Jon Stewart returns!
December 8, 2015 2:15 AM Subscribe
Jon Stewart returned last night to the Daily Show. He was there to ask for support in getting the Zadroga Act passed, which would provide funding for first responders who were injured on 9/11. Although the bill was scheduled to be included in the Transportation Bill, it was pulled by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. The bill has 67 senators and 270 Representatives pledged to support it, but Mitch McConnell and Paul Ryan continue to block it. It has to be added to the Omnibus bill by Friday, or all funding will be cut.
James Zadroga, the first responder for whom the bill is named, spent 450 hours participating in the recovery efforts at the 9/11 attack site. He was a widower, and died at the age of 34, leaving a child who was born seven weeks after 9/11.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 3:04 AM on December 8, 2015 [4 favorites]
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 3:04 AM on December 8, 2015 [4 favorites]
why was the bill pulled? (I can't see the linked video in Austrralia due to geo-blocking)
posted by awfurby at 3:08 AM on December 8, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by awfurby at 3:08 AM on December 8, 2015 [1 favorite]
No disrespect to first responders and military, I most certainly appreciate the dangerous and essential work they perform for us all, but I question whether it is the danger or the drama that merits special financial attention for them over workers in other dangerous but less high profile jobs. The list of workers with the deadliest jobs begins with logging workers, fishing workers, and aircraft pilots - - all of whom contribute to our personal and economic survival. Do we "owe them" any less?
posted by fairmettle at 3:10 AM on December 8, 2015 [12 favorites]
posted by fairmettle at 3:10 AM on December 8, 2015 [12 favorites]
question whether it is the danger or the drama that merits special financial attention for them over workers in other dangerous but less high profile jobs.
I do not believe any of the FDNY or NYPD officers, when they became first responders, believed that they would be spending months at the site of a deadly, toxic war zone.
The answer to your question is no, we don't owe people who get sick or killed because of a job hazard anything less than complete care. But we especially owe those who walked into a burning hellhole to try and save human lives. And then spent months, even when they were not on the job, trying to recover the remains of lost Americans.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 3:18 AM on December 8, 2015 [56 favorites]
I do not believe any of the FDNY or NYPD officers, when they became first responders, believed that they would be spending months at the site of a deadly, toxic war zone.
The answer to your question is no, we don't owe people who get sick or killed because of a job hazard anything less than complete care. But we especially owe those who walked into a burning hellhole to try and save human lives. And then spent months, even when they were not on the job, trying to recover the remains of lost Americans.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 3:18 AM on December 8, 2015 [56 favorites]
Fairmette - the difference, I think,, is that logging workers, fishing workers, and aircraft pilots do not get trotted out as props all the time by little men with delusions of self-importance who don't have strong enough ideas that they can win support without playing a sympathy card.
The politicians tell us to "never forget" the bravery of the first responders when they want the country to support their latest bit of security theater; but their own memories are short when it comes to treating those first responders as people and not props.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 3:19 AM on December 8, 2015 [50 favorites]
The politicians tell us to "never forget" the bravery of the first responders when they want the country to support their latest bit of security theater; but their own memories are short when it comes to treating those first responders as people and not props.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 3:19 AM on December 8, 2015 [50 favorites]
No disrespect to first responders and military, I most certainly appreciate the dangerous and essential work they perform for us all, but I question whether it is the danger or the drama that merits special financial attention for them over workers in other dangerous but less high profile jobs. The list of workers with the deadliest jobs begins with logging workers, fishing workers, and aircraft pilots - - all of whom contribute to our personal and economic survival. Do we "owe them" any less?
No, absolutely not. Everyone should be provided for if injured on the job. That's a hard sell though. These people ran into burning buildings and shit to try and save people during one of the more traumatic days for many people in America, so it seems like if we can't provide for everyone hurt on the job, at least we can provide it to them? At the very least, denying medical services to first responders because fishermen don't get it is a really stupid argument.
posted by neonrev at 3:20 AM on December 8, 2015 [8 favorites]
No, absolutely not. Everyone should be provided for if injured on the job. That's a hard sell though. These people ran into burning buildings and shit to try and save people during one of the more traumatic days for many people in America, so it seems like if we can't provide for everyone hurt on the job, at least we can provide it to them? At the very least, denying medical services to first responders because fishermen don't get it is a really stupid argument.
posted by neonrev at 3:20 AM on December 8, 2015 [8 favorites]
Maybe we could leave the word "stupid" out of the discussion.
posted by HuronBob at 3:25 AM on December 8, 2015 [6 favorites]
posted by HuronBob at 3:25 AM on December 8, 2015 [6 favorites]
Jon Stewart returned last night to the Daily Show.
