Democracy needs the voices of Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert (and their talented writers)

I love the Daily Show and the Colbert Report. They are a great way to lighten up the somber tone with which politics are discussed, especially during election season. However, taking out-of-context video clips and putting a comical spin on them does not qualify as serious news coverage.

The closest these shows come to actual news coverage are during Stewart's interviews, which last all of maybe five minutes. Perhaps coming back without writers will give the shows (or at least the Daily Show) a chance to EXPAND on the interview segments, thus moving a normally lightweight production toward an actual relevant news source. They still won't make the big leagues, but it could at least somewhat resemble a place where "our kids" won't be grossly misled by flashy one-liners and funny pictures of Dub-ya.

Speaking as a college student who has little time for reading the paper or watching tv, I find that the online episodes of "The Daily Show" and "Colbert Report" are my best way for keeping up with the news, particularly the election. Plus, Stephen and Jon are far better (and funnier) sources of information about it than the network's talking heads. Several of my friends watch too, and we all feel deprived right now. My friends and I will all be voting next year, and I would be lying if I didn't say that what we see and hear on "The Daily Show" and "Colbert Report" will influence who we vote for. It most certainly won't be the deciding factor, but it will be one.
As for the writers situation, my generation has been on the forefront of many of the technological transformations that have fueled the writers strike, such as the advent of widespread Internet tv either via the network's website or Youtube, so I can sympathize with the writers. Sicne these innovations have been so recent, its hard to know how much to pay a writer for things like online content when you don't know the actual number of people viewing it, unlike traditional tv. But I agree wholeheartedly that writers need to be paid something for it, otherwise the strike will drag on. Hopefully the network execs will reach a deal soon, because if they don't, everyone loses.

I completely agree with the title. I am always chagrined to read lines like "It’s unfortunate that most kids get their news from a comedy show..." as some kind of introduction to The Daily Show. That kids get their information this way is not the least bit unfortunate, as it used to be that young adults didn't get this information at all. Jon Stewart managed to do what the Canadian and American educational institutions could never accomplish: he made learning cool and fun. This ingenious formula delivers straight facts timed with edgy humour that completely captivated young audiences and finally got them interested in politics! Most importantly, the satirist set up has taught young and old audiences to question what they read, see, and are told by the media. North American education still hasn't grasped this concept, as everything taught nowadays is watered-down and made black and white to be politically correct. Educational institutions and news channels don't want to risk analyzing information, so as to not offend any students, parents, ethnic or religious groups. Perhaps the exception to that is CNN, where at any time in the day you can observe extremists with opposing political viewpoints argue and talk over one another until the next commercial break. If you look closely you can see their heads expanding; One day they will explode. Until then, or until The Daily Show and Colbert report come back on the air, we can only watch the CNNs and hope this happens sooner rather than later. I think an end to the writers strike as soon as possible is 'extremely' important as Colbert and Stewart have become invaluable to our media, particularly in a time of turmoil, where the politics is so unreal and frustrating that without comic relief, Americans might shut it out altogether.

I don't think the piece was pro-management, certainly not my intention or desire or want. I DO want the writers to get a good deal. I DO blame management that feels like it can get by with hours of reality TV shows and then wonders why fewer people watch TV. The writers should wait for a good deal and nothing less. Perhaps I'm naive in hoping it might come, but I certainly don't have any vision that it will.

This article is an apology for strike breakers. Oh, I need to watch my shows! The world will fall apart without them. BS! We need to stand firm with the writers not look for excuses to undercut them. Progressives need to support labor not look for ways to undercut people who deserve our support. Union workers give more hours and money to support progressive candidates than any other group. Chad this is just what MSM wants to weaken support for their workers and drive them back to work with a bad deal. Sounds like another shill for management to me.

I know that they deserve more for their hard work but like the article above says, WE NEED Jon & Steven more than ever!
This is the ONLY place we get the truthiness from!
It's almost sad that we have to depend on comedians for the truth!
I am having truthiness withdrawal!
Come on rich fat cats, END THE STRIKE ALREADY!
GIVE THE PEOPLE [AND WRITERS] WHAT THEY WANT AND RIGHTLY DESERVE!
Thank you,
Peace to you and yours..

“A democratic civilization will save itself only if it makes the language of the image into a stimulus for critical reflection — not an invitation for hypnosis.” - Umberto Eco

Indeed !

With Jon Stewart's "Daily Show", "The Colbert Report" and Bill Maher's "Real Time" out of the way, the 2008 presidential campaign can go on without being questioned outside the script. There is no more popular political education going on, this side of Moyers & Olbermann.

The joke is on America & we ain't laughing.

My two cents...

WRITERS vs. THE MAN / ON STRIKE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfeObquD9y8

The writers strike is crucial. Its resolution will determine how creative minds will be paid in the future. Intellectual property and publishing rights used to be sacred in civilized nations...

But 9-11 changed everything ?

So Big Media & The Man are perverting democracy beyond recognition... Business as usual ! But to have "The Daily Show" & "The Colbert Report" permanently on re-runs... Now that does it !

As far as writers go, let's not go overboard with glorification either for there is a lot of mindless drool out there but Gonzo certainly had a way with words ;)

"The TV business is uglier than most things. It is normally perceived as some kind of cruel and shallow money trench through the heart of the journalism industry, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free and good men die like dogs, for no good reason. There's also a negative side. " - Hunter S. Thompson

Yes, we should be reminded that other behind-the-scenes people are losing their jobs, and that is a very bad thing. However, the studios haven't negotiating in good faith and have clearly been planning for a long strike. This isn't bias -- this is the general consensus. You could argue that the writers still knew this and yet went on strike. But from virtually all perspectives, the fault lies with the networks and the studios.

The writers have engaged in a strike with no consideration for their co-workers.
Yes, their cause is just.
But before we shed too many tears for this cause some of the most successful and established writers already receive the kind of royalties for which they have asked their fellow writers to strike. Their attorneys negotiated it. Those priveledged writers will continue to receive pay checks for the duration of the strike.
However the writers co-workers in lighting, wardrobe, make-up, camera, construction etc are left with no job. Some will lose their homes. The writers have been too arrogant to give a jot of consideration for their co-workers. Their co-workers support means nothing to them. Should we be boycotting movie theatres, should we be cancelling our cable or satellite subscription due to lack of new shows? Or are we just meant to accept the financial hardship as if nothing happened?
I ask this because if the actors go on strike in June and they wanted us to support them through such action as boycotting movies I would happily stand outside a movie theatre with a sign "go to the movie, actors are paid far too much"
What the writers seek is just but their methods are arrogant.