Comments on: Daily Show Misses Mark With CNN “Leave It There” Critique http://www.mediaite.com/tv/daily-show-misses-mark-with-cnn-leave-it-there-critique/ Mediaite Fri, 10 Feb 2012 22:27:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=2012.06 By: mattl http://www.mediaite.com/tv/daily-show-misses-mark-with-cnn-leave-it-there-critique/#comment-7711 mattl Sun, 25 Oct 2009 08:53:47 +0000 http://www.mediaite.com/?p=34438#comment-7711 "The Daily Show doesn’t always have to be making a serious point (SNL rarely is), but in this case he was trying to." ************ You're correct: John Stewart and The Daily Show were trying to make a serious point. They did so brilliantly. “The Daily Show doesn’t always have to be making a serious point (SNL rarely is), but in this case he was trying to.”

************

You’re correct: John Stewart and The Daily Show were trying to make a serious point.

They did so brilliantly.

]]> By: Eliza http://www.mediaite.com/tv/daily-show-misses-mark-with-cnn-leave-it-there-critique/#comment-6583 Eliza Tue, 13 Oct 2009 23:50:54 +0000 http://www.mediaite.com/?p=34438#comment-6583 Sorry Steve, I think this piece is what's missing the mark. First of all, you seem to miss the massive point that Stewart and company clearly have higher expectations for CNN, a cable news network that often positions itself as being above the fray of its competition. As for the editing, yes, we all know the show does it, but I don't see how it misconstrued the overall point. In this case, obviously "we'll leave it there" was used for comedic effect. Not every instance the phrase is uttered is going to involve some sort of controversy. I'm assuming Stewart expects his audience is smart enough to know that. However, he is totally on point in that many of these segments are cut off right after someone makes a ridiculous/blatantly untrue statement. You make a good point regarding the live interview vs. fact-check, but Stewart addressed this as well, noting that no subsequent fact-checks were made. I watch a lot of CNN and Stewart's critique was SPOT ON. Sorry Steve, I think this piece is what’s missing the mark. First of all, you seem to miss the massive point that Stewart and company clearly have higher expectations for CNN, a cable news network that often positions itself as being above the fray of its competition.

As for the editing, yes, we all know the show does it, but I don’t see how it misconstrued the overall point. In this case, obviously “we’ll leave it there” was used for comedic effect. Not every instance the phrase is uttered is going to involve some sort of controversy. I’m assuming Stewart expects his audience is smart enough to know that. However, he is totally on point in that many of these segments are cut off right after someone makes a ridiculous/blatantly untrue statement.

You make a good point regarding the live interview vs. fact-check, but Stewart addressed this as well, noting that no subsequent fact-checks were made. I watch a lot of CNN and Stewart’s critique was SPOT ON.

]]> By: ingenieux http://www.mediaite.com/tv/daily-show-misses-mark-with-cnn-leave-it-there-critique/#comment-6575 ingenieux Tue, 13 Oct 2009 23:09:45 +0000 http://www.mediaite.com/?p=34438#comment-6575 John Stewart was making the point that it was absurd for CNN, a news outlet, to fact check a comedy sketch. He then drove the point home by showing slips of them not fact checking real news stories. So, mediaite then wants to fact check the Daily Show? Do you really not see the irony here? John Stewart was making the point that it was absurd for CNN, a news outlet, to fact check a comedy sketch. He then drove the point home by showing slips of them not fact checking real news stories. So, mediaite then wants to fact check the Daily Show? Do you really not see the irony here?

]]> By: JJ in Texas http://www.mediaite.com/tv/daily-show-misses-mark-with-cnn-leave-it-there-critique/#comment-6563 JJ in Texas Tue, 13 Oct 2009 20:02:40 +0000 http://www.mediaite.com/?p=34438#comment-6563 Slow up on the fact checking of Stewart - I think the entire purpose of his bit was to get people to think. CNN fact checks SNL but let’s their guest run wild. Sure there are cases where they might challenge but for the most part its 24/7 of point counter point. The other dig "...we are out of time" - "you are on the air for 24 hours a day" - that is one of the greatest points that needed to be made - if they are a news outlet then they should examine the news not just get both opposite sides spitting on each other. Slow up on the fact checking of Stewart – I think the entire purpose of his bit was to get people to think. CNN fact checks SNL but let’s their guest run wild. Sure there are cases where they might challenge but for the most part its 24/7 of point counter point.

