I have been a loyal viewer of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart since my interest in government, politics, and law sparked in high school. The Daily Show with Jon Stewart was my main source of news because it was the only reliable “news” outlet that I could trust. I trusted Jon Stewart’s common sense logic and analysis of both our government and media outlets.
Jon Stewart essentially became the voice of a younger, more progressive generation, and had the impeccable ability to explain his progressive and liberal ideas in a matter-of-fact manner.
Jon Stewart took the reigns of Comedy Central’s The Daily Show back in 1999. After an incredible 16-year run, Jon Stewart changed the way mainstream media and political news outlets are perceived.
The Daily Show with Jon Stewart set precedent for political satire. Jon Stewart inadvertently became one of America’s most trusted voices, and his show became a vital source for news. Here is the legacy Jon Stewart left- and why I sorely miss him.
1. Jon Stewart encouraged and mobilized more young adults to vote in a way few TV political commentators ever could.
#Indecision2000 #Indecision2004 #IndecisionForever
2. Jon Stewart’s Post-9/11 address captured the mood of the nation.
Stewart’s first monologue following the attacks on the World Trade Center in 2001 was sincere, touching, and incredibly difficult to watch.
The first time I viewed this segment on YouTube during one of the 9/11 anniversaries resulted in tears being shed. The segment hit close to home- especially as a fellow New Yorker who clearly remembers the events and emotions of that chaotic, tragic day. Years later, the segment remains exceedingly relevant.
3. He frequently slayed news media outlets, like CNN’s Crossfire.
His ruthless critique resulted in Crossfire‘s cancellation #slayin
Other frequent victims of his ruthlessness? Senators Mitch McConnell and Lindsey Graham (along with glorious impersonations), Arby’s, Jim Cramer, Bill O’Reilly- and the rest of Fox News.
4. His brutally honest segment on the Charleston Shooting in a church exposed our government’s lack of response to America’s gun violence problem….
5. While also exposing the government’s hidden agenda:
Mass shootings need to be called what they actually are- domestic terrorism #waronterror #exposed
6. Jon Stewart fostered and supported the talents of Stephen Colbert and Steve Carell.
as well as Ed Helms and Kristen Schaal…..
and, of course, John Oliver.
These stars began their careers as correspondents on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.
I strongly recommend Last Week Tonight with John Oliver as a Daily Show-fix #legacy
7. Jon Stewart downplays his importance and influence on political news and refuses to call himself a journalist…..
“We’re a group of people that really feel that they want to write jokes about the absurdity that we see in government and the world and all that, and that’s it,” Stewart said.
8. Despite the fact that he repeatedly influenced legislation both on the air…..
When a bill to help 9/11 first responders who suffered chronic illnesses as a result of their work at Ground Zero was filibustered by Senate Republicans—and the news networks completely ignored it— Jon Stewart covered the entire ordeal.
He criticized the Republicans involved and welcomed a few first responders onto his show to offer their views on this national disgrace.
Three days later, the bill passed.
9. And off.
10. Jon Stewart encouraged Americans to think critically and not believe everything the mainstream media tells us.
Thank you, Jon Stewart, for your critical dissection of the news. Speaking for the countless Americans whose trust you’ve earned- we miss you.
rose205 