Rescue Me

Continuing in the vein of Humor Hurts and Public Enemy, In These Times discusses the intersection of politics, journalism and humor. In Politics, Comedy is Central, Jessica Clark writes:

Boston College professor Paul Lewis . . . examines how conservative media figures like Rush Limbaugh and Ann Coulter have effectively dismissed and diminished progressive ideas and politicians by making them the “butt” of taunts.

This project of attacking liberals has unified a diverse and contentious coalition of fundamentalists, free marketeers and career Republicans in ways that little else could.

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Now, the tables are turning. Bush was spared much mockery in the wake of 9/11, but with his popularity tanking, the “butt-in-chief” is again fair game. Bush-bashing has become a cottage industry.

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While the partisans tally swear words and sling mud, Stewart and Colbert are busy making the news good again. They mock the Republicans plenty, but they’re capturing larger audiences precisely because they’re not just bashing Bush. Instead, they’re tapping into the growing public realization that mainstream journalism has become a joke.

Their smarty-pants shows serve up multilayered satire that matches our multitasking moment. Watching Colbert navigate both the challenges of his O’Reilly-esque persona and the news of the day entertains even the most ADD-addled viewer. Their performances engage us on a visceral level while simultaneously pointing out the devices mainstream media use to hook viewers.

So, how do these Comedy Central send-ups impact politics? A study by two East Carolina University political scientists recently set off some alarm bells. . . . On June 23, Washington Post columnist Richard Morin fretted that the study was “particularly dismaying news because the show is hugely popular among college students, many of whom already don’t bother to cast ballots.” TNR television critic Lee Siegel piled on, “Constant ridicule seems to have the effect of turning the political system into one gigantic self-parodying freak show.”

A freak show? No kidding …

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Besides, isn’t skepticism a sane response to the Bush administration lies and corruption? “My enthusiasm for Stewart correlates to the hope for a new group of progressive politicians,” says Lewis.

Responses like these reveal the serious role political humorists now play. They serve up truth in the guise of Colbert’s “truthiness.” Rather than foster debilitating cynicism, these comedians-cum-newscasters reflect a contemporary mode of communication in which irony is not antithetical to—but synonymous with—authenticity. . . . Sarcasm, doubt and distance have become default positions, havens in a world of fundamentalisms, false promises and lies.

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Maybe the new comedy will not only make us laugh, but help us rescue ourselves from the tragedy of today’s politics. (Emphasis added)

I agree. In these times, we need to stay informed, communicate that knowledge to others and be active in supporting important causes. Above all, we also need to laugh whenever we can.

Tags: Commentary, News and Media, Political Humor, Daily Show, Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, Politics