The other dig “…we are out of time” – “you are on the air for 24 hours a day” – that is one of the greatest points that needed to be made – if they are a news outlet then they should examine the news not just get both opposite sides spitting on each other.

]]> By: ImNotBlue http://www.mediaite.com/tv/daily-show-misses-mark-with-cnn-leave-it-there-critique/#comment-6562 ImNotBlue Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:45:26 +0000 http://www.mediaite.com/?p=34438#comment-6562 I miss the old days, when The Daily Show did stories about big-headed kids who couldn't fit into their football helmets. Oh well... I miss the old days, when The Daily Show did stories about big-headed kids who couldn’t fit into their football helmets.

Oh well…

]]> By: Alan P http://www.mediaite.com/tv/daily-show-misses-mark-with-cnn-leave-it-there-critique/#comment-6558 Alan P Tue, 13 Oct 2009 17:35:45 +0000 http://www.mediaite.com/?p=34438#comment-6558 Whoever wrote this piece clearly never watches CNN. The anchors ask questions that are designed to elicit already known talking points. There is no fact checking other than to present the other POV. This just confuses the issue and leads to a situation where most Americans believe whatever ridiculous fact they last heard. Good for Jon Stewart because guys like Steve Krakauer have lost their ability to think critically and no one else would have called out CNN for lacking an iota of journalistic integrity. Whoever wrote this piece clearly never watches CNN. The anchors ask questions that are designed to elicit already known talking points. There is no fact checking other than to present the other POV. This just confuses the issue and leads to a situation where most Americans believe whatever ridiculous fact they last heard.
Good for Jon Stewart because guys like Steve Krakauer have lost their ability to think critically and no one else would have called out CNN for lacking an iota of journalistic integrity.

]]> By: sarainitaly http://www.mediaite.com/tv/daily-show-misses-mark-with-cnn-leave-it-there-critique/#comment-6556 sarainitaly Tue, 13 Oct 2009 17:19:17 +0000 http://www.mediaite.com/?p=34438#comment-6556 If we were to fact check Stewart's show it would lose all sense of comedy. He does call himself a comedy show, and he does do real interviews, and some great ones at that. he also deals with a lot of news topics...but if you are going to fact check this one, we need to go back and fact check aaaaaaaaaallllll the ones he has done against FOX, and conservatives. He does this kind of thing all the time. He did it a lot to support Obama and knock Repubs. So - do we fact check every episode of Stewart, or just let it be what it is - comedy. Granted, he has influence with some voters, and he was voted as the most trusted man in news, in an online poll... That should tell you something about Obama supporters. haha It's hard because I like Jon Stewart, I have even met him, and I had to fight hard to not get mad at him sometimes during the primary and election. But - he is what he is. A comedian. It's up to the viewers to decipher fact from fiction. Unfortunately many don't, but like I said, if you are going to start fact checking Stewart you are going to have to do it every night because he does this kind of stuff all the time. Basically - nothing Stewart does is accurate, except his interviews. If we were to fact check Stewart’s show it would lose all sense of comedy. He does call himself a comedy show, and he does do real interviews, and some great ones at that. he also deals with a lot of news topics…but if you are going to fact check this one, we need to go back and fact check aaaaaaaaaallllll the ones he has done against FOX, and conservatives. He does this kind of thing all the time. He did it a lot to support Obama and knock Repubs.

