The Daily Show

[janetcatbird]

I just remember hearing criticism that Jimmy Carter wasn't part of the US delegation, and he's the only US President to host the Pope at the White House, I believe. OK, sligtly biased because my family thinks very highly of Carter and the humanitarian work he's done. My parents and I got so tickled when Stewart was talking about Shrub naming Clinton and Daddy Bush to head the US Tsunami Relief Effort: "Of course, there's no use even asking Jimmy Carter, we all know what a selfish prick he is."

For intelligent writing pointing out the screwups, lies, etc. of the current administration, I reccomend Molly Ivins' columns. She's a Texas political journalist, so she's watched him work his way through. You have to register to read more than one article at a time, but the webpage is: www.dfw.com/mld/startelegram/news/columnists/molly_ivins/

On a lighter note, here's an excerpt from the weekly newsletter sent out by the Daily Show:

JON STEWART NAMED ONE OF THE "MOST POWERFUL PEOPLE IN NEWS"
The Daily Show's Jon Stewart was named one of Television Week's "10 Most Powerful People in News." Jon jumped five places in this year's list to number
5. Says TV Week, "Every man on this list wishes his talent could do for real news what Mr. Stewart has done for funny fake news."

[Patcat]

Stephen Colbert will get his own show--from the May 4, 2005 New York Times.

Patcat

May 4, 2005
'Daily Show' Personality Gets His Own Platform
By JACQUES STEINBERG

tephen Colbert, who plays a phony correspondent on the fake-news program "The Daily Show," is getting a real promotion.

Comedy Central said yesterday that it was giving Mr. Colbert his own show: a half-hour that is expected to follow "The Daily Show" on weeknights and will lampoon those cable-news shows that are dominated by the personality and sensibility of a single host. Think, he said, of Bill O'Reilly and Chris Matthews and Sean Hannity.

Where "The Daily Show" and its host, Jon Stewart, generally spoof the headlines of the day (and the anchors and reporters who deliver them), Mr. Colbert's program will send up those hosts who have become household names doing interviews and offering analyses each night on the 24-hour cable news channels. The program, which is expected to begin appearing on Comedy Central as soon as early fall, is being produced by Mr. Stewart's production company, Busboy Productions.

It will be called "The Colbert Report" - though, if Mr. Colbert has his way, the announcer will pronounce it with a faux-French accent: The co-BEAR ra-PORE.

"In the way 'The Daily Show' is kind of a goof on the structure of news, this is more of a goof on the cult of personality-type shows," Mr. Stewart said in an interview.

"It's about a man and his forum," Mr. Stewart said of such shows, including Mr. Colbert's. "And by the way, he's not doing it for himself. He's doing it for the people. As a public service."

Mr. Colbert - whose character's furrowed brow, arched eyebrows and dead-serious befuddlement are a staple of "The Daily Show" lineup - said in a separate interview: "I don't know why someone hasn't copied 'The Daily Show.' I, personally, was eager to rip us off."

That "The Daily Show" has reached the point that it is considered ripe for a spinoff is something of a milestone for the program and for Comedy Central, which is owned by Viacom. But in moving Mr. Colbert off "The Daily Show" - he is expected to make only intermittent return visits - the network is also risking diluting a recipe that has made it so popular.

To that end, Comedy Central is considering ripping an actual page from the cable news networks it so often mocks, and having Mr. Stewart, at the end of his half-hour show, share a split-screen with Mr. Colbert, in what is known in the news business as a "throw" or "toss."

"It could be kind of seamless," said Doug Herzog, president of Comedy Central and Spike TV, who presided over the debut of "The Daily Show" in 1996. "It would have the effect of extending 'The Daily Show' to a full hour."

Thus far in 2005, "The Daily Show" has been drawing, on average, an estimated 1.3 million viewers each night - 23 percent more than the same period last year, and more than double its viewership during the first four months of 2001, according to Nielsen Media Research. Nearly two-thirds of that audience is the one that advertisers most desire, ages 18 to 49.

