Why does it always seem that I read something funny or weird in the New York Times that I already noticed and didn’t write down? Oh, that’s right, I’m a procrastinator of the worst kind. “That’s interesting (this odd thing I noticed). I’ll jot it down later.” Two weeks on…and I’ve completely forgotten about it. The same thing happened here.
Two weeks ago my beloved and me decided that we’d return to watching The Daily Show and The Colbert Report. We’d stopped watching both programs because we were concerned during the primaries that they’d be in the tank for Obama therefore ruining both shows.
See, my problem with the many pundits and those in the political class that backed Obama (ahem, I’m looking at you Olbermann and Moulitsas), is that their credibility is lost. I’m not talking about those dolts on Fox or most of the mainstream media. I’m specifically referring to those that I respected and liked before this primary season. Olbermann was always a blowhard, but he was our blowhard, dammit! And DailyKos was a daily fix until they became a Hillary hate-fest in which its very own leader would happily join in. When they both decided to take sides when the primary came along…and join in with Hillary-hatefests worthy of the Fox News 90’s well, that’s when I knew something was seriously wrong with this picture. Anyhoo…back to the show.
We put on Colbert, ready to laugh at politics and the actors within it. What I loved about Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert was that they would rip everyone: Democrats, Republicans, Independents…all of them. Because they are all worthy of it. Pols are pols. Even the ones you like. I fondly recall laughing my arse off at John Kerry attempting to hunt.
Then came the Obama joke. Something about him finding a new religion. Except it didn’t make fun of Obama. It made fun of um….M. Night Shamaylan. Oh, and they got the facts wrong (not to mention a little racist since they claimed Shamaylan is a Hindu when in fact, he’s a hard-core Christian). So that was disturbing. Where was my joke?! Where was it that we made fun of McCain, Hillary, AND Obama? But the Obama joke never came. And the show left me feeling meh.
Yesterday, The Times wrote about this very thing (See!?! I totally should have written that down!!). They talked to hosts and writers and everyone involved in funny business and found out that basically, they’re all too chicken-shit (and the vast vast majority of them too white) to make fun of Him. Granted, it’s hard. You can’t make fun of his voice, his lack of womanizing, his physical appearance, his race.
Oh, and apparently The Daily Show‘s audience won’t laugh at any Obama jokes. Get a grip, hipsters!! He’s not your Lord and Savior, he’s the Democratic nominee for President. But, c’mon guys!? You can’t come up with ONE good joke? Pathetic.
July 16, 2008 at 7:14 am
i cant wait for “chocolate news”
!!!!
July 16, 2008 at 7:46 am
i think kimmel’s quote about reverse racism is very interesting. equality goes both ways, you know?
July 16, 2008 at 7:58 am
@angiesyounglover: I hate Jimmy Kimmel. That is all. ;)
July 16, 2008 at 8:10 am
SinRoo–Sarah??? ;)
July 16, 2008 at 8:17 am
@Nevernikki: methinks Sarah didn’t get the career she signed up for by dating Mr. Kimmel and now she’s moving on to greener, more productive pastures!
July 16, 2008 at 8:24 am
and of course, she’s fuckin’ matt damon and all.
July 16, 2008 at 8:43 am
There is no such thing as “reverse” racism. Racism is racism, no matter which way it flows.
I read an op/ed piece somewhere (too early/lazy to find the link) about why the media is treating Obama with kid gloves. I call it the Chappelle Show syndrome: are they laughing with us or at us. It has got to be hard for snarky folks so used to making fun of people to have to think before they poke fun at a Black person, lest they tread upon racist grounds. It’s OK to make fun of old people, fat people, and women, but not Black people. Maybe because Black folks make a bigger fuss when it happens, who knows?
What I saw was a media that didn’t know how to poke fun at Obama without sounding racist. Which is kinda sad. ‘Cuz Obama gave them plenty of fuel for ridicule during the primary that had nothing to do with his race.
