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Aging Liberal Jon Stewart Struggles to Stay Relevant
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“I coulda been a contender!” That was the famous cry of Marlon Brando in the 1954 film classic, On The Waterfront. Those words have a bitter poignancy today for the career of Jon Stewart, host of The Daily Show, as he fights to maintain a respectable place in the ratings despite a dramatic slip into the dustbin of cultural irrelevancy. It’s almost hard to believe that this Jewish comedian was once seen as a crafty innovator whose editorials were regular fodder for serious news programs. In the late 90s, his loud personality and bright graphics heralded a new era of brash political bias and snarky discourse as a counterpoint to the more subdued maturity of the Ted Koppels and Jay Lenos of the day. Many even considered him a contender for David Letterman’s chair.
Ten years on, the great changes that Mr. Stewart introduced to the realm of personality-driven television programs seem old-fashioned and simplistic. Faux-conservative pundit Stephen Colbert has taken news commentary to new heights of absurdity that Stewart lacks the cunning and wit to achieve. MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow hemorrhages a liberal bias that the Daily Show host seems too timid to pop. Even old guard liberal icons like Keith Olbermann and Frank Rich have changed their game plan, dumbing down their messages in order to achieve a broader audience share.
Yet instead of keeping up with the times, Jon Stewart has only become more desperate on his weeknight cable program. Many critics find him unfunny today. Others worry about the clear strain of liberal bias that he persistently denies. For a man who has always combined the whiney attitude of Woody Allen, the hollering of Lenny Bruce, the foolishness of Jerry Seinfeld and the narcissism of Ben Stiller, Mr. Stewart never quite mastered a unique identity. Rather, he is the poor man’s potluck of Jewish stereotypes. And like those poorly-planned dinners, his audience arrives each night unsure what to expect. Too much cheese in the sauce of his noodle-brained surprise? A plethora of store-bought packages of stale news? Too many helpings of puffy “offbeat” items, sugary and sweet, but lacking the essentials truths Americans hunger for? Or is it the gritty red wine of his leftwing diatribes that leaves you sick and hungover once the drunken giddiness of pissy self-righteousness wears off?
It is those moments when Stewart leans deep over his desk that are the most worrisome for media critics. He presses his abdomen hard against the edge and clenches whatever is within his reach. It’s as if he’s climbing over decorum and tradition to get his face as close to the camera as possible. The desperation of this pathetic man! He prostrates himself in ways no other newsman would dare, crying out for your love with the countenance of a dentist coming in with a drill and wrinkling those expensively-tailored suits that would be more appropriate for an investment banker. It is a poignant testimony to his failing stardom that he craves your affirmation so profoundly. He pleads with us to pay attention to him like some overbearing mother who has retired to the long-distance compounds of coastal Florida. Sadly, caller ID and the channel clicker spell defeat for guilt trips such as these.
It’s a lack of honesty that doomed Stewart from the start. There is nothing earnest or genuine about him. He is, quite simply, a ham. His interviewing style has been roundly criticized for his fawning embrace of every liberal demagogue who cozies up to his desk, with lieutenants like Wyatt Cenac and John Oliver on the ready to jab him with their needles of narcotic, heavily-accented praise to keep him stumbling onward. The “puppy dog” smirks, the extended silences, the histrionics unworthy of a 12 year-old girl, this is a man who lacks the most basic sense of integrity. He shows heavily edited clips of conservative politicians or Fox News and then has the camera zoom in on his face for moments of surprise or anger that seem so manufactured, they will make normal Americans blush in disbelief. One can’t help but imagine Stewart spending all day in front of his dressing room mirror rehearsing these fake facial expressions with hairdressers and hirsute hangers-on buzzing about in an air that hangs heavy with discount aerosol and the foul odors of day-old deli meat platters.
As he fades into the background, maybe it’s time for Jon Stewart to own up to the damage he has done to modern media. His liberal bigotry has left scars on every journalist in America. The divisiveness and hostility that has overtaken every level of political debate can truly rest at the feet of this waifish 14-million dollar a year man. We have become a nation so full of bitterness and sneaky facetious cunning, so disheartened by broken promises and dishonest politicians, so corrupted by a primal loss of hope in the greatness of America’s Christian founding ideals, will we ever be able to dream again? Please, I ask you Jon Stewart, please let the children of America dream again. Admit the curse that you have placed on this nation, a curse that draws so recklessly on the obscure traditions of your people and that leaves us only with easy mockery and everlasting guilt. Jon, I ask you humbly to admit the damage now if you have any hope of stepping lightly into the fuzzy glow of obscurity with any semblance of the manhood you once dreamt you would possess.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFQFB5YpDZE
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7:40 pm
“Others worry about the clear strain of liberal bias that he persistently denies.”
