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[Souldriver]

I've been watching a lot of Daily Show and Colbert Report episodes lately, and I'm enjoying them both. But I clearly prefer one over the other. And that made me wonder: Which show does the general public like better?

I've looked for the shows' ratings but can't find any. But I assume the ratings for Stewart are better given he is earlier on at night, and he's still considered the "original" while Colbert is like a spin-off. Also, some polls on other forums seems to suggest that Jon is more popular overall.





Personally I prefer Colbert over Stewart. I like the shtick of being a hard-line conservative better than Jon being himself. While Colbert can parody the hell out of everything, Jon can only point out irony and show disapproval. And after a while the typical look of disapproval and "wtfness" on Jon's face gets old.

Also, Colbert just seems like a more likeable and fun guy all round. When Jon laughs in his show, I often cringe because it seems phony. Especially when he's interviewing people. Might just be that he has a naturally awkward laugh...? Colbert on the other hand is not supposed to laugh during his show. So that makes it all the funnier when you see him struggling to stay in character because he's cracking up.

Lastly, there's the interview part of both shows. Here Colbert shows his comic genius. Even though lots of the interviews are being prepared with the guests, often the talk gets a bit sidetracked so Colbert gets to be spontaneous. It amazes me how quick and witty the guy is, being able to turn the table on his guest, always ready with an answer. All Colbert's interviews are completely ridiculous and they're not pretending to be anything else than that. Jon's interviews however, try to mix humor with flashes of seriousness. But when you have interviews of 4 minutes, that just doesn't work. You can't have a deep interview in such a short timespan. So it ends up being an awkward mix of jokes and "no but seriously"s in between them.





So, what you say, gaf?

• Do you prefer the liberal pundit who's is dismayed and ironically remarks on the ridiculous shit some conservatives say and do?
  
• Do you prefer the conservative pundit who applauds and one up's the ridiculous shit some conservatives say and do?

!! And please elaborate your opinion a bit. No one-word posts please !!

 

[Lionheart1337]

bill maher

 

[David Incorporated Esq.]

I prefer Stewart because Colbert's shtick often prevents things from getting the serious treatment that they deserve. Stewart is better able to call attention to serious issues because his reactions are more grounded.

 

[Joel Was Right]

Stewart. I don't even find Colbert funny. I think there's a clip on YouTube of a guest of his telling him this straight, "You're not as funny as Stewart"

 

[TacticalFox88]

Stewart. His segment about adopting a rich conservative was utter brilliance. Colbert just doesn't do it for me

 

[Bulbo Urethral Baggins]

Stewart is better.

 

[jon bones]

always preferred colbert more. better delivery and hez's a little more subtle in his jokes.

 

[Zeth]

I enjoy the Daily Show more usually, but lately I always end up missing it or just catching the end, resulting in me seeing more Colbert than Stewart. (I sometimes enjoy Bill Maher more than both)

edit: great point about Colbert's laugh being more genuine, OP. You know the bit is hilarious when Colbert is struggling to stay in character.

 

[Qwomo]

Colbert is more traditionally funny, Stewart does political punditry and criticism better though.

 

[diehard]

I prefer Stewart because Colbert's shtick often prevents things from getting the serious treatment that they deserve. Stewart is better able to call attention to serious issues because his reactions are more grounded.

this is the reason i like Colbert. That "serious treatment" that things get from Stewart are always left-leaning and it gets tired sometimes.

 

[ConfusingJazz]

Colbert is a better actor, and much better at satire, but I prefer the Daily Show in general.

The only time I really dislike Stewart is when he attempts to act funny, he is terrible at it.

 

[Houston3000]

Jon Stewart by a mile.

Colbert is way way too much of a joke character to me. I mean, he plays it too hard, it's funny and I enjoy the show but I like Jon Stewart's more relaxed approach.

 

[Dyno]

They're both so excellent that I don't feel right choosing. Looking at that picture though I see Stewart with a beer and Colbert with a white wine. So John wins that round.

 

[echoshifting]

Colbert is great, Jon is indispensable.

Jon Stewart by a mile.

Colbert is way way too much of a joke character to me. I mean, he plays it too hard, it's funny and I enjoy the show but I like Jon Stewart's more relaxed approach.

Yeah, I get worn out on Colbert's schtick sometimes. I haven't watched his show in a few weeks. I never miss TDS, though.

 

[SouthernDragon]

This is like asking which of America's testicles you prefer.

Both are quite necessary.

 

[ConfusingJazz]

They're both so excellent that I don't feel right choosing. Looking at that picture though I see Stewart with a beer and Colbert with a white wine. So John wins that round.

Jon could be drinking a wine spritzer, you don't know!

 

[echoshifting]

This is like asking which of America's testicles you prefer.

Both are quite necessary.

Bad analogy, nobody needs two testicles ;p

 

[Lucario]

bill maher

I'm convinced at this point that Bill Maher is like the conservative version of Colbert. I would find him much funnier if he didn't make atheism look so bad.


