Jon Stewart Gets Serious
March 5, 2013 2:12 PM Subscribe
Funnyman Jon Stewart is taking a 12 week hiatus to direct a film adaptation of Iranian journalist Maziar Bahari's book Then They Came For Me. John Oliver will take over hosting duties in his absence.
Daily Show clip of Jason Jones interview before Bahari's arrest. Post - arrest Daily Show interviews. Previously
There was chatter a year or two ago of an "international edition" of The Daily Show featuring Oliver as lead anchor; he's clearly the next in line for the "Colbert promotion" and has been for some time. You have to figure this is being treated as a test run.
posted by mightygodking at 2:18 PM on March 5, 2013 [5 favorites]
posted by mightygodking at 2:18 PM on March 5, 2013 [5 favorites]
This is not only great news for Stewart, who gets to take a break to do something different, but also for the show. It often gets (or seems) tired during the dog days of non-election-year summers, so having fresh (but familiar and experienced) blood in the big chair will make it interesting, even if the news isn't.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 2:19 PM on March 5, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by MCMikeNamara at 2:19 PM on March 5, 2013 [3 favorites]
HOW WILL THIS AFFECT THE BUGLE. CONGRESSIONAL PENISISESESEES EVERYWHERE NEED TO KNOW.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 2:20 PM on March 5, 2013 [38 favorites]
posted by robocop is bleeding at 2:20 PM on March 5, 2013 [38 favorites]
Why just John Oliver, I wonder? Why not rotate the correspondents through the anchor desk, give them all a try. I like Samantha Bee, I think she'd be a great (hilarious/clever) anchor and a good interviewer.
posted by MoxieProxy at 2:23 PM on March 5, 2013 [20 favorites]
posted by MoxieProxy at 2:23 PM on March 5, 2013 [20 favorites]
John Oliver hosts Ye Olde Daily Showe: Crumpets, Failed Empires, and Disappointingly Failed Orthodontia Edition!
posted by stenseng at 2:31 PM on March 5, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by stenseng at 2:31 PM on March 5, 2013 [2 favorites]
HOW WILL THIS AFFECT THE BUGLE. CONGRESSIONAL PENISISESESEES EVERYWHERE NEED TO KNOW.
FUCK YOU CHRIS!
posted by Jimbob at 2:32 PM on March 5, 2013 [17 favorites]
FUCK YOU CHRIS!
posted by Jimbob at 2:32 PM on March 5, 2013 [17 favorites]
This could be a bit awkward if it turns out that John Oliver is consistently funnier, more engaging, and perhaps a little less preachier, than Jon Stewart
Taste in humor is intensely personal, so this isn't something you could be wrong or right about, but you might want to consider, in making that judgment, just how different the roles of host and "correspondent" are. I love both Jon and John (and would be sad to see John go to a different show), but I suspect it would be easy for Jon to come off as more consistently "funny and engaging" if he was only doing relatively short bits and not having to keep the whole show together.
posted by yoink at 2:33 PM on March 5, 2013 [5 favorites]
Taste in humor is intensely personal, so this isn't something you could be wrong or right about, but you might want to consider, in making that judgment, just how different the roles of host and "correspondent" are. I love both Jon and John (and would be sad to see John go to a different show), but I suspect it would be easy for Jon to come off as more consistently "funny and engaging" if he was only doing relatively short bits and not having to keep the whole show together.
posted by yoink at 2:33 PM on March 5, 2013 [5 favorites]
But how will this affect the development of Smurfs 2?
And how will John Oliver cope without a horde of puns to swim against?
posted by JHarris at 2:36 PM on March 5, 2013 [2 favorites]
And how will John Oliver cope without a horde of puns to swim against?
posted by JHarris at 2:36 PM on March 5, 2013 [2 favorites]
And will he end each episode by shouting BYE? Because if not, I think we should get our monies back.
posted by JHarris at 2:40 PM on March 5, 2013 [6 favorites]
posted by JHarris at 2:40 PM on March 5, 2013 [6 favorites]
Iran steps up arrests, torture, executions: U.N.
