The Daily Show vs. The Colbert Report

Every morning I give myself half an hour to drink coffee, lay around in bed and watch The Daily Show episode from the night before. I don’t get Comedy Central but lucky for me, they post the previous night’s episode on their website every day. Watching the same Rogaine commercial over and over is worth it to get my Jon Stewart fix. I think I’ve seen every episode that’s aired this year.

As for The Colbert Report, the spin-off that began in 2005 and airs after The Daily Show in nearly every market and which is just as easily available online, I haven’t seen a single episode this year. Maybe I should give it another chance, but I so prefer Jon Stewart’s straight man to Stephen Colbert’s doofus act. I liked him a lot better in Strangers with Candy. (Hey, is that yet another Brilliant but Cancelled show? We’re approaching enough titles for a Round 4, people!)

The Daily Show began airing in 1996 and originally Craig Kilborn hosted the show. Jon Stewart took over in 1999 and shifted the focus from pop culture to politics and current events. The show describes itself as a fake news program, and the writers and creators have often disputed claims that The Daily Show is a main source of news for many young people. It’s not my main source of news, but it definitely supplements my understanding of current events, and the commentary is really sharp and thoughtful.

The Colbert Report… I don’t watch it, so I don’t have much to say about it. Anyone have any arguments for or against Stephen’s spin-off? I know it’s a popular show and it has eclipsed The Daily Show in ratings and Emmy nominations in the past. I can’t find any current numbers. Here’s a funny article from 2007 comparing the shows. So who’s your favorite?

Eleanor Brown