To the point--

I prefer Colbert as a comedian and entertainer, and loved his earlier work in shows like Strangers With Candy. I would never use The Daily Show as a news source (which would likely put me in the minority of college liberals), and although Stewart is a brilliant bastard at times, I watch these shows to be amused -- not informed. Colbert gets the blatant head up there, since his show is goofy as fuck and makes absolutely no attempts to take itself seriously. It's just a parody of conservative ideals, half an hour, 4 times a week.

Also, Colbert tends to have more interesting guests -- him and Elvis Costello (in bear costume) making out was one of the greatest moments in TV history. Their duets just made it better.

I have to admit, though, the old daily show (with Colbert as a correspondent) was superior to anything around today; it's kind of a shame the shows split up.

tl;dr: These shows aren't supposed to be serious, and there's likely something wrong with you if you're getting your political coverage solely from The Daily Show/Colbert. Colbert is the superior actor and comedian, and I prefer him.

 

[David Incorporated Esq.]

Colbert is great, Jon is indispensable.

That's a great way to put it. Colbert is funny but political discourse in America would actually suffer without Stewart.

 

[spindashing]

Colbert is more traditionally funny, Stewart does political punditry and criticism better though.

I like both equally, but this post pretty much summarizes my views on the two.

 

[StudioTan]

I enjoy both but I'd have to give the edge to Jon. While Colbert's character can really help emphasize how ridiculous real life politics can be (for example, his Super PAC stuff is just making a huge mockery of that whole system and that's a GOOD thing) it can sometimes start to wear a bit.

In terms of the interviews I almost always watch Jon's interviews because he can usually make even the most boring guests interesting whereas I only watch Colbert's interviews half the time because if he guests can't handle or don't care for his persona then they can be very uncomfortable interviews.

 

[MrHicks]

colbert is more over the top yet makes relevant points in a subtle way

as the studio audience says "steven steven steven steven steven!!!"

i

 

[Angry Fork]

Colbert is more tolerable. I used to like Stewart but can't get into him anymore. Colbert is weak now too ever since people realized his show is satire and now he's buddy buddy with senators instead of ripping them to shreds in an interview like he used to do. I would like Colbert again if he attacked people genuinely and didn't constantly smile/break out of character. His 'character' is way too self referential now and it's all basically "lol wink isn't this funny guys". But when the show first started he never broke character and he took it all serious as if he really was another Sean Hannity. That's what made it funny/interesting. I wish he'd bring back the deadpan.

Stewart was always nice to his guests and I didn't really care but ever since his false equivalency of "crazy" liberals with crazy republicans at the restore sanity thing, I could never take him seriously after that. That shit was Obama compromise central for no reason. I also found the lack of support for OWS (the reason it was created, rather than whatever dirty hippies were there) to be damaging. He acts like he's just a comedian but he has far more power than that and he doesn't use it on the most important topics. Overall I feel he's a nice guy and means well but still listens to corporate when the going gets rough.

I would find him much funnier if he didn't make atheism look so bad.

How so?

 

[acheron_xl]

Colbert. He's a much more talented comedian. Stewart could never do what Colbert does, because he just doesn't have the chops.

 

[Shadow Hog]

Generally, I find Colbert funnier, but The Daily Show the better watch.

 

[eznark]

 

[Mr. B Natural]

Colbert is funnier because his show is built for laughs. Occasionally he hits a note worth thinking about, but usually it's through caricature sarcasm and that's kinda cheap and cowardly if you ask me (though totally appropriate for the kind of show that it is.)

Stewarts show is built for laughs half the time and then built for thought the other half. He puts himself out there when expressing something of poignancy.

I prefer the Daily Show because it's just not more dumb comedy...in a world of lowest common denominators and anti-personal pursuit, Jon is being Jon and the world loves him for it. He's doing what HE believes while being funny as hell and that's something that will not be able to be replaced by another funny guy that can play a good Bill O'reilly cartoon.

 

[kehs]

What a weird choice. It's like saying whether you Prefer Obama or Romney. I'm just glad Comedy Central balances their political programing with both a left and right leaning show.

 

[ConfusingJazz]

I enjoy both but I'd have to give the edge to Jon. While Colbert's character can really help emphasize how ridiculous real life politics can be (for example, his Super PAC stuff is just making a huge mockery of that whole system and that's a GOOD thing) it can sometimes start to wear a bit.

In terms of the interviews I almost always watch Jon's interviews because he can usually make even the most boring guests interesting whereas I only watch Colbert's interviews half the time because if he guests can't handle or don't care for his persona then they can be very uncomfortable interviews.

Also a good point. I think the two highs of Colbert were the SuperPAC and the White House Press Corp Dinner, both of which are the greatest pieces of political satire in my lifetime.

And yeah, I have never really liked Colbert interviews. He can be good, but he is nowhere near as consistent as Jon. Granted, Colbert does them in character and its basically improv, which is really impressive when you think about it, but still not as entertaining in the long run.

 

[nincompoop]

Colbert is too over the top for my tastes and Stewart just plain isn't funny. I prefer Bill Maher's brand of political comedy, even though he's a nut on some issues.

