If Obama Loses Jon Stewart, He’s Lost America
by Chris Stigall
July 15th, 2009 – a day that shall live in comedic infamy. The Obama administration’s first direct hit from reliably friendly allies. Former Saturday Night Live star, now stand up comic Dana Carvey was the guest on the new Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien. When O’Brien asked Carvey his opinion of Obama, Carvey trotted out some fresh material. “I’m worried. The economy just had a heart attack, but Barack just wants to work on the knee,” Carvey riffed. ”Should we do CPR? No, we’re gonna fix this knee. We can do CPR when it’s efficient and cost effective, but right now we’re going to work on the meniscus. “Carvey concluded the bit suggesting George W. Bush would have used an economic “crash cart.” “Tax cuts for everybody – CLEAR!” The audience roared. Were they laughing at Carvey’s “dumb guy” Bush impression, or was it the excitement of more money in their pockets as an economic remedy? No matter the audience response. Carvey saw fit to address economic policy in his comedy. That’s telling.
At the same hour, on the same day – The Daily Show’s Jon Stewart opened fire. ”Last night, Obama threw out the first pitch at the All Star game. He even played short-stop for a time,” Stewart said. “There’s nothing he can’t do…except create jobs.” Ouch. The audience laughed tepidly. It was as though they couldn’t believe what they’d heard, and Stewart moved past the line quickly.
During the same show, Stewart went on to skewer the healthcare reform fight in Washington. Initially mocking Republicans for sounding the alarm on Obama’s ultimate desire for a “single payer” system, the joke took an unexpected turn. ”…that’s just a Republican scare tactic. The Democrats are not proposing a government takeover of health insurance. And they’re certainly not trying to “Trojan horse” us into some European or Canadian-style single payer system,” said Stewart. With that, Stewart played some grainy campaign video from 2008 in which Obama told a cheering crowd, “I happen to be a proponent of single-payer health care.” The next shot is a dumbfounded Stewart back at the desk as he coldly confessed, “Wow. That Communist sounded a lot like our President.”
Since this watershed event in comedy, the Daily Show has taken on a new tone. A day after President Obama declared Cambridge cops “acted stupidly” in the arrest of his friend “Skip” Gates, Stewart took it head on. “Now, I wasn’t at the press conference last night, and I don’t have all the facts. But I think it’s fair to say that Obama handled that question…oh, what’s the word I’m looking for? Stupidly?”
In another segment of the same show, Stewart playfully cheered as Nancy Pelosi and President Obama suggested increased taxes on the wealthiest Americans to pay for health care reform. He pretended to be surprised when he was “informed” in his earpiece that he, in fact was wealthy. ”Oh, so they’re coming for me…ok,” Stewart said sheepishly. Remember, Stewarts’s a New York-based millionaire. Theirs is the highest taxation in the country, and President Obama and New York want more from him. Is Stewart sensitive to that? Again, economics and federal budgets as punch lines? You’ve got your answer.
Last week’s Daily Show also featured a montage of the President refuting criticisms of his health care plan. After the string of presidential rebuttals Stewart concluded, “You know a sales pitch is in trouble when it starts with “Look, you’ve got to trust me. We’re not going to kill your grandparents.”
The impression shouldn’t be left that comedy’s liberal leanings are absent. The bias for this president is still deeply entrenched in comedy writers. But writers and performers are also wealthy, privately insured, and often well educated. They have lost much of their own wealth in the markets while beginning to realize the finest doctors and insurers who serve them are growing nervous. Comedians have families and friends in medicine, finance, and industry. Reality is setting in.
The truth of the nation’s growing pessimism and skepticism in Washington is at historic highs and on display every day. Comedians’ choice is clear. Continue to cheer and cover for a president in whom they emotionally invested so much. Or realize the investment just didn’t pay off as they’d hoped and get back to the honesty in their craft.
Never have there been so few jokes directed at a President who deserves so many.
