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October 24, 2010 12:03 PM

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Stewart/Colbert Rally: On Target or Overkill?

By: Overtime Staff
Topics: 60 Rewind

Anyone who can stay up past 11:00 pm knows that the late-night television landscape has long since been transformed by the Comedy Central shows of Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert. (And those who can't stay up just watch them online the next morning.) Few comedians are better at exposing any manner of hypocrisy than Stewart. And Colbert makes his points equally as clear through his character, a conservative political pundit. Now, their one-two punch is hitting the road, with a combined rally scheduled for October 30 at the National Mall in Washington, DC.

See photos from the rally

For this week's "Rewind," we're looking back at how "60 Minutes" has covered these two comedians over the years, as they prepare to tackle a whole new stage.

Tell us what you think. Are Stewart and Colbert on point with the rally idea, or are they in danger of taking the joke a step too far?

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by stuckinthemiddlewithyou October 30, 2010 2:15 AM EDT: I too believe the majority of Americans fall somewhere in the middle and just to make sure that my point of view is understood so I am contemplating the six hour drive. I'm not young, I'm not old, I'm not rich and I'm not poor but I love my country and feel it is my duty to participate. Also, don't want to look back on a lot of would a, could a, should a ....; Reply to this comment


by captwildbilly October 28, 2010 3:54 PM EDT: First of all many of you need to lighten up. The Daily Show and The Colbert Report are comedy shows not 60 Minutes. But at the same time all good comedy is built on the idea of pointing out something that we don't want to or are unwilling to think about. That our political system is a disaster is beyond argument, but we have become so used to it that we don't even think about it anymore. Stewart and Colbert have got their audience thinking about the nonsense that we used to take for granted. They are sort of like the little boy who saw that the Emperor really was naked, and every show they entertainingly point out that this politician or that news person is naked, and it's funny and though provoking at the same time.

I suspect that many of the viewers are simply in it for the humor, but there are some both young and old who come away from each show thinking, this is really crazy that a bunch of mentally unstable, or mentally challenged people are vying to run America, the most powerful and dangerous country on earth. Perhaps it would be better if the mainstream media pointed out these glaring issues to us, rather than have to go to the Comedy channel to see it, but the mainstream media doesn't seem to notice or care, or worse still, is so scared of losing their advertisers that they won't say anything that even reminds us that the Emperor is naked.

If America keeps going the way it is going we are going to be a second rate power in short order, and we will have nobody to blame but ourselves. We have let politicians tell us lies for decades, we have stood by and watched and waited for someone else to do something about it, now is the time to stand up for reason and sanity. If you want to live in a make believe version on America from 50 years ago then go to sleep and have a nice dream (or watch Leave it to Beaver, or an old Ronald Reagan movie) but in the real world with real problems we have to constantly change or get left behind. Liberal by definition only means that you are someone who accepts the need for change, conservative means that you are someone who doesn't like change. The problem is that like it or not the world is changing and our desire to keep it the same does nothing other than limit our ability to adapt. It you want to live like the Shakers, and stay locked in the past that is fine with me but don't take all of America with you.; Reply to this comment


by m1ke333 October 27, 2010 6:44 PM EDT: This rally is a fundraiser for the mall in DC if anyone who is criticizing it would watch the show would understand. Look how much money was raised for the fight against Autism!! In the mena time they are goimg to make fun of the politcians and what is wrong with that????; Reply to this comment


by RocketRPB October 27, 2010 12:30 PM EDT: Jon Stewart a comedian? Anyone who watches the show knows that that is the least of his talents. He is virtually alone in presenting to the united states citizens the reality of what has become a never ending parade of bigots and liars that most of the "headlining" politicians really are. And he doesn't even have to prepare any materials - these political buffoons we keep handing our country over to provide it by the ton daily. Unfortunately, a shovel large enough to catch all the crap they throw hasn't been invented - until then Stewart is the acting shovel.