PS. During the primaries, neither show was in the tank for Obama: he was subject to much ridicule. Stewart was clearly an undercover HRC supporter. Their recent turn had more to do with the lack of laughs Obama jokes garner from the audience, and the Daily Show/Colbert Report ARE comedy shows.
July 16, 2008 at 8:51 am
Yeah, as if I needed another reason to find him swoonworthy, I loved so much the other week when Jon Stewart was like, “You guys know it’s okay to laugh at Him, right?”
July 16, 2008 at 9:04 am
@ceejee: Hence I said I was AFRAID they were. I avoided them because I didn’t want to find them in the tank for anyone…so I avoided them altogether until the end of the primary. And Stewart? Is very much an Obama supporter and was during the primaries as well. He said that if McCain and Obama were to run it’d be like “gentlemen.” As opposed to the dirty, dirty campaigning of HRC. ;)
July 16, 2008 at 9:05 am
@ceejee: I guess also cuz I’m Hispanic I don’t get why they are so scared to make fun of him. And you can make fun of him in so many ways that have nothing at all to do with race! Scaredy cat hipsters!
July 16, 2008 at 9:10 am
Middle class white guilt–ruining good jokes since the 70s.
July 16, 2008 at 9:10 am
Really, the best way to make fun of Him is to make fun of His wide-eyed, worshipful followers. The Hope! The Future! The BRAINWASHING.
July 16, 2008 at 9:12 am
oh I was hoping you would post on this! I read that article yesterday, and yes they are all to chicken-shit to make a joke. I mean if anything make a joke about his supporters thinking he’s the coming of Christ or something!
@girlscoutcookie
Jon is awesome. Him and Colbert were the only ones actually attempting to make jokes.
And if you think about it, if these comedians refuse to treat him like everyone else then maybe it is a form of racism, in fact it was Obama that said that people of minority decent from good backgrounds given lots of opportunity shouldn’t be given special consideration a la affirmative action. If they’re so into damn equality for everyone, then make a freaking joke about him. They had no problem bashing HRC, McCain and everyone else.
July 16, 2008 at 9:13 am
@honeylush: Did you read the part of the article where Stewart was like “You can laugh at him!”
July 16, 2008 at 9:14 am
formerlylizah–Ugh, you mean the people we had dinner with last night? “He’s more than a politician to me!” Yes, those words were uttered, and yes, I did throw up in my mouth a bit. Other pearls:
“I really trust him, you know?”
“I wish he could be President AND Mayor of Chicago! Tee hee!”
“I’m reading his book. AGAIN.”
Of course, when we said that we kinda liked Hilary after the primaries, gained some new respect for her–SILENCE. Oh, tolerance.
July 16, 2008 at 9:16 am
@CeeJeeMcBeeGee: “Cuz Obama gave them plenty of fuel for ridicule during the primary that had nothing to do with his race.”
@SinRoo: “And you can make fun of him in so many ways that have nothing at all to do with race!”
Okay, so let’s have it!
July 16, 2008 at 9:17 am
@formerly: His ears are hilare. He’s serious as a mofo. He’s “flip-flopped” on issues. He’s said plenty of things you can hop on and make fun of!
July 16, 2008 at 9:17 am
@NeverNikki: Early this Spring, I went to dinners where, because everyone present is pretty liberal, it was ASSUMED by some that we all supported Obama. Uh, no.
July 16, 2008 at 9:19 am
57 states? C’mon, thats gold Jerry!
July 16, 2008 at 9:19 am
@sinisterrouge: oh, I agree, I just think we should get it started. I like the “serious as a mofo” angle . . . for example, if I were SNL or something, maybe a skit with him saying really basic, every day stuff (like, about taking out the trash or what to eat for dinner) in a booming, world-saving voice?
