#1
Posted: 9/27/06 at 4:51pm
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/opinion/story.jsp?story=707949http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/opinion/story.jsp?story=707949
"Code:
Belfast Telegraph Home > News > Opinion
US getting real with Daily dose
By Walter Ellis
27 September 2006
For years now, one of the hottest tickets in New York has been for The Daily Show, with Jon Stewart. You may have caught the show in its 'global edition' version on Channel 4. You may also have seen Stewart host the Oscars this year. But unless you live in the United States, you can have no idea what a breath of fresh air he represents in the stultified world of American television.
His show, which goes out each night from 'Comedy Central's World News Headquarters in New York' has a regular audience of only 1.5 million, which means that it is watched by only one in every 200 Americans.
But its influence is growing. An invitation to appear on the Daily Show is rarely turned down. Former presidents and directors of the CIA stand in line to josh with Jon - usually about the War on Terror, frequently about President George W Bush.
The show's adept mix of satire, celebrity interviews and slapstick is impossible to resist. But - and this is the point - beneath the surface froth is a very serious message. America, Stewart wishes us to know, is being governed by right-wing incompetents who think they have a direct line to God - and it is time for the country to wake up and throw the bums out. "
story continued on http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/opinion/story.jsp?story=707949http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/opinion/story.jsp?story=707949
"Code:
Belfast Telegraph Home > News > Opinion
US getting real with Daily dose
By Walter Ellis
27 September 2006
For years now, one of the hottest tickets in New York has been for The Daily Show, with Jon Stewart. You may have caught the show in its 'global edition' version on Channel 4. You may also have seen Stewart host the Oscars this year. But unless you live in the United States, you can have no idea what a breath of fresh air he represents in the stultified world of American television.
His show, which goes out each night from 'Comedy Central's World News Headquarters in New York' has a regular audience of only 1.5 million, which means that it is watched by only one in every 200 Americans.
But its influence is growing. An invitation to appear on the Daily Show is rarely turned down. Former presidents and directors of the CIA stand in line to josh with Jon - usually about the War on Terror, frequently about President George W Bush.
The show's adept mix of satire, celebrity interviews and slapstick is impossible to resist. But - and this is the point - beneath the surface froth is a very serious message. America, Stewart wishes us to know, is being governed by right-wing incompetents who think they have a direct line to God - and it is time for the country to wake up and throw the bums out. "
story continued on http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/opinion/story.jsp?story=707949http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/opinion/story.jsp?story=707949