The show's profile - along with those of Mr. Stewart, Mr. Colbert and supporting players like the comedian Lewis Black - grew strikingly during the 2004 presidential election, not only during the campaign but with the release, by Warner Books in September, of "America (The Book): A Citizen's Guide to Democracy Inaction," a mock history textbook written by Mr. Stewart and his writing staff. The book spent several months atop The New York Times's best-seller list.

Mr. Herzog said, "I think the book was a great indication to Jon and his staff that maybe he can reach out beyond 'The Daily Show' and, to use a bad television network executive's term, 'extend the brand.' "

A print reporter should have probably known better than to try to extract from Mr. Stewart and Mr. Colbert actual details of what the new show will be.

For example, when asked if he planned to be a guest on the program, Mr. Stewart snapped, "I don't stoop to start-ups." A moment later, suspecting that he had been too harsh toward his mentee, Mr. Stewart softened, saying he would consider an appearance "if the show gets its footing."

When told of Mr. Stewart's resistance, Mr. Colbert said his boss should consider himself unwelcome.

"His shadow is dark enough," Mr. Colbert said. "I don't want to ask the source of darkness for help. I'm not interested in that same liberal claptrap. That meow, meow, meow, ironic detachment."

"We're going to deal with truth on my program," Mr. Colbert said. "We're going to catch the world in the headlights of my justice."

Mr. Colbert, 40, is best known on "The Daily Show" for his interviews from the road, in which he asks deadpan questions of actual people, some of them newsmakers and others far less well known. He will use that same format on his show, though the interviews will generally be unedited and conducted in a studio setting.

He brings to such endeavors an eclectic background. A graduate of the theater program at Northwestern University, he did improvisational comedy for several years for the famed Second City company in Chicago. But for about a month in the mid-1990's, he was a correspondent for "Good Morning America."

His character has revealed glimpses of a humble biography on "The Daily Show": he disclosed during the election that his father's occupation had been that of "a turd farmer." Mr. Colbert is, in fact, the youngest of 11 children who grew up in Charleston, S.C. His father was a doctor, his mother a homemaker.

As a child, he said, he sought to erase any traces of a Southern accent by imitating the "deep, rich, buttery, confident tones" of such newscasters as John Chancellor and Frank Reynolds. At night, though, he fell asleep listening to comedy records by Bill Cosby, Steve Martin and George Carlin.

However unintended, it was the perfect crucible in which to forge the career of a fake newscaster. In each interview, the Colbert character tends to project far more knowledge than he actually has, and is always a little off in his take.

His character has also been known to break into song with a guest - as he did during an interview with Senator Bob Graham of Florida, who was goaded by Mr. Colbert into teaching him his campaign jingle.

Asked if there would be similar musical interludes on "The Colbert Report," Mr. Colbert said, "That's safe to say."

He added, "You can't hide that light under a bushel, to quote Jesus for comic effect."

[janetcatbird]

Here's another article about the spin-off.

entertainment.msn.com/tv/article.aspx?news=190110>1=6542&mpc=1

'Daily Show' Funnyman Colbert Gets Show
May 3, 5:07 PM EST

Associated Press

If Comedy Central's Jon Stewart is the comic version of Peter Jennings or Brian Williams, Stephen Colbert promises to be the same for Bill O'Reilly and others like him.

"The Daily Show" regular will star each night in "The Colbert Report," likely starting in September. Comedy Central is revamping its schedule, recognizing that late-night programming is essentially prime time for its youthful audience.

"It's as if my character on 'The Daily Show' got promoted," Colbert told The Associated Press.

He'll be a "very well-intentioned, poorly informed, high-status idiot, not unlike some people who have these shows in the real world," he said.

Besides lampooning O'Reilly, the king of the cable TV opinion shows, he's sending up people such as Sean Hannity, Joe Scarborough and Anderson Cooper, he said.

One segment of his show, "Worthy Opponent," will feature Colbert debating Colbert.

"I always wanted to do more with this character," he said. While "The Daily Show" skewers reporters, its primary focus is on newsmakers. "The Colbert Report" will look full time at the news process, with a backstage look at his character and interview subjects.

Colbert and fellow executive producers Stewart and Ben Karlin came up with the idea for the show after following reports of a sexual harassment lawsuit filed against O'Reilly last year. The lawsuit was settled out of court.