So – do we fact check every episode of Stewart, or just let it be what it is – comedy. Granted, he has influence with some voters, and he was voted as the most trusted man in news, in an online poll… That should tell you something about Obama supporters. haha

It’s hard because I like Jon Stewart, I have even met him, and I had to fight hard to not get mad at him sometimes during the primary and election. But – he is what he is. A comedian. It’s up to the viewers to decipher fact from fiction. Unfortunately many don’t, but like I said, if you are going to start fact checking Stewart you are going to have to do it every night because he does this kind of stuff all the time.

Basically – nothing Stewart does is accurate, except his interviews.

]]> By: Anthony De Rosa http://www.mediaite.com/tv/daily-show-misses-mark-with-cnn-leave-it-there-critique/#comment-6553 Anthony De Rosa Tue, 13 Oct 2009 17:10:23 +0000 http://www.mediaite.com/?p=34438#comment-6553 I guess. I think it's scary that people get their news from The Daily Show and Colbert Report. I am a HUGE fan of both shows but I don't want to hold them to the same journalistic standards as a real news show. Sometimes satire needs to stretch the truth for the sake of comedy. It's worth fact checking them, I suppose, for the sake of people who take them too seriously. I guess. I think it’s scary that people get their news from The Daily Show and Colbert Report. I am a HUGE fan of both shows but I don’t want to hold them to the same journalistic standards as a real news show. Sometimes satire needs to stretch the truth for the sake of comedy.

It’s worth fact checking them, I suppose, for the sake of people who take them too seriously.

]]> By: LVK http://www.mediaite.com/tv/daily-show-misses-mark-with-cnn-leave-it-there-critique/#comment-6549 LVK Tue, 13 Oct 2009 16:28:21 +0000 http://www.mediaite.com/?p=34438#comment-6549 I think that Steve's point is a good one--if we're going to fact-check other comedy shows, why not Stewart? The other issue is that as people increasingly get their information and news from The Daily Show and Colbert Report, it's important that someone is there to tell people what is actually going on. CNN SHOULD fact-check these items so that people don't get the wrong impressions, but Stewart has such a valid point. Why aren't the guests being questioned more or fact-checked for their comments. It should be a part of the broadcast. I think that Steve’s point is a good one–if we’re going to fact-check other comedy shows, why not Stewart? The other issue is that as people increasingly get their information and news from The Daily Show and Colbert Report, it’s important that someone is there to tell people what is actually going on. CNN SHOULD fact-check these items so that people don’t get the wrong impressions, but Stewart has such a valid point. Why aren’t the guests being questioned more or fact-checked for their comments. It should be a part of the broadcast.

]]> By: etaylor1983 http://www.mediaite.com/tv/daily-show-misses-mark-with-cnn-leave-it-there-critique/#comment-6544 etaylor1983 Tue, 13 Oct 2009 15:46:17 +0000 http://www.mediaite.com/?p=34438#comment-6544 Steve I understand your point. But because each show on CNN is virtually autonomous they do cut interviews short and ask only the who/what/why questions. Stewart makes a good point that CNN's time could broaden a lot of discussions but because of commercials; 1hr of news is actually only about 43 or 44 minutes of actual programing. They aim for quantity not quality with their interviews hence the 5 packages and 4 interviews in a one hour slot. You can not possibly explain any complex subject with sporadic 4min interviews. We are becoming a country that knows a lot of BS but very little true knowledge of anything. American's know Iran has an enrichment plant in Qom...but not the circumstances and options around it.(Sunday shows excluded). American's know Ensign slept with a staffer's wife... yet rarely is the lobbying ethics really explained so people understand the real corruption. (NY TImes did a great piece on this if anybody cares... PDF'd many documents and made available on its site) We always focus on the easily explainable and watered down part of the story. Due to character limitations... I'll have to leave it there. Steve I understand your point. But because each show on CNN is virtually autonomous they do cut interviews short and ask only the who/what/why questions. Stewart makes a good point that CNN’s time could broaden a lot of discussions but because of commercials; 1hr of news is actually only about 43 or 44 minutes of actual programing. They aim for quantity not quality with their interviews hence the 5 packages and 4 interviews in a one hour slot. You can not possibly explain any complex subject with sporadic 4min interviews. We are becoming a country that knows a lot of BS but very little true knowledge of anything. American’s know Iran has an enrichment plant in Qom…but not the circumstances and options around it.(Sunday shows excluded). American’s know Ensign slept with a staffer’s wife… yet rarely is the lobbying ethics really explained so people understand the real corruption. (NY TImes did a great piece on this if anybody cares… PDF’d many documents and made available on its site) We always focus on the easily explainable and watered down part of the story. Due to character limitations… I’ll have to leave it there.

