Dr. Kristen LandrevilleFri. 10/08, Mon. 10/11, & Wed. 10/13

Laughing Matters, Ch. 13-14

Politics & Late-Night TV

Ch. 13 SNL and Presidential Elections

Ch. 13 – SNL DebatesCh. 13 is a rhetorical analysis of SNL debate spoofs

Review of how persuasion strategies impact public outcomes

Politics in Rhetorical TermsRhetorical genres: tragedy, comedy, satire, epic, grotesque,

etc.Politics is tragedyPublic wants comedy to relieve tragedy

Comedy eases tension, seeks exposure of criticism, and reconciliation of error

SNL Comedians play roles, rather than making direct

commentaryLess abrasive and more comic clown than Stewart, ColbertAppearances signal acceptance and redemption through

comic frame2000 – High impact2004 – Low impact

Debates in US HistoryDebates since 18th CenturyLincoln-Douglas 1858

First televised debate1960 Kennedy v. Nixon80% Viewershiphttp://

www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmOlTR-yNf0&feature=related (start at 4:35)

ImpactImage-based decision-making Debate coachingNext debate, 1976No. 1 watched campaign event

Notable Debate MomentsThese moments impacted election

outcomes.1976: Carter v. Ford

Ford’s gaffe about Eastern Europe and Communism

1980: Carter v. Reaganhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=px7aRIhU

kHY1992: Bush v. Clinton v. Perot

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ffbFvKlWqE

Ch. 13 SNL and Presidential Elections

2000 Presidential Debate Analysis1st Presidential Debate: Gore v. Bush

Focus on domestic issuesHighlight reel of notable momentshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9pqmW-

D14I&feature=related SNL Parody (go to 3:13 minutes in)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BAx6Ib81Y4

Influence of SNLGore adapted his personalityGore called chameleonDip in Gore’s poll numbers

2004 Presidential Debate Analysis1st Presidential Debate: Bush v. Kerry

Focus on Iraq, Afghanistan, terrorism, security

SNL ParodyFocus on Kerry’s pandering and flip-floppingFocus on Bush’s “it’s hard” attitude and

annoyed demeanorInfluence of SNL

Parody not as strong

2008 VP Debate AnalysisVice-Presidential Debate: Palin v. Biden

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOy7FQb2o6k&feature=fvw

SNL Parody (go to 9:45)http://vodpod.com/watch/1059829-snl-biden-palin-

debate

In-Class Assignment #10How does SNL parody Palin and Biden?What characteristics are exaggerated?How accurate is the parody of Palin and Biden?Do you think the SNL parody influenced anyone?

Ch. 14The Daily Show as the New Journalism

Ch. 14’s ArgumentStewart denies power, influence, agenda,

and platform.

Crossfire cancellation proof of influence

Daily Show rejects the 4 information biases

Daily Show is a new journalism

Exposing the Political SpectacleStewart’s description of news media

Political campaigns as “product launches”“Spectators at a sales pitch.”News as theater

Remedies1.Art: Works independent of symbiotic relationship

Daily Show beholden to no oneNot dependent on official or privileged access

2.Counterdiscourses: Challenge hegemony, undermine presuppositions, offer alternativesStewart’s alternative journalismAbandon normative assumptions

Questioning ObjectivityStewart’s Criticisms of ObjectivityTwo sides stick to talking pointsMaintains status quoMedia is the moderator only, not a judge of BSReasons: Want biggest audience as possible Stay neutral Take two sides’ arguments at face value Don’t challenge the BS

Daily Show example (start at 1:20)http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/mon-

august-23-2004/kerry-controversy

Addressing Bennett’s 4 BiasesStewart’s AnalysisPartisan or political bias? No

“The bias of the media is not liberal—it’s lazy. It’s sensationalist. But, it’s not liberal.”

Bennett’s 4 biases YesDramatization and personalization (start at 5:05)http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/mon-october-18-2004/indecision-2004---they-kill--but-they-love

The Indexing HypothesisIndexing Hypothesis DefinitionThe journalistic practice of opening or closing the news gates to citizen activists and a broader range of views.News media index, or rely on, officials and elites.Pack mentality exacerbates this.ExampleDaily Show uses juxtaposition to reveal indexing hypothesisAl Sharpton’s Speech at 2004 Democratic National ConventionMedia criticizes, downplays, and marginalizes him

The New JournalismReveal the political spectacleAbandon objectivityShowcase the absurdity of the 4 biasesDemonstrate the symbiotic relationship

between news media and politics

Limitations of The Daily ShowLow viewership to constitute a societal

trendHard to escape the jester role to be taken

seriouslySometimes fails at the new journalism

(e.g., Kerry interview)Brushes aside any responsibility to publicFails to address impact of news economics

and market pressures