Granted, he does lean towards the left, but that doesn’t stop him from making fun of liberals along with conservatives on his show.
“his audience arrives each night unsure what to expect.”
And what makes you think that?
“It is those moments when Stewart leans deep over his desk that are the most worrisome for media critics. He presses his abdomen hard against the edge and clenches whatever is within his reach.”
Whenever he does that, it’s to help make a point. If you ask me, YOU’RE the one grasping for straws, not Stewart.
“He prostrates himself in ways no other newsman would dare, crying out for your love with the countenance of a dentist coming in with a drill and wrinkling those expensively-tailored suits that would be more appropriate for an investment banker.”
You’re aware that this show is made by Comedy Central, right…? Unlike you, Stewart does not claim to be a real newsman.
“and then has the camera zoom in on his face for moments of surprise or anger that seem so manufactured”
They seem manufactured? Well, perhaps that’s because they’re in the SCRIPT?
“His liberal bigotry has left scars on every journalist in America.”
Ask a real journalist if he/she has been “scarred” by Stewart, and he/she will most likely say no.
As I said above, Billings, you’re REALLY grasping for straws with this “article” If you were ever to go on his show, he’d put you to shame with his sheer diplomacy.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
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1:32 pm
Claire,
The fact that Stewart claims to just a comic, not a real newsman means little. Nor does the fact that the show is put out by Comedy Central. In reality, he does play the part of newsman reporting on news and adding his, yes, incredibly liberal viewpoint. By saying he’s not a newsman, he is trying to hide from criticism but the fact is that’s an unfair position to take. Many young people use him and Colbert as their sole source of news information. He once occupied a position of power when it comes to journalism and politics, though that has certainly faded.
Hot debate. What do you think?
3 
39
1:38 pm
Billings, you’re in no position to comment on whatever Stewart may or may not consider himself to be, since you’re a fraud.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
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5
5:27 pm
so if i decide to listen only south park as my source of news i get to claim them as bad newspeople?
if you chose to only use a comedy show as your news source then that isn’t the fault of that show but the stupidity of the people makeing that choice.
he is a parody.
just because i make a parody of the pope doesn’t mean i am the pope does it?
he’s a comedian wether you want to consider him one or not doesn’t change that fact.
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7:23 pm
The article seemed forced… Jon/TDS is doing very well, and only getting better.. Lol, always makes me laugh when the right trys to attack those they deem the liberal left… It’s just so obvious…;)
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7:43 pm
Seriously, Stevie, you’ve lost your flame. Your last blog about Perez Hilton didn’t amount to much, and neither did this one. Outside of you thinking he’s damaged people with his comedy show, this is sadly kinda true. It seemed like ever since Colbert got his own show, Jon’s been pushed to the sidelines, and having his sidekick-turned-famous become a voice actor in a couple other works doesn’t help either.
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1:34 pm
For someone who professes such hostility towards me, you are touchingly concerned for my wellbeing and my writing style. I assure you I have lost no flame. Maybe it’s just you who have continuously failed to understand me and now must resort to cheap shots to make yourself feel good. As I have encouraged you many times, your cloying obsession with me is unhealthy. I truly wish you could take a weekend hiking in the mountains. Fresh air would help you.
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6:07 pm
//For someone who professes such hostility towards me, you are touchingly concerned for my wellbeing and my writing style.//
What can I say, when I’m bored, coming here kills a couple hours, but only if you’ve written something incredibly stupid. This and the last blog post really don’t do much though to invoke the kind of hatred against your idiocy that I want wiped off the face of the Earth, especially when you pick an easy target like Perez Hilton.
//I assure you I have lost no flame. Maybe it’s just you who have continuously failed to understand me and now must resort to cheap shots to make yourself feel good.//
Have I shown my rage towards you for the past couple days? No, and that ‘flame’ of yours was the stupidity that you have that burned bright.
