Through his reporting and critical eye in the political world from 1999 to 2015, Jon Stewart crafted a credible and popular program for Comedy Central, “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.” Upon his departure last year, it was clear the show would continue.
Current host Trevor Noah has retained the accuracy and honesty of “The Daily Show.” He continues to present audiences with comedic political commentary and is a source of news for young people. “The Daily Show” aired a live one-hour long election special Tuesday, Election Day at 11 p.m. to cover the election.
Noah owes this credibility to the team he has crafted, dubbed “The Best F#@king News Team.” Correspondents Roy Wood Jr. and Hasan Minhaj spoke with The Daily Free Press in a conference call about the current election season and the important of political comedy.
“I think comedy is a safe entry point into serious discussions,” said Wood Jr. “By keeping it lighter, you make the conversation more palpable and more productive, in my opinion.” He explained how “The Daily Show” might cover the same information as a cable news show, but makes an effort to make that information more accessible to audiences.
Minhaj agreed, calling the news team “comedic sympathizers” in the way they deliver news.
“We take really complicated, esoteric information,” he said, “and then in seven-and-a-half-minute acts, break it down and pepper in really funny stuff, and that’s why people like it. We’re like funny history professors, essentially.”
Bringing comedy to the 2016 election has been a new challenge for the news team, they said.
“What’s wild is that political culture has become popular culture,” said Minhaj, recalling how networks like E! News and VH1 were covering the Democratic National Convention.
Wood Jr. stressed that political comedy is increasingly important and seems to be what people want.
“I think comedy is important to help people keep their sanity,” Wood Jr. said. “The beauty of comedy is that it reminds you that you are not alone in feeling a certain way. You get to laugh with people.”
But being a political satire show sometimes means figuring out how to blend hard news and jokes. Sometimes, viewers are offended or jokes are misinterpreted.
“We are a comedy show first. There must be jokes,” he said. “It was said by somebody that you can’t please all of the people all of the time.”
Minhaj explained that in his comedy, he makes sure not to “punch down at people who are disenfranchised.” He tells jokes about corporations and big names — “people who can take it.”
Wood Jr. and Minhaj talked about voting, third parties and where the country is headed after Election Day. Minhaj was adamant that young people should vote, citing his experience as an immigrant to present the argument that the United States is fortunate to be what it is.
“The democracy thing is not to be taken for granted,” Minhaj said. “We are a very lucky 350 million people out of 8 billion people on this planet. Please do not take it for granted. There are plenty of kids in Iraq who would love to switch spots with you.”
Wood Jr. brought up a recent show segment in which he interviewed undecided black millennial voters.
“I think the thing that we try to do at this show, is, if nothing else, to empower people with information,” he said. In regard to the undecided voters, he explained how they weren’t pleased with either candidate.
“At that point, it’s my job to educate them on what both candidates stand for, and give them a more thorough understanding of what both platforms are all about,” Wood Jr. said. “Through that, then I feel like, at least you’re informed. So even if you choose to not vote, at least you’ve done it from a more informed place.”
Wood Jr. also spoke on the idea of third parties, criticizing the current system for shutting them out.
“I think that anyone who has bright ideas should be welcomed into the election and at a minimum, invited to the debates,” he said. “They can’t even get a seat at the table to have a conversation because the news network has decided that you’re not relevant enough.”
Minhaj echoed the sentiment, saying that other countries set a better example with more than a bipartisan system.
“I think that what this election has shown the general consensus among people is, ‘Wow, I feel screwed, I hate both [candidates]. Why can’t there be a voice representing me?’” he said. “We are trapped, unfortunately, right now in this two party quagmire.”
Wood Jr. said Donald Trump supporters are people who have voices that they feel have not been heard in a long time.
“I really think that it is going to make midterm elections a lot more interesting in 2018,” he said.
Minhaj urged people to sift through those voices when they offend and harass and become better communicators in the wake of the election.
“I think under the guise of free speech, a lot of things get done,” Minhaj said. “Just because you can do something, doesn’t mean you should do something.”
