By Pamela Sweetwood
My forum today may be described as an open fan letter. Some will certainly share my thoughts while others may be unfamiliar or even disagree.
This week marks the end of Jon Stewart’s 17 years on the Daily Show. Unfortunately, I just began watching a few years ago. I’ve always followed politics and many had recommended it to me. They were certainly right. I wish I had seen every episode. Humor generally has a short lifespan of appreciation. I rewatch the Daily Show oftenadmiring the humor, superb writing, unmatched delivery and high-caliber guests. Nothing compares.
I value hearing topics from multiple political viewpoints. There is massive material available. I’ll hear a news story and wonder how it will be approached that night. The show has generated many conversations the next day. So often I ask “Did you see Jon Stewart last night?”
What may impress me most is their extensive library of news clips and interviews where they create segments demonstrating contradictory statements and arguments. This lends itself well to humor and exposes the hypocracy and spin that may otherwise go unchallenged. It is often one’s own words that are damning.
Still today I miss Tim Russert’s election coverage and as host of Meet the Press. Although successors are knowledgeable, there is a void. I feel this will be more true with Jon Stewart. It is too bad he won’t be an active part of what is likely to be a turbulent election season.
He is wise to leave at the top of his game. Few do. As I’ve learned more about him and he has revealed more of a personal side the last few months, my admiration has deepened.
He has provided us with much more than entertainment. He has caused public figures as well as society to reconsider what we think and do.
Pamela Sweetwood was an ISU student, like many, who never left town. She works in higher education and has a history with many community non-profits organizations.
The opinions expressed within WJBC’s Forum are solely those of the Forum’s author, and are not necessarily those of WJBC or Cumlus Media, Inc.
