Here's why The Daily Show and Colbert Report are the best sources of news on TV.

Okay, note that I said "on TV'. I certainly don't think it's wise to get your information SOLELY from these two shows, but I honestly can't understand why some people consider them an invalid source for news and commentary.

First off, they don't actually make up news, anything they say that's fake is so obviously fake that only a complete idiot would think it's true. I don't see the problem at all with watching news in a satirical form, they cover all the major stories, provide interesting commentary, and make me laugh my ass off. Satire has been an important part of politics for a LONG time, and I don't see any reason why it shouldn't be.

Second, look what other sources of media you can choose from on TV. The Daily Show and Colbert Report are honestly the only "news" programs that don't sensationalize the living **** out of EVERYTHING. You turn to Fox and hear all about how Obama is going to destroy the country, then you flip over to CNN where they're talking about an oncoming storm or something as if it were the end of the world. That's what I love about Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert, they don't insult my intelligence enough to try to trick me into watching them. They don't try to make me believe a story is more important than it actually is, and I find them really honest and straightforward overall. And they are both strong believers of civil discourse when it comes to pundits and talk shows, which I think that alone puts them above outlets like Fox, CNN, or MSNBC. It's weird (and very sad) to say this because they're comedy programs, but I think these two show WAY more maturity than just about anyone else in the news.

And thirdly, so much hate for them comes from the other media that's on TV. In my opinion, a lot of these people just get butt hurt over Jon or Stephen making fun of them or their station, so they treat them as if they're the worst thing you could possibly watch. And I even think a lot of them might be afraid, because these two shows all too often put a spotlight on the media, and makes us (the viewers) question how reliable they truly are. Obviously someone who works for one of those outlets wouldn't like that.

So, yes, The Daily Show and Colbert Report are a terrible primary source for news, but they're still the best on TV in my opinion. And as a secondary source of news and political commentary, they can't be beat.

I like Bill Maher.

I like Bill Maher.

no_more_fayth

Really? I find him obnoxious... everything wrong with liberal comedians IMO...

[QUOTE="no_more_fayth"]

I like Bill Maher.

heysharpshooter

Really? I find him obnoxious... everything wrong with liberal comedians IMO...

Most people are obnoxious, it doesn't bother me.

i use them as a source for news. They usually talk about all the really big stuff. any big stuff i miss, i can just check when my email page loads up. Dont have tv right now, and im not interested enough to look up news everyday, so why not learn a little something while having fun? i love those two shows.

[QUOTE="no_more_fayth"]

I like Bill Maher.

heysharpshooter

Really? I find him obnoxious... everything wrong with liberal comedians IMO...

Plus the fact that he's not funny.

Colbert FTW!

Define irony: Believing that John Stewart and Steven Colbert are legitimate news sources while simultaneously believing that Fox and CNN are not.UT_Wrestler

Just because they put a comic slant on the facts do not make them less factual... in fact, both of those shows do better research and ask tougher questions than any of the networks...

They are not new sources, but Jon Stewart's segment of Palin's Tucson tragedy response was extremely funny:

http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/tue-january-18-2011/petty-woman

Isn't it sad that a comedy show is a better news source than the actual news? I agree with you btw.

[QUOTE="UT_Wrestler"]

Define irony: Believing that John Stewart and Steven Colbert are legitimate news sources while simultaneously believing that Fox and CNN are not.

heysharpshooter

Just because they put a comic slant on the facts do not make them less factual... in fact, both of those shows do better research and ask tougher questions than any of the networks...

I see where you're coming from.

It seems that the major news networks don't even take themselves seriously anymore........Ironically by taking themselves too seriously.

One thing I like about the Colbert report is the fact that he overreacts to the situations, not unlike the major news networks once you really analyze them.

Better research? Tougher questions? I remember back in 2004, John Kerry refused to come on Bill OReilly's show because he didn't want to answer some tough questions, namely, why did he vote against the Persian Gulf act in the 90s and then vote in favor of the Iraq invasion in 2003? But he gladly appeared on the John Stewart show because they didn't have the balls to ask that question.

UT_Wrestler

Well, to be fair, those "questions" would have been more bashing than anything.

I thought that's what you were going to say, and I agree with you. I don't watch them though (I'm Canadian). People are bored by cold hard facts, so news stations need something to keep people's attention, and get the ratings they need. Between spinning things into an us vs. them, and making fun of everything as you present it, the latter seems to be the choice that leeds to more objective news. Of course if you're the kind of person that can't tell The Onion is a farce, then.. well I don't know, you are beyond help.

[QUOTE="UT_Wrestler"]

Better research? Tougher questions? I remember back in 2004, John Kerry refused to come on Bill OReilly's show because he didn't want to answer some tough questions, namely, why did he vote against the Persian Gulf act in the 90s and then vote in favor of the Iraq invasion in 2003? But he gladly appeared on the John Stewart show because they didn't have the balls to ask that question.

Well, to be fair, those "questions" would have been more bashing than anything.

i agree that they are good sources of news, i get alot of news about things i havent heard of. both shows are awesome, but sometimes i feel like colbert might be a lil over patriotic

[QUOTE="jerk-o-tron2000"]

[QUOTE="UT_Wrestler"]

Better research? Tougher questions? I remember back in 2004, John Kerry refused to come on Bill OReilly's show because he didn't want to answer some tough questions, namely, why did he vote against the Persian Gulf act in the 90s and then vote in favor of the Iraq invasion in 2003? But he gladly appeared on the John Stewart show because they didn't have the balls to ask that question.

UT_Wrestler

Well, to be fair, those "questions" would have been more bashing than anything.

It really wasn't a relevant question... people change, opinons change, politics change... a vote from the early 90's and a vote over a decade later, its basically irrelevent... Swift Boat tactics, if I remeber correctly...

[QUOTE="UT_Wrestler"][QUOTE="jerk-o-tron2000"]

Well, to be fair, those "questions" would have been more bashing than anything.

It really wasn't a relevant question... people change, opinons change, politics change... a vote from the early 90's and a vote over a decade later, its basically irrelevent... Swift Boat tactics, if I remeber correctly...

[QUOTE="jerk-o-tron2000"]

[QUOTE="UT_Wrestler"]

Better research? Tougher questions? I remember back in 2004, John Kerry refused to come on Bill OReilly's show because he didn't want to answer some tough questions, namely, why did he vote against the Persian Gulf act in the 90s and then vote in favor of the Iraq invasion in 2003? But he gladly appeared on the John Stewart show because they didn't have the balls to ask that question.

UT_Wrestler

Well, to be fair, those "questions" would have been more bashing than anything.

Wait, first you guys talk about "tougher questions" and now you're changing it to "bashing"? I'm confused. It was a legitimate question, and if he didn't want to be asked a question like that, then he should have been more consistent in his policies.

There is a fine line between bashing and tough questions.

Those bastards dow at Fox bash any democrat-left wing and praise and ask easy questions to the Republicans-right wing.

[QUOTE="heysharpshooter"]

[QUOTE="UT_Wrestler"] Wait, first you guys talk about "tougher questions" and now you're changing it to "bashing"? I'm confused. It was a legitimate question, and if he didn't want to be asked a question like that, then he should have been more consistent in his policies.UT_Wrestler

It really wasn't a relevant question... people change, opinons change, politics change... a vote from the early 90's and a vote over a decade later, its basically irrelevent... Swift Boat tactics, if I remeber correctly...

Regardless of semantics, it would not have been a relevant question... the wars were completely different, and the world around them were totally different... that leads to different votes...