The extra workload means he'll sharply curtail appearances on "The Daily Show," he said.

The series will air four nights a week, as will an untitled show with Adam Carolla that pokes fun at pop-culture events of the day. Carolla's show will have a celebrity guest and viewer participation.

The two shows will directly follow "The Daily Show," which airs Monday through Thursday at 11 p.m. Eastern. Comedy Central hasn't decided which will come first, spokesman Tony Fox said.

Comedy Central has also committed to "Weekends at the DL," a talk show with comedian D.L. Hughley that will air Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 11 p.m.

Comedy Central usually gets as many viewers during the late-night hours as it does during traditional network prime time (8 to 11 p.m.). It will often have as many viewers at 4 a.m. as it does at 6 p.m., network researchers said.

"Jon and 'The Daily Show' bring (viewers) to Comedy Central each night and we feel that Stephen, Adam and D.L. will give them a reason to stay with the channel late into the night," said Doug Herzog, Comedy Central president.

end of article

Well, I guess that's great for Stephen Colbert, but I will miss seeing him on "The Daily Show". How am I gonna get my fix for "This Week in God"? At least it's something to look forward to, I hope it's still enjoyable.


Oh, Patcat, did you catch that dig in your article about a network executive's "Extending the brand"? That couldn't possibly be Dick WOlf with his comparison to Campbell's soup...hee hee, I love it!
#nosmileys

[trisha]

I caught the dig at L&O. They make fun of the L&O brands a lot on TDS, the one about the kosher cough medicine was one of my favorites.

I'm very excited about SC's new show. I will also miss This Week in God, but greater good and all that

[janetcatbird]

Well, they moved out of the famed crack-whore district. I wish they still had a couch for the guests, but I guess they're trying to become more firmly a "news show" and less of "late night comedy". Ya gotta laugh at Jon Stewart referring to himself as a starship captain.

I'm not a big fan of Rob Corddry, but I liked his segment contrasting the British after the London attacks and the US after September 11. "Where are the country singers threatning to put a boot up someone's ass? This American likes his sorrow in T-shirt format."

I now have made my family fans of the show, so last night's thing about the Karl Rove leak had my mother laughing and cheering at the TV set. I got a kick out of "Super duper double secret" (actual memo) becoming "Circle-circle-dot-dot, now you've got your cootie shot" with Stephen Colbert's segment.

As to previous guests: Colin Powell, Bill Moyers, anybody see them? I just wish they could get Molly Ivins up there.

--Catbird

[trisha]

I've been watching pretty religiously and enjoying religion for the first time in years [snicker]

The long war on Christianity ... Heh.

Jon's dream of Christian's one day being able to practice their faith in public, displaying it "perhaps around the neck" and that one day we could have an openly Christian president, or perhaps 43 of them ... consecutively.

Hilarious. Just f-ing hilarious.

"I'm just saying, enjoy your success." -- Jon Stewart

The Bill Moyers thing was depressing. I'm trying to be a little less rambunctious in my political petition passing, but just in case anyone else saw that piece and feels it's wrong for the republican party to control PBS, there is a petition set up at www.freepress.net. I could find it for you if you like.

Now, the "Could. It. Happen. Here?" Potter story was the icing on the cake this week. First there was that great Rove story, which is actually the most accurate documentation of what really happened that I've seen, then the hurricane spot, "No disaster has been covered until Geraldo weighs in ... where is the flying debris when you need it?" I mean, WOW! This was a great week for TDS fans.

And, I actually like the new set, but I was one to complain about the moving text on the monitors. It made it hard to pay attention to Jon and the guest, and you know how short TDS fan attention spans are to begin with ... ;D

[janetcatbird]

Monday was the best night: I was wetting myself from the dubbing over "Telephone Hour" from "Bye Bye Birdie". I literally set the timer for a repeat and stopped-started it the next day to pick up all the lyrics. Besides, Woodward and Bernstein, although interview times are way too short.

Wednesday night seemed unusual in that Jon Stewart actually let the guest talk (Robert F. Kennedy Jr. about the link between mercury in vaccines and autism)--I don't think he said more than three sentences in five minutes. Very unusual of him, but also considerate since Mr. Kennedy seemed to be sick or nervous or something. (Besides, Jon Stewart now has a son to watch out for, so I can imagine vaccines being a concern.) I missed Thursday night's show, but I'll catch the rerun.

