It took me twenty five years of living and one and half years of dillydallying in the United States to finally develop an interest in politics.
Immersed in the wonders of New York City night life, the discussions of movies and their intricacies, listening to a lot of music (I mean a hell lot), college work (when it was forced upon me) and writing just for the heck of putting words on paper (or blogosphere, to be precise), I was suddenly introduced to a wave of awareness that hit all around me. For the first time, college going kids were interested in what was happening in America.
The interests seemed to mainly stem from the fact that the Presidential elections were here. For the first time, the college educated kids found a man, who fit the bill of a real savior. There was something about his articulate, no nonsense sort of attitude, that seemed to inspire confidence. A black man, who became the Dark horse of the Democrat party, and whom slowly, every began to trust and love.
After eight years of a Bush administration, people had finally had enough of the bullshit. And McCain, the republican candidate, despite a few uninspired ideas of his own, seemed to promise a rehash of the Bush administration. He was a war veteran, yes. But he was old and caught up in his ways. And after the debacle at Iraq, a republican administration was the last thing Americans wanted.
And so, all eyes fell on the Democrats. There was Hillary, a former first lady, getting the most number of brownie points for a commendable health plan, was one of the forerunners. The first lady who was running for the white house. She had a firm following with the women of the country. It was almost sexist for a man to vote against her. And then, we heard about Obama. The first Black democrat nominee. Between the two of them, they had both sexism and racism covered.
These and other issues were covered not just by CNN, but more importantly by Comedy Central. Politics is always ugly, and many things were said about each other, even within the boundaries of the democrat party, and Comedy central made it their mission to highlight these.
Politics is also a dreary subject. And not everyone has the enthusiasm to dig into election manifestos and dwelve into the intricacies of good or bad of a politician. This was where Comedy Central came into play. Two men, who are by far, the funniest smart men, took it as a mission to bring American politics to the layman. And they were, for the most part, straightforward.
Politics is also a dreary subject. And not everyone has the enthusiasm to dig into election manifestos and dwelve into the intricacies of good or bad of a politician. This was where Comedy Central came into play. Two men, who are by far, the funniest smart men, took it as a mission to bring American politics to the layman. And they were, for the most part, straightforward.
The first of these men was Jon Stewart. 
Jon Stewart is an American comedian who took over the role of a political satirist, when he began hosting The Daily Show in 1999. Jon Stewart, in his own inimitable style, brings the week's news interlaced with humor and sarcasm. Although Jon Stewart is quoted as saying that he has no political agenda, and his show is mainly aimed at "shnicks and giggles", he has often addressed several serious issues in the show. Jon Stewart often feigns lack of intelligence in his show, and pretends to be slow. The ploy works brilliantly, specially when politicians come up on the show, and forced to explain their actions.
One of the major beefs that Stewart seems to have, is with biased News Networks. Like Fox news. There is very often a reference to how Fox news gives us both sides of the story - both the President's side, and the vice president's side. In a much publicized exchange with a former CNN host, Tucker Carlson, on the show "Crossfire", Jon Stewart criticizes some of the theatretics of television journalism, and pleads with them to stop "hurting America".
As an after effect of that appearance, CNN was forced to scratch the show from television.
Even before Stewart started hosting The Daily Show, there was another man who began as a small segment correspondent on the show. He filled in as the "new guy" in 1997. The name stayed on, as a joke well over two years. This was Stephen Colbert. Colbert, unlike Jon Stewart, worked on perfecting a character far fetched from himself. He changed the pronounciation of his name for this character, going from Colbert ( as in "burt") to Col-bear (like the animal) .
In 2005, Colbert started hosting a new show called The Colbert Report, a direct parody of a Fox News show called The O'Riley Factor. Colbert plays a narcisstic, ignorant and opinionated News Broadcaster. Off the show, he is said to have described the character as "a fool who has spent a lot of his life playing not the fool".
With a style that includes a big dose of irony and playing deadpan, he coined the term, "Truthiness", - the feeling of knowing something intuitively with no regard to logic or facts.
The two men together are performing a reality check on American Politics. As 2008 drew to a close, every night on their shows, they featured mockeries of both Obama and McCain. Their rules were simple. If you bullshit, they expose your bullshit and laugh at you.