Jon Stewart was just voted “America’s most trusted” by the online readers at Time Magazine after Walter Cronkite passed away. He led the likes of Couric, Williams, and Gibson – all network news anchors who “play it straight.” Meanwhile, Gallup polling reports Obama’s job approval among likely voters age 18 to 29 and 30 to 49 has dropped 6 percent in the last month.
Obama is losing Jon Stewart. The question is: Can Obama get him back?
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103 Comments
I can only hope that the more our comics see that the emporer has no clue, that the jokes keep on coming. Clinton got it, so did Carter. It's THE ONE's turn to become just like the rest of us. It's a hard fall Icuras.
Stewart took a pass on the obvious Obama/Joker poster, take a breath he has not changed his spots. Still a flaming liberal
It's too late. They're all irrelevant. Now they're stuck with the albatross, and I hope it's a heavy, stinky one. Unless they're actively helping to take the country back and protect our freedoms, I don't give a rap what they're saying.
I actually watched "The Daily Show" for the first time last week. "Spinal Tap" was om played "Working on a Sex Ranch". They were great, reliable lefties but great nonetheless…should he veer toward consistant sanity I may watch again…and please, none of the usual "well college grads ALL watch him, so he must be schmart, huyck, huyck…"
Does this mean that Jon Stewart needs to be reported to the White House for his anti-Obama propaganda? He does dress well so I guess Obama's gang needs to investigate him.
I sure hope he loses him. I won't give too much credit to Stewart, but there are more disillusioned Democrats every day.
Never has there been so much disdain, for so few, by so many. The sleeping giant has awakened.
I still think one of the better one-liners came from Conan on his Tonight Show monologue some weeks ago: "Today at the Vatican, President Obama sat down with Pope Benedict XVI. That's right, the man millions of people consider to be infallible got to meet the Pope." This also met with muted laughter. I'm not sure if the audience didn't like the joke or was just afraid to be heard laughing at it.
I don't watch the Daily Show or any other comedic based news so little 'ole me has been sitting here cracking up at what Jon Stewart and other comedians have said in response to Obama! I hope that they will keep it up because if the media isn't keeping him in check at least the comedians are…isn't that sad when we can "trust" the words of comedians over the NEWS?!
Ok guys, please hurry over and see this hilarious youtube clip mocking Obamacare before they take it down:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRvtWEG_vhQ
[...] this article: If Obama Loses Jon Stewart, He’s Lost America This entry is filed under America – Blogs, Big Hollywood. You can follow any responses to this [...]
It's about darn time.
Someone tell Emperor Obama that he's not wearing any clothes.
After we get that "Obama DeathCare Reform," we can look forward to "Cap and Tax."
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
DON'T FLAG ME BRO.
CARVEY AND STEWART ARE STRAIGHT-UP REDNECK RACISTS, PURE AND SIMPLE!
/sarcasm
//garofolo'd
In all seriousness, the fact that Stewart (I am not familiar with Carvey's political leanings) feels the need to take a few shots at the Dear Leader is as reliable as any poll in determining the Dear Leader's political fortunes.
Some of the MSM types who helped elect the Dear Leader will stay in His bunker even while the shells are falling, but many more survival-minded types on the left will turn on their Messiah as He is revealed to be a mere mortal, and a badly-flawed one at that.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRvtWEG_vhQ OMG this was hysterical–I nearly peed in the bed I laughed so hard!!!
These oh so funny Wise-Guys wooed and fell in Love with this Scarlet Persona and then got Married. Now their stuck with it for better or for worse for richer or for poorer till death do you part. Be careful what you wish for Funny People you just might get it or it might get you.
I'm all for jamming the White House informer e-mail box–this seems as good a way as any to do it.
LB that's one wild piece! Wow. Thanks.
But the question… is he an *honest* flaming liberal?
Stewart annoys me but he does seem to be willing to look at politicians on the left and admit that sometimes they are worthy of being made fun of.
