has entertained me many times during the dark years. However, he is not above criticism. I find that criticizing him or Olberman is not acceptable to some people on the board. That's fine, but in my opinion, only a very, very, few should be above reproach: perhaps Wellstone, MLK, and a few others.Stewart and Olberman hardly fit in this category. They are a comedian and a lightweight journalist. They are not saints. The problem I have with Stewart is that when he lets himself be used by the rightwing mediawhores, they can point at him and say, "Look, even the liberal Stewart thinks Kerry is phony", or whatever. They do make mistakes and fall into the trap of trying to please the right wing. Many have strongly asserted that Stewart will be tougher on the repukes. There's no point in debating an unknown. However, I will be watching. I hope we will hold him to this.

[zappaman]

24. What?!?!

Please provide one example of...
"The problem I have with Stewart is that when he lets himself be used by the rightwing mediawhores, they can point at him and say, "Look, even the liberal Stewart thinks Kerry is phone", or whatever."
Or the right wing using any comedian for this purpose(and opportunist Dennis Miller doesn't count)

[zappaman]

28. How is he "letting himself be used by the right wing"?

Do you think he gets jokes from Rove? The very idea that the right wing is somehow using a guy who has been relentless on this administration just because he made some jokes about our guys, is the most ridiculous statement I've ever heard!

[Dover]

33. Some people don't like it when they are called on their stuff...

They feel like their carefully laid plans and secret strategies and agendas have been exposed....and they have.

POLITICIANS and PARTIES are not above criticism.
Perhaps your assumption that people on the board find criticism of Stewart unacceptable is just wrong. I think it's just that few would agree with your point of view.

Stewart's birdseye view of humanity is much more valuable than the issues of partisanship. That's his interest....not party politics per se.
Politics is just the most prominent stage right now upon which humanity is playing out its story.

[senseandsensibility]

49. True

Politicians and parties are not above criticism. I never said they were. But neither are Stewart and Olberman.

[nyhuskyfan]

23. Nah. He was funny yesterday.

The clip where he played Teresa speaking five languages and then said, "and for our dolphin friends, eeeeeee-eeeeee-eeeeeee" had me on the floor. Yeah, it's admirable that Teresa speaks five languages, but it was still funny.

[KittyWampus]

31. Yup! That Was One Of The Few Funny Bits IMO.

A lot of the stuff HASN'T been funny. And I don't mind them taking pot shots at Dems as I am more Independant at heart than Democrat.

[kentuck]

25. I must admit....

I cracked up with the skit about the "turd miners" and the "goat ball lickers"....:)

[AlCzervik]

27. That was funny as hell but then Colbert always is

i think Jon is alot like many of us, we are always the first ones to critiqueour own party and postions, unlike the republicans who almost never say anything diagreeable about each other. I'm sure when the gop rolls into NYC The Daily Show will have no mercy on them.

[sallyseven]

40. I stay up to watch Jon.

Lighten up. The right wing doesn't need Jon to make a fool of themselves. We have to make fun of the righties in their tightie whities.

[Anaxamander]

45. Did you happen to notice that when Colbert hosted the show he said

he was a Democrat while interviewing Nader? I know Jon always tries to remain neutral, but it's interesting that Colbert layed his cards out like that.

Colbert rocks, btw.

[BloodyWilliam]

29. Because the most important part of keeping goats

Is keeping them happy!

[Walt Starr]

30. Did Dennis Miller make a mistake by NOT criticizing Repukes too harshly?

Makes sense now, eh?

[Feanorcurufinwe]

32. Dennis Miller's big problem is that he is not funny.

It is a real handicap for a comedian.

[dennis4868]

34. Can we stop...

knocking Stewart....he and Michael Moore is all we got out there in the mainstreem media...they will not always be perefect but its better than having to watch Miller or Tweety!

[kentuck]

38. Just posing a question is "knocking" someone?

Since when is anyone immune from criticism on DU ? :)

[Kanary]

35. back away from the fear........

Fear is a weapon of mass destruction, and will serve to bite you in the butt.

Fear leads you to look for problems where there are none.

Fear bankrupts you, as you have to keep buying more and more antiacids.