]]> By: Steve Krakauer http://www.mediaite.com/tv/daily-show-misses-mark-with-cnn-leave-it-there-critique/#comment-6539 Steve Krakauer Tue, 13 Oct 2009 15:31:11 +0000 http://www.mediaite.com/?p=34438#comment-6539 I agree it was funny, but I think Daily Show is at the point now where it should be accurate. It's something we've written about here before: http://www.mediaite.com/online/whats-more-important-for-daily-show-to-be-funny-or-accurate/ The Daily Show doesn't always have to be making a serious point (SNL rarely is), but in this case he was trying to. I agree it was funny, but I think Daily Show is at the point now where it should be accurate.

It’s something we’ve written about here before:

http://www.mediaite.com/online/whats-more-important-for-daily-show-to-be-funny-or-accurate/

The Daily Show doesn’t always have to be making a serious point (SNL rarely is), but in this case he was trying to.

]]> By: Anne http://www.mediaite.com/tv/daily-show-misses-mark-with-cnn-leave-it-there-critique/#comment-6538 Anne Tue, 13 Oct 2009 15:29:06 +0000 http://www.mediaite.com/?p=34438#comment-6538 Usually I'd agree, but this whole bit really was more of a critique than it was comedy. The daily show was clearly trying to make a point with the sketch, so I think it's fair for mediaite to point out where they think it went wrong. I agree with the idea in the skit that there should be less panel shows, but mediaite is correct that that isn't just CNN. Usually I’d agree, but this whole bit really was more of a critique than it was comedy. The daily show was clearly trying to make a point with the sketch, so I think it’s fair for mediaite to point out where they think it went wrong.

I agree with the idea in the skit that there should be less panel shows, but mediaite is correct that that isn’t just CNN.

]]> By: sarainitaly http://www.mediaite.com/tv/daily-show-misses-mark-with-cnn-leave-it-there-critique/#comment-6536 sarainitaly Tue, 13 Oct 2009 15:12:35 +0000 http://www.mediaite.com/?p=34438#comment-6536 I was just going to say that. haha Fact checking the fact checking of the fact checking of comedy skits.... Stewart's stuff is usually left leaning but it is funny. and while he is poking fun, and editing, it is comedy, and there is some truth to it. they do have 24/7 and i get so tired of these 2 minutes interviews. they need to get in more deep discussions, and the journalists do let a LOT of facts slide, on both sides, because they don't know the truth. Case in point, George Stephanapolous on Hannity the other night, on Jennings. I was just going to say that. haha Fact checking the fact checking of the fact checking of comedy skits….

Stewart’s stuff is usually left leaning but it is funny. and while he is poking fun, and editing, it is comedy, and there is some truth to it. they do have 24/7 and i get so tired of these 2 minutes interviews. they need to get in more deep discussions, and the journalists do let a LOT of facts slide, on both sides, because they don’t know the truth. Case in point, George Stephanapolous on Hannity the other night, on Jennings.

]]> By: Anthony De Rosa http://www.mediaite.com/tv/daily-show-misses-mark-with-cnn-leave-it-there-critique/#comment-6535 Anthony De Rosa Tue, 13 Oct 2009 15:03:19 +0000 http://www.mediaite.com/?p=34438#comment-6535 Wait. Now you're fact checking The Daily Show? This was supposed to be funny, and I think it was. Does he always have to be making a serious point? Wait. Now you’re fact checking The Daily Show? This was supposed to be funny, and I think it was. Does he always have to be making a serious point?

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