You just got a bunch of Trevor haters really excited for a second.
posted by Drinky Die at 3:51 AM on December 8, 2015 [3 favorites]
You just got a bunch of Trevor haters really excited for a second.
posted by Drinky Die at 3:51 AM on December 8, 2015 [3 favorites]
1. Create universal accident and injury cover for workers from modest premiums paid for by employers, operated by a government agency to amortise costs and keep premiums low by removing profit sourcing and reducing legal fees. All described and enforced by legislation.
2. Award ex gratia payments for injuries sustained in ex gratia activities of bravery and social responsibility.
3 Profit with a happier, healthier and supported community where no-one is arguing a scale of right to compensation for injuries sustained at the workplace or as a result of acts of social-good.
posted by Thella at 4:33 AM on December 8, 2015 [7 favorites]
2. Award ex gratia payments for injuries sustained in ex gratia activities of bravery and social responsibility.
3 Profit with a happier, healthier and supported community where no-one is arguing a scale of right to compensation for injuries sustained at the workplace or as a result of acts of social-good.
posted by Thella at 4:33 AM on December 8, 2015 [7 favorites]
The bill has 67 senators and 270 Representatives pledged to support it, but Mitch McConnell and Paul Ryan continue to block it.
I don't get this. In the grand scheme of things, this is a budget decimal point. It's cheap and feel good legislation. WHY block it? It just makes you look like an asshole about literally the one event in recent history where we all were on the same side. I mean who hates First Responders? It's petty.
posted by leotrotsky at 4:39 AM on December 8, 2015 [5 favorites]
I don't get this. In the grand scheme of things, this is a budget decimal point. It's cheap and feel good legislation. WHY block it? It just makes you look like an asshole about literally the one event in recent history where we all were on the same side. I mean who hates First Responders? It's petty.
posted by leotrotsky at 4:39 AM on December 8, 2015 [5 favorites]
I don't get this. In the grand scheme of things, this is a budget decimal point. It's cheap and feel good legislation. WHY block it?
My hunch is that they want something else tied to it, like "repeal Obamacare" or "defund Planned Parenthood" and are pulling some kind of extortion bullshit.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 4:46 AM on December 8, 2015 [11 favorites]
My hunch is that they want something else tied to it, like "repeal Obamacare" or "defund Planned Parenthood" and are pulling some kind of extortion bullshit.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 4:46 AM on December 8, 2015 [11 favorites]
I mean who hates First Responders?
There are a lot of people who love 9/11, but who hate New Yorkers.
posted by longdaysjourney at 4:50 AM on December 8, 2015 [17 favorites]
There are a lot of people who love 9/11, but who hate New Yorkers.
posted by longdaysjourney at 4:50 AM on December 8, 2015 [17 favorites]
Yeah, it really is a mind-boggling move from McConnell and Ryan. I'd love to hear their rationale for it, though I'd be surprised if it were anything more than fiscal responsibility boilerplate.
posted by Vic Morrow's Personal Vietnam at 4:50 AM on December 8, 2015
posted by Vic Morrow's Personal Vietnam at 4:50 AM on December 8, 2015
It just makes you look like an asshole about literally the one event in recent history where we all were on the same side. I mean who hates First Responders? It's petty.