Iran hits back at UN rapporteur over human rights claims
posted by homunculus at 2:44 PM on March 5, 2013 [3 favorites]
Iran hits back at UN rapporteur over human rights claims
posted by homunculus at 2:44 PM on March 5, 2013 [3 favorites]
mightygodking, there was (and as far as I know could still be) an International version of The Daily Show with Stewart hosting. It's weekly and made mostly of a collection of clips from the past week of shows, but it has a custom monologue segment. Oliver does seem like a natural for that job, but as anyone who listens to The Bugle knows, John Oliver tours a lot. He's frequently had to deal with less-than-perfect Skype connections while Bugle-ing.
posted by JHarris at 2:45 PM on March 5, 2013
posted by JHarris at 2:45 PM on March 5, 2013
but I suspect it would be easy for Jon to come off as more consistently "funny and engaging" if he was only doing relatively short bits and not having to keep the whole show together.
I don't know how it relates to the task of hosting the show but I've enjoyed Stewart's standup more than Oliver's.
posted by shakespeherian at 2:45 PM on March 5, 2013
I don't know how it relates to the task of hosting the show but I've enjoyed Stewart's standup more than Oliver's.
posted by shakespeherian at 2:45 PM on March 5, 2013
This is probably a good thing. Jon stewart seems to have lost his humor, at least from recent shows. I think he wants too be more hard news as of late, he doesn't seem as if he is having much fun with his show anymore.
posted by ionized at 2:46 PM on March 5, 2013 [4 favorites]
posted by ionized at 2:46 PM on March 5, 2013 [4 favorites]
I really wish they rotated correspondents instead of going exclusively with John Oliver. While John Oliver has his moments, I tend to think a little of his shtick goes a long way. Recently I seem to start a channel surfing round half way through his segments. I have the feeling this means that I'll also be taking a 12 week hiatus from the Daily Show.
Jon Stewart is still one of the funniest people on TV. Maybe he doesn't swing for the big laugh fences as often as he used to, but he's more engaging and worth watching now than ever before.
posted by Slack-a-gogo at 2:50 PM on March 5, 2013 [4 favorites]
Jon Stewart is still one of the funniest people on TV. Maybe he doesn't swing for the big laugh fences as often as he used to, but he's more engaging and worth watching now than ever before.
posted by Slack-a-gogo at 2:50 PM on March 5, 2013 [4 favorites]
I wonder if it's more or less work.. What will become of the Bugle?
posted by absalom at 2:55 PM on March 5, 2013
posted by absalom at 2:55 PM on March 5, 2013
I think he wants too be more hard news as of late, he doesn't seem as if he is having much fun with his show anymore.
I think it's more a sign of his frustration with politicians and the media. Much of the humour from the last two years has turned bitter and caustic. There is a kind of darkness to his sarcasm that was not present in past years. And you're right, he's probably using this as a way to place himself in more "legitimate" media.
This will be an interesting project and I look forward to it.
posted by Fizz at 2:57 PM on March 5, 2013 [5 favorites]
I think it's more a sign of his frustration with politicians and the media. Much of the humour from the last two years has turned bitter and caustic. There is a kind of darkness to his sarcasm that was not present in past years. And you're right, he's probably using this as a way to place himself in more "legitimate" media.
This will be an interesting project and I look forward to it.
posted by Fizz at 2:57 PM on March 5, 2013 [5 favorites]
The first segment of TDS (Stewart at the desk) is always the show's highlight. I'm not so taken with the correspondents' bits, which often seem a bit too formulaic. I wish the entire show was just Jon.
posted by davebush at 3:04 PM on March 5, 2013 [15 favorites]
posted by davebush at 3:04 PM on March 5, 2013 [15 favorites]
I really wish they rotated correspondents instead of going exclusively with John Oliver.
