I have mentioned before that I watch very little TV. I tape the Daily Show and Colbert on my computer, edit out the commercials, and my wife and I watch it. That’s pretty much the extent of our TV viewing. Since I don’t watch the commercials I guess I have no standing to complain, but the First Amendment retains some feeble signs of life, so I will sound off anyway.
My wife and I have noticed a dismaying pattern on the Daily Show lately, which seems to have accelerated lately. Time was when Stewart’s guests were a mix of Hollywood types and political figures and writers from across the spectrum. Even before the writer’s strike that was changing, but since he’s come back, the pattern seems clear. No one from the left need apply. This week was typical. Grover Norquist, Ronald Kessler and Dana Perino made the grade, along with a uniformed general whose name I can’t remember. It wouldn’t be so bad if Stewart took them on, but he rarely does, usually throwing puffballs.
My wife conjectures that Stewart is following instructions from his corporate masters. Whatever the cause, it is getting a bit tiring to watch the sorry excuses for human beings that he inflicts on his audience every day. A little fairness and balance would be appreciated. If this keeps up we’ll be down to the Colbert show as our only connection to the mass media.
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