//As I have encouraged you many times, your cloying obsession with me is unhealthy. I truly wish you could take a weekend hiking in the mountains. Fresh air would help you.//
Again, I haven’t posted here in quite a while or at least as rampant as I was due to the boredom of the site, get rid of your superiority complex sometime Stevie.
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8:02 pm
It’s funny that you’ve come to know me so intimately. Truth is I have been having a tough week at home, nothing to do with my work here, and maybe that’s been reflected in my writing. In any event, I do appreciate your concern my friend.
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9:31 pm
“Truth is I have been having a tough week at home”
How could you be having a tough week at home? You don’t LIVE with anybody! You have no kids, no wife, no significant other. Let me guess, you’ve simply been having major existential angst over whether you should go to McDonalds or Burger King for dinner, right?
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11:21 am
When the chips are down, Claire, I can always count on you to kick me in the gut. Thanks.
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1:40 am
Well Stevie, you wouldn’t have to be kicked in the gut if you started realizing that one line of thought and ONLY that one line of thought is grounds for bring rightly insulted.
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7:53 pm
“a man who has always combined the whiney attitude of Woody Allen, the hollering of Lenny Bruce, the foolishness of Jerry Seinfeld and the narcissism of Ben Stiller”
Thank you Stephenson. Hopefully this article is a wake-up call to poor Jon Stewart himself. This is the most brutally yet undeniably honest and accurate description possible of that sad little man.
Hot debate. What do you think?
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8:21 pm
Just so I’m clear, this is an opinion column right? Because I don’t believe I see very many facts at all in this article.
Secondly, I don’t see what him being Jewish has to do with his television show. It seems like you’re merely reversing the bigotry you so adamantly accuse him of. His personal religious beliefs should not be thrown around like it’s derogatory.
Finally, as a youth of America, at least he teaches me to question what is being shoved down my throat and to make my own decisions about politics. I believe that the majority of youth are able to realize that he is SATIRE and as such should not always be taken seriously. He is merely making points which we can laugh at, muse on, agree or disagree with. He does not laud his show as the one and only truthful news organization around. I think he’s very aware of what he’s doing and CHOOSES to stay on the daily show because it provides him a more creative outlet than Letterman or Leno’s shows could do.
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1:56 pm
You’ve been fooled into thinking you’re making independent decisions, when in truth you’re marching lockstep with Stewart’s left wing agenda. And how exactly is Stewart’s work satire? He reports on the news and then makes sarcastic comments or childish faces. That’s not satire, that’s schtick.
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1:41 am
Couldn’t we say the same thing towards you? Hell, I’ll do it now; you’ve been fooled into thinking that gays are terrible people and that Jesus liked to play the opposite game all the time. Truth is, gay people are no different than straight people, and Jesus loved everyone.
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8:59 am
What does this article have to do with being gay? Are you suggesting Stewart is homosexual?
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8:59 pm
Jon Stewart is the most trusted news person in america, i forget where it was said, but america voted for him. And his show is supposed to be funny (it is, but not as much since retarded Bush left).
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1:57 pm
Actually, Fox News is the most trusted news source in America as has been widely reported in the mainstream media.
Poll: Fox most trusted name in news
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0110/32039.html
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25
9:01 pm
Im going to laugh when he does an article on this site. Itll be REALLY FUNNY! (cuz its a comedian making fun of a funnily retarded website).
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12:31 pm
I emailed this to the daily show.
Perhaps others should do the same. Would be total hilarity thedailyshow@comedycentral.com
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1:58 pm
I wouldn’t bother. Those people have their own agenda which has nothing to do with engaging in a losing battle with the people of faith in America.
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5:29 pm
oh no someone doesn’t agree with you?
now why would you ever want to start a dialouge with them if they don’t agree with you.
the only good type of conversation is a good old circle jerk where everyone can agree right?
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10:15 pm
Total ignorance. Man you are really missing it. I.. I don’t even now where to begin with this article. You have absolutely no idea what you are talking about – Jon Stewart calls out more media / news / mis-information / faux news BS than an overstocked manure farmer. You really need to get out of your small box and experience the real world.
Oh an it’s THE SUN we should worship.
