The Jon Stewart Effect

Humor can motivate. I hope.

I am happy that Jon Stewart has returned. Back when he was hosting the Daily Show, which he left in 2015, I was not a huge fan but recognized his ability to keep a certain demographic informed. I thought this time he would do the same, and my enthusiasm was that more non-news-obsessed people (such as myself) would get from him an infusion of what’s going on and what’s at stake. Many late-night comics inform us politically, it’s how many people get their news. Stephen Colbert is my favorite. But Stewart was the (modern) original, and I think his first Daily Show seasons made significant waves.

I didn’t stay up to watch the new one last night, but saw a clip this morning that I thought was good. In the clip, he talks about the importance of voting on Nov 5th, but also the importance of paying attention to other days—Nov 6th, 7th, 8th, etc-and to the fact that our Democracy is always in danger. Here is what he says:

“I’ve learned one thing over these last nine years, and I was glib at best and probably dismissive at worst about this: The work of making this world resemble one that you would prefer to live in is a lunch pail [expletive] job, day in and day out, where thousands of committed, anonymous, smart and dedicated people bang on closed doors and pick up those that are fallen and grind away on issues until they get a positive result, and even then, have to stay on to make sure that result holds. So, the good news is, I’m not saying you don’t have to worry about who wins the election. I’m saying you have to worry about every day before it and every day after, forever. Although, on the plus side, I am told that at some point, the sun will run out of hydrogen.”

I found the opening to be old jokes, immediately making light of the age of the two presidential candidates. Maybe it will get better, maybe his presence will help get the uninterested, the apathetic, motivated to pay attention to politics and the possible demise of our freedom.

As for late-night talk shows, I have written many times about how there have historically been few women hosting late-night, political talk shows. I think that women-identifying comics would bring a fresh perspective. We need to shake things up. Good comedy can do that if it doesn’t just retread the old tropes and stereotypes. I hope Stewart and his writers do a lot of shaking up.

Off to watch the House of Representatives try to vote again to impeach Mayorkas. Political theater and a waste of money. And I hope the Democrats find a way to get the aid to Ukraine, despite obstructions from the GOP. It’s crazy.

I hope your day was a good one, thanks again for joining me here. I really appreciate it and look forward to your comments.