Fox nixes half wit news hour

We're always ransacking the universe to find right-wing humor. It's a task at which we've always failed.

The cancellation of Fox News' Sunday night stab at right-wing satire, The Half Hour News Hour which has been making a diminishing number of people cringe since last February was announced today.

It was hyped to be the right's answer to Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert- but like the audience it targeted, it was tasteless without the added value of of being funny.

Overlaid with an annoying laugh track, there were gags about topical stuff like the American Disability Act, and Bill Clinton's peckerdilloes; and HI-larious jokes about Harry Reid's personal grooming, global warming, and Nancy Pelosi's alleged face lifts.

It followed Hannity's America- with which it was well-paired- especially if you might be trying to bolster your nerve for a suicide attempt.

According to TVNewser:

The first airing, February 18 was a hit, with more than 1.4 million viewers. The show averaged 258,000 viewers (25-54 demo) in its last 10 airings, winning its timeslot all but once. FNC will air the final show September 16.

It opened with some good signs: the first show got some press with a sketch with featuring neocon headliners, comedian Rush Limbaugh and Connecticut scold Ann Coulter. A mainstream TV critic, the Washington Post's Tom Shales said: "It isn't terrible."

But unfortunately for them, Republican "culture" these days isn't really hungry for comedy. It's as if there's a missing gene. Conservatives seem to want their comedians to make partisan gotchas.

What passes for Republican humor are Coulter's facetious slashings: the gassy arrogance of Rush, or the well-timed clichés of the "comic ministry" of Christian comedian Brad Stine who makes Polish jokes except with liberals in place of Polacks.

There's no Republican Stewart; Colbert, or The Simpsons; no Ellen DeGeneres or David Letterman or Robin Williams, Bill Maher, Rosie O'Donnell or Whoopee.

(They've got Dennis Miller, but he got grumpy and a little stuffy when he got conservative).

They once had P.J. O'Rourke, but they ran him off years ago when the evangelicals and the Bush Administration took over conservatism.

Bill Buckley's erudite wit is lost on this crowd, and he's kept himself more aloof than usual these days- another conservative casualty of the Bush years. Bob Dole was funny, but not ha-ha funny and besides, the Bushites treat him like he's got HIV, (which he may- what with his pharmaceutically perked-up male possibilities).

Fox still has the execrable Red Eye, which probably manages to escape Fox's (and everyone else's) scrutiny because it's on at 4 ayem in New York. As far as comedy- it's inscrutable- a NY Observer critic has described it as The Daily Show "for drunk people."

So it's back to the drawing boards for the architects of Republican comedy.

Why do they bother, you ask? The right has grokked that nobody under 30 is remotely attracted to their POV and their humorlessness is part of that dismal picture. Comedy is a recruiting tool: otherwise it means nothing to them, and their pitiful attempts at it show it.

Comments

[joanie]

It is amazing we liberals have left a sense of humor after seven years of this unfolding tragedy called the Bush administration.

But it does say something about our stamina that we can laugh instead of hate given the amount of injustice, corruption, and negligence we've had to endure.

Wonder how the right is going to endure the next twenty years of liberalism? Maybe they'll all move to Canada where they can help reelect Stephen Harper . . . now wouldn't that be interesting?

Moving to Canada to flee liberalism . . . wouldn't that be ironic?

[Andrew]

So not only have we established that conservative talk radio fueled by hate and distrust, but now we find out that conservatives can't, in fact, laugh.

I always knew that conservatives would get old and die one day, leaving us in peace to distort the government to an unimaginable size, but now I feel that time may come much sooner. Without laughter, why, a person dies!

[Duffman]

That's why your posts are so good for this board Andrew. They cause laughter! :o)

[Duffman]

"Moving to Canada to flee liberalism . . . wouldn't that be ironic?"

Far more likely that Canadians will move here in greater numbers during the tenure of Mrs Clinton. I am a former Canadian and I've just had a visit from several of my Canadian relatives - they LOVE her and agree with me that she will make an excellent choice for POTUS. [They actually felt sorry for us having elected(?) Pres Bush - they think he's somewhat demented] :o) Sorry, Edwards, Obama lovers, but such is life! You'll survive to vote for Mrs C.