Jon Stewart reminding viewers the fact that a Saudi Muslim owns a major percentage of News Corp., which owns Faux, oops, Fox News http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/mon-august-23-2010/the-parent-company-trap
George Carlin on Religion http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPOfurmrjxo
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2:02 pm
He’s a shallow fraud with a very liberal bias and not enough intellect to blow out a match in front of a stick of dynamite. The fact that he has always been highly critical of people of faith is disheartening, particularly in a country that is overwhelmingly Christian. This bias also has a negative effect on children who follow his lead and think it’s cool to be sassy and sarcastic, hating religion and conservative morals. How wrong that you would base your worldview on what this charlatan tells you.
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12:35 am
You’re delusional. Stewart remains as relevant as ever. The most recent ratings data i can find from 2009 shows his ratings as high as ever, above 2 million viewers http://www.medialifemagazine.com/artman2/publish/Cable_20/Stewart_smackdown_delivers_ratings.asp
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1:21 am
I find it slightly offensive that the author of this article elected to group together a wide range of Jewish comedians – attach a negative adjective to each of them, then accuse John Stewart of reinforcing Jewish stereotypes.
— “For a man who has always combined the whiney attitude of Woody Allen, the hollering of Lenny Bruce, the foolishness of Jerry Seinfeld and the narcissism of Ben Stiller, Mr. Stewart never quite mastered a unique identity. Rather, he is the poor man’s potluck of Jewish stereotypes” —
The interpreter of these stereotypes was the author, not John Stewart.
Fundamentally I’m opposed to political correctness as more often than not it is an excuse to avoid an actual dialogue. But in this case it appears to me the author choose his words without thinking. Far be it for me to accuse you of antisemitism, but when one structures their dissection of a personality such that such a conclusion is viable you have tread into dangerous territory and lose validity. Good day.
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2:06 pm
Don’t try and pull the old “I’m so offended” nonsense on me. If I were a Jew, you would think it entirely appropriate for me to talk about Stewart and the Jewish stereotype but just because I’m a Christian, you use it in some wrongheaded attempt to blame me for your own lack of understanding. Listen, the stereotype of Jewish personalities is often discussed in the culture of your people. In fact, it’s something that is used as an endless source of comedy and gags. Why should I be prevented from turning that comedic criticism back on one of your own comics who in truth really does inhabit the characteristics of these stereotypes? Don’t be a hypocrite.
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2:29 am
is it just me or is pat robertson starting to sound like a liberal?
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7:04 am
“Struggl[ing] to stay relevant” sounds like a CW author we’re all familiar with, Stevie.
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7:05 am
so to further make it seem belivable that you are actually a journalist you begin bashing the journalism… of a comedian…
that is sad. when you try to make yourself look good by pointing out you are doing better than someone who isn’t even trying who is as matter of fact trying to make fun of doing it you officially admit you have no clue what you are doing.
either that or you just admited how out of touch with reality you truely are by not regincing admited comedy when you see it.
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2:07 pm
Well, I would consider Jon Stewart a newsman pretending to be a comedian (albeit a bad newsman and a poor comedian).
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5:18 pm
and we would consider you a blogger rather than a journalist.
whats your point dumbass? even if you’d like to think of him as a journalist fact is he never claimed to be nor acted as one.
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9:52 am
Jon Stewart is definitely aging – typical liberal! Praise the Lord conservatives don’t age we only get younger and I have PROOF: John McCain, Bill O’Reilley, Dick Cheney, Mitch McConnell, Jim Bunning, etc. We rule! Log onto http://gga100.weebly.com/ and watch the Right Reverend Dr. Thurgood Goodlove, the Savedest man in the history of the Republican party weigh in on and deliver relationship advice which is Blessed and approved by the most high God with an assist from Jesus Christ his own self! The Right Reverend Dr. Thurgood Goodlove bravely tackles such vile and disgusting issues as threesomes, orgies, homosexuality, sexual addiction, and other instances of relations without the blessing of the institution of marriage. He is the most pious man in the world! Praise Jesus!!! http://gga100.weebly.com/shows-video.html
Praise or Condemn:
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11:55 am
Mr Billings, can you please remove your pencil dick out of my ass.
Thank you
Midori
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11:57 am
I hate saying this but this was terrible. What? Why? It was just opinion. Nothing to back it up. I know (I work in media) that the Daily Show has gotten great marketshare for 10 years. Which is a lifetime in television. He’s also funny and smart. That’s hard to find in TV or anywhere.
Plus he doesn’t scream at his guests–demean them and isn’t rude. He tries to have a conversation. In a world where news media does all that and more, it’s wonderful to have a comedian, of all things, take the higher road.