Looking like an asshole is not a problem whatsoever for those on the right. Isn't a requirement if you're a modern Republican or Tea Partier?
posted by juiceCake at 4:59 AM on December 8, 2015 [7 favorites]
Looking like an asshole is not a problem whatsoever for those on the right. Isn't a requirement if you're a modern Republican or Tea Partier?
posted by juiceCake at 4:59 AM on December 8, 2015 [7 favorites]
It's an issue like this that really pinpoints my disappointment in Jon Stewart over the years. Every time Americans begged him to use his massively influential bully pulpit to change the course of corrupt Congressional acts he would cowardly fall back on the mantra of "I'm just a comedian and this is just a comedy show" but then you see how much power he has with an issue like this, and make no mistake, the first responders will get their money, and it just makes me depressed for what he might have been. When first responders need him, he'll come out of retirement to champion their cause for weeks on end, the rest of America got fart jokes. Talking heads and politicians used to fear being in TDS cross hairs, now they view it as free pr. I am holding out hope that Samantha Bee's new show will show will once again show the world the true power of satire to change the course of politics. We need more outrage Trevor, stop acting like you undeservedly won the lottery and start making people afraid of you.
posted by any major dude at 5:29 AM on December 8, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by any major dude at 5:29 AM on December 8, 2015 [3 favorites]
It's an issue like this that really pinpoints my disappointment in Jon Stewart over the years.
You could argue that Stewart has been so successful on this issue precisely because he was so selective about when he chose to use his pulpit. I'm not so sure he would have had as much influence as you say if he advocated for a new issue every week.
posted by ultraviolet catastrophe at 5:34 AM on December 8, 2015 [34 favorites]
You could argue that Stewart has been so successful on this issue precisely because he was so selective about when he chose to use his pulpit. I'm not so sure he would have had as much influence as you say if he advocated for a new issue every week.
posted by ultraviolet catastrophe at 5:34 AM on December 8, 2015 [34 favorites]
Choosing your battles is a real art. It was never Stewart's job to tell people what to do, just show them what needed done. Too much activism would have ruined everything; he'd end up forming alliances and becoming just another ignorable voice. I don't know what bipartisan means in the US political scene any more, but this must have come close - he only really had one shot in his locker, and this was a good reason to fire it.
Meanwhile, how hateful this all is...
posted by Devonian at 5:50 AM on December 8, 2015 [5 favorites]
Meanwhile, how hateful this all is...
posted by Devonian at 5:50 AM on December 8, 2015 [5 favorites]
WHY block it?
The second clip went into Mitch McConnell's reasoning: He wanted something that was going to loosen oil regulations. When that didn't come through, he pulled Zadroga out of the bill.
posted by imbri at 5:59 AM on December 8, 2015 [6 favorites]
The second clip went into Mitch McConnell's reasoning: He wanted something that was going to loosen oil regulations. When that didn't come through, he pulled Zadroga out of the bill.
posted by imbri at 5:59 AM on December 8, 2015 [6 favorites]
McConnell has to be one of the most venal, self-serving politicians in the US (and given the Republican presidential candidates that's saying something). A true piece of filth without the slightest shred of humanity.
And what's with the Trevor hate? He's doing fine, the writers are sharp and focused, the new correspondents are great. The Daily Show is slicing through this election season like a buzz saw. Oh, and I loved Trevor's exclamation to Stewart as he sat down: Papa!
posted by Ber at 6:26 AM on December 8, 2015 [5 favorites]
And what's with the Trevor hate? He's doing fine, the writers are sharp and focused, the new correspondents are great. The Daily Show is slicing through this election season like a buzz saw. Oh, and I loved Trevor's exclamation to Stewart as he sat down: Papa!
posted by Ber at 6:26 AM on December 8, 2015 [5 favorites]
This is what McConnell wants in return. Democrats are not caving on their demands for clean clean energy tax credits in exchange for lifting the oil export ban, so instead McConnell pulled the 9/11 responders healthcare act, presumably as leverage to get his pro-Oil position passed without giving up anything that Democrats want.
McConnell is truly horrible, but if that's news to you then you haven't been paying attention.
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:30 AM on December 8, 2015 [11 favorites]
McConnell is truly horrible, but if that's news to you then you haven't been paying attention.
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:30 AM on December 8, 2015 [11 favorites]
And no, 9/11 responders don't "deserve" healthcare any more or less than everyone does, but that ship has sailed in America, and this fight over paying for healthcare for literal American heroes shows just how deep the anathema of universal healthcare really goes.
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:34 AM on December 8, 2015 [6 favorites]
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:34 AM on December 8, 2015 [6 favorites]
Here's some behind the scenes stuff from Stewart's trip. He turns down beef jerky and asks for seitan or tofu jerky cause he's a cool guy.
And what's with the Trevor hate?