Obama is an illegal muslim but if the best people can'r expose him, the next thing is Tony Resko! Resko was convicted more than a year ago but was never sentenced. He is the key and is telling everything to Fitzgerald. He has all info on Emanuel and Blago and they'll save their butt to convict obama. So it's just starting. Go to: Her Name is Ms Ann, on YOUTUBE, to understand everything. A MUST READ!
Great parody. Thanks for the tip.
Now they're praying for the End of Time.
Have mercy! That is hilarious!
That was great, thanks!
Great video. I hope it goes viral.
Barry the Boy Wonder, is beginning to fade. Hope and change are nothing but worn out Marxist tripe and it’s now plain for all to see. Keep the pressure up America, there’s much danger for our country while these radicals are in power.
The MSM will never turn on Obama because to do so would be to admit that they were wrong about him. And if there's one thing a narcissist can't do it's to admit they were wrong ABOUT ANYTHING. This really isn't even a matter of being wrong about the guy. When you consider all of the questionable connections and policies of Obama they make perfect sense now. So it is really a matter of them (the MSM) intentionally deceiving the public to get Obama elected. I like to call it "Intellectual Dishonesty". They knew what they were promoting was an inexperienced socialist but they chose to not look to hard or deeply at him out of fear of finding something really ugly under the shiney topcoat. So to expect them to somehow change their minds about the guy now would mean admitting they didn't do their jobs at vetting him in the first place. Sorry folks that is simply never going to happen in today's media climate. There will be a few very tepid jokes here and there but that's about all we should expect.
Breath of Fresh air at last!
My God, that was phenomenal.
amen, brother…
That was one of the best I have seen!
"Don't mess with Acorn, Obama's SS!!!"
Thank you so much Lad, you've made my whole day!!!
God Bless the people that made Downfall. They made it easy and safe to use Hitler to make fun of anything. And who is going to complain about you making fun of Hitler? Thanks for the link.
You know, if he and his writers would just stick to comedy and calling it as they see it (even from a liberal bias), when somethings wrong its wrong. Be honest in your dealings and you'll have all the respect in the world.
I'll never be a big fan of Stewart's but I know a LOT of liberals who think he is the funniest, smartest guy ever. The fact that he's throwing some barbs Obama's way is fantastic because of the influence it will have. If he can add some tarnish to Obama's veneer I'm a happy camper.
I definitely wasn't paradise by the dashboard light..
It definitely wasn't paradise by the dashboard light..
58 year old American ,
I do not agree with Jon on many things but I want to Thank Mr. Steward for being an American and being honest to himself . Be we Dem. , Repub. , Indep. , we are Americans first . When we see something " fishy " it is our duty to stand up and be heard . Again —- thanks Jon
Fantastic, fantastic, fantastic article! I actually watched the episode of The Daily that Chris is talking about and I was actually really, really surprised (like "crap my pants" surprised) that Jon took the shots he did at Obama. I felt a little dumb as well, because my wife turned it on and I just finished b**ching about how biased that show is when he did that. Then he does that and we're both like "uh, is this the same show we've seen before?".
Then I went and played xbox because, you know, that's still better than watching that show, haha!
I've been surprised to see two … two! … Tom Tomorrow cartoons critical of BHO and the Dems since inauguration. I guess I can't call him the world's most predictable cartoonist anymore. More Blue-on-Blue, please!
Stewart and the likes are just cowards and mentally deranged individuals who no nothing about life nor reality outside their liberal dogma. I do not give a rats ass what he thinks. America at large must wake up before its too late. It does not want to believe that it actually elected a socialist dare I say communist to the white house. This is a fact not hyperbole, exageration, or a political spin. I am not saying this for dramatic effect. Look at his life, his associations, his book, his mentors. He is the manchurian candidate. Why do you think that this is not possible here in America but quite in fact was a reality in other countries? Are we so special?
Dana Carvey calls in occasionally to Dennis Miller's talk show (heard in LA 6-9 PM) and I'm 99% sure he's been dissing Obama right along. Dennis by the way also shifted a long way to the right since the Clinton era, or at least since 9-11.
