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Cable TV shows blend politics, laughs

A local professor looks at how the new breed of talk shows have engaged viewers in different ways.

BY ANGELA FOREST

247-7863

October 13 2004

NORFOLK -- There was a time when only journalists and other self-appointed experts talked about politics on television.

But thanks to shows like "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart," "Real Time with Bill Maher" and "Dennis Miller," political discussions involving comedians, celebrities and sometimes even politicians can be found.

The change is refreshing, and it demonstrates how these shows have an ability to engage TV viewers in ways that can benefit American political culture, says Jeffrey P. Jones, an assistant professor of communication at Old Dominion University.

"These shows open up greater avenues for political involvement, because they offer different political discourses than the norm," Jones said. "These shows say, 'We can laugh about politics and argue about politics all in the same measure.' "

That differs from more traditional, serious-minded political shows such as "This Week" and "Face the Nation."

In his new book, "Entertaining Politics: New Political Television and Civic Culture," Jones argues that not only do viewers of these shows discuss politics more frequently after watching them, the comedic hosts sharply criticize politicians and policies in a way the mainstream media can't. The book will be in stores Nov. 3, the day after the presidential election.

Jones' book stemmed from a doctoral dissertation that initially focused on Maher's now-defunct show "Politically Incorrect." In addition to interviewing Maher and his staff from that show, Jones surveyed audience members and read their online discussions. The ODU professor also studied Stewart's program and "Dennis Miller Live", which ended in 2002.

Comedians like Maher, Stewart and Miller don't hesitate to speak truth to power, something that appeals to the average person, Jones said.

"These people don't have to play by the objectivity of journalists," Jones said. People also like political talk icons such as Maher and Bill O'Reilly because studies show they don't trust journalists or traditional news sources, he said.

In his book, Jones takes aim at critics who say political entertainment shows dumb down politics, encourage young people to dismiss political issues as objects of parody and discourage participation in the process.

No hard evidence supports this, Jones said. In fact, a study released last month by the University of Pennsylvania's National Annenburg Election Survey indicates viewers of late-night comedy like "The Daily Show," know more about the presidential candidates' positions and lives than those who don't watch such shows. Rather than distract people from thinking seriously about political issues, Jones said the humor draws them in and gets them talking informally about politics, the same way hosts present it.

The audience that watches "The Daily Show" and similar programs tends to be young, educated and politically savvy. They don't regularly watch network news or read newspapers, but do watch cable TV and surf the Web, said Dannagal Goldthwaite Young, senior research analyst for the Annenburg survey.

"While (The Daily Show) does combine comedy and politics, it doesn't necessarily bring a level of frivolity to it that affects the sophistication of the people," Young said. The humor and informal nature of these kinds of shows makes them good "water cooler talk," because they place politics in a hip and interesting package, Young said.

"Humor is really good at dwelling on the contradiction between appearance and reality," which highlights these shows' ability to expose the truth, Jones said. "I think humor allows young people to enjoy the pleasures of politics. Young people don't like bitter medicine. I know that every day."