--Catbird

[janetcatbird]

Missed last night's show, but the one from Tuesday night was halfway decent. Loved the laser-light Buddhas and "Get that BLEEPING thing out of my face!" Could have done without the masturbation compari-sin. But I was giggling over the pillar of salt and "You know what that means, ladies..." (Sounds like the audience really got into it as well!)

[janetcatbird]

Kurt Vonnegut--wow. I'm a fan (who hasn't read as much as I should) of his work, so I was glued to the tube. I had heard Jon Stewart make a reference to him before which made me think "Oh, Stewart must like him too", and then I saw last night's show and thought he was gonna kiss Vonnegut's rings or something.

Is anybody else giggling over the "Evolution Schmevolution" special report this week? While I wasn't a big fan of the monkeys--something about them creeps me out--I thought the visit to the "reenactors" at Tennessee was a hoot. (Not to mention Helms rather nice bass at the front parlor Sing-along...)

--Catbird

[Metella]

Ok - didn't watch the show BUT - speaking of Schmevolution ...... my boss had me buy a book for a client - both of them are (over)active christians - so this book on "scientific" proofs of god's existance was totally appropriate as a gift. I gladly popped off the order. THEN I was regaled with all the reasons that evolution is an outdated theory - how it could never be ... blah blah blah .... I don't know when I have been so astounded.

Now, I could have refuted all of his points; but, typically, he is NOT open to any type of discussion in ANY areas. How can a person blabble on about something they know nothing about? Does he think that 99% of the scientific community is playing a hoax? If so, then how are they making other real advances in all areas that work to help people?

OR - does he think that god played a joke and just put carbon dated bones & giant reptile skeletons in the ground for fun? WTF?

How would any of you have responed to a face to face lecture from your boss about how evolution should be taken out of text books? hum?

[trisha]

Oh, my sister in law doesn't believe in evolution!! I had no idea and I was making all these jokes to her about it, and laughing my butt off about Jimmy Fallon reporting on Weekend Update that in addition to evolution being taken out of text books, dinosaurs would be henceforth referred to as "Jesus Horses."

She wasn't laughing.

She is also a republican, though I don't know for sure if she knows what it means besides being a "values voter." I love and adore this girl, and I respect her intelligence on many levels, but this part of her confuses the hell out of me. I think it has to be a small town thing, because she's from a very small town on the west side of the state. Very small, very white, and very Christian. Oh, and very scary. I felt like such a heathen next to these goodie-goodies that I was a little worried I might burst into flames when I stepped through the door of their church for her wedding

Anyway, I've been LOVING "Evolution Shmevolution," and so has Mr. T. Normally he falls asleep as soon as Jon starts talking, but he's been pretty excited to see where Ed goes next.

I also have to say that "Meet the F**ckers" has been a real highlight for me.

I loved his introduction to Micheal Brown (director of FEMA), "Nominated to the post by president Bush in 2003, and intends to start the job any day now."

"Prior to his job at FEMA, Brown was a commissioner ... of the International Arabian Horse Association. I guess he stands out on that, because most Bush appointee's are beholden to Arabian people."

I laughed, then I cried, 'cause it's true.

THEN ... Meet the little F**ckers:

Senator Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, after giving a scathing review of the Federal mishandling, responded to questions of state and local mishandlings, "Now is not the time for finger pointing."

Jon, in mocking voice, "Don't get me wrong, I'd love to do more finger pointing, but my finger is tired. I believe I have to put some sort of splint on it." ;D

God, I love this show. No one tells it like Jon.

[janetcatbird]

I just realized in my last post it could come off as a bit snippy. I didn't mean anything ugly about Stewart's behavior with Vonnegut, just that it was so subdued and respectful (compared to his usual goofing off with other guests) that you could tell it meant a lot to him. If you go to their website they've posted Vonnegut's list of "Liberal Crap I Don't Want To Hear Any More About" since they didn't have time in the interview.