One of the other reports said Oliver would only be doing 8 of the 12 weeks. I hope Jessica Williams gets the other four.
posted by gerryblog at 3:05 PM on March 5, 2013 [3 favorites]
One of the other reports said Oliver would only be doing 8 of the 12 weeks. I hope Jessica Williams gets the other four.
posted by gerryblog at 3:05 PM on March 5, 2013 [3 favorites]
This is basically Andy Zaltzman's last, best hope for getting interviewed on a major American basic cable talk show.
posted by Casuistry at 3:08 PM on March 5, 2013 [11 favorites]
posted by Casuistry at 3:08 PM on March 5, 2013 [11 favorites]
Calling it now: the film will be unexpectedly good and receive an Oscar nod, but will not actually win considering Argo's recent victory. Also I really want to see the usual fear-of-a-war-with-Iran-mongerers come out and accuse Jon Stewart of being part of the war drum machine.
posted by Apocryphon at 3:09 PM on March 5, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by Apocryphon at 3:09 PM on March 5, 2013 [2 favorites]
One of the other reports said Oliver would only be doing 8 of the 12 weeks. I hope Jessica Williams gets the other four.
How much of the remaining 4 weeks would be taken up by The Daily Show's regular week-long breaks?
posted by dumbland at 3:10 PM on March 5, 2013 [4 favorites]
How much of the remaining 4 weeks would be taken up by The Daily Show's regular week-long breaks?
posted by dumbland at 3:10 PM on March 5, 2013 [4 favorites]
The important question is how this will affect Community's meticulously-crafted ensemble. Because I discovered at an early age that if I talk long enough I can make any discussion center around Community. BOOYAH!
posted by Riki tiki at 3:11 PM on March 5, 2013 [9 favorites]
posted by Riki tiki at 3:11 PM on March 5, 2013 [9 favorites]
Also I really want to see the usual fear-of-a-war-with-Iran-mongerers come out and accuse Jon Stewart of being part of the war drum machine.
Gawker is ON IT.
posted by gerryblog at 3:11 PM on March 5, 2013
Gawker is ON IT.
posted by gerryblog at 3:11 PM on March 5, 2013
davebush: “I'm not so taken with the correspondents' bits, which often seem a bit too formulaic.”
Not just formulaic – often downright awful, I think. They're almost always cringe interview, these awful, weird gotcha things where it's supposed to be hilarious that they're deadpanning in front of the person they're interviewing. "So we decided to interview this Tea Party person who actually believes God created the world five years ago!" Queue the questions intended to be silly and awkward and the dead pauses that are supposed to be jokes, I guess. Ugh. Colbert is the only one who's ever kind of succeeded at that, only by dint of his ability to be self-effacing and charming because he's playing a character as a front, but even he is often tedious when playing this game.
mightygodking: “There was chatter a year or two ago of an ‘international edition’ of The Daily Show featuring Oliver as lead anchor; he's clearly the next in line for the ‘Colbert promotion’ and has been for some time. You have to figure this is being treated as a test run.”
I don't see it. Do you really think Comedy Central is aiming to be running three fake news shows every day? At some point they'd pretty much have to replace all their programming with fake news shows. I wouldn't have a huge problem with that, granted, but it doesn't seem like something they're going to want to do. I feel like there's a limited market for this particular thing, and John Oliver has (I think) spent the past few years making sure his resume has a lot on it besides just The Daily Show. I mean, look at Ed Helms – as far as I know, he's the only non-Colbert alum of The Daily Show who's landed a really steady high-profile gig after leaving.
posted by koeselitz at 3:14 PM on March 5, 2013 [7 favorites]
Not just formulaic – often downright awful, I think. They're almost always cringe interview, these awful, weird gotcha things where it's supposed to be hilarious that they're deadpanning in front of the person they're interviewing. "So we decided to interview this Tea Party person who actually believes God created the world five years ago!" Queue the questions intended to be silly and awkward and the dead pauses that are supposed to be jokes, I guess. Ugh. Colbert is the only one who's ever kind of succeeded at that, only by dint of his ability to be self-effacing and charming because he's playing a character as a front, but even he is often tedious when playing this game.
mightygodking: “There was chatter a year or two ago of an ‘international edition’ of The Daily Show featuring Oliver as lead anchor; he's clearly the next in line for the ‘Colbert promotion’ and has been for some time. You have to figure this is being treated as a test run.”