Dunno, there are some style differences but I think people probably just got used to Stewart. I still expect it to say, "with Jon Stewart" every night during the intro and I love Trevor. (And love that the corespondents are getting more time in the spotlight again.)
posted by Drinky Die at 6:37 AM on December 8, 2015 [4 favorites]
And what's with the Trevor hate?
Dunno, there are some style differences but I think people probably just got used to Stewart. I still expect it to say, "with Jon Stewart" every night during the intro and I love Trevor. (And love that the corespondents are getting more time in the spotlight again.)
posted by Drinky Die at 6:37 AM on December 8, 2015 [4 favorites]
And no, 9/11 responders don't "deserve" healthcare any more or less than everyone does
Well, they sort of do.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 6:38 AM on December 8, 2015 [2 favorites]
Well, they sort of do.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 6:38 AM on December 8, 2015 [2 favorites]
He's doing fine, the writers are sharp and focused, the new correspondents are great. The Daily Show is slicing through this election season like a buzz saw.
no, they are just part of the noise. Election "season" is now 2 years, TDS is contributing to the validation of that farce meanwhile boko haram has killed more people in the last year than ISIS. I thought the point of bringing in someone with international credentials was that TDS was going to focus on real issues instead of Donald Trump and the rest of the pin cushions that are running for the republican nomination.
posted by any major dude at 6:41 AM on December 8, 2015 [1 favorite]
no, they are just part of the noise. Election "season" is now 2 years, TDS is contributing to the validation of that farce meanwhile boko haram has killed more people in the last year than ISIS. I thought the point of bringing in someone with international credentials was that TDS was going to focus on real issues instead of Donald Trump and the rest of the pin cushions that are running for the republican nomination.
posted by any major dude at 6:41 AM on December 8, 2015 [1 favorite]
Eh, people use TDS as lighthearted sanity refresher after their daily dose of American media. I don't think they want to go that serious or global most of the time. John Oliver is much better at mixing in the serious issues on his show where he has the time to go in depth on them.
They could eventually evolve in the direction you want, but for now I think they just want to give people the Daily Show they expect so Trevor can be established. This sort of election coverage has always been part of it.
posted by Drinky Die at 6:45 AM on December 8, 2015 [4 favorites]
They could eventually evolve in the direction you want, but for now I think they just want to give people the Daily Show they expect so Trevor can be established. This sort of election coverage has always been part of it.
posted by Drinky Die at 6:45 AM on December 8, 2015 [4 favorites]
Mod note: One comment deleted. Please don't insult other users, and conversation will probably go better here if we don't assume that folks who think first responders deserve support also feel that nobody else does. Thanks.
posted by taz (staff) at 7:06 AM on December 8, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by taz (staff) at 7:06 AM on December 8, 2015 [1 favorite]
Eh, people use TDS as lighthearted sanity refresher after their daily dose of American media.
I haven't watched cable news in over a decade, are any of them still administering that dose aurally or have they all switched over to suppository to compete with Fox?
posted by any major dude at 7:20 AM on December 8, 2015 [1 favorite]
I haven't watched cable news in over a decade, are any of them still administering that dose aurally or have they all switched over to suppository to compete with Fox?
posted by any major dude at 7:20 AM on December 8, 2015 [1 favorite]
From wiki
A study published in December 2012 in The Journal of the American Medical Association observed the possible association between exposure to the World Trade Center debris and excess cancer risk. Over 55,000 individuals enrolled in the World Trade Center Health Registry, separated by rescue and/or recovery workers and non-rescue and/or recovery workers, were observed from 2003 or 2004 to December 31, 2008. The findings showed the overall incidence of all cancers among rescue and/or recovery workers was not significantly elevated, compared to non-rescue and/or recovery workers. Despite this, the incidences for prostate cancer, thyroid cancer, and multiple myeloma were significantly elevated among the rescue and/or recovery workers, in the final year of observation.
The rate of incidents seems to contradict the AMA study.
posted by uraniumwilly at 7:52 AM on December 8, 2015
A study published in December 2012 in The Journal of the American Medical Association observed the possible association between exposure to the World Trade Center debris and excess cancer risk. Over 55,000 individuals enrolled in the World Trade Center Health Registry, separated by rescue and/or recovery workers and non-rescue and/or recovery workers, were observed from 2003 or 2004 to December 31, 2008. The findings showed the overall incidence of all cancers among rescue and/or recovery workers was not significantly elevated, compared to non-rescue and/or recovery workers. Despite this, the incidences for prostate cancer, thyroid cancer, and multiple myeloma were significantly elevated among the rescue and/or recovery workers, in the final year of observation.
