2008 Woodie Awards
Fox's new '1/2 Hour News Hour' aims at conservatives; lacks humor
Liz Lavin
Issue date: 3/8/07 Section: Perspectives
- Page 1 of 1
Fox network recently introduced a fake news show, "The ½ Hour News Hour". It has been described as "a 'Daily Show' for conservatives," according to its creator, Joel Surnow, the writer and producer of "24".
In other words, this show is giving Bush a break and making fun of everyone else in politics.
While this show is modeled after Jon Stewart's "Daily Show" and Stephen Colbert's "The Colbert Report," there are two very obvious differences. The first is that "The ½ Hour News Hour" is not poking fun at Republicans, a very popular pastime, and the second is that the show is, well, not funny.
I could not even bring myself to watch the premier of "The ½ Hour News Hour," which was Sunday, Feb. 18. I had already seen two different clips of the show online and they were torture enough. And they were only three minutes long.
A sad part of the show is not the fact that the anchors look bored with their job. It is not the fact that the anchors do not use their real names, though their stage names are oddly close to their real ones.
The saddest part of the show is that there is a live studio audience but there is still a very loud and obnoxious laugh track. That is never a good sign.
I personally enjoy "The Daily Show" and "The Colbert Report". I love that these men can make fun of politicians every night and always have new material. I love that with these men, no one is spared.
"The ½ Hour News Hour" is not able to do what these shows can. Maybe if it was not aimed specifically to please conservatives, the writers would have more material. Or maybe Joel Surnow should stick to his hit drama and stay away from comedy.
Whether or not you like Jon Stewart or Stephen Colbert, there is no denying that the men are talented.
You may not agree with all of their comedy but at least you can agree with some.
Not just anyone can do what they do. And as this new show proves, not everyone should try.
In other words, this show is giving Bush a break and making fun of everyone else in politics.
While this show is modeled after Jon Stewart's "Daily Show" and Stephen Colbert's "The Colbert Report," there are two very obvious differences. The first is that "The ½ Hour News Hour" is not poking fun at Republicans, a very popular pastime, and the second is that the show is, well, not funny.
I could not even bring myself to watch the premier of "The ½ Hour News Hour," which was Sunday, Feb. 18. I had already seen two different clips of the show online and they were torture enough. And they were only three minutes long.
A sad part of the show is not the fact that the anchors look bored with their job. It is not the fact that the anchors do not use their real names, though their stage names are oddly close to their real ones.
The saddest part of the show is that there is a live studio audience but there is still a very loud and obnoxious laugh track. That is never a good sign.
I personally enjoy "The Daily Show" and "The Colbert Report". I love that these men can make fun of politicians every night and always have new material. I love that with these men, no one is spared.
"The ½ Hour News Hour" is not able to do what these shows can. Maybe if it was not aimed specifically to please conservatives, the writers would have more material. Or maybe Joel Surnow should stick to his hit drama and stay away from comedy.
Whether or not you like Jon Stewart or Stephen Colbert, there is no denying that the men are talented.
You may not agree with all of their comedy but at least you can agree with some.
Not just anyone can do what they do. And as this new show proves, not everyone should try.
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