I don't see it. Do you really think Comedy Central is aiming to be running three fake news shows every day? At some point they'd pretty much have to replace all their programming with fake news shows. I wouldn't have a huge problem with that, granted, but it doesn't seem like something they're going to want to do. I feel like there's a limited market for this particular thing, and John Oliver has (I think) spent the past few years making sure his resume has a lot on it besides just The Daily Show. I mean, look at Ed Helms – as far as I know, he's the only non-Colbert alum of The Daily Show who's landed a really steady high-profile gig after leaving.
posted by koeselitz at 3:14 PM on March 5, 2013 [7 favorites]
Steve Carrell?
posted by dumbland at 3:16 PM on March 5, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by dumbland at 3:16 PM on March 5, 2013 [3 favorites]
Ha, wow. I haven't been watching the show that long, I guess.
posted by koeselitz at 3:16 PM on March 5, 2013
posted by koeselitz at 3:16 PM on March 5, 2013
The Bugle is much better than The Daily Show. I hope Jon brings Andy over for some Pun Runs.
posted by painquale at 3:17 PM on March 5, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by painquale at 3:17 PM on March 5, 2013 [3 favorites]
Heh no problem, I just wasn't sure if Steve Carrell was disqualified because of his post-Office work. I haven't been keeping up.
posted by dumbland at 3:19 PM on March 5, 2013
posted by dumbland at 3:19 PM on March 5, 2013
Mo Rocca wrote a book on presidential pets, and he's become the most annoying, unfunny, panelist ever on NPR's Wait Wait Don't Tell Me. Does that count as high profile?
posted by RonButNotStupid at 3:20 PM on March 5, 2013 [6 favorites]
posted by RonButNotStupid at 3:20 PM on March 5, 2013 [6 favorites]
I hope at least one of the days they cold open to Craig Kilborn at the desk, just to fuck with everyone.
posted by Uther Bentrazor at 3:20 PM on March 5, 2013 [41 favorites]
posted by Uther Bentrazor at 3:20 PM on March 5, 2013 [41 favorites]
I don't see it. Do you really think Comedy Central is aiming to be running three fake news shows every day?
Why not, Fox does this 24/7.
ZING!
posted by Fizz at 3:23 PM on March 5, 2013 [18 favorites]
Why not, Fox does this 24/7.
ZING!
posted by Fizz at 3:23 PM on March 5, 2013 [18 favorites]
Why just John Oliver, I wonder? Why not rotate the correspondents through the anchor desk, give them all a try.
He's got huge, sharp --- he can leap about --- look at the bones man!
posted by Smedleyman at 3:32 PM on March 5, 2013 [1 favorite]
He's got huge, sharp --- he can leap about --- look at the bones man!
posted by Smedleyman at 3:32 PM on March 5, 2013 [1 favorite]
The Bugle is much better than The Daily Show. I hope Jon brings Andy over for some Pun Runs.
NO THEY SHOULD NOT DO THIS
posted by JHarris at 4:09 PM on March 5, 2013 [2 favorites]
NO THEY SHOULD NOT DO THIS
posted by JHarris at 4:09 PM on March 5, 2013 [2 favorites]
Jon Stewart has begun to shape public discourse. He's demonstrated to both the average joe and the media his contribution is not humor, but keen, wise, insight, and the ability to communicate better than his real news competitors. This level of talent is far from comedy as you can get, but something much more serious. Jon Oliver has a long way to go before achieving this level of contribution. Glad he is bringing this skill to a new project.
posted by Kruger5 at 5:08 PM on March 5, 2013 [11 favorites]
posted by Kruger5 at 5:08 PM on March 5, 2013 [11 favorites]
Do you really think Comedy Central is aiming to be running three fake news shows every day? At some point they'd pretty much have to replace all their programming with fake news shows.