[chucks]

Michael
Alleged face lift?
If that woman were a man, her sideburns would be behind her ears.

[wutitiz]

There is lots of right wing humor. South Park is the obvious example. Check out the Rob Reiner/anti-tobacco nanny parody. Also, thank god there's no right-wing Rosie or Whoopie. That's incontrovertable evidence that god's on our side right there.

[sparky]

You think Rob Reiner is right wing?

Now that's funny.

[coiler]

Jon Stewart and Colbert....no one or network can top them. They are the Kings!

[OnYawn]

"Michael
Alleged face lift?
If that woman were a man, her sideburns would be behind her ears."

A great 'rack' tho, dont you think?

[PugetSound]

Bla'm
The message board will only work if posters are prevented from posting under the name of others.

[Duffman]

Ditto!!!!

[sarge]

Whatever you think of her politics or her feuds with O'Reilly, she is very funny as astand-up comedian. Republicans don't have any comedians because they are prudish and have a stick up their ass. South Park-conservative? that's a laugh. libertarian, maybe, polically incorrect, maybe, but I don't think conservatives even watch it with all the toilet and sex humor, and irreverent, blasphemous, anti-religious, anti-Christian diatribes.

[wutitiz]

Sparky: No, I don't think Reiner's conservative, but a parody of him just might be. (d'oh) Sarge: libertarians are conservatives, at least as the word 'conservative' is generally used today. I think Reagan once said that 'libertarianism is the heart and sould of conservatism.' Buckley is undeniably libertarian. Is he not also conservative? And that's the last I'll say about it--splitting hairs over definitions of 'conservative,' 'liberal,' 'progressive' etc. is a waste of time and boring for all.

[sparky]

thanks, wutitiz..i went back and re-read what you wrote and I see where I misunderstood what you said.
Actually, the creators of South Park said they take swipes at both sides.
I think I would have to agree with sarge about conservatives watching South Park, however. My favorite episode of all time is the one about Oprah's gun-totin' Minge, and there is no way a conservative would like that particular show.

[chucks]

sarge
You make too many assumptions about conservatives. Many of us are conservative in our politics (small gummint, low taxes, limited social programs etc) but we still like to have fun.
South Park is a favorite of mine, although I have not been able to watch it enough lately. I watch Letterman or Leno as often as this old fart can stay up that late etc.
So, that is like saying all liberals are idiots. We know that some of you have fully functional brains. Most may be idiots, but enough of you have the brains to guide those lost souls to where you want them to be.

[PugetSound]

chuck
spot on. some people have cartoonish views and lack the nuance to get beyond black and white.
funny is funny. i can appreciate john stewart and a dennis miller. one's political viewpoint shouldn't be a judge of what is funny. too often people view things threw their political lens. some of the funniest comments can be ones directed at yourself...if your able to handle it.
the simpsons are fairly even handed and usually go after PC as much as anything else. if you ever get the chance to catch harry shearer's radio show or some of his comedy appearances you'll have a good time.
the south park creators put out a movie awhile back that was very funny. and the show itself can be brilliant. it goes after everyone...one reason that 'chef' left the show was because while he was okay poking fun at the religion of others when it came back at him, mr. issac hayes refused and had to leave the show.

[Duffman]

PS was that really you at the 12:19 post?

[PugetSound]

yep, the ph(J)oanie PS won't run me off....

[Duffman]

"..too often people view things threw their political lens."

Sorry the above 'threw' me off...didn't seem like you to mis-use words. :o)

[PugetSound]

ooops, poor word usage on my part. :)

if your interested, try out harry shearer's column over at huffington post.

[sparky]

Duffman, Mr. Sound always misspells
"you're" so you can tell when it is his post.

[Duffman]

Thank you sparks; interesting that you and 'coiler' hardly ever misspell or misuse words. Are you both teachers....ha :o)

[PugetSound]

"
Duffman, Mr. Sound always misspells
"you're" so you can tell when it is his post.