Politics, like I said before is ugly. And in the heat of the 2008 presidential elections, mud was slung in all directions. Obama was said to have an Islamic background. He was linked with a man with terrorist affliations. But on weekday nights, Colbert and Stewart exposed these allegations for what they were. Just allegations. What the republicans did not realize however, was that their choice for Vice President candidate was going to blow up in their face.
Sarah Palin became McCain's biggest mistake.
Comedy Central had a field day with Sarah Palin, as anyone even remotely connected with the world would know. Tina Fey (From Saturday Night Live) became America's sweetheart with her portrayal of Sarah Palin
All she had to do was dress up like Palin and talk without making any sense. Obama spoke sensibly for the most part, and it worked to his favor.
2008 was famous not only for having the first Black president. It was also the year in which a group of comedy shows swung the popular vote.
When Obama was elected, Stewart was asked if he would now be left without a job.
"Only if it's less preposterous", Stewart replied.
In the aftermath of the elections, the financial meltdown happened rapidly. Obama struggled with coming to terms with the mistakes of the previous government. With the system crumbling, Obama who had once appeared to be a charismatic orator, now looked like a man making lofty promises.
The future is uncertain, and the new president is yet to prove his mettle. But Colbert and Stewart, America's true heroes, ridiculed whenever there was lack of action. As America faces its biggest disaster yet, these men are on television four nights week, doing their respective shows and providing America with both humor and perspective.
And as I watch them night after night, there are a few thoughts that strike me.
I see how a dedicated team of writers and comedians are working to provide a better insight against biased television networks like Fox news. And I cannot help wondering if the same is not possible in India.
Why can't there be a show that brings awareness with a tinge of humor?
I realize for instance, that there is no country without corruption. The only difference is that in a capitalistic country like America, corruption lies in the higher levels of the society. Similarly, there is no country without crazy people. For every Pramod Muthalik in India, there is a Glenn Beck in the United States.
How then are people like Jon Stewart able to actively ridicule their stupidity?
I guess one reason is they are inspired. We have a host of talented people in our country. Amateur writers who do their share on blogs. I guess what our country really needs is more people to take an initiative. We don't need a Mumbai terror attack or the beating up of girls in a Manglore pub to come to put a check on insanity. On a longer run, what we require is active participation in the television media. Being a country of many languages, it becomes essential to expose bullshit on many platforms, to even poor people in villages.
And what better way of getting their attention, than with humor?
4 comments:
Interesting and rather 'different' post from ficus. Its great to see how comdey central has kindled your new found interest in Politics.
Your political views aside, I think your thoughts on how a group of writers and comedians potrayed as unsung heroes of a nation appeal to me.
However, I don't entirely agree with the statement - 'And I cannot help wondering if the same is not possible in India.' Not many years back there used to be a show - Movers 'n' Shakers hosted by Shekar Suman on Sony TV, there continues to be a show - The Great Indian Battle on NDTV, 'The Week That Wasn't' by Cyrus Brocha on CNN IBN (http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=91573874), that did/do the heroic deeds you were talking about. I must admit that yes, these are not as popular as the daily soaps, reality TV shows, talent shows etc amongst the Indian audience but they are there and making a mark no matter how small it is.
The step is already taken my friend. I would say, start by watching some of these shows and enjoy the tickles of Indian politics.
So ficus, will you join us ?
Take time to know about R.K. Laxman - http://www.rediff.com/style/oct/30rkl.htm
Funnily, I was discussing this topic with a friend only last week when he mentioned "The week that wasn't". It was his opinion that this show, while it creates a certain amount of awareness, is often devoid of any righteousness.
After reading your comment, I went back and watched two episodes. It is very reminiscent of the daily show! I found the episodes to be quite well made, and indeed a step forward. As an offshoot, I also felt, there is a level of detachment in the way things are put across.
I understand that the dynamics in India are different. Can we, for example, imagine a talk segment where a major politician is invited and ridiculed? His party members would probably burn the studio down.
All said, it is heartening to see that these steps are being taken. Humor is the right way of getting to the crux of politics, and the best way of illuminating people. I am glad to see that people back home are looking for means to do that. And I am glad that you showed me this link. It is a show that I will now watch :)
I like! Well captured events & well balanced expressions :)
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