Seems to have worked for the Discovery channel and TLC with "reality TV."
posted by localroger at 5:12 PM on March 5, 2013 [1 favorite]
Seems to have worked for the Discovery channel and TLC with "reality TV."
posted by localroger at 5:12 PM on March 5, 2013 [1 favorite]
I wish they would rotate between John Oliver, Jason Jones and Al Madrigal.
posted by rainy at 5:30 PM on March 5, 2013
posted by rainy at 5:30 PM on March 5, 2013
Uh, you know Al Madrigal recently admitted to killing a guy, right?
posted by robocop is bleeding at 6:02 PM on March 5, 2013
posted by robocop is bleeding at 6:02 PM on March 5, 2013
Seriously, robocop is bleeding? Maybe you'll want to back that up, since the Internet (google, google news, Wikipedia) seems to know nothing about it.
posted by koeselitz at 6:29 PM on March 5, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by koeselitz at 6:29 PM on March 5, 2013 [1 favorite]
I presume it was in one of the bits? In that case it might not have actually happened..
posted by rainy at 6:32 PM on March 5, 2013
posted by rainy at 6:32 PM on March 5, 2013
This is the end of the Bugle as we know it.
posted by blue_beetle at 6:47 PM on March 5, 2013
posted by blue_beetle at 6:47 PM on March 5, 2013
Minivan Men, featuring Al Madrigal.
He was supposed to mow a woman's lawn, but left it to the next day. In the meantime the woman's husband went out to mow the lawn, had a heart attack and died.
posted by dumbland at 6:49 PM on March 5, 2013 [1 favorite]
He was supposed to mow a woman's lawn, but left it to the next day. In the meantime the woman's husband went out to mow the lawn, had a heart attack and died.
posted by dumbland at 6:49 PM on March 5, 2013 [1 favorite]
Oops, just noticed the relevant episode 75 is on that page. It's available here.
posted by dumbland at 6:51 PM on March 5, 2013
posted by dumbland at 6:51 PM on March 5, 2013
he's become the most annoying, unfunny, panelist ever on NPR's Wait Wait Don't Tell Me.
and that's saying something!
posted by saul wright at 6:52 PM on March 5, 2013 [2 favorites]
and that's saying something!
posted by saul wright at 6:52 PM on March 5, 2013 [2 favorites]
Of all the correspondents, John Oliver just doesn't do it for me. I really wish they had chosen Samantha Bee, who's breathtakingly funny and it would be awesome to see a woman host the Daily Show. John Oliver can come off as caustic even more so than Jon Stewart does.
posted by Lipstick Thespian at 7:32 PM on March 5, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Lipstick Thespian at 7:32 PM on March 5, 2013 [1 favorite]
I hope he brings back Hotties from History.
posted by arcticseal at 8:53 PM on March 5, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by arcticseal at 8:53 PM on March 5, 2013 [3 favorites]
I love Jon Stewart and think this is a great opportunity for him. Furthermore as a dedicated Bugler, this makes me ridiculously happy.
Win/Win.
posted by thivaia at 8:56 PM on March 5, 2013 [1 favorite]
Win/Win.
posted by thivaia at 8:56 PM on March 5, 2013 [1 favorite]
I love John Oliver but had not considered him as the one being groomed for the desk until reading this. Larry Wilmore or Samantha Bee seem more natural fits.
posted by Navelgazer at 9:48 PM on March 5, 2013
posted by Navelgazer at 9:48 PM on March 5, 2013
(I kid about Andy's puns, but I think it'd be great to see him on Daily Show. Shhh, don't tell anyone I said this.)
posted by JHarris at 10:17 PM on March 5, 2013
posted by JHarris at 10:17 PM on March 5, 2013
Surely there must be quite a few prominent politicians watching The Daily Show to keep up with opinion - raising the fantastic prospect of Obama tuning in one night and watching Andy Zaltzman do an eight minute cross-country pun marathon about Roman emperors/footballers/cheeses of the world.
