Weird moment on The Daily Show with JS last night, Re: debates

[ProfessorPlum]

Ed Helms was pretending to be a reporter who had already written his story about the debates yesterday, and was waiting to file it. He was explaining that the media already had their narrative, and that they just placed events within that narrative, so the story was already essentially written.

That was the punchline of the bit. This fact is both A) true and B) never discussed by the media, as is pointed out daily at The Daily Howler.

I suppose it was meant to be funny. The audience, however, got really very quiet when Ed was done. Why? Was this a truth they didn't recognize? Had it just dawned on them this is what happens. Was the truth just so sad that when they heard it for the first time, it stunned them? The bit kind of fell flat - I was laughing at it, in the "it wouldn't be funny if it weren't so true - I think I need a drink" way that TDS makes me laugh. But the studio audience definitely wasn't there yet.

Any one else catch that? Comment?

[ewagner]

1. I think

they recognized it as a given.........and therefore not very funny.

[wtmusic]

4. Yep

or they support W and didn't understand.

[knowbody0]

jon stewart

and his entire crew have been recognized
it is sobering to comprehend how the truth can only speak through comedy

[mac56]

10. 'Twas ever thus.

Way back when, the court jester was the only one allowed to speak truth to the king.

[ewagner]

17. Farther back than that

Greek Tragedy formula: The "fool" was the only one who possessed the gift of insight.

[cheshire]

2. I didn't catch that how odd, It could be but I think they are usually on

top of things. Maybe they don't know. Curious.

[LibertyorDeath]

3. That's the feeling I got

"Was the truth just so sad that when they heard it for the first time, it stunned them?"

[AlCzervik]

5. The collective light bulb turned on

over their heads. I think it was a good segment and i think it may have accomplished what it was set out to do.

[ProfessorPlum]

8. That's kind of what I took from it, too

Since no one, NO ONE, else has ever talked about this in a widely-seen venue.

People didn't have time to laugh, because they just had gotten the significance of the assertion.

[AmerDem]

6. I did catch that

and yes the audience went quiet as if a strange dark cloud rolled in. I took it the same way as you, a lightbulb went off in their head and they were trying to digested what they just came to know.

[MallRat]

7. I've lost count of how many times TDS has left me speechless.

There's an awful lot of serious commentary between the lines of TDS's satire. A lot of their shtick is laugh-out-loud funny. And then there are some reports which are really very scary and sad.

Jon Stewart won't admit it, but he is a genuine source of news, covered in a candy-coating of cynical Lettermanesque humor.

Stephen Colbert nearly had me in tears (of sadness, not laughter) with his report about a Getty gas station owner who refused to increase his gasoline prices.

Getty revoked his franchise, and the TDS cameras were there when the wrecking ball came and literally destroyed this man's livelihood.

-MR

[ProfessorPlum]

11. Colbert is a genius

That was the same episode where he pressed his daughter into playing the part of the oil companies.

He's done so many sharp bits, with incredibly cutting satire.

My favorite moment from him, however, has to be when he was pushing his own head down to eat a banana, after explaining that he couldn't talk about a rumor about Prince Charles and a friend of his because of Britain's libel laws. He finally broke down himself and couldn't stop from laughing.

[AlCzervik]

13. Colbert..."It's french bitch!"

I love all of them on The Daily Show, they have their own unique niche, i swear that show is like a daily balm for me. My sister lives 3000 miles away from and everyday we have our.."Did you see the daily show last night?" talk.

[qanda]

9. My husband and I had pretty much the same reaction

After that segment was over, we both just shook our heads. It was like we would have laughed if it wasn't so true and yet so sad.

[Rambis]

12. Danger will Robinson!

They struck a nerve on that one. Wake up Limey fish, hey! Have we stirred the sleeping giant of truth about the "media" ? Have we quit suckling at the teet of complaisancey? I hope so-

[Minimus]

14. I was watching too and immediately posted

my thread died (as mine usually do) But that was my sentiment also, so sad and so true.

It is amazing that a "comedy" show speaks the truth so often. I guess that old saying (Shakespeare I think) is right on the money:
"the truth comes out in jest"

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=922013&mesg_id=922013

[ProfessorPlum]

15. sorry I didn't catch that post cliberty

you obviously caught that same moment too.

I don't know what I'd do without the internet and TDS. Two very very small pieces of communications property in this big world. Precious and fragile. I hope TDS can continue on in the way it is currently.

[Minimus]

16. no need to apologize

I'm fairly new and haven't got the swing of things here just yet. I need more exciting post headlines.

And yes, thank goodness for TDS- I especially liked the beginning of last nights show when Jon was talking about bill oreilly's "stoned slacker" comments and how Comedy Central actually researched that their viewers are more informed.

And thank goodness for the internet- it allows me to discover the truth instead of having to take what the media reports as gospel.

[Generator]

18. Yes it was powerful

But what got me right in the heart was Seymour Hersch's answer to Stewart's "What if they win in November?"

It was the first time I've seen a real journalist, mainstream source just up and say the truth-not candy coated. We are screwed beyond repair. So we are not alone and not crazy and not conspiracy nuts here on DU ( I know we are not) but God I just started crying because the rest of the "media" is all propaganda. God help us.

Four more years is not an option for those that care about the constitution and democracy. Thank you Hersch!

[Supersedeas]

19. placing debate events within pre-written narrative-all talking pts ready