I know of no other show that actually shows these bonehead politicians opening their mouths wide and inserting their feet in as far as they will go - then slamming their faces into a wall just to be certain it can go no further. Our response to this, unfortunately, is a dismal yawn. it is definitely not right to lie - unless your a politician, then it is apparently expected of you.; Reply to this comment


by jayraysparks October 25, 2010 9:45 PM EDT: OK, full disclosure -- I work for both of these shows. But that said, my motivation for doing so is born out of a sense that despite comedy being the medium of distribution, the underlying message is incredibly important to the future of our Democracy. That message is for viewers to *think* about the ways in which political issues are spun by pundits and distorted by the "legitimate" news media. Jon, Stephen and the rest of the cast dish out the snark in every political direction. They are far more "fair and balanced" than most of the news media from which viewers receive the implied obligation to take seriously.

The Rally in DC on Saturday will be not only "on point", but will go down in history as a harbinger of change in the approach that Americans take toward waging progress. I will be there and proud to have a tiny role in helping to organize it.; Reply to this comment


by dudeboy1 October 25, 2010 9:08 PM EDT: There are a lot of issues in the USA. Many of us true americans are finding it real hard to get by these days. For me, work dried up three years ago (heavy construction). Unemployment benefits eventually ran out. Declining health has me to the point where I couldn't work even if a job was available. It can almost be enough to make a grown man cry. I used to watch these guys just so I could get a few laughs, and set aside my worries for an hour. Then a few months ago I could no longer afford pay TV. So I would watch reruns on the internet. Very soon I will no longer be able to afford my internet connection. A lot of other people are struggling, too.
But regarding Stewart and Colbert, you have to admit there are an awful lot of other television shows far less entertaining and funny as they can be.; Reply to this comment


by rubyTea October 25, 2010 5:25 PM EDT: At last signs of sanity... in Faux world - a million dollars to republicans !!! a billion from noOne - What is clear is that the dems have to mobilize massively and shut down the yobs and shellers -from the rabid right.... they are responsible for robbing America its destiny - from a shining light to an overweight - dummied down masses talking gibberish making noise - its no wonder immigration from the USA is on the rise...; Reply to this comment


by cariamanga October 25, 2010 10:08 AM EDT: They are very funny guys and deserves the respect for throwing (in)direct messages to conservative dinosaurs that don't want the change in USA. They only want the rich to get richer and the middle to stay in middle class, and don't forget the poor. Give Obama the chance to make a milestone in American history.; Reply to this comment

by ghostofandy October 25, 2010 9:40 AM EDT

I'm offended by them because they're not funny. Just annoying comments pandering to middle school liberals. George Bush is stupid, Limbaugh is fat, racism is bad, pot is good, etc, etc. I agree with most of their views, but they are so predictable and unfunny I can't take it. Most of their "jokes" are aimed at applause more than laughter. And Colbert does the same joke 50 times per episode and people laugh everytime. It's mind-boggling.

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by rmonroe401 October 25, 2010 11:15 AM EDT: ghostofandy, you obviously never really watched either Stewart or Colbert, because I don't remember them saying Limbaugh is fat, or Bush is stupid. They show clips that prove that Bush is stupid, and Limbaugh is fat, but don't say it. Jon Stewart is funny in an ironic kind of way, as he exposes the hypocrisy of the right, and even the left at times. I admit Colbert's humor is sometimes silly, but he still makes me laugh. He definitely brings to light the hypocrisy of a right wingnut and how they think. And they do it with humor, without hate, without racism, without intolerance. And I guess from your post you think racism is good and pot is bad. You are definitely a Republican.

by ddaryl October 25, 2010 9:04 AM EDT

We're flying in for this rally from Seattle. I'm going because I believe our government is broken, and Wallstreet is putting the screws to us.

So I'm going to meet people of like minds who want to protest, but do not believe in the angry rhetoric of what the tea party has become. I'm going to shoot down the becks and the palins and the Limbaugh's whose fear mongering ******** needs to pushed back. I'm going to show the rest of America that we haven't all gone off our rockers

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by vromano01 October 25, 2010 9:58 AM EDT: WOW. Are you going in armed? If you are spending money to fly from Seattle to DC, then you guys are idiots. Judging by your comments you are anyway.


by Bender23 October 28, 2010 7:14 AM EDT: I was thinking about going to DC from Stockholm, Sweden, but it did not work out with my job. I am sure you guys will have a great time.

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