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Colbert + Stewart = Cronkite: 30% of Young Viewers

Political satire is replacing traditional news for some: poll

By Ambreen Ali,  Newser User

Posted Mar 25, 2009 3:33 PM CDT

(Newser) – Nearly 39% of under-40 Americans say satirical shows like The Colbert Report and The Daily Show are keeping viewers politically informed, and 21% believe they influence public opinion, a poll finds. But the verdict is split on whether such shows’ success indicates that comedic delivery is replacing traditional news: 30% of those ages 18 to 29 say it is, but 35% disagree, the Huffington Post reports. The numbers are higher (32% vs. 42%) for the 30-to-39 set.

Conan O'Brien mock-punches Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert during an appearance on O'Brien's show, Feb. 4, 2008.
Conan O'Brien mock-punches Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert during an appearance on O'Brien's show, Feb. 4, 2008.   (NBC)
Stephen Colbert, left, and Jon Stewart are seen at the Governors Ball in Los Angeles, Sept. 21, 2008.
Stephen Colbert, left, and Jon Stewart are seen at the Governors Ball in Los Angeles, Sept. 21, 2008.   (AP Photo)
Ricky Gervias pokes fun at a video of Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, and Steve Carell accepting the award on behalf of Gervais at last year's Emmy presentation.
Ricky Gervias pokes fun at a video of Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, and Steve Carell accepting the award on behalf of Gervais at last year's Emmy presentation.   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 8 comments
Rob
Mar 26, 2009 11:22 AM CDT
It's not a good thing that comedy and entertainment moves into this realm so far. This is how Limbaugh got started. Supporting this kind of stuff is simply partisan where you like or dislike jokes from one side or the other. I think that news of the dire state of our country should be treated with a little more respect so that the real seriousness of the situation doesn't get buried in pratfalls.
mockingbird
Mar 26, 2009 3:57 AM CDT
Are you sure you're not really Robert_Dada (or whatever that dude's name is)?
mockingbird
Mar 26, 2009 3:47 AM CDT
The great majority of the people that I know who watch The Daily Show don't watch it for the _information_. (I mean, heck, they had a time after the inauguration when it seemed to degenerate mostly into crotch, butt, and fart jokes...) It's more to get some laugh - /any/ laugh that's not one of despair - out of the absurdity that passes for our headlines. (Or "tweet"s or links or ohmygawdlookitthats or whatever'll replace "headline" with so many newspapers tanking.)

22% don't like Stewart, Colbert
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news • poll • Comedy Central • Jon Stewart • The Daily Show • Stephen Colbert • The Colbert Report • newspaper industry

 
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