The Daily Show

Book 38 of my 2019 Reading Challenge

read from May 27 - June 7

The Daily Show: An Oral History

as Told by Jon Stewart, the Correspondents, Staff and Guests

by Chris Smith

Summary (via Goodreads)

published 2016

For almost seventeen years, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart brilliantly redefined the borders between television comedy, political satire, and opinionated news coverage. It launched the careers of some of today's most significant comedians, highlighted the hypocrisies of the powerful, and garnered 23 Emmys. Now the show's behind-the-scenes gags, controversies, and camaraderie will be chronicled by the players themselves, from legendary host Jon Stewart to the star cast members and writers-including Samantha Bee, Stephen Colbert, John Oliver, Steve Carell, Lewis Black, Jessica Williams, John Hodgman, and Larry Wilmore-plus some of The Daily Show's most prominent guests and adversaries: John and Cindy McCain, Glenn Beck, Tucker Carlson, and many more.
This oral history takes the reader behind the curtain for all the show's highlights, from its origins as Comedy Central's underdog late-night program hosted by Craig Kilborn to Jon Stewart's long reign to Trevor Noah's succession, rising from a scrappy jester in the 24-hour political news cycle to become part of the beating heart of politics-a trusted source for not only comedy but also commentary, with a reputation for calling bullshit and an ability to effect real change in the world.
Through years of incisive election coverage, Jon Stewart's emotional monologue in the wake of 9/11, his infamous confrontation on Crossfire, passionate debates with President Obama and Hillary Clinton, feuds with Bill O'Reilly and Fox, the Indecisions, Mess O'Potamia, and provocative takes on Wall Street and racism The Daily Show has been a cultural touchstone. Now, for the first time, the people behind the show's seminal moments come together to share their memories of the last-minute rewrites, improvisations, pranks, romances, blow-ups, and moments of Zen both on and off the set of one of America's most groundbreaking shows. 

My Opinion

4 stars

I really like this format but whether or not someone will like this book or not is entirely dependent on their enjoyment of the show and a review isn't going to make much of a difference.

I don't watch as regularly anymore because the news makes me sad and angry but reading it made me miss Jon Stewart.  What I've seen of Trevor Noah is fine but I think it's similar to the "Saturday Night Live" cast someone likes the most - defer to the one they "grew up with".

Re-reading the innocence of being outraged at the 2000 election was sad, as was reading about all his efforts to help 9/11 first responders and knowing that it's still a fight they're dealing with today.  

Even though most of what I've said sounds negative or sad there were many funny parts as well and lots of interesting "behind-the-scenes" stuff.  I liked the show so I liked the book.

A Few Quotes from the Book

"You have to find some way to disarm natural suspicion, and also, the job of the show is to still present something mildly entertaining. If not funny, interesting. If not interesting, at least somewhat smart, and if not smart, weird." ~ Jon Stewart

"[Jon Stewart] is like Mark Twain or Will Rogers. He is a modern-day humorist of that genre, of that level." ~ Senator John McCain

"I don't think the world is any more absurd now than it's even been, or more tragic, or more beautiful. But Jon took advantage of these new ways of seeing the world and took out his magic marker and drew circles around the idiocy. He set out to be a working comedian, and he ended up an invaluable patriot. He wants his country to be better, more decent, and to think harder." ~ David Remnick