Posted by: sparky | August 15, 2007 at 01:29 PM"

true, it is my 'mark' if you will. i type quick and rely on ol spellcheck way too much these days. given that, i generally pass on commenting on the grammer/spelling of others given the venue we are working in. it's really considered bad form. of course, on occasion i've noted similar issues with your spelling/grammer at times dear sparky. i've just not cared to point it out. btw, hope your mother is feeling better these days.

[sparky]

Duffman: coiler and I are two different people, although we do know each other away from this blog. We get great enjoyment from your posts that surmise we are the same person.

Puts: you posted earlier "too often people view things threw their political lens. some of the funniest comments can be ones directed at yourself...if your able to handle it."

Just thought I would try out your theory. Guess not, huh? And it is "grammar" not grammer. :) hah.
Sorry, just could not resist. Of course we all make typos on here, and I don't care about it actually. But I thought you would appreciate the benefit of knowing the difference between "your" and "you're." My bad. Don't worry. I won't correct you anymore.

My mom is doing great, thanks!

[Duffman]

I'll take you at your word sparks; I'm actually glad to hear that you and coiler aren't the same, as I did not want to associate YOU with the infamous 'He is/was one of us'... quote. My faith is restored, I can sleep tonite :o).

[chucks]

The mom news is good to hear sparky.
Gotta watch the spelling. Freemont will just flat spank you for that.

[Duffman]

Freemont (aka: Fremont) is still trying to figure out if the fat lady sang.

[sparky]

Duffman..never assume. I agree whole-heartedly with coiler and Gusto. :-)

chucks! I honestly don't care about anyone's spelling on here. Now, that comment about Hillary's butt was kinda uncalled for, but Im cutting you some slack, because I don't care for her.

Yah my mom didn't have a stroke afterall. It was Belle's Palsey and all the symptoms went away in about 3 weeks. That doesn't happen with a stroke. Thanks for your concern.

[wutitiz]

As fate would have it, I bought a copy of my favorite mag, 'Liberty' today and there's a big article re Southpark. Here is a quote from a SP creator, Parker: "We avoid extremes but we hate liberals more than conservatives."
I'll concede that the Pat Robertsons aren't watching SP, but to rephrase Chucks's point, we conservatives don't "all look alike."

[Duffman]

coiler, gusto...joanie....teachers...Hmmmm!
re: Mrs Clinton - I believe she will grow on you and thou shalt be converted by Feb '08 (as Obama and Edwards will either be gone or VP candidates by then).
[bet you an ice-cold Chard...:o)]

[sparky]

nope.

[Duffman]

..Okay, how 'bout a room-temp Merlot...

[PugetSound]

"Puts: you posted earlier "too often people view things threw their political lens. some of the funniest comments can be ones directed at yourself...if your able to handle it."

Just thought I would try out your theory. Guess not, huh? And it is "grammar" not grammer. :) hah.
Sorry, just could not resist. Of course we all make typos on here, and I don't care about it actually. But I thought you would appreciate the benefit of knowing the difference between "your" and "you're." My bad. Don't worry. I won't correct you anymore."

fair enough. although i was discussing content on politics and all but i can see how you could apply to spelling/grammar vs message board posting standards.
but for sure, ya got me. :)
goose/gander and all that good stuff. so correct away.

and i am very glad to hear about your mother.

[chucks]

sparky
I'm with you on the spelling, thank you very much. Spelling, grammar, punctuation etc are not all that important while posting on these boards.
I only bring up fremont, in jest.
fremont ribbed me on spelling 6 mos or a year ago.
What is important is our ability to opine, vent or maybe even learn a little. And to learn what is going on with talk radio without having to listen.
Of coarse the "Hillary's got back" comment was just for duff. I do not like that used car salesman in a skirt even a little bit, but if looks where that important, I would have been put down years ago.

[spark]

In all seriousness, "computer spelling" is having a pretty dramatic and negative effect on kids' writing. Kids are so used to texting and using shortcuts, that a lot of times they turn in papers with "u" for "you", etc. Also, it is pretty much universal to "forgive" typing and spelling and grammatical mistakes because we all type in a hurry. So a lot of kids don't see what the fuss is all about when asked to correct errors.

