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September 14, 2011
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Jon Stewart Rolling Stone - talks about his disappointment in Obama
Jon Stewart Compares 'Daily Show' to Fox News: 'We're Both Expressions of Dissatisfaction'
In the new issue of Rolling Stone, Jon Stewart talks about his disappointment in Obama, political satire in the post-Bush era and how the 24/7 media is corroding the national debate. "[The 24-hour networks] are now the absolute most powerful force driving the political narrative," he says. "And the picture that they create is one of conflict, because they're on for 24 hours a day, so they have to create a compelling reason for you to watch them. Otherwise, they're just Muzak - newzak."
Other highlights from the story:
• Stewart says that the Daily Show has a lot in common with Fox News. "We are both reactions to the news and to government," he says. "We're both expressions of dissatisfaction. [Roger Ailes'], I think, happens to be a slightly more powerful version [laughs.] . . . . Ailes was a strategist for Nixon. He comes from the seat of power, and he understands how important the narrative is. We come from comedy, so our natural instinct is not to understand that, and to be bratty. That goes a long way towards explaining the difference between the two organizations."
• Obama has been a disappointment to Stewart. "He ran on this idea that the system and the methodology are corrupt," he says. "It felt like the country was upset enough that he had the momentum needed to re-evaluate how business is done. Instead, when he got elected, he acted as though the system is so entrenched that it has to be managed rather than - I don't want to say decimated, because I'm not an anarchist or a nihilist. But I'm surprised at how much he deferred to the legislative process."
• Bruce Springsteen remains one of Stewart's heroes. "When I listened to his music I didn't feel like a loser," he says. "I felt like a character in an epic poem about losers...Plus, you would go see his show and he would blow your fucking mind for four hours. At a certain point, you'd want to go up onstage and be like, 'Guys! It's OK. I got my money's worth, like, two and a half hours ago. Save yourself! I don't want you to burn out,. You're giving too much! We do not deserve what you've done here tonight! A lot of us are jackasses!"
The complete Q&A is in the upcoming issue of Rolling Stone on newsstands Friday.
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November 1, 2005
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A bumper crop of royals has been seeing the light of day across Europe this year. On October 14, Prince Frederick of Denmark and his consort Mary were blessed with the birth of a prince. In Spain, los Principes de Asturias, Felipe de Borbon and Letizia Ortiz this week welcomed into the world la Infanta Leonor.
Both Denmark and Spain, having liberalized policy towards gays, must now do so towards their actual princesses. Still part of the constitutions in those countries is the requirement that a male heir to the throne, if available, take precedent over a female. The constitutional changes are expected to be made without resistance, and if they are not, perhaps a prince will surprise everybody by having a sex change operation.
William Alexander of Orange and his Argentine princess Maxima Zorreguieta made all Holland smile on June 26 when their second daughter Alexia was born. Belgium did not refrain from the festivities; Phillipe and Matilde presented the kingdom in question with their third son, Emmanuel. And finally, the Royal House of Norway is pleased that in December, Prince Haakon and Princess Mette-Marit will be giving their first child, Princess Ingrid, a regal sibling. (By Scott Rose)
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October 17, 2005
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August Wilson |
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Theater great August Wilson has had a Broadway Theater named in his memory. Wilson passed away October 2 at the age of 60. One of the most significant of 20th-century American playwrights, the body of his opus consists of a play covering each of the decades of the last hundred years. The final installment in the cycle, "Radio Golf," will likely be performed next year in this August Wilson theater on West 52nd Street. Other Broadway eminences honored with a theater named for them include Eugene O'Neill, Alfred Lunt, Lynn Fontanne and George Gershwin.
Because Wilson is the first African-American to be recognized in this manner, his friend Jack Viertel said: "We finally succeeded in making the Great White Way a little less white." Not all of the country has evolved to this point. Over the weekend, a white supremacist group threatened to march in Toledo, Ohio but had to back off in the face of protests. And Louis Farakkhan stopped a gay rights speaker from participating in his "Millions More" event in Washington, D.C.
Happily, August Wilson left behind a fascinating and rich oeuvre. Knowing in advance that he was to have the theater named for him, he wrote words his daughter read at the ceremony. "This is a high honor, but at the same time it is more than an honor. It adds to the measure and meaning of my life." (By Scott Rose)
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September 21, 2005
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Sharon Olds spent one year as the State Poet of New York; there is widespread agreement that she is a modern master. Laura Bush invited her to attend the fifth National Book Festival on the National Mall in Washington this coming Saturday. In a truly poetic missive addressed to the Frist Lady, whoops! I meant to say First Lady, Sharon Olds noted that the invitation was enticing, as accepting it would allow her to enjoy a dinner at the Library of Congress and a breakfast at the White House. "But," she wrote, "I could not face the idea of breaking bread with you. I knew that if I sat down to eat with you, it would feel to me as if I were condoning what I see to be the wild, highhanded actions of the Bush administration. So many Americans who had felt pride in our country now feel anguish and shame, for the current regime of blood, wounds and fire. I thought of the clean linens at your table, the shining knives and the flames of the candles, and I could not stomach it." (Presented by Scott Rose)
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September 16, 2005
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William Faulkner |
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Meghan O'Rourke, the culture editor of Slate magazine, is giving Oprah two thumbs up for her "Summer of Faulkner," during which viewers were encouraged to read and meditate on the master's novels "As I Lay Dying," "The Sound and the Fury," and "Light in August."
Though O'Rourke had a problem with that part of "The Sound and the Fury" where Quintin turns from a boy to a girl, she got so caught up in the cult that it no longer mattered to her that much of Faulkner is incomprehensible and that the academic explanations and sneers served up to anybody who dares say that much of Faulkner is incomprehensible are the result of fatuous snobbery.
Meanwhile in Paris, Jean-Paul Voitdire, a professor of Comparative Literature at the Sorbonne, caused a scandal with these words during a deoncstruction of phallic imagery in "Light in August":"one page of Faulkner is worth all that turgid crap by Voltaire and Victor Hugo, and don't get me started on Proust. Jesus, 200 pages just about eating a friggin' cookie. Give me a break. No, give me Sanctuary. Faulkner rules!!!!" (By Scott Rose)
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September 7, 2005
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This year, the Kennedy Center Honors in the performing arts will take place on December 4 and will be broadcast later that same month. Among the honorees are Tina Turner and Robert Redford, a most intriguing pairing. Rounding out the honor roll call are Tony Bennett, Suzanne Farrell and Julie Harris.
Kennedy Center chairman Stephen A. Schwarzman praised all the honorees, as well he might. Tony's voice was admired by Sinatra, Suzanne is a major force in ballet, Julie is one of the greatest actresses of our era, Bob has done wonders for independent film and Tina can roll it our river any time she wants. What a shame that after the ceremony, the honorees will have to endure a reception at the White House. George Bush wouldn't recognize culture if it walked up to him and corrected his wayward grammar. (By Scott Rose)
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