I thought we were supposed to report
Did you not get the memo
THANK YOU. I NEEDED THAT.
"But the question… is he an *honest* flaming liberal?"
Exactly. And the answer is "yes". I don't agree with Stewart's politics either, but I have defended him many times on this show. He is not an equal opportunity satirizer, but he is willing to take Obama out to the woodshed from time to time.
As Bush moves farther and farther into the rear view mirror and Obama's failures come more frequently, I think Stewart will be there to beat him down.
The problem is that comedians like Stewart are not doing this from a place of true honesty but the necessity to maintain ratings. The jokes will be there sure but they will always be skewed toward bringing people back around totheir way of thinking. Do we really think that Stewart isn;t hobnobbing with the same political chronies of the left.
We conservatives need to understand that we must develop artists, comedians, actors, writers and others that hold our viewpoint. In this way only will we ever have any kind of real voice. We cannot simply wait until the remainder of the spokesman are forced to mimic what could be construed as coming form our libertarian worldview simply because the public demands it. How much venom do we think the raconteurs will infuse into the wounds next year when Congress it up for reelection. IT's nice to see it happening but I still feel that Republicans should put more passion into the works of Crowder, Rachel, Klavin et al..
That was HILARIOUS! The best ever. The language was a little foul, but so is the President. Sent to everybody I know. Thanks so much for the link.
I agree. The best I have ever seen. Took all the right jabs at all the right places. Hysterical!
If Jon Stewart loses obama, he loses America. Wait, he already has.
They have to realize the public opinion is turning. If they want to keep their audience and appear edgy they'll go after the most obvious target. They don't have Bush and Palin to pick on anymore.
I had to read this article twice because I couldn't wrap my head around a public liberal embedded in Hollywood being honest about the President they campaigned for. I am truly shocked. I'm reluctant to credit Stewart- in fear that he will retract BUT if he's truly standing American ground, bravo.
It's a sad state for journalism when America's most trusted news source is "The Daily Show." But I have to agree that it's probably a more balanced presentation of the news than anything in the MSM.
If it's turning…and I think it is…Conan even mentioned O's low poll numbers in his monologue, I have to say I take a little solace in the fact that libs who thought their plan to overtake the world just isn't quite working out like they planned.
I bees agreeing wit you MF. Dem Crackers be lying on our man! Ain't no black comedians gibbin Obama no S. Dis here racism sho nuf, just like dey run on OJ and da Jena Six. Like the Rev. Wright be saying, "GD America!"
It could be there weren't enough Catholics to hyuk over the Infallible Pope business.
In my private high school, (I went to the same school as Jeff Jena), we were told by a dotty old nun who wore a Dorothy in Oz dress that the Pope was Infallible when- and this was emphasized for no reason-
"speaking from The Chair.", which led to all sorts of strange imagery and odd scenerios.
Just toss that on the ever growing pile of weird Catholic trivia.
That clip has had a lot of good use already, over BMW motorcycles (I don't want some d** candy-a** Japanese bicycle), Windows, XBOX, the super-bowl… A very useful piece for us who don't know German.
That clip has had a lot of good use already, over non-German motorcycles ("I might as well get a Kawasaki!"), Windows, XBOX, the super-bowl, Second Life… A very useful piece for us who don't know German.
I think the best thing about being a Democrat is knowing not only that we belong to the largest and oldest, most American political party, but also that we have room to criticize each other while still remaining Democrats. Stalin and the Republicans, on the other hand, are fond of purges and purity, litmus tests, and attacking anyone with a shade of heresy.
The MSM will never turn on Obama because to do so would be to admit that they were wrong about him. And if there's one thing a narcissist can't do it's to admit they were wrong ABOUT ANYTHING.
There's one other way out of it — to finally turn against him and pretend it was all his fault. They're never going to admit that they deceived the American people, but they'd be more than willing — if they thought it might get them out of hot water — to suggest that Obama deceived them.
Tell it to Joe Lieberman and Bernie Goldberg.