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12:27 pm
Stewart, just like every other left-wing media type does not have a fair convesation, as Bri puts it, with his guest. He brings lieberals on and allows them their say while constantly talking over those who oppose his views……..
“you truely are by not regincing admited comedy when you see it” Jazze……..
I think we all regincie Stewart for what he is…..Another failed attempt to bring down this countries values.
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4:27 pm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_awards_won_by_The_Daily_Show
Two Emmy’s for 2009
And what was that about the second largest shareholder of News Corp, who owns Fox, being a scary, Saudi Muslim terrorist? or so they say on Fox.
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5:03 pm
What has this to do with Fox New’s shareholders? You’re deflecting from the issues here just like every other weak-kneed liberal afraid of the truth.
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5:21 pm
It has to do with how relevant he still is.
And how irrelevant Fox is.
How is that deflecting?
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6:17 am
There are few trustworthy news sources in the entire World, much less America- a society obsessed with making everything as easy to consume as possible. Let’s call it a ‘powdered mashed potato’ approach to news. Yum.
As Christopher Hitchins has recently alluded, there is no decent source of news other than the eyewitness. I hold this to be true.
John Stewart is an entertainer who discusses current affairs. He is not an expert journalist in my opinion, and should not be treated as such. In his defence, at least he sets himself apart from right wing America by refusing to allow his status to be hijacked and cynically used to control people by religious groups, political movements etc.
For me, the problem is that he is no longer as funny as he once was. It might be that he needs a Republican administration to pop up the balls for him to knock out of the park. NB: That’s a baseball allusion to help people visualise how weak TDS has become.
Finally, I read another comment here that went along the lines of ‘what right does SB have to make fun of someone’s personally-held belief (blah blah blah).
It’s fine for someone to believe the Jewish tradition if they so choose, but it’s not fine for people to try and ring-fence religious belief from humour and criticism. If someone told me they believed that their paternal father was the moon who sent down space-semen which ended up in their mother I would mock them. No one should have the right to NOT be mocked for their laughable, illogical Worldview or propensity to remove the tip of their sons penis.
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8:05 pm
Many young people look to him as a journalist and use his information as a reliable telling of the day’s events. His web presence, through online videos, only further spreads this man’s liberal rants. The end result of his work is that of a far-ranging news source. He really does influence the public opinion, particularly that of young people. It could be argued that he is a sort of echo-chamber for their already liberal leanings, but I believe he drops the discourse to new depths of hate and bigotry and for that I find his work inexcusable.
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9:33 pm
“but I believe he drops the discourse to new depths of hate and bigotry”
Pfft! Give me a fucking break, Billings! Take a look at YOUR work, and you’ll see hate and bigotry staring you in the face.
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11:24 am
Claire, there has to be a part of you that finds Christwire meaningful and informative. Otherwise, why do you visit us several times a day and write so many long letters to us via email?
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5:02 pm
“Claire, there has to be a part of you that finds Christwire meaningful and informative.”
Once again, another false assumption.
“Otherwise, why do you visit us several times a day and write so many long letters to us via email?”
First of all, I might visit Christwire several times a day but I do NOT send emails to you. The only time I ever emailed a member of Christwire was when I sent that email to you a while back requesting your credentials (which, of course, you refused to do).
Second, the reason why I visit is because arguing with you asshats is mentally stimulating and gives me something to do while I wait for school to begin.
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9:29 am
I’m very pleased to see such a serious article on christwire. I’m sick of listening to Stewart with his left wing, pro-gay, pro-choice, equal rights, anti-segregation, anti-slavery, anti-confederate, Indian loving liberal agenda. Where is the voice of the moral majority of Americans who’s attitudes haven’t changed since God gave us this land in 1492?
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11:02 am
I think you broke my saracastometer. Just had it fixed too.
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8:07 pm
Kim, I don’t know about 1492 nor slavery, but I do agree that Stewart is a fringe character on the political scene. Fortunately, he is losing his audience share and his place in the popular consciousness.
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2:43 pm
This website is mint. And Jon Stewart is sexy.
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6:28 pm
Hilarious piece of—satire? Mr. Billings! You are joking, right? Stewart did a “Beck” bit a while back that is truly classic and emmy-worthy. What have you done?
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11:24 am
What is a “Beck”?