posted by forgetful snow at 12:39 AM on March 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by forgetful snow at 12:39 AM on March 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
Hmm... okay, I think I could overcome my fear of pun runs in that event -- provided that Chris is on hand with the Pun Bell, and he dutifully rings it after each one.
posted by JHarris at 3:40 AM on March 6, 2013
posted by JHarris at 3:40 AM on March 6, 2013
(I think the pun run I refer to is in Bugle 208. It's the longest run I think he's ever had.)
posted by JHarris at 3:44 AM on March 6, 2013
posted by JHarris at 3:44 AM on March 6, 2013
That's the fish pun run, right? Here it is, for those who have no idea what we're talking about. I'm so, so sorry.
posted by painquale at 6:26 AM on March 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by painquale at 6:26 AM on March 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
I hope this gives us more Jessica Williams.
I agree. Jessica Williams's first appearance or two were dull, but she has improved dramatically since then. I don't know if it's experience on her part or the writers getting better at writing for her or some combination, but she's consistently hilarious these days.
posted by jedicus at 7:25 AM on March 6, 2013
I agree. Jessica Williams's first appearance or two were dull, but she has improved dramatically since then. I don't know if it's experience on her part or the writers getting better at writing for her or some combination, but she's consistently hilarious these days.
posted by jedicus at 7:25 AM on March 6, 2013
John Oliver hosts Ye Olde Daily Showe: Crumpets, Failed Empires, and Disappointingly Failed Orthodontia Edition!
Oh God I hope not: I really dislike the segments where they make Oliver play the stereotypical Englishman. (Or at least what TDS's American writers see as stereotypically English.)
On The Bugle his Britishness is much more nuanced and, to my ears at least, much more genuine.
posted by We had a deal, Kyle at 7:45 AM on March 6, 2013
Oh God I hope not: I really dislike the segments where they make Oliver play the stereotypical Englishman. (Or at least what TDS's American writers see as stereotypically English.)
On The Bugle his Britishness is much more nuanced and, to my ears at least, much more genuine.
posted by We had a deal, Kyle at 7:45 AM on March 6, 2013
I know, he's the only non-Colbert alum of The Daily Show who's landed a really steady high-profile gig after leaving.
Chris Rock also pioneered what evolved into the TDS correspondent shtick doing GOP convention coverage back on Politically Incorrect. (Which may have also inaugurated the "Indecision" tagline, I can't recall.)
posted by snuffleupagus at 8:00 AM on March 6, 2013
Chris Rock also pioneered what evolved into the TDS correspondent shtick doing GOP convention coverage back on Politically Incorrect. (Which may have also inaugurated the "Indecision" tagline, I can't recall.)
posted by snuffleupagus at 8:00 AM on March 6, 2013
So, upon inquiry, Rock on PI coincided with the Stewart-era TDS's intentional turn towards the political for the 2000 campaign, and it was TDS that launched Indecision 2000. Fan page here.
posted by snuffleupagus at 8:14 AM on March 6, 2013
posted by snuffleupagus at 8:14 AM on March 6, 2013
The main difference between Politically Incorrect and The Daily Show that I noticed was that The Daily Show isn't hosted by an insufferably sexist asshole.
posted by koeselitz at 8:27 AM on March 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by koeselitz at 8:27 AM on March 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
John Oliver hosts Ye Olde Daily Showe: Crumpets, Failed Empires, and Disappointingly Failed Orthodontia Edition!
Oh God I hope not: I really dislike the segments where they make Oliver play the stereotypical Englishman. (Or at least what TDS's American writers see as stereotypically English.)
The one where they made him report on some stupid royal visit In the manner of some crawling royalist was classic though.
posted by Artw at 8:31 AM on March 6, 2013
Oh God I hope not: I really dislike the segments where they make Oliver play the stereotypical Englishman. (Or at least what TDS's American writers see as stereotypically English.)
