(Pictured: Not Jerry Seinfeld)
It’s been almost 6 years to the day that I made a discovery that shaped my teen years. I was alone in my room, flipping through the channels, when I found, on Comedy Central, Eric Idle being interviewed. I watched, excited to see a member of Monty Python on anything, really. I made a note of the name of the show, and made sure to watch it every now and then.
That show? The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. Nearly 6 years later, it has become an integral part of my week. I still marvel at how such a simple concept – making fun of the news – has been able to amuse, inspire, and enlighten me for so many years. The show has won multiple awards and critical acclaim for years. It’s easy to forget, however, that the show’s main goal, as stated by Stewart and the producers on several occasions, is to be funny. It doesn’t promote a specific political agenda, and it makes fun of both parties (albeit not necessarily equally).
What makes the show work? Admittedly, the show’s writers aren’t always given enough credit, but much of the show’s power comes from the charm, intellect, and humility of its host. Jon Stewart is, unlike hosts of other politically themed programs, incredibly open-minded, polite, and intelligent. He always treats his guests with the utmost respect, no matter what their profession. Over the years, he has had authors, actors, athletes, strategists, members of Congress, and even Presidents (with Barack Obama becoming the first sitting president to appear on the show back in October). When politics is the topic of discussion (as it often is, but not always), he doesn’t simply shout his ideologies over his guest. Rather, he sits back and listens to their points, acknowledging their good points and raising relevant (and/or humorous) questions. Clearly, being a loud hothead is not required to get ratings for a talk show. Being a handsome political geek will suffice.
As not everyone might know, but several could have guessed, Jon Stewart used to be just another stand-up comedian. His act typically was a bit more political than the average comic, but not completely dominated by such material. Also present was his self-consciousness, pointing out weird things in particular deliveries. He got his break in television, however, in perhaps the most unlikely place: MTV. Jon actually was on two separate shows on the network, neither of which lasted very long. However, Jon had enough of reputation that he was rumored to replace David Letterman and David Snyder on their respective talk shows. He even had the honor of interviewing George Carlin in 1997, where Carlin left him with these words:
“It’s been great to get to know you a little, and you are gonna show us a lot, and I look forward to it.”
Armed with these words, Jon Stewart proceeded to become the most amazing man in America.
Stewart has been hosting The Daily Show since 1999, and he hasn’t looked back since. Aside from hosting a Peabody-award winning program, he also might have single-handedly brought down CNN’s Crossfire. In October 2004, Stewart was invited on the show to promote America: The Book, and he proceeded to absolutely destroy the program… right to Tucker Carlson and Paul Begala’s faces. You can watch the interview here, but be warned: Jon Stewart’s balls are impressive. In January 2005, CNN announced plans for the show’s cancellation, citing Stewart’s comments as part of the reason. So, just a recap: a comedian called a “serious” news show out on its BS, and within months, it was canceled. Commence awe.
More recently, as you know, he and Stephen Colbert held the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear in Washington D.C. Attendance was more than double that of Glenn Beck’s rally, but what I found most amusing was how confused news pundits were by the event. A lot of networks didn’t know what to make of it, and weren’t even sure of its purpose. While Stewart admitted that he can’t control people’s perception of it, his intent was to make sure voices that weren’t the loudest were heard. The rally was, more or less, a response to the hyperbole, spin, and sensationalism the media presents, in regards to everything.
So, just a quick recap: interviewed one of the greatest stand-ups in history, berated a program producing incendiary shouting matches (and arguably caused its cancellation), and got over 200,000 people to attend a rally in our nation’s capital. Anything else?
Oh, yeah, he’s largely responsible for the health care of the First Responders to 9/11.
Stewart and The Daily Show’s writers don’t miss much. So it makes sense that they discovered the Republican filibuster of a bill that would provide health care to First Responders. Literally none of the news networks reported anything on it. Let’s look at that again. Actual news networks completely missed the filibuster of a health care bill that would aid national heroes. There is a great possibility that this bill would have died in Congress. Meanwhile, in New York City, The Daily Show team jumped into action. In December, he invited a panel of First Responders on the show, and devoted an entire episode to discussing this bill with them. Stewart increased public awareness to the filibuster, and, wouldn’t you know it, the bill passed after all. In response to his role in the passage of the bill, he was chosen to be on the 9/11 Memorial Board.
Not bad for a Jew from Jersey, eh?
(Also, he’s hosted the Grammys and the Oscars twice each. What what?)
-Gandhi McFly
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