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8:26 pm
Loved this great piece on Rush Limbaugh’s increasing irrelevance among an aging, white, uneducated population. But the author should talk to the editors, for somehow Satan replaced Rushbo’s name and images with Jon Steward from “The Daily Show,” which is set to win its 9th Emmy in a row next week.
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8:32 pm
Oops. My mistake. After further perusal of the site, I realize you don’t actually exist. Congrats on hoaxing the Huffpo however.
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2:59 am
nah, my generation thinks he’s pretty awesome. I think this trend will continue.
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3:47 pm
Well, Ludic, if The Daily Show does win its ninth Emmy next week, I’m sure this site will say that’s only because of the liberal / Jewish / homosexual / African American (not that they would ever use such a respectful phrase) / delete as applicable conspiracy. Then make some half-assed remark about true American values, fighting for morality, blah blah, yadda yadda, stick their collective fingers in their ears and sing, La la la, I’m not listening.
If god’s really on your side, Billings, why does he allow everything you hate to continue? Doesn’t that ever make you think that, oh I don;t know, maybe he or she doesn’t exist?
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5:20 pm
“When the chips are down, Claire, I can always count on you to kick me in the gut. Thanks.”
You’re making it sound as though you don’t deserve to be kicked in the gut. Not that I want to think about your disgustingly flabby stomach. Yuck…
You know, this afternoon my mom and I were in Harvard Square looking for a birthday present for my sister. As usual, we saw many homeless people, but unfortunately had to pass them by because we had no change. One man who we passed by said to our backs that we “have the Karma of Jack the Ripper”. I knew that I would have change after getting my sister’s present, and we would backtrack along that same sidewalk on our way back to the subway, thus seeing the man again. My mom whispered to me “well, with that attitude he won’t be getting ANYTHING on our way back”. I originally felt the same way, but I quickly had a change of heart and reminded myself that he’s only human. So on our way back I wordlessly stuck a dollar bill in his cup and got a “thank you, god bless you” in return. That man deserved a second chance. He’s simply a victim of his circumstances and needs compassion from others if he’ll ever have any hope of helping himself.
But YOU, Billings, you’re so much lower than that man. Do you know why? Because you live in a comfortable home and have the money to see that all of your needs are taken care of, yet you still have such hatred of the world. The homeless man I met today was angry because of his place in society. You’re angry because that’s simply who you are. I gave the man a dollar because he deserved a second chance.
You DO NOT deserve a second chance. You hate because you can and if I was a religious person I’d be certain you’d go to hell.
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1:01 am
Just a note to thank you for making my day. This site is the funniest thing I have read in a long time. I cannot stop reading and laughing. Keep up the wonderfully hilarious work Mr. Billings, and who knows – with enough perseverence your comedy might one day be good enough to land you a writing job on The Daily Show.
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12:14 am
Redheaded Buddhist, you’re absolutely right. But hey, why not shoot for the stars? They’ve been lacking the character of the uninformed conservative correspondant since Stephen Colbert left five years ago. I’m sensing a possible replacement…
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7:31 am
I keep myself informed from many news sources on the internet. My favorite source for headline hopping is the NY times, but I surf the internet and check out information from many sources. From what I’ve seen, the “news” as reported by the Comedy Central teams has not ever been inaccurate or misleading. I’m always looking forward to their take on some of the top stories of the day. The times when I am supplementing my news information from many sources have given me a lot of confidence in the times when I am news-surfing less and relying more heavily on Mr. Stewart and Mr. Colbert.
The main thing that I get from the Comedy Central news programs, and which is much more important than the news information, is hope. If these people read the news, and astutely see what is going on, and can point out the things that are preposterous, dishonest, corrupt, or just plain stupid, and do it with a sense of humor so that it’s not just depressing, that gives me hope. The fact that these shows are so popular gives me hope. It is a daily renewal of a certain amount of faith in my fellow human beings to watch these programs.
Your article about John Stewart is much less entertaining to read. It is so involved and lengthy in trying to point out the pathetic nature of Mr. Stewart, and in the process exposes your anti-semitic bias, and it goes on to seem like just an unhealthy and obsessive attitude over what, to me, are minor factors in the program.
