Anyone have a thought about the effect of the writers' strike on the election (in particular the race for the Democratic nomination)? I was thinking here we are heading into a crucial stage with the last sprint to Iowa, New Hampshire and beyond, and we are without new episodes of the Daily Show, the Colbert Report and Real Time with Bill Maher.
I think for us Dems, these are actually pretty significant sources of viewpoints and perspectives. It is not like reading the New York Times, but these guys are actually often the only ones out there who are willing to say the emperor has no clothes. For all the much ballyhooed talk (at least on the right) of "liberal bias" in the mainstream media, they are actually cowed much of the time, and in any event always feel compelled to present "both sides" of issues where there is, in fact no serious debate any longer. (Must they always talk to the scientists who question global warming, when there appears to be little serious scientific debate as to whether humans are drastically affecting the earth's climate? Must they always interview a creationist when discussing evolution?)
In any event, I'm not necessarily saying the choice of the Democratic nominee will be better or worse without those shows, but I have little doubt that the shape of the debate and discussion will be dramatically different if we don't have the voices on these shows speaking out in the next several weeks and months.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
6 comments:
You make a good point. When Bill C. was running, a turning point for him was playing sax on Arsenio Hall's show (did I get the show right, or was it the Tonight Show?). Guess our dark horse will have to settle for Larry King. Concerning the writer's strike, I'm more worried that the "Dancing with the Stars" judges will have to start ad-libbing their witty comments about the competitors.
Steve Adams
Strictly speaking, this is more of a question than a comment, but would you and Big Nate like to come over for pizza tonight? Just trying to get your numbers up...
SA
We will be there! Thanks for thinking of my stats!
In regards to the writer's strike my intial response was to fire them all and hire new writers' (we can all remember the air-traffic controlers' strike). That being said, I concur with you in respect to your concern for The Daily Show, Cobert Report, and Real Time with Bill Maher providing view points and perspectives that one would not normally find in the mainstream media. Political preferences aside, we are all left in limbo. I'm a particularly concerned that the "Dancing with the Stars" judges will decide this election!
Also, would like to invite you & Big Nate over for pizza.
Well, I can see that the new blog is going to do wonders for my waste-line--we keep getting invited for pizza!
Should have said waistline--oops! Although with me, it is "waste" line.
Post a Comment