July 16, 2008 at 9:20 am
@SinRoo
I did! I couldn’t believe (ok no wait sadly I could) that people wouldn’t laugh. I imagine the amount of awkward in the silence was almost at fatal levels. I’m glad he called them out on it. The fanatical supporters bother me to no end. Here, you got what you want, he’s the frontrunner, he’s going to get made fun of, he’s going to be attacked instead of bitching about it work on defining his policies because all the hoping and change preaching won’t fix the economy/insurance industry/income disparity/HUGE gap between the rich and poor etc etc
whew, sorry, that rant wasn’t directed at you, just ridiculous people
July 16, 2008 at 9:21 am
@formerlyzivah
ha! that sounds kind of hilarious. *booming voice* Michelle, I’m going to take the trash out *angel sing*
July 16, 2008 at 9:22 am
Does anyone else have a feeling that there will be some deus ex machina at the convention and Hil-Dog will get the nomination? Or am I just smoking something?
July 16, 2008 at 9:22 am
NeverNikki: smokin’ hard, dude.
July 16, 2008 at 9:26 am
@nevernikki: Kindly don’t call my girl Hilldog ever again!!
July 16, 2008 at 9:28 am
@nikki: Also, NO WAY. There is no way he doesn’t get the nomination right away. No doubt.
July 16, 2008 at 9:30 am
Ahh, thats what I thought. This is what happens when you watch too many movies. And I call her that with love, I swear. :) But I wont do it again, just for you SinRoo.
July 16, 2008 at 9:33 am
You’d at least think that John Stewart et al could make fun of the phenomenon that they can’t make fun of him, no?
July 16, 2008 at 9:34 am
I predict protests,riots, and shaming at the Democratic & Republican Conventions. The summer of 2008 will be one to remember.
July 16, 2008 at 9:41 am
Amoureuse–Have you heard about “Recreate 68”?
http://www.recreate68.com/
That should go over well.
July 16, 2008 at 9:42 am
@formerlyzivah: All of my friends assume that because I am black I support Obama. Um, no. I can’t tell you how many forwards about how great Obama is and how all of a sudden the Clintons are racist that I received. Finally had to send out a mass email that said “Team Hillary. Please stop!”
July 16, 2008 at 9:42 am
I am waiting for the Republicans to spotlight Alan Keys, JC Watts, Condi Rice,Colin Powell and Bobby Jindal to demonstrate that the Republicans emrace diversity & inclusiveness.
I predict that “The Party of Abraham Lincoln” will be muttered several times during their shindig. Matter of fact that’ll be the Buttercup Drinking Game. You have to take a shot/sip everytime that they mention Lincoln or show a black/brown person at the Republican Convention.
July 16, 2008 at 9:43 am
@NeverNikki: OH SNAP!
July 16, 2008 at 9:44 am
Amoureuse–Why are promoting sobriety??!!
For the democratic Convention–Take a shot every time you hear the word “Change” Chug a beer every time you see someone in a headscarf/burka. Drink and entire bottle of Jack when they show a woman faint/cry at the sight of Obama.
July 16, 2008 at 9:45 am
Sinny, I’m just gonna write-in Hillary on my ballot. Does that work for you?
July 16, 2008 at 9:52 am
@angie: Gotta vote Democrat down the line my love! That includes Barry!
July 16, 2008 at 10:03 am
@NeverNikki: Your DNC rules will result in lots of alcohol poisoning, possibly even fatalities. Are you trying to decrease the number of Democratic voters?
July 16, 2008 at 10:06 am
Amorouse, they started this morning. CNN was all “McCain needs Black republicans.” IMHO, he can have them!
Formerly, Lets start with the supporters. Gawd I can’t stand the starry-eyed ones with the teary voices! I’ve always found Obama goofy-looking and lanky. Smart, but not cute. Then let’s move on to the “MLK voice”. It serves it’s purpose (inspires, motivates) but it just triggers bad Baptist church flashbacks.
July 16, 2008 at 10:07 am
Um … is it even ALLOWED for an Obama supporter to come here? Cause y’know how you all felt about the political posts on Jezebel? That’s how I feel here. If you’ve decided BCP is an anti-Obama pro-Hillary haven, I’ll just avoid these posts, but I do miss the dialogue …
As for the actual point of the post, in between all the vitriol – I agree. I love Obama but I know he’s not perfect or a savior – it’s impossible for a successful politician to be those things. I wish the comedians would just man up and figure it out.