[joanie]

Hate to spoil all the sweet "let's just get along" rhetoric and return to politics. I do believe that someone - the uninformed someone - who tried to equate Randi with Rush might be interested in this little tidbit:

"Pundits Uniformly Ignore Rudy's Hideous Recovery-Worker Gaffe"

The gist of it is that four so-called journalists made mention of Giuliani's claim that he was at ground zero as much or more than the recovery workers: Carlson; Krugman; Lupica; Matthews.

But, when it came to criticizing Edward's $400 haircut, no less than twelve journalists made it a topic of discussion: Matthews, Cafferty, Carlson, Beck, O'Reilly, Cavuto, Hume, Gregory, O'Donnell, Dowd (a full-time Democrat), Cohen, and jackson.

I point this out because in the context of trivializing politics, hatemongering and negativity, there's no competition. The right wins it hands down.

And I still haven't seen any proof that Rush sources, interviews experts and calls out his own all of which Randi does.

Oh, and putsie, you can refer to me anytime you feel the need. Makes me feel good to know your need is so great . . . I am happy to be of service, sweetheart. I'm a social liberal and willing to do my part.:)

BTW, if my spelling is off, that's okay. This isn't meant to be a spelling bee . . . just sayin'

[PugetSound]

"In all seriousness, "computer spelling" is having a pretty dramatic and negative effect on kids' writing. Kids are so used to texting and using shortcuts, that a lot of times they turn in papers with "u" for "you", etc. Also, it is pretty much universal to "forgive" typing and spelling and grammatical mistakes because we all type in a hurry. So a lot of kids don't see what the fuss is all about when asked to correct errors.

Posted by: spark | August 15, 2007 at 04:54 PM"

I can see your point and I agree 100%. As soon as I started to rely on a calculator it didn't take long for my basic in-my-head-math skills to leave me in a hurry.

[PugetSound]

"In all seriousness, "computer spelling" is having a pretty dramatic and negative effect on kids' writing. Kids are so used to texting and using shortcuts, that a lot of times they turn in papers with "u" for "you", etc. Also, it is pretty much universal to "forgive" typing and spelling and grammatical mistakes because we all type in a hurry. So a lot of kids don't see what the fuss is all about when asked to correct errors.

Posted by: spark | August 15, 2007 at 04:54 PM"

I can see your point and I agree 100%. As soon as I started to rely on a calculator it didn't take long for my basic in-my-head-math skills to leave me in a hurry.

[sparky]

Joanie, I don't think I would call Maureen Dowd a full time Democrat.
DINO maybe, but she led the pack in attacking Al Gore. She gets her licks in when attacking Bush, but I would not be surprised to find out that she doesn't vote.

[Duffman]

Al Gore: how 'bout CIAR?
Capitalist In Absolute Reality
..don't really care 'bout Maureen Down, as she is somewhat of a 'non-event'.
[As long as we're throwing acronyms around...]

Still getting bogus imposter posts Bla'M...not really fair; and I realize life's not fair but you CAN do something about it IF YOU CHOOSE. :o)

[joanie]

I didn't know she attacked Gore. That might change the way I view her. I started reading her in 2004 I think. Seems like her writing has been strongly liberal since then.

Why do you say that about her not voting? I was interested to see that her brother had been a Democrat before moving over to support Bush . . . the way she wrote about her brother, I thought he was always a Republican.

Thanks for the information. I guess you never know . . .

[Duffman]

"I guess you never know . . . "

Let's all please remember this statement by joanie. One of the more astute statements by you, my dear. :o)

[joanie]

You know, duffo, between you and putsie, I don't know who is the more needy. You are both attention whores. Did you know that?

At the risk of changing the conversation to something substantive, I dare to link another site which graphs the occurrence of Edward's haircut in the blogosphere:"Evolution of a campaign stumble"

It compares "frontrunner controversies" between Obama, Clinton and Edwards.

[joanie]

Actually, duffo, no contest between you and my sweetheart, putsie. You win, hands down.