:hi:

Kanary

[Media_Lies_Daily]

37. Good golly...what next?

[mac56]

42. Another "tread lightly" thread. Good lord.

Yesterday it was Michael Moore, today it's Jon Stewart.

Are we Dems just a bunch of hothouse flowers? Can't take some good-natured ribbing from within our own ranks? Even when we deserve it?

If so, God help us. If so, we won't last through the election.

[AG78]

43. Too harshly?

What? How? With the goat ball joke? He's making fun of everyone seeming to be from humble beginings. Hell, last night Biden told everyone he was full of crap when he said he talked about humble beginings early in his career, and it turned out that it wasn't really true. If that doesn't show the brilliance of The Daily Show, I don't know what would.

Tactical mistake? He's not part of the DLC.

He's at the DNC. It wouldn't make much sense for him to go after Republicans right now.

He's got another month before the RNC. My guess is that most people will forget anything that's been said this week by then. And then when he calls the Republicans on anything and everything, everyone will be happy again.

[rinsd]

46. Unbelievible....

Is this what progressives or liberals stand for?

Cross a line by practicing your craft and you are warned. Continue to do so and you are reviled.

Are we making a list and checking it twice?

And this is Jon FReaking Stewart! When no one dared criticize, he did. When lampooning Bush was considered disrespectful and avoided, he continued to do so.

He has had more of an impact on creating informed liberal young people than anyone in the last 10 years.

I just don't get it.

(author's note: This isn't meant to be directed to kentuck but the variety of threads that have been put up the last few days.)

[kentuck]

51. Thanks rinsd...

:) I love The Daily Show... I agree he has informed the young audience more than anyone else in the media. He is more than just the last comedian standing...Wait! Here's a bulletin! Jon Stewart's Daily Show will not be broadcast during the Repub Convention. The Network is planning a special event for that week and Mr Stewart will be on vacation. But, he will be back next week. No need to worry.

Oh, the media would never sink to anything that low... :)

[freesqueeze]

48. Of course NOT

Stewart's a bit of a political satirist. There has to be room for people like him (and me) that find the whole Partisan Party shtick ridiculous.

Dennis Miller used to be the same way, able to laugh at pompous hypocrisy of all stripes. But for some reason (I can't buy his 9/11 conversion explanation) he has become a GOP mouthpiece and suddenly can only see flaws in Democrats.

Miller used to be funny before he became a tool of the GOP. Let's spare Stewart the same unfunny fate.

[kentuck]

52. George W Bush has changed the schtick measurement....

I think. Some of us may just take it a little more serious than we did in the past. Lord knows why??

[ramapo]

50. Lighten up...it's a comedy show

Democrats can do and say dumb things that are funny. His two shows this week haven't been up to par anyway.

Stewart's not giving a free pass to Dems. Just relax....

There'll be plenty to laugh about next month in NY

[Name removed]

53. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[kentuck]

56. Is that written on a stone somewhere ? n/t

:)

[BayouBengal07]

55. It's been great

I just miss all the "on the spot" coverage. I remember four years ago how they had the Daily Show crew go out on the candidates campaign busses, and asking stupid questions at their press conferences, and so on. That coverage really put them on the map. Has anyone seen anything like that? Or does it come later in the political season?

[Generator]

57. I laughed my ass off last night with

"goat ball licker". I mean I laughed hysterically. I remember the old rib about feminists not having a sense of humour. Well I'm a forty something female Dem feminist, and I laughed at goat ball humour.

Damaged the Dems-oh PLEASE.

He had Joe Biden on and made another great point, here we have a President that used faulty information to take us to war and the media is worried about Teresa Kerry saying shove it? Let's see that on CNN....errr when hell freezes over.

About treading lightly, ARE YOU MAD? He can take them to task so fast they won't even see what hits them. Target of jokes? I don't think it's a worry. Jon has balls.

[meg]

59. TDS convention coverage is worse than ugly toward Dems

It's not funny, not sharp, not insightful. Basically, the show sucks this week. They could get away with zinging Dems if they did it with a grain of truth (insight) and sharp, clever humor.

Sucky sucky sucky. Such a disappointment, especially after some recent super shows.