The Stewart / Colbert Effect: Essays on the Real Impacts of Fake News [Paperback]

Amarnath Amarasingam (Editor), Robert W. McChesney (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 4, 2011 | ISBN-10: 0786458860 | ISBN-13: 978-0786458868

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and The Colbert Report have attracted much interest in recent years from popular audiences as well as scholars in various disciplines. Both Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert have been named on Time magazine's list of the most influential people in the world. The ten essays in this interdisciplinary collection explore the issues engendered by the popularity of entertainment news, including the role of satire in politics, the declining level of trust in traditional sources of media, the shows' cathartic or informational function, and the ways in which these shows influence public opinion.

"Today's political establishment is worthy of satirization, and, as a result, the study of political satire is necessary in order to understand our core democratic processes. Essays on Fake News advances our understanding of who is consuming political TV satire, the messages being provided by Stewart and Colbert, and the democratic effects derived from watching these important political information outlets." - R. Lance Holbert, The Ohio State University, co-author, Political Communication in the 21st Century

"Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert are not only funny, they are significant forces in the contemporary practice of American politics. This volume offers an excellent study of how and why their presence matters and deserves serious scholarly attention." - Jeffrey P. Jones, Old Dominion University, author, Entertaining Politics: Satiric Television and Political Engagement

"For millions of people, The Daily Show and The Colbert Report have become a favorite source of news, information, and political commentary. The contributors to this collection help us both to better understand why, and to think through the potential effects of so many people's fascination with Stewart and Colbert. The result is a thought-provoking book that any student, fan, or skeptic of the two shows should have on the shelf." - Geoffrey Baym, University of North Carolina, Greensboro, author, From Cronkite to Colbert: The Evolution of Broadcast News

"This is an essential collection of articles, with lots of data, for anyone interested in how fake news works and what it does to people." - John Morreall, College of William and Mary, author, Comic Relief: A Comprehensive Philosophy of Humor.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is an essential collection of articles, with lots of data, for anyone interested in how fake news works and what it does to people."--John Morreall, College of William and Mary, author, Comic Relief: A Comprehensive Philosophy of Humor.

"sharply focused, well researched, and accessible, these essays explore the impact of the false news shows on political, cultural, and social life. Amarasingam's collection expands the growing scholarship and adds insight into these two popular and influential television programs. Highly recommended"--Choice

"Today's political establishment is worthy of satirization, and, as a result, the study of political satire is necessary in order to understand our core democratic processes. Essays on Fake News advances our understanding of who is consuming political TV satire, the messages being provided by Stewart and Colbert, and the democratic effects derived from watching these important political information outlets." --R. Lance Holbert, The Ohio State University, co-author, Political Communication in the 21st Century

"Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert are not only funny, they are significant forces in the contemporary practice of American politics. This volume offers an excellent study of how and why their presence matters and deserves serious scholarly attention." --Jeffrey P. Jones, Old Dominion University, author, Entertaining Politics: Satiric Television and Political Engagement

"For millions of people, The Daily Show and The Colbert Report have become a favorite source of news, information, and political commentary. The contributors to this collection help us both to better understand why, and to think through the potential effects of so many people's fascination with Stewart and Colbert. The result is a thought-provoking book that any student, fan, or skeptic of the two shows should have on the shelf." --Geoffrey Baym, University of North Carolina, Greensboro, author, From Cronkite to Colbert: The Evolution of Broadcast News

From the Author

"This is an essential collection of articles, with lots of data, for anyone interested in how fake news works and what it does to people."--John Morreall, College of William and Mary, author, Comic Relief: A Comprehensive Philosophy of Humor.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: McFarland (May 4, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786458860
• ISBN-13: 978-0786458868
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.5 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #184,765 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Amarnath Amarasingam is a doctoral candidate and Lecturer at Wilfrid Laurier University and the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada. His research interests are in social movements, diaspora studies, ethno-nationalism, radicalization, media studies, and the sociology of religion. He has published articles in Studies in Religion, the Journal of Contemporary Religion, Canadian Ethnic Studies, and Muslim Minority Affairs, among other academic publications. He has presented papers at numerous national and international conferences, and has contributed to The Huffington Post, The Daily Beast, The Toronto Star, The Province (Vancouver), and The Washington Post's On Faith blog. He is currently writing his dissertation entitled, Pain, Pride, and Politics: Social Movement Activism and the Sri Lankan Tamil Diaspora in Canada. He can be reached at [e-mail]

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A very fine book--useful for teaching about political satire July 25, 2012

By Susan E. Grogan

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

A good read for Colbert (and Daily Show) fans out there.
The book is a bit pricy ($40 Amazon) but there's a Kindle version for < $15. I will be using part or all of this book for one or two courses I plan to teach this academic year. One reviewer notes the "dry" first part (the social science articles.) But, as a political scientist, I LIKE reading about Party ID! Second part is, admittedly, great fun--esp. an essay on the links between Colbert/Stewart and court jesters in days of old. Thanks to this book, prepping for my fall classes is FUN!

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Oh, America! December 20, 2011

By Robert A. Campbell

Format:Paperback

While dealing with an inherently interesting and entertaining topic, the introduction and the essays in the first half of this book will perhaps prove to be a bit too scientific (dry, lifeless, objective) for the taste of many readers who would otherwise be attracted to this work. The essays in the second half are more speculative and theoretical, and therefore much more compelling, intriguing, and enjoyable to read. This is especially the case with Julia Fox's analysis of Stewart and Colbert within the context of the history and significance of court jesters.
Overall, a very well-written and important book for those interested in current affairs, media studies, info-tainment, and the excesses and foibles of American popular culture.