The rate of incidents seems to contradict the AMA study.
posted by uraniumwilly at 7:52 AM on December 8, 2015
You could argue that Stewart has been so successful on this issue precisely because he was so selective about when he chose to use his pulpit. I'm not so sure he would have had as much influence as you say if he advocated for a new issue every week.
Exactly. And the other issue that he was consistently outraged about was the media not doing its job of investigating before reporting, calling out hypocrisy, speaking truth to power, etc.
One person can't do all the things that need doing. Jon Stewart did some important things that one person can do, and also shined a spotlight on important systemic things that need doing. That's an honest day's work.
posted by headnsouth at 9:00 AM on December 8, 2015 [11 favorites]
Exactly. And the other issue that he was consistently outraged about was the media not doing its job of investigating before reporting, calling out hypocrisy, speaking truth to power, etc.
One person can't do all the things that need doing. Jon Stewart did some important things that one person can do, and also shined a spotlight on important systemic things that need doing. That's an honest day's work.
posted by headnsouth at 9:00 AM on December 8, 2015 [11 favorites]
McConnell has to be one of the most venal, self-serving politicians in the US .... A true piece of filth without the slightest shred of humanity.
As a Kentuckian, let me just say hell yes.
posted by tizzie at 9:02 AM on December 8, 2015 [2 favorites]
As a Kentuckian, let me just say hell yes.
posted by tizzie at 9:02 AM on December 8, 2015 [2 favorites]
...question whether it is the danger or the drama that merits special financial attention for them over workers in other dangerous but less high profile jobs.
well, yes. especially because the Administration in collusion with the EPA defrauded them into staying on the job in horribly unsafe conditions.
posted by j_curiouser at 9:29 AM on December 8, 2015 [1 favorite]
well, yes. especially because the Administration in collusion with the EPA defrauded them into staying on the job in horribly unsafe conditions.
posted by j_curiouser at 9:29 AM on December 8, 2015 [1 favorite]
>> Talking heads and politicians used to fear being in TDS cross hairs, now they view it as free pr.
Remember that TDS (and even Jon Stewart's TDS) pre-dates much of the cable news ecosystem that I think really ramped up after 9/11. My feeling is that the increasing toothlessness of TDS is due less to what Jon Stewart/TDS have or haven't done, and more because talking heads and politicians have learned to "embrace the crazy," knowing that at the end of the day they only need to worry about getting their message to a specific audience that is already pre-disposed to trust or distrust TDS.
posted by AndrewInDC at 9:43 AM on December 8, 2015 [1 favorite]
Remember that TDS (and even Jon Stewart's TDS) pre-dates much of the cable news ecosystem that I think really ramped up after 9/11. My feeling is that the increasing toothlessness of TDS is due less to what Jon Stewart/TDS have or haven't done, and more because talking heads and politicians have learned to "embrace the crazy," knowing that at the end of the day they only need to worry about getting their message to a specific audience that is already pre-disposed to trust or distrust TDS.
posted by AndrewInDC at 9:43 AM on December 8, 2015 [1 favorite]
...this fight over paying for healthcare for literal American heroes shows just how deep the anathema of universal healthcare really goes.
All a part of "live hard, die young and screw the future (and if you screw the present enough, then you get to live to a ripe old age)".
The more I read about the World Trade Center the more I believed that if the planes hadn't collapsed them in '01, they would've have had to be torn down in another 20-25 years due to poor construction, leaving just as toxic a mess in New York City.
posted by oneswellfoop at 9:52 AM on December 8, 2015
All a part of "live hard, die young and screw the future (and if you screw the present enough, then you get to live to a ripe old age)".