Also, in the newsbreak they ran earlier in the evening--done by Stephen Colbert--he talked about how their guest was Kurt Vonnegut, "creator of the acclaimed Slaughterhouse series. Most people prefer V, I'm a III fan." Typical Daily Show silly.

"Here's a hint: when people say they don't want to play the Blame Game, THEY'RE TO BLAME!!!"

Oh yes, how to respond to the fundamentalists...I've grown up in a pretty white, moderate-to-liberal church in the Bible Belt. (My mother grew up Southern Baptist in a rural county, so you can imagine my response at a grandfather's funeral. Family gets interesting, but in a good we-laugh-at-ourselves type way.) I'm not trying to turn a scientific discussion into a "Where are you in your spritual journey?" talk--try getting out of that one politely--like Stewart said, "The debate itself has not evolved in over 150 years". I just think it's arrogant to know you know and force it down someone's throat, especially when you're taking a human text way out of its setting. (History major/religious studies minor, it's all about the CONTEXT!!! Professors laugh at me because I'm such a relativist.)

Am I the only one who's seen "The King and I"? Mrs. Anna's quote: "The Bible was not written by men of science, but by men of faith. It is their explanation for the miracle of creation, which is the same miracle whether it took six days or many centuries." And you know you're in trouble when Rodgers and Hammerstein are providing your theology, but whatever floats your boat.

I suppose I ought to get back to work now...stupid Merovingian saints and gender roles.

--Catbird

[janetcatbird]

I thought that the guy from National Emergency Center (Oh, I'm drawing blanks) was a good guest. Articulate, got his point across, willing to laugh but I don't think he made an idiot of himself trying to rival Jon Stewart.

Ed Helms had me laughing and giggling during his whole bit about journalists trying to look good--the guy slung over his shoulder, the stuffed animal. Oh lord, the man is funny.

Not the best "This Week In God", I thought the rib was a bit silly, but I love how the French QUarter "wasn't even flooded!" and the bit about the thirteenth century serf should have asked thy lord before thou plowed the furrow! Pat Robertson shake? Angels and ministers of grace, defend us.

ON a side note, Comedy Central is now showing TV ads for "The Colbert Report", premieres Oct 17th I believe. I don't watch the talking heads so I might not get all the references, but it should be interesting. I just hope he'll pop back in for stuff at the Daily Show on occassion. Catbird needs her monkey man, and the TWIG fix.

[trisha]

I lost my connection the last time I tried to respond here, so here's a shorter version of my reply as I don't have a lot of time and have other threads to visit (you guys have been busy these past few days!)

The guest Jon had on Monday was Dr. Irwin Redlener. He's a NY pediatrician and one of the foremost advocates for underprivileged children. He is currently the director of the National Center for Disaster Preparedness at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health, but still chairs all his children's charities.

He's been bashed by republicans for his "bleeding heart liberal" ways, and was even slandered by them as being a communist because he stated publicly that Elian Gonzalez would be better off being raised by his father. Despite what they thought of him then, his presence was very welcome when it came time to plan for disasters after 9/11. Some of his advice was taken, they used his voice of reason and caring, and they certainly made use of the funds and centers he established to help the victims, especially the children. But now that he accurately points the finger of blame right where it belongs during the Katrina debacle, he's being smeared by Bush supporters as having a "Clinton Pedigree" and a political agenda.

God, I hate people who make everything political and partisan.

Here's a man who has spent over 30 years working to help, protect, and care for CHILDREN; poor, neglected, sick children, and these jerks try and tear him down because they don't have any reasonable excuse for the mistakes they made. So, shoot the messenger instead of fixing the problem.

What I found most fascinating about the whole situation concerning Dr. Redlener is how many shows he's appeared on since The Daily Show. I wonder if they all saw him on Jon's show, and thought, "Hey, that guy's smart and knows a lot about this whole disaster preparedness. We should get him on our show!"

Anyway, the rest of the week was pretty good and I look forward to The Colbert Report and hope I get the jokes, too. I have a feeling that Bill O'Reilly will get a lot of jabs for being the complete and utter douche bag he is, but since he is such a f-ing douche, I can't bear to watch his show.

[NikkiGreen]

www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9688016/