Colbert vs. Stewart

[n2doc]

Has the student surpassed the master?
By Chris Lee, Patrick Day and Stephanie Lysaght, Los Angeles Times Staff Writers
October 26, 2007


1. Interviewing technique


STEWART

Jon Stewart's affable demeanor may lull casual viewers into thinking he's just another celebrity shill, but his Leno-like nice-guy approach is just the cover for a fierce interviewing technique that would make Mike Wallace proud. Witness his recent pointed interviews with Sen. John McCain, Lynne Cheney and Chris Matthews as proof that Stewart's got more on his mind than his next one-liner.

COLBERT
When it comes to interviews, Stewart is notoriously sycophantic. On the flip side, sure, Stephen Colbert frequently interrupts his interviewees, makes their ideas -- even the ideologically unassailable ones -- sound ridiculous and prefaces his on-camera interactions by cautioning guests in the green room: "Remember, I play a character who's a complete . . . ." But the people Colbert interviews make their points despite his conversational riffing rather than because he asked them softball questions. And he provides unimpeachable integrity in an era when fake news has stolen much of real broadcast news' thunder.

Advantage: Colbert


2. Social Relevance

STEWART
Stewart may say time and again that "The Daily Show" is just a comedy show on basic cable, but every once in a while his moral outrage at the current state of affairs in the world is barely concealed with a smirk. Keith Olbermann may be garnering recent praise by mixing media analysis with laughs, but Stewart was there first.

COLBERT
He coined a neologism, "truthiness," that was named "word of the year." He had his viewers change Wikipedia to say that Africa's elephant population was not endangered but, in fact, had grown. He even has a bridge in Hungary, a plane and a hockey league mascot named after him. But in his guise as a feckless Bill O'Reilly clone, he is not so much preaching to the neoconservative choir as he is being the biggest bully in the bully pulpit. Funny? Yes. Persuasive? Not so much.

Advantage: Stewart

more (including poll):

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/tv/la-et-web-stewart26oct26,0,1042016.story?coll=la-home-entertainment

[Reader Rabbit]

1. Why must there always be a competition?

Can't we just accept that these are two different things that are both great, and, in fact, compliment each other? Like pizza and beer! They're each great on their own, but when you put 'em together--happy, happy, joy, joy!

[mondo joe]

2. Really! Maybe we can next start looking at favorite children in families.

Geez, I think they're both wonderful in their own ways.

[Vilis Veritas]

8. Time already did that one...

Latest issue is about the Secrets of Birth Order...Advantage, First Born!

Peace.

[rurallib]

3. Where's that Fox News show in this analysis

What is it? "The Half hour News Hour" or some such. C'mon, let's be fair. Gotta hear from all sides.

[MadJohnShaft]

4. Apples and Oranges - no?

I really like listening to John Stewart talk - he's got a very clear mind and an efficient way of communicating very complicated ideas in a sharp and pointed manner. He's really put the nail in the coffin for listening to the various Tim Russerts of the world for me, and has rendered listening to the political portion of something like The Today Show just too painful to stomach, even where previously I only felt slightly ill from that horrible Matt Lauer.


The big surprise is how great The Colbert Report turned out to be, at first it seemed like they were just going to do a silly throw away thing, but over time in a similar way to Stewart, the character Colbert plays lets him get to the heart of the matter too.

Generally, neither guy is someone you want to F with - Stewart ripped Chris Matthews to shreds the other day. I stood up and cheered during that!

If I was a writer for any of the nightly newscasts, or I guess any TV show in general, I would be humbled by how excellent both programs are!

Great stuff - we're really lucky to have both shows - and it is amazing how integrated both shows are with the 'real' news programs. And also how just about everyone agrees that they are much better! Are there any other liberals on the TV right now?

[I Have A Dream]

10. In reference to left-leaning shows...

"Countdown with Keith Olbermann" is there as well.

I don't think that any of them would call themselves liberals, but they certainly seem to realize that the Political Left is much more likely to tell the truth, and, therefore, they all seem more than willing to skewer the political Right by pointing out their tactics.

I also think that they'd all do the same to the Left if it was doing the stupid & dangerous stuff that the Right is doing.

[renate]

5. I beg to differ about the interviewing technique

My crush on Stephen :loveya: knows no bounds, but I have to admit even to myself that Jon is the better interviewer. I think Stephen could ease off a bit when guests are making an important point... those endless interruptions, even if he's just playing his rude character, start to get a little unfunny.

Their minds both work at light speed. It really is impressive to watch.

[Bitwit1234]

6. Hell NO.... Colbert is too like Don Rickles..don't like that kind

of comedy. I like it with an intelligence bend. And not making fun of people. That gets to me. Too much like republicans.

[MADem]

7. I like Stewart better. He's more straightforward. Colbert is funny, but there are times when I

simply am not in the mood for that faux GOP snark. They're rare, but they do occur.

[baldguy]

9. The Stephen Colbert presented on The Colbert Report is a character.

And, though Stephen Colbert the actor playing him is obviously intelligent & well-informed - it's still a character.

[ellenfl]

11. no.

jon is still the master altho' both have very quick minds. sometimes their quick comebacks amaze me. i don't watch colbert all of the time because his show is about his character whereas jon is jon. i love jon . . . even if he IS short.

ellen fl

[fed-up]

12. I love both and ONE full HOUR of Comedy/news sure beats only 30 minutes! nt

[Lisa]

13. hear, hear! They make a great team!

Add in Canada's "Rick Mercer Report" and "22 Minutes", and my joy is complete -- 2 whole hours!