Actually, most modern American Catholics don't understand the "ex Cathedra" doctrine. If they did, they'd be Protestants.
Somewhere in Washington D.C. Jon Stewart's name just got added to a list.
Largest political party? Last checked 40% of the population considers themselves conservative. less than 21% consider themselves liberal, according to gallup. Oldest? Congratulations! Most American? Please explain. America was founded based on the idea that we are born free, to make decisions for ourselves in the persuit of life, liberty, and the persuit of happiness (or property). How has you "most American" party been promoting that exactly?
I'll show you the life of the mind!!!
While you're at it, Barton, thank the Democrats for the Dred Scott decision.
Proud history my hind foot.
…and never has there been so much disdain for so many by so few – witness the remarks by Robert Gibbs that protests against Obama's proposed health care plan were "astroturfed" and the remark by Senator "Babs" Boxer that the protesters couldn't be genuine – why, they were too well-dressed (maybe future protesters need to show up at "town hall" meetings near-naked, wearing wooden barrels – "The taxes for ObamaCare will bankrupt all of us!")
LBJ said after the Tet Offensive that if he lost Walter Cronkite, he lost America. If Obama loses Jon Stewart, will he lose the young, hip crowd, 66% of who voted for Obama?
"…but many more survival-minded types on the left will turn on their Messiah as He is revealed to be a mere mortal…" – sort of like when Himmler, "der Treue Heinrich", did when he tried to negotiate his own separate truce with the western Allies before the Soviets took Berlin.
Make that; "Working on a Sex FARM"
"plowin' through your bean fields,
gettin' out my pitch fork,
pokin' yo' hay…
can't you feel my silo risin' high, high high."
The big question isn't as much what they're doing now, when presented with such a big, fat target for comedy that they can't pass it up. It's what are they going to do during the 2010 and 2012 election cycle, if the Obama Administration keeps going in the same direction.
Comedy shows on TV made fun of Bill Clinton and Al Gore between elections, but reliably came running back to them during the '96 and 2000 campaigns. Odds are you may see a few more examples of the late night shows going off the reservation over the next 9-10 months, but will make sure by next summer that their barbs are almost all directed towards conservatives again (barring the occassional bitter joke towards Democrats because they're either inept or haven't gone far enough to the left).
Relationships based on infatuation usually don't last all that long. Once the infatuation fades, the parties involved can't stand to be around each other.
[...] Comedians turn on Obama, audiences stunned by punchlines (Big Hollywood) [...]
I think Stewart might be fighting his staff. There are occasional digs at Obama but the overall content seems to be an Obamamercial. Sometimes the digs at Republicans reveal more about Obama.
I was surprised when he went up against Kathleen Sebelius so hard. Asking her as a rich person if he would be able to stop poor people from smoking and eating ice cream. Remarkably she replied "I hope so." He seemed to seriously be taunting her and she fell for it.
So we're turning into Kenya. How bad can that be, really?
I may have to start watching Stewart….
Dana Carvey's career was definitely hurt when he did that bit years ago mocking Bill Clinton.
Impersonating Clinton, Carvey opened his shirt and had milk coming out of multiple teats on his chest. Then puppies were handed to him from off camera which began suckling while Dana's Clinton said something like, "Y'all just come to me. Ah'll take care of ya'."
Interestingly, I believe Dana was dealing with Clinton's healthcare power grab, just like Obama is now.
barack LBJ obama
Great but late. When you think about it, O is a treasure trove for satirists. The speech mannerisms alone should provide endless fun. If Stewart can hold back that long – over a year! – he will never be trustworthy. He is just shoring up his credibility a bit.
Stop giving me reasons to watch The Daily Show! I turned away from that show in disgust long ago.
The question isn't whether he's a flaming liberal incapable of changing his spots. Of course he is. That's fine. But, he is starting to question who it is he bought into with the last election. That's fantastic.
Jon Stewart is a satirist. He *should* be taking shots at whoever is in power, and that's what he's doing. To read anything more into it is to assume everyone is as much of an idealogue as you are. Project much?