The more I read about the World Trade Center the more I believed that if the planes hadn't collapsed them in '01, they would've have had to be torn down in another 20-25 years due to poor construction, leaving just as toxic a mess in New York City.
posted by oneswellfoop at 9:52 AM on December 8, 2015
You know, I'm so used to seeing the salt-and-pepper, gray-at-the-temples look on male TV personalities that it did not occur to me the look was engineered in hair-and-makeup to conceal the true extent of the graying. Huh
posted by Anonymous at 10:19 AM on December 8, 2015
posted by Anonymous at 10:19 AM on December 8, 2015
And why I don't recall any of the hosts with beards (other than Conan/Letterman Strike Beard).
posted by lmfsilva at 11:05 AM on December 8, 2015
posted by lmfsilva at 11:05 AM on December 8, 2015
"pre-dates much of the cable news ecosystem that I think really ramped up after 9/11."
It seems like the cable news ecosystem kinda collapsed after 9-11. I mean, look at CNN.
posted by I-baLL at 11:06 AM on December 8, 2015
It seems like the cable news ecosystem kinda collapsed after 9-11. I mean, look at CNN.
posted by I-baLL at 11:06 AM on December 8, 2015
No, CNN failed to adapt when confronted by the politicization of cable news. That's really what I'm referring to.
posted by AndrewInDC at 11:27 AM on December 8, 2015
posted by AndrewInDC at 11:27 AM on December 8, 2015
And what's with the Trevor hate? He's doing fine, the writers are sharp and focused, the new correspondents are great.
I think he'll be fine eventually (if given the chance) but he's still finding his feet. His tone is just a bit off. For instance, when Stewart would laugh at one of his own jokes it would feel natural and infectious. When Noah does it it feels forced and slightly smug.
Once he discovers his own style and tone I think it'll work out. In the meantime people are just missing the guy they've grown to know and love.
posted by brundlefly at 12:40 PM on December 8, 2015 [1 favorite]
I think he'll be fine eventually (if given the chance) but he's still finding his feet. His tone is just a bit off. For instance, when Stewart would laugh at one of his own jokes it would feel natural and infectious. When Noah does it it feels forced and slightly smug.
Once he discovers his own style and tone I think it'll work out. In the meantime people are just missing the guy they've grown to know and love.
posted by brundlefly at 12:40 PM on December 8, 2015 [1 favorite]
I think Trevor is doing just fine by now. He's got fantastic, good and meh episodes just like Jon Stewart did.
He's just different because, well, he's Trevor and not Jon. And people just don't like change as much as they'd like to think they do, especially when it comes to all the familiar comforts one has grown used to over the years.
I certainly noticed this in myself for a while but got myself to make an effort and realize that "he's just not the same" is a very different statement from "he's just not as good". Once I got over that hump and started watching Trevor on his own terms I started enjoying his Daily Show as much as I did Stewart's.
There's things I loved about JS that Trevor doesn't have/do but that's true in reverse as well. For example I find myself watching a higher percentage of Trevor's interviews of guests than Stewart's where I skipped over all but a few.
posted by Hairy Lobster at 2:24 PM on December 8, 2015
He's just different because, well, he's Trevor and not Jon. And people just don't like change as much as they'd like to think they do, especially when it comes to all the familiar comforts one has grown used to over the years.
I certainly noticed this in myself for a while but got myself to make an effort and realize that "he's just not the same" is a very different statement from "he's just not as good". Once I got over that hump and started watching Trevor on his own terms I started enjoying his Daily Show as much as I did Stewart's.
There's things I loved about JS that Trevor doesn't have/do but that's true in reverse as well. For example I find myself watching a higher percentage of Trevor's interviews of guests than Stewart's where I skipped over all but a few.
posted by Hairy Lobster at 2:24 PM on December 8, 2015
Trevor needs to find his Crossfire moment.
posted by lmfsilva at 3:13 PM on December 8, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by lmfsilva at 3:13 PM on December 8, 2015 [1 favorite]
Well, Stewart took over in 1999 and his Crossfire moment was in 2004. It takes some time to build up that credibility.
posted by Drinky Die at 3:22 PM on December 8, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Drinky Die at 3:22 PM on December 8, 2015 [1 favorite]
Yup. Did not say it was easy or even if Trevor has "it" in him, but I think that was the moment Stewart crossed from being another funnyman on late nights to an activist of... dunno, sanity (that was also a funnyman on late nights). Or even if Trevor wants to follow the same path, or wants to hold on and see which opportunities lie ahead.
posted by lmfsilva at 4:27 PM on December 8, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by lmfsilva at 4:27 PM on December 8, 2015 [1 favorite]
I most certainly appreciate the dangerous and essential work they perform for us all, but I question whether it is the danger or the drama that merits special financial attention for them over workers in other dangerous but less high profile jobs.