Is this an entertainment critique? It is so sprawling and does not seem to have a real point. To talk about the influence John Stewart has had on newscasting, and then to try to blame him for some imaginary “damage” he has caused, is just confusing. To me, he is much needed and refreshing dash of honesty and confrontation of the mainstream news media. You talk about the dishonesty and lack of faith that exist in our modern politics and media, and you obviously have a different view of John Stewart than I, since he and his colleagues and audience have given me exactly what you say they have damaged, the ability and faith to dream that there might just be some hope for us.
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5:07 am
Pathetic Stephenson Billings desperately latches on to Jon Stewart in an attempt to draw pageviews.
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7:05 pm
Woody, I’m sorry that you believe that. I wrote about Stewart because I felt it was about time someone mention the obvious– that he’s far past his prime. Why do you find that so upsetting?
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7:52 pm
Because talking about this is just a waste of time and showing how you’re so desperate for views since your hottest topic has plateaued recently. And I want you to answer my question about what Jesus looked like. Just what he looked like, don’t glamor it up and whatnot, give me a description like someone’s making a Wanted poster (i.e. how tall he was, his skin color, hair, etc).
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3:33 pm
fading so far into irrelevance, he (and the show writers) won and Emmy last night…
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11:35 am
Ah, but it’s the gays and the Jews and the blacks and the women who dare to think for themselves who vote for the Emmys. Not the ‘normal’ people who write articles here.
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11:16 am
So let me get this straight, he’s irrelevant but he’s also responsible for scarring almost every journalist while at the same time, dividing the nation and cursed an entire nation of children from dreaming? If anything, you may be the one clinging to relevancy, as well as this website. If it hadn’t been for that liberal whitewash, Gawker, I would never have known about this hack job. On that note, I am cleansing my cache and mind of this minor mental blip of my life on this earth.
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7:04 pm
What in the world are you talking about?
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7:51 pm
He’s talking about how your a hack you retarded, blind idiot. That clear enough? And I want you to answer my question about what Jesus looked like. Just what he looked like, don’t glamor it up and whatnot, give me a description like someone’s making a Wanted poster (i.e. how tall he was, his skin color, hair, etc).
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1:33 pm
just another redneck idiot. check
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2:20 pm
Dan Savage on How His Religious Upbringing Helped His Career
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lbTkTxVINM
It really did help to read the Bible…
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7:03 pm
Sorry but I prefer MICHAEL Savage (even though he’s pro-Zionist).
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10:14 pm
Congrats on your eighth consecutive Emmy, Jon!
Although it’s always tough to see him beat Stephen Colbert…
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10:16 pm
Oh, and for the record–I’m a lesbian, but the “aging” Jon Stewart still looks damn fine.
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8:15 am
IF you want Jon Stewart to drift into irrelevancy, why even mention him or bother to write an article? If the man is irrelevant, then ignore him completely. Some celebrity once said even bad publicity is better than none.
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11:35 am
It’s unfortunate that you decided to write an article about a show you’ve never seen, and have done no research on.
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1:30 pm
why would he want to risk corrupting his heart with stewart’s drivel? by your logic, stephenson should research all sinful activities by committing those very sins. i, for one, don’t have to kiss men or attend synagogue to see that the homo-hebrew liberal agenda leads men’s souls astray.
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4:28 pm
Jon Stewart is the fool in the King’s court, the only one calling out that the emperor has no clothes. For those of us who still think and feel in this country, and have not sold our soul to the devil as acting through Faux News and the like, Jon Stewart is the last, best hope for true American values. He is anything but fading.
He’s about the only one on TV telling the truth. God bless him.
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1:55 am
I’m going out on a limb. “Stephenson Billings” is really Stephan Colbert, and “The Comedian” is really Jon Stewart.
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3:29 pm
Hi Stephenson,
It’s me again. Seriously, just quit. You’re giving me a bad name. Don’t make me smite you.
Sincerely,
GOD
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12:52 am
If I believed in God or karma I would say it just bit Steve Billings in the ass. Jon’s back in the news, more popular than he’s ever been, and getting out a totally rational message to a huge and vocal audience. Struggle over, Jon. You win.
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1:05 am
Why? Because he announced some self-serving parade in Washington? The man is a fraud and a failure. No one wants to waste their time with this fool. He needs to retire and let America get back on track.
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8:05 pm
For god so loved the world, he gave us Jon Stewart and for the sins of people like billings, he gave us Colbert!
Damn you billings, damn you straight to hell!!! :p
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