July 16, 2008 at 10:11 am
Also Amorouse, Condi is hated. Keyes is a joke (even to his GOP friends). They’ve only got Thomas on their side. And if Powell supports McCain, I’ll be VERY surprised. Powell might say what he knows Republicans want him to say, but he does whatever the hell he wants to do.
July 16, 2008 at 10:12 am
Cate–I have no idea what you are talking about. [mwahaha…]
Jammiriffic–You know how they launched Air America to counter Rush Limbaugh et al.? Yeah, its kinda like that.
July 16, 2008 at 10:19 am
@jammiriffic: We’re allowed here but we gotta remember whose house we’re at and respect that.
I believe that Obama can turn this country around for the better. Laugh away. I can take it.
Hope, hope, hopeitty, hope.
July 16, 2008 at 10:19 am
Well said, Sinny! If we can’t talk about him in a humorous fashion without being worried about being viewed as “racially insensitive” then how will we bay able to legitimately criticize him as a candidate/President?
Everybody’s walking on eggshells around this guy, and it’s pathetic.
July 16, 2008 at 10:21 am
DRINK!!!! ;)
July 16, 2008 at 10:23 am
@NeverNikki: Unfortunately I already left “Rush” (at least for the most part; I’m not a saint enough for cold turkey), and for reasons other than politics.
@NOLA girl: Fair enough. Just …. in another thread someone made a comment about how Obama was so popular because he was black, and that kind of stuff pisses me off to a massive degree.
July 16, 2008 at 10:27 am
@ceejee: THANK YOU! I never got the “my panties drop for O” bizness. I mean, I get the appeal of the guy as a politician. But as a hot guy? Yeah. NO. Not hot.
@NOLA: LOL!LOL! ;)
July 16, 2008 at 10:29 am
Sinroo–Taft. Now there’s a politician who can make my panties drop.
Come to Mama, Willy.
July 16, 2008 at 10:31 am
@sinisterrouge: I actually do think he’s a tad hot. But I also find myself extremely attracted to Steve Buscemi, so I really don’t count.
July 16, 2008 at 10:36 am
@formerlyzivah:
Didn’t they kind of already do that during the primary? I remember a skit where they had a mock debate and “Hillary” would give a lengthy, well-reasoned response and get crickets, and “Obama” would open his mouth and say, “Well, I think…” and get no further before being interrupted by applause and adulation. But that’s a great and hilarious direction for humorists to go. I’m all for some SNL/TDS mocking. Of everyone.
July 16, 2008 at 10:37 am
@es-ki-mo: yes. You would be a total weirdo. Buscemi??? EEK! Talented, YES. Hot? FUCK NO!
July 16, 2008 at 10:39 am
Ex-ki-mo–The Sopranos. Yeah, I can see it. And Ghostworld. I hear ya.
July 16, 2008 at 10:41 am
@NeverNikki: Yes – it was totally Ghost World.
July 16, 2008 at 10:42 am
@NeverNikki: we here at BCP have a special panty slot reserved for the resident Prez Hottie; the one and only Truman
July 16, 2008 at 10:48 am
Come on now. I loved Ghost World and I worship at the Soprano altar…it still does not make Buscemi remotely attractive!
July 16, 2008 at 10:49 am
@es-ki-mo: “I actually do think he’s a tad hot. But I also find myself extremely attracted to Steve Buscemi, so I really don’t count.”
we call this the “Paulie Walnuts phenomenon”, you should talk to Lipstick Librarian.
July 16, 2008 at 10:53 am
To each his own Sinroo. To each his own. This is why I dont talk about my Tommy Lee Jones crush that often.
July 16, 2008 at 10:57 am
@sinisterrouge: Not even a little????
July 16, 2008 at 11:15 am
@Nikki: That’s cuz he’s kind of old-man hot!