The one where they made him report on some stupid royal visit In the manner of some crawling royalist was classic though.
posted by Artw at 8:31 AM on March 6, 2013
The main difference between Politically Incorrect and The Daily Show that I noticed was that The Daily Show isn't hosted by an insufferably sexist asshole.
It was from '96 to '99. But, yeah. That and the format of the show. Anyway, the comment had nothing to do with Maher.
posted by snuffleupagus at 8:52 AM on March 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
It was from '96 to '99. But, yeah. That and the format of the show. Anyway, the comment had nothing to do with Maher.
posted by snuffleupagus at 8:52 AM on March 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
Sorry, he still gets my blood up – you really weren't talking about him at all.
posted by koeselitz at 8:54 AM on March 6, 2013
posted by koeselitz at 8:54 AM on March 6, 2013
Heh. That's understandable. No worries.
posted by snuffleupagus at 8:56 AM on March 6, 2013
posted by snuffleupagus at 8:56 AM on March 6, 2013
Thank you all for introducing me to The Bugle!
posted by Big_B at 8:57 AM on March 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by Big_B at 8:57 AM on March 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
Oh God I hope not: I really dislike the segments where they make Oliver play the stereotypical Englishman. (Or at least what TDS's American writers see as stereotypically English.)
We're meant to understand that it's a pile of ridiculously outmoded cliches. Just as when Jon Stewart does his "Hellooooooooo" voice for the Queen, he doesn't actually think he's doing an impression of how she sounds.
And I'd be willing to bet reasonably large amounts of money that the majority of those bits have heavy writing input from John Oliver.
posted by yoink at 9:07 AM on March 6, 2013
We're meant to understand that it's a pile of ridiculously outmoded cliches. Just as when Jon Stewart does his "Hellooooooooo" voice for the Queen, he doesn't actually think he's doing an impression of how she sounds.
And I'd be willing to bet reasonably large amounts of money that the majority of those bits have heavy writing input from John Oliver.
posted by yoink at 9:07 AM on March 6, 2013
Oh God I hope not: I really dislike the segments where they make Oliver play the stereotypical Englishman. (Or at least what TDS's American writers see as stereotypically English.)
...
And I'd be willing to bet reasonably large amounts of money that the majority of those bits have heavy writing input from John Oliver.
Yeah, I think that Oliver isn't so dependent on TDS that he couldn't walk away if he didn't find his role in the show to be amusing. Also, those times when he and Stewart just go the fuck off on each other for no reason whatsoever have gotten to be the most consistently hilarious parts of the show. I bet they'll be playing up that "tension" over the summer as well (a la the "Loser Leaves Town" match in professional wrestling plotlines).
posted by Etrigan at 9:19 AM on March 6, 2013
...
And I'd be willing to bet reasonably large amounts of money that the majority of those bits have heavy writing input from John Oliver.
Yeah, I think that Oliver isn't so dependent on TDS that he couldn't walk away if he didn't find his role in the show to be amusing. Also, those times when he and Stewart just go the fuck off on each other for no reason whatsoever have gotten to be the most consistently hilarious parts of the show. I bet they'll be playing up that "tension" over the summer as well (a la the "Loser Leaves Town" match in professional wrestling plotlines).
posted by Etrigan at 9:19 AM on March 6, 2013
Oh, Pippa!
posted by arcticseal at 9:23 AM on March 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by arcticseal at 9:23 AM on March 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
I've always thought Stewart's "Hellooooooo" is meant to be Monty Python fan-service as much as any kind of direct impression.
posted by snuffleupagus at 9:48 AM on March 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by snuffleupagus at 9:48 AM on March 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
I've checked. Not only is the Pun Bell in Bugle 208 (used during an epic run of fish puns, which are ordinarily the lowest form of puns but Andy spouts out over fifty of them in under four minutes), but it's classic in many other ways: it followed the first Presidential debate in which Obama somehow lost to Romney, and it also features John's Headache Killing Snake. A great introductory episode!
posted by JHarris at 7:03 PM on March 6, 2013
posted by JHarris at 7:03 PM on March 6, 2013
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