 

[David Incorporated Esq.]

Stewart was always nice to his guests and I didn't really care but ever since his false equivalency of "crazy" liberals with crazy republicans at the restore sanity thing, I could never take him seriously after that. That shit was Obama compromise central for no reason. I also found the lack of support for OWS (the reason it was created, rather than whatever dirty hippies were there) to be damaging. He acts like he's just a comedian but he has far more power than that and he doesn't use it on the most important topics. Overall I feel he's a nice guy and means well but still listens to corporate when the going gets rough.

Stewart still brings up OWS in interviews in a positive light. Frankly he's the only person who mentions it at all anymore so I don't know where you're getting that feeling.

 

[Qwomo]

this is the reason i like Colbert. That "serious treatment" that things get from Stewart are always left-leaning and it gets tired sometimes.

And yeah, I agree with this. Stewart is a smart dude but sometimes he misses the mark because he's just so devotedly "left". Colbert's simple satire doesn't really have that problem.

 

[backflip10019]

Stewart.

I can't stand Colbert for some reason. Maybe it's just the fact that he's playing a character? I think I don't like his show because it doesn't feel honest like Stewart's.

 

[entremet]

Colbert.

 

[LakeEarth]

Vote for Stewart. I enjoy Colbert, but I can't watch several episodes in a row like I can with Stewart.

 

[RiggenBlaque]

Colbert is a natural comedian and as such his show, first and foremost, is a comedy program. Stewart is not a comedian at all and is more of a pundit who surrounds himself with funny people.

That being said, I find Stewart and the Daily Show as a whole to be absolutely the worst thing ever. Stewart himself has no comedy chops and I find it really awkward when he tries to make jokes. Colbert actually produces an insightful, funny show that is more than just coming outright and saying "HAHA THIS DUMB CONSERVATIVE SAID SOMETHING IGNORANT."

FYI I'm super liberal, so it's not a politics thing.

 

[noah111]

Not really a huge fan of either but if i'm choosing, it's Jon Stewart without a doubt. He can be pretty great, whereas Colbert can overdo it a lot.

 

[Flo_Evans]

Colbert.

Stewart tries to go between comedy/serious to much for me. I just want to laugh and then go to bed!

I also usually skip the interview on the daily show. John is not a good interviewer, and if it is a good guest they usually edit the hell out of it and then "put it up on the web!" ugg. Sometimes the corespondent bits are funny but they are usually pretty bad. I am cracking up the entire Colbert report.

 

[Bumblebeetuna]

Colbert because he is playing a character and still getting good points across both ways. It's about as down the middle as you can get. Stewart is very left and that gets boring after awhile. He also seems to take himself too seriously as times.

 

[Venfayth]

Both. And Colbert.

 

[KevinRo]

That's a great way to put it. Colbert is funny but political discourse in America would actually suffer without Stewart.

This has to be a joke post. You actually believe he brings anything to the table?

 

[Kinyou]

Stewart. I want a host that leads me through the show, not a comedian.

 

[GrizzNKev]

I prefer them together.

 

[ConfusingJazz]

This has to be a joke post. You actually believe he brings anything to the table?

Stewart is probably the best in the media at calling out political doublespeak.

 

[Mr. B Natural]

Colbert actually produces an insightful, funny show that is more than just coming outright and saying "HAHA THIS DUMB CONSERVATIVE SAID SOMETHING IGNORANT."

Colbert PLAYS the dumb conservative that says something ignorant. It's the same thing but without a counterpoint unless you include the interviews where the interviewee is constantly making fun of Colbert for his silliness, who try to make a point between Colbert's effort to make jokes and derail.

 

[VALIS]

Colbert is definitely funnier both scripted and off the cuff, but I actually prefer watching Stewart's show most of the time. I have to be in the mood for Colbert's over the top, never ending schtick, and I'm not half the time.

 

[enzo_gt]

Stewart. Although Colbert has his moments, hes vastly overrated.

 

[cartoon_soldier]

Stewart

- Best fucking news team on Television
- He is better at being funny while at times pointing out the seriousness of what he is talking about

Only Stewart with what his show is supposed to be can do what he did with the 9/11 First Responder Episode:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/27/business/media/27stewart.html?pagewanted=all

http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/thu-december-16-2010/worst-responders

http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/t...rst-responders-react-to-the-senate-filibuster

 

[JCX]

Colbert, a lot because the the way he handles hypocrisy is much more entertaining thanTDS' straightforward "roll clip from cable news show" style. Colbert also does a lot more charity/altruistic things (various donors choose, shows in Iraq.

Both shows are still great, though.

I even prefer Colbert's interviews, although he does seem to get less prestigious guests. His interview with Laura Ingraham is my favorite. http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/343110/august-03-2010/laura-ingraham

 

[Zia]

As has been said, Stewart is the Mark Twain of our time, and I think he's one of the best physical humorists since Chaplin.

Colbert is a fantastic gag character I thought would grow stale, but as those he satirizes become increasingly extreme, he becomes not only increasingly relevant, but very necessary.