But they're not asking for special attention. As was pointed out in Stewart's excellent piece, all they're really asking for is the same courtesy that McConnell seemed very eager to give workers in the energy sector.
posted by tonycpsu at 6:11 PM on December 8, 2015
But they're not asking for special attention. As was pointed out in Stewart's excellent piece, all they're really asking for is the same courtesy that McConnell seemed very eager to give workers in the energy sector.
posted by tonycpsu at 6:11 PM on December 8, 2015
I think Trevor's doing just fine and will do even better when he's had time to really make the show his own. As a matter of interest, does anyone know how The Daily Show's ratings have been doing since the change of host?
posted by Paul Slade at 10:22 AM on December 9, 2015
posted by Paul Slade at 10:22 AM on December 9, 2015
From a brief google...bad. But I would expect election season heating up will bring back viewers and at that point he and the writers will sink or swim on their own merits.
I have a hard time understanding what Noah might be doing to turn off viewers besides not being Stewart. To me he seems like a really nice mix of Stewart's charm and self-deprecation and Kilborn's smoothness and charisma that works really well for the format.
It might have been better if they made the switch before Colbert left to help keep the routine viewers of both shows in place.
posted by Drinky Die at 10:58 AM on December 9, 2015
I have a hard time understanding what Noah might be doing to turn off viewers besides not being Stewart. To me he seems like a really nice mix of Stewart's charm and self-deprecation and Kilborn's smoothness and charisma that works really well for the format.
It might have been better if they made the switch before Colbert left to help keep the routine viewers of both shows in place.
posted by Drinky Die at 10:58 AM on December 9, 2015
I have a hard time understanding what Noah might be doing to turn off viewers besides not being Stewart.
I suspect Daily Show liberals are perhaps not as liberal as they'd like to believe they are, and structural/(un? maybe)conscious racism is probably playing a part.
(NB: I've only seen a few bits he's done--no cable--and he has nailed every one that I've seen.)
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 9:46 PM on December 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
I suspect Daily Show liberals are perhaps not as liberal as they'd like to believe they are, and structural/(un? maybe)conscious racism is probably playing a part.
(NB: I've only seen a few bits he's done--no cable--and he has nailed every one that I've seen.)
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 9:46 PM on December 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
I think Noah's delivery of the fake news segments is easily as good as Stewart's, if not better. His interviews of celebrities sometimes come off as a bit too fawning, and he hasn't really had many opportunities to do the aggressive questioning of politicians that Stewart was known for when he was at his best, but Stewart wasn't really good with interviews early on, so that's an unfair comparison.
To me, though, the thing that's really fallen off has been the correspondent bits. Jessica Williams is still wonderful, but she doesn't seem to be making as many appearances, and the writing of her segments hasn't been as strong to me. Jordan Klepper is basically heir to Jason Jones' "cartoonishly douchey white guy" throne, and he does that fine, but Jones seemed much more versatile. Hasan Minhaj has probably been the strongest of the newer crew, but overall the entertainment level (more in the writing of the segments than the delivery in most cases) seems to have fallen off dramatically.
I'm not sure how much of that is the loss of Stewart's touch or other changes in the writing staff, but that's what's really jumped out at me.
posted by tonycpsu at 10:04 PM on December 9, 2015
To me, though, the thing that's really fallen off has been the correspondent bits. Jessica Williams is still wonderful, but she doesn't seem to be making as many appearances, and the writing of her segments hasn't been as strong to me. Jordan Klepper is basically heir to Jason Jones' "cartoonishly douchey white guy" throne, and he does that fine, but Jones seemed much more versatile. Hasan Minhaj has probably been the strongest of the newer crew, but overall the entertainment level (more in the writing of the segments than the delivery in most cases) seems to have fallen off dramatically.
I'm not sure how much of that is the loss of Stewart's touch or other changes in the writing staff, but that's what's really jumped out at me.
posted by tonycpsu at 10:04 PM on December 9, 2015
Jordan Klepper is basically heir to Jason Jones' "cartoonishly douchey white guy" throne, and he does that fine, but Jones seemed much more versatile.