@eskimo: HAWT
July 16, 2008 at 11:17 am
@girlscoutcookie: I remember that SNL skit (same episode as Tina Fey’s “Bitch is the new black” bit on Weekend Update, I believe). And then I remember the pundits dissecting it and bitching about how “untrue” and “unfunny” it was.
July 16, 2008 at 11:19 am
Sinroo–Ben Smith is a THIEF!
http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0708/Obama_jokes.html#comments
July 16, 2008 at 11:47 am
@NeverNikki: Now this shit is funny:
“I was born in Oslo, Norway, the son of a Volvo factory worker and part-time ice fisherman,” a mock self-tribute begins. “My mother was a backup singer for Abba. They were good folks.” In Chicago, “I discovered I was black, and I have remained so ever since.”
July 16, 2008 at 11:57 am
http://sendables.jibjab.com/
Here you go love.
July 16, 2008 at 11:57 am
full disclosure: obama supporter since jan. but ive never bowed down to him, praised him or raised him onto any sort of pedestal. i also think its freaky when people say they are “soldiers” for his cause….”soldiers” or “spirit warriors” sounds a little jihad-y (both phrases were used to excite the crowd at a volunteer rally)anyway….
there are soo many things obama has done that i think are dying for a punchline, the biggest and most recent is that damn faux-seal. wtf??!?!
July 16, 2008 at 12:01 pm
@eskimo: oh now what about in fargo? “i got shot! i got shot in the face!”
July 16, 2008 at 12:06 pm
@angiesyounglover: Yeah, Fargo not so much.
But The Big Lebowski? YES.
July 16, 2008 at 12:09 pm
NeverNikki:Unicorns! YES UNICORNS!!
July 16, 2008 at 12:11 pm
es-ki-mo–I kinda had the hots for Turturro in Lebowski. You don’t fuck with the Jesus, man.
July 16, 2008 at 12:11 pm
@es-ki-mo: the bloody napkins and tan corduroy nut huggers didn’t do it ferya? off to the woodchipper withya.
July 16, 2008 at 12:11 pm
Yeah, the unicorn killed me too. Did I mention I like change?
July 16, 2008 at 1:07 pm
!erggggg: While I’m an Obama girl, I think I only get fanatical when talking about Michelle. But is it really my fault that she and I were destined to be best friends and she just doesn’t know it yet?
I actually can’t think of many Obama folks I’ve talked to in real life who are all messianic about him, and I think that aspect of his supporters has been somewhat blown out of proportion, but I also don’t doubt they’re out there, as politics tends to bring out the bughouse in people.
July 16, 2008 at 2:27 pm
errrg, “Soldiers” is MAD gangsta to me.
July 16, 2008 at 3:31 pm
My man, who has been a BO crazy for some time now, has sprouted a sense of humor and says things like: “Do you know that Barack’s tears cure cancer?” “Did you know that Barack’s touch can heal broken bones?” This has made our household slightly more entertaining because, yeah, he was a groupie (my man) and that drove me nuts.
July 16, 2008 at 4:48 pm
I’ve got soul but I’m not a soldier. (Sorry, I had to. I’m sorry.)
Since my television as of late has been limited to The Bachelorette, AbFab and BBC P&P on DVD, and this whole thing still makes me sick and angry, I would welcome humor.
Maybe he should try mocking himself. God knows a hipster loves some good old wry self-deprecation. Try it! You might like it! That and girl jeans.
July 16, 2008 at 4:52 pm
From the Onion: “Obama Practice Looking-Off-Into-Future Pose” (complete with steely-eyed but hopeful pictorial).
http://www.theonion.com/content/news/obama_practices_looking_off_into
July 16, 2008 at 9:50 pm
I take it back. Obama’s on the cover of this month’s Ebony and he looks kinda hot. I know it’s lighting and some photoshop but… dayum!