Jimmy Fallon, possibly Obama's biggest outright late-night supporter, made a pretty solid joke at his expense earlier this week. He started with how Paul McCartney dedicated "Michelle" to the first lady. The punch-line was that he, later in the show, dedicated the song "Tax Man" to the president. It caught me off guard a bit. The other one he did last week was a skit mocking workout infomercials. He was doing this commercial for the H.O.R.'s health care bill saying it will get us all healthy by lifting 1500 pages, not by fixing health care. I'm pretty impressed with him.
Too late, too little. I just had to tell one of the PAC's that I'm keeping my money because I don't think that it matters anymore. This will be shoved down our throat. If we don't change this political advantage by these communist thugs in Washington D.C., I'll need that money to buy bread. Hopefully, someone will loan me a wheel barrow for the amount of money I'll need to buy it.
[...] LAUGHING AT OBAMA: Big Hollywood contributor Chris Stigall has noticed that comedians are starting to make more jokes about Obama and his policies, something that had been extremely rare considering presidents are normally comedy bread and butter. [...]
Great article, very keen observations.
Obama's policies are guaranteed to fail. The cannot work. They NEVER have anywhere. Eventually EVERYONE will see. The question then will be whether we can recover or not.
The infatuation with obama was the political equivalent of "love at first sight." It's doomed to wain.
How does it feel to lose 3 of your advertisers, Glenn?
When a ship starts to sink, the rats are the first to leave.
Beautiful!
Oh, and some little coward is out here now voting the tumbs down on everyone without commenting. Giving everyone a plus to help counter.
and now their cut by the metal on the edge of a knife.
I believe a strip search (cavity search?) is warranted.
LOL! Thanks, but as a Texan we're *sex ranchers* not *sex farmers*, it's a "Texas thing", I really wouldn't understand…or is it "you really wouldn't understand"…whatever…;-)
I'll never stop being amused at how thoroughly so many "conservatives" have absorbed this notion that everyone in NY/LA working within range of a camera is part of this giant conspiratorial aparatus that's all on the same page, taking orders and following charts about what issues to tip their material toward. If someone tells me that they're "shocked!" to see The Daily Show making fun of liberals/democrats, they're basically telling me that they don't watch The Daily Show very much.
Stewart has a "side" but his comedy and his show generally don't, often at the price of hacking off some of it's decidedly left-wing audience ("Heh, not so funny when it's your guy?" is a recurring punchline.) This is why he and Colbert are funny and still relevant, while Dennis Miller and Janeane Garofalo are not.
I think the "best" thing about being a Democrat is living a life of delusion and complete denial of any objective facts.
Apparently.
And in what context was "Stalin" a Republican? Was it the small centralized government or the tax cuts for the wealthy? You really have no freaking idea what you're talking about.
As to being the "largest and oldest" political party, are you pretty happy with what your boys were doing back in the 1850s? Quite a proud history there, bubba.
Agreed. BDS got obama in the White House, not his experience, qualifications or intellect.
It's interesting how the tone changes when those setting the tone are directly impacted. Still not a Stewart fan. I'll stick with SEINFELD reruns at night.
Hey! I'm speaking from my chair, here!
Well, that's a surprise. I've always said that Jon Stewart is intelligent and well-spoken, whether I agree with his politics or not, but it's good to actually see confirmation of that occasionally.
"I don't agree with Stewart's politics either, but I have defended him many times on this show. He is not an equal opportunity satirizer, but he is willing to take Obama out to the woodshed from time to time."
Perhaps, but I doubt I'll add The Daily Show back to my Tivo unless he publicly burns his Obama commemorative kneepads. Not holding my breath.
Steal your face right off your head.
Like Chris said" reality sets in", pretty much sums it up.
Man you know what would be hilarious? democrats hanging from every lamp post, until we run out of either lamp posts, or democrat. i would laugh for decades.
[...] Obama Loses Jon Stewart, He
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