A SHORT BOOK REVIEW OF AMERICA THE BOOK BY JON STEWART AND THE DAILY SHOW WRITERS
In the classic film, Crimes & Misdemeanors, Woody Allen tells us that the formula for comedy is time plus tragedy. At the time of Abraham Lincoln’s assassination, no one could joke about it. But hundreds of years later, Lincoln’s death is free reign for a good laugh.
In the brilliant and consistently hilarious satire, America, the Book; A Citizen’s Guide to Democracy Inaction, comedian Jon Stewart and the writers of his hit television show The Daily Show, have no such limitations. In fact, they even mock democracy in the future where, naturally, Arnold Schwarzenegger is President of the United States.
The book, which is already a massive hit in American bookstores, is a no holds-barred take of the difference between the Democratic ideal and the Democratic reality, of which Stewart makes abundantly clear, is still a pretty massive differential. Using an unrepentant and biting critical tongue in chapters like “The Media: Democracy’s Valiant Vulgarians” and “Congress: Quagmire of Freedom,” America is an equal-opportunity commentator of the significant-yet-ignored issues that our country faces. Moreover, the faux-textbook even takes on an extra potency in an election year that itself borders on satire, even without the helpful jabbing of comedians.
America, the Book has no allegiance to any politician or political party which is why the book is so refreshing. Its lesson is to be skeptical and prevent history from repeating itself. In this particular moment in electoral confusion, Stewart reminds us that we no longer have the time to wait for hindsight. The time to make fun is now
In the classic film, Crimes & Misdemeanors, Woody Allen tells us that the formula for comedy is time plus tragedy. At the time of Abraham Lincoln’s assassination, no one could joke about it. But hundreds of years later, Lincoln’s death is free reign for a good laugh.
In the brilliant and consistently hilarious satire, America, the Book; A Citizen’s Guide to Democracy Inaction, comedian Jon Stewart and the writers of his hit television show The Daily Show, have no such limitations. In fact, they even mock democracy in the future where, naturally, Arnold Schwarzenegger is President of the United States.
The book, which is already a massive hit in American bookstores, is a no holds-barred take of the difference between the Democratic ideal and the Democratic reality, of which Stewart makes abundantly clear, is still a pretty massive differential. Using an unrepentant and biting critical tongue in chapters like “The Media: Democracy’s Valiant Vulgarians” and “Congress: Quagmire of Freedom,” America is an equal-opportunity commentator of the significant-yet-ignored issues that our country faces. Moreover, the faux-textbook even takes on an extra potency in an election year that itself borders on satire, even without the helpful jabbing of comedians.
America, the Book has no allegiance to any politician or political party which is why the book is so refreshing. Its lesson is to be skeptical and prevent history from repeating itself. In this particular moment in electoral confusion, Stewart reminds us that we no longer have the time to wait for hindsight. The time to make fun is now
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home