Dr. Kristen Landreville Fri. 10/08, Mon. 10/11, & Wed. 10/13 Laughing Matters, Ch Politics & Late-Night TV

Ch. 13 SNL and Presidential Elections

Ch. 13 – SNL Debates Ch. 13 is a rhetorical analysis of SNL debate spoofs Review of how persuasion strategies impact public outcomes Politics in Rhetorical Terms Rhetorical genres: tragedy, comedy, satire, epic, grotesque, etc. Politics is tragedy Public wants comedy to relieve tragedy Comedy eases tension, seeks exposure of criticism, and reconciliation of error SNL Comedians play roles, rather than making direct commentary Less abrasive and more comic clown than Stewart, Colbert Appearances signal acceptance and redemption through comic frame 2000 – High impact 2004 – Low impact

Debates in US History Debates since 18 th Century Lincoln-Douglas 1858 First televised debate 1960 Kennedy v. Nixon 80% Viewership yNf0&feature=related (start at 4:35) yNf0&feature=related Impact Image-based decision-making Debate coaching Next debate, 1976 No. 1 watched campaign event

Notable Debate Moments These moments impacted election outcomes. 1976: Carter v. Ford Fords gaffe about Eastern Europe and Communism 1980: Carter v. Reagan : Bush v. Clinton v. Perot

Ch. 13 SNL and Presidential Elections

2000 Presidential Debate Analysis 1 st Presidential Debate: Gore v. Bush Focus on domestic issues Highlight reel of notable moments D14I&feature=related D14I&feature=related SNL Parody (go to 3:13 minutes in) Influence of SNL Gore adapted his personality Gore called chameleon Dip in Gores poll numbers

2004 Presidential Debate Analysis 1 st Presidential Debate: Bush v. Kerry Focus on Iraq, Afghanistan, terrorism, security SNL Parody Focus on Kerrys pandering and flip-flopping Focus on Bushs its hard attitude and annoyed demeanor Influence of SNL Parody not as strong

2008 VP Debate Analysis Vice-Presidential Debate: Palin v. Biden fvw fvw SNL Parody (go to 9:45) In-Class Assignment #10 How 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. 14 The Daily Show as the New Journalism

Ch. 14s Argument Stewart 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 Spectacle Stewarts description of news media Political campaigns as product launches Spectators at a sales pitch. News as theater Remedies 1. Art: Works independent of symbiotic relationship Daily Show beholden to no one Not dependent on official or privileged access 2. Counterdiscourses: Challenge hegemony, undermine presuppositions, offer alternatives Stewarts alternative journalism Abandon normative assumptions

Questioning Objectivity Stewarts Criticisms of Objectivity Two sides stick to talking points Maintains status quo Media is the moderator only, not a judge of BS Reasons: Want biggest audience as possible Stay neutral Take two sides arguments at face value Dont challenge the BS Daily Show example (start at 1:20) /kerry-controversy /kerry-controversy

Addressing Bennetts 4 Biases Stewarts Analysis Partisan or political bias? No The bias of the media is not liberalits lazy. Its sensationalist. But, its not liberal. Bennetts 4 biases Yes Dramatization and personalization (start at 5:05) /indecision they-kill--but-they-love /indecision they-kill--but-they-love

The Indexing Hypothesis Indexing Hypothesis Definition The 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. Example Daily Show uses juxtaposition to reveal indexing hypothesis Al Sharptons Speech at 2004 Democratic National Convention Media criticizes, downplays, and marginalizes him

The New Journalism Reveal the political spectacle Abandon objectivity Showcase the absurdity of the 4 biases Demonstrate the symbiotic relationship between news media and politics

Limitations of The Daily Show Low viewership to constitute a societal trend Hard to escape the jester role to be taken seriously Sometimes fails at the new journalism (e.g., Kerry interview) Brushes aside any responsibility to public Fails to address impact of news economics and market pressures