The political jokes and laughter that political comedy shows receive from viewers, especially college students, could be on the verge of declining.
This past December, the popular nightly show “The Colbert Report,” starring Stephen Colbert, came to end with Colbert also retiring from his position. The show premiered a decade ago on Comedy Central and became one of the top political comedy shows in the United States. Two months after the show went off the air, Jon Stewart, the current host of “The Daily Show,” announced that he too, would be retiring as host. “The Daily Show” premiered in 1996 with Stewart being the host since 1999.
With one show off the air and the other losing their beloved host, college students who have taken an interest in politics and current events could possibly lose interest in their main source of keeping up with world news. A survey of 35 students gave their input of the potential downfall of losing Colbert and Stewart.
“First off, it’s just more enjoyable to watch something funny,” said one respondent. “I also think they bring up more bipartisan issues rather than main news that are totally one-sided.”
Another respondent stated “These guys are icons. These guys know more about politics because they have had first-hand experience with many major events.”
Dr. Stephen Caliendo, professor of political science, also is skeptical about having someone new in Stewart’s chair and having the same craft as Colbert.
“The next woman or man to host the show will have to develop her or his own following,” said Caliendo. “If we are looking for the next Jon Stewart, we are bound to be disappointed. Someone might be better. No one will be able to do what Colbert did, so I think Comedy Central was wise to have Larry Wilmore take over and move it in a different direction. Keeping up a character for so long the way Colbert did is not realistic for most people.”
While political comedy shows have been around for generations with new hosts being introduced, it’s known to the general public that Stewart and Colbert were at the top of the list for humorous hosts in politics. College students in particular watch these shows because Stewart and Colbert produce a balance of not only being bluntly honest about the U.S. government but also have students caught up on current events. Also, because “The Daily Show” comes on late at night, it’s the perfect time for all students to relax and do their homework while watching the show in their room.
As a college student, I turn to “The Colbert Report” and “The Daily Show” as my sources for current events. As someone who is not considered a “morning” person, I have enough energy at the end of the day to watch these political comedies and to help wind down my day. The main news stations, on the other hand, usually broadcast stories with little interest or even focus on depressing stories. I’d prefer to watch something that makes me laugh at night than cry in the morning while trying to eat a bowl of cereal. Colbert and Stewart, in particular, nail the qualities of making their audience laugh and have a straight-forward attitude concerning the people who run our country. Having someone brand new to make us laugh like Stewart and think like Colbert will be a difficult, excruciating search.
“Everyone likes to laugh, and political comedy has a long history,” Caliendo said. “Americans, and young Americans in particular, do not spend a lot of time absorbing political news. So, if they are only willing to devote 30-60 minutes a day, then they are more likely to do it in a way that will be enjoyable. Both Stewart and Colbert are so popular and lasted so long because the type of humor they use is engaging and thought-provoking. We don’t mind dumb humor sometimes, too, but watching those programs gives us the chance to be entertained while not feeling as if we are wasting our time. They strike a powerful balance in that regard.”
However, there are some students who have high hopes that “The Daily Show” will prosper without Stewart in the limelight.
“‘The Daily Show’ might improve once Stewart leaves,” said a respondent. “What he’s done is groundbreaking, to be sure, but his act has gotten stale. A new host could really inject a new energy into the show. There’s still an appetite for this kind of thing and there are people who are doing it well.”
Should it matter who is the host of political comedy shows as long as they make us laugh? It’s hard for many college students and even adults to wrap their heads around the information given to them from bland newscasts. By giving the time to watch an episode of “The Daily Show,” “The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore” or any others that broadcast on TV, there’s an appeal to these comedies that makes you understand political events easily and quickly.
“They (political comedy shows) point out valid things about an issue, just in a joking matter,” said another respondent.
I know that from watching these shows that no matter how large of an issue the topic may seem, the hosts do a splendid job of summarizing it so that it seems like the event just occurred. I applaud Colbert and Stewart’s performance in their shows and the next host to come for “The Daily Show” can learn a lot from the comedian.
“The Daily Show” is on at 10 p.m. Monday – Thursday on Comedy Central.
