Health & Fitness
Stand Strong, 'Daily Show'
Political bloggers feign religious outrage in order to bolster their fan base.
I suppose it speaks to my complete lack of sensitivity that when, while watching Monday night's "The Daily Show," I gave a quick laugh to an on-screen graphic of a naked woman with a Nativity scene between her legs and then promptly forgot it.
Either that, or it speaks to the oversensitivity of certain other people that it's still an issue on Wednesday. How did I not see this coming?
Of course it's an issue. Of course certain people are "outraged" and demanding an apology. And of course I don't think "The Daily Show" should apologize.
This article on The Hollywood Reporter website elaborates on the issue well, and includes video of the "Daily Show" segment in question.
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In short, as The Hollywood Reporter puts it, "Stewart’s intent during the segment in question was to ridicule the Fox News Channel for not covering the GOP’s alleged 'war on women' with the sort of zeal that it annually covers the 'war on Christmas.'"
This has led some guy named Brent Bozell of something called the Media Research Center to call out "The Daily Show."
"We dare Jon Stewart to be equally disgusting & desecrate the Koran & Torah to prove they are equal opportunity bigots," says Bozell. He goes on,"If [Stewart is] such a daring political comedian, he should demonstrate his boldness by performing the same routine, but this time with a Koran and the Torah. Otherwise he is not only a bigot, but also an outright coward."
Bozell is being disingenuous.
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He'd have us believe he's being hyperbolic, but he clearly intends to rile his base over a fabricated "controversy" and a challenge that doesn't make any sense. (Until Fox News starts reporting on a "War On Hanukkah," "The Daily Show" will have no opportunity to put a menorah between a naked woman's legs).
But my hat's off to him for accomplishing his cynical mission of raising his own profile—yesterday morning, I didn't know what a Brent Bozell was. Now I've spent a good hour writing about him, and will probably have his name stuck in my head for a long time to come.
Well played, sir.