Not just versatility, Jason Jones also did some of the ballsiest segments, and by the tail end of his tenure as correspondent, he always had highlight reel material on his appearances. He was not as traditionally funny as others (Oliver, Colbert, Bee), but those segments legitimized Daily Show as something more than news spoof even more.
I don't expect Klepper going to Teehran or "covering" the 2018 World Cup.
posted by lmfsilva at 1:47 AM on December 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
Not just versatility, Jason Jones also did some of the ballsiest segments, and by the tail end of his tenure as correspondent, he always had highlight reel material on his appearances. He was not as traditionally funny as others (Oliver, Colbert, Bee), but those segments legitimized Daily Show as something more than news spoof even more.
I don't expect Klepper going to Teehran or "covering" the 2018 World Cup.
posted by lmfsilva at 1:47 AM on December 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
That's precisely what I meant by versatility -- he could turn off the smirk and do a serious segment, with just enough gallows humor to keep it entertaining. Not saying Klepper can't do it, just that he hasn't yet. I think Williams seems more cut out for those kind of assignments among the current staff.
posted by tonycpsu at 7:34 AM on December 10, 2015
posted by tonycpsu at 7:34 AM on December 10, 2015
The range and diversity of the new correspondent staff is a thing I celebrate all the time. TDS isn't all white people anymore, and that's valuable.
posted by hippybear at 7:41 AM on December 10, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by hippybear at 7:41 AM on December 10, 2015 [3 favorites]
Our government is so broken.
Mitch McConnell remains exceedingly unpopular. Only 15% of voters approve of the job he's doing to 59% who disapprove. GOP voters are so down on him (15/62 approval), that McConnell actually fares slightly better with Democratic voters (18/53 approval).
posted by Drinky Die at 2:25 PM on December 10, 2015
Mitch McConnell remains exceedingly unpopular. Only 15% of voters approve of the job he's doing to 59% who disapprove. GOP voters are so down on him (15/62 approval), that McConnell actually fares slightly better with Democratic voters (18/53 approval).
posted by Drinky Die at 2:25 PM on December 10, 2015
>I don't expect Klepper going to Teehran or "covering" the 2018 World Cup.
Don't get me wrong, I was nodding along with your comment. But I think his segment last night which had some very serious material was a sign he could develop into someone like that.
posted by Drinky Die at 12:58 AM on December 11, 2015
Don't get me wrong, I was nodding along with your comment. But I think his segment last night which had some very serious material was a sign he could develop into someone like that.
posted by Drinky Die at 12:58 AM on December 11, 2015
But I think his segment last night which had some very serious material was a sign he could develop into someone like that.
Just finished it. Pretty good stuff, and I agree with you.
posted by lmfsilva at 6:51 AM on December 11, 2015 [1 favorite]
Just finished it. Pretty good stuff, and I agree with you.
posted by lmfsilva at 6:51 AM on December 11, 2015 [1 favorite]
McConnell poised to give Jon Stewart what he wants: The Senate leader's office says McConnell always intended to back a health bill for 9/11 responders that the comedian has implored Congress to pass.
posted by homunculus at 3:57 PM on December 13, 2015
posted by homunculus at 3:57 PM on December 13, 2015
Jon Stewart Crashes Stephen Colbert’s Monologue: Stewart has an important message for Congress about renewing the Zadroga Act… only no one can hear it unless he Trumps it up.
posted by homunculus at 3:59 PM on December 13, 2015
posted by homunculus at 3:59 PM on December 13, 2015
Congress Finally Comes Through For Ailing Sept. 11 Heroes
posted by Drinky Die at 8:26 AM on December 17, 2015
posted by Drinky Die at 8:26 AM on December 17, 2015
« Older The Least Essential Albums of 2015 | Vincent walks! Newer »
This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments
I hope this gets passed. We owe them. But then, the US is terrible about providing for long-term care for those who have served in in the military, too. "Support our troops" seems to be a refrain that doesn't extend to actually providing for them when they are sick or in legal trouble or homeless... And I guess the 9/11 first responders sort of fall into that same category.
I hope Congress works this out. But I'm not optimistic.
posted by hippybear at 2:45 AM on December 8, 2015 [8 favorites]