You can catch it in the gallery here:
http://www.ebonyjet.com/coolmen/coolmengallery/index.htm
PS… how do you lift a pic from flashplayer. I need new wallpaper…
July 16, 2008 at 9:59 pm
And maybe this can explain why we (Black people) are so dayum touchy!
http://www.ebonyjet.com/culture/literature/boondocks.aspx
July 16, 2008 at 11:32 pm
My good friend, who should be a writer for all good comedies, and I regularly snark about Obama. We’re both liberal commie pinkos, but we both hate Obama AND Hilary in an equal opportunity kind of way. Here is a sampling of our witticisms
(Everything that looks like racism is totally us being sarcastic):
First, Evan on why he hates Obama:
The people who like him, his message, his lack of any substance, the people who like him, how much his supporters play up the race card when he’s whiter inside than Adam Steadman [a really white guy we know], the people that like him, how much the media likes him, the people that like him, how little he understands about business and economics, the people who like him. Not that McCain knows shit about anything, I just want Obama to lose.
Both of us on the Stock Car:
i am trying to rile (wc?) people up again
1:50 PM
on the CNN newsroom blogs
1:51 PM
CNN just pisses me off
because they reported this long ass article
1:52 PM
about Obama voting in favor of giving immunity for telecommunications companies who wiretap the wrong people
BUT NOTHING on Obama sponsoring a stock car!
It’s like Billary is programming the website
1:55 PM
me: sorry, my mom was on my computer
Evan: it’s fine,
me: royally messing up EVRYTHING
Evan: as long as she hates billary
as much as i do
and loves obama
me: wait — obama is sponsoring a stock car?
for reals?
1:56 PM
she doens’t really like billary or obama
Evan: yeah
for real
he’s now not only my favorite presidential candidate ever
1:57 PM
he’s my favorite person ever
sorry John Candy
your day is done
me: is this an effort to get in good with the white redneck voter?
Evan: i hope so
because we all know liking Nascar negates being black any day
how many hate crimes have occured at Lowe’s Motor Speedway?
1:58 PM
me: not very many, b/c black people aren’t even allowed in
Evan: see
none
because they know that the black people hate nascar
so he will be the first
he will be the catalyst
for
C
H
A
N
G
E
me: except for black people DO likei wearing nascar jackets
Evan: that’s just appearances though
not substance
1:59 PM
sponsoring a stock car is substance
me: not only is it substance — it’s change i can belive in!
as long as his driver is black
Evan: because you believe in nascar
black people can’t drive stockcars
they’d be way too obvious for drivebys
and still way too slow for high speed chases
July 17, 2008 at 12:33 am
Ah my dear Hillary supporters- you are experiencing what young Republicans (or anyone under the age of 50 with any view anywhere right of center)has experienced forever. There is an assumption that you, of course, support Obama, because, who doesn’t? Its just not accepted to have any other point of view! This is like the assumption that any young woman is “pro-choice” and liberal. And if not?!?!? Well just like my friend at the dinner party full of Obama worshipers- people are shocked and appalled! How dare you?!?!? On a very basic level- doesn’t this seem to go against an unadulterated liberal perspective? Shouldn’t a true “liberal” be accepting of all and of all viewpoints and the freedom of all Americans to have an opinion, even if it is not the chic opinion of the moment???? Why is there always the air of disdain from the liberal when faced with someone who does not share their viewpoint? Perhaps some of the women of buttercup punch can enlighten me.
I’m totally not trying to be confrontational… just conversational. I would like in on the drinking game.
Steve Bucsemi- really?!??!?! I have nightmares about him regularly.
Tommy Lee Jones- way hot until he started playing the same tired, over-the-hill soldier/cop in every movie.
July 17, 2008 at 9:32 am
PopTart–I love you for that post. God bless you. But don’t you drag Tommy Lee Jones’ good career through the mud. Man of the House was a delightful flick.
On topic, though. I too would like an answer to PopTart’s question. I never understood how a friend of over three years could unceremoniously dump me when I happened to mention that [eek!] I align more with the Republican party than the Democratic party. This is someone who I have gotten drunk with, cried with, so on so on. But the mere idea that i wasnt Democrat was enough to end a friendship. Lame.
July 17, 2008 at 12:17 pm
In fairness, I did see Jon Stewart make fun of Obama’s faux presidential seal, and his audience laughed.