Recently, I've had the pleasure
of binge watching reruns of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.
As a very political person, who enjoys debates, and a teenager, who
enjoys entertainment, this show along with The Colbert Report gives
me the best of both worlds when I am bored in my room. Chapter 3 of Rhetoric
and Civic Life illustrates a heated exchange on the show
"Crossfire" between Jon Stewart, and the hosts of the show Paul
Begala (liberal) and Tucker Carlson (conservative). This heated altercation is eventually what got "Crossfire" canceled.
"Crossfire" defines
itself as a show that contests the opinions of politically liberal
and conservative people on their views of current events in a
debate-like format. I say debate-like, because this show isn't really actually
a debate. It is a travesty of what a debate should be. A debate is a
formal discussion on a particular topic in a public meeting or legislative
assembly, in which opposing arguments are put forward; however,
"Crossfire" doesn't exhibit this. Instead, it exhibits trite remarks
on the obvious scenario presented and gives little to no room for the
guest speaker to voice his/her opinion. It makes me wonder why the guest is
even there.
Furthermore, if the hosts aren't even going to let the guest utter a word, they should have a bigger table with more political pundits and discuss and vent about/support the issues that the world is currently facing. They should also change the name from "Crossfire" to "The View with Political Pundits" and because no one would be watching this show (not that anyone was watching it before); it should be a good starting lineup for "The Shows Currently Airing on C-Span". This show might actually triple the viewership on C-Span if it presents itself as an actual debate show, because I mean come on, who doesn't like to watch arguments.
Are you interested to see how good debating should proceed and be handled? Check out the Prime Minister's Questions held every Wednesday at the UK. The media is partially to blame for the way debates are viewed and handled because it has evolved debating into a “winner/loser” system. People/viewers expect to see winners/losers, but that is the entire opposite of what a debate is. The words of a debate are important and meaningful because the person presenting their side of the contest/rebuttal does so with their beliefs and heart, and thus it should be respected to a certain degree. A debate is the use of rhetoric and rhetorical strategies to get one’s point across about a certain topic and gaining the attention of the viewers they are presented to. I am glad that Jon Stewart went on this show to vent out his views because I completely agree with him. If a show with so much potential cannot present itself to be an inch of what it is supposed to be, then I am glad that it is cancelled because shows like these are indeed “hurting America”.
Furthermore, if the hosts aren't even going to let the guest utter a word, they should have a bigger table with more political pundits and discuss and vent about/support the issues that the world is currently facing. They should also change the name from "Crossfire" to "The View with Political Pundits" and because no one would be watching this show (not that anyone was watching it before); it should be a good starting lineup for "The Shows Currently Airing on C-Span". This show might actually triple the viewership on C-Span if it presents itself as an actual debate show, because I mean come on, who doesn't like to watch arguments.
Are you interested to see how good debating should proceed and be handled? Check out the Prime Minister's Questions held every Wednesday at the UK. The media is partially to blame for the way debates are viewed and handled because it has evolved debating into a “winner/loser” system. People/viewers expect to see winners/losers, but that is the entire opposite of what a debate is. The words of a debate are important and meaningful because the person presenting their side of the contest/rebuttal does so with their beliefs and heart, and thus it should be respected to a certain degree. A debate is the use of rhetoric and rhetorical strategies to get one’s point across about a certain topic and gaining the attention of the viewers they are presented to. I am glad that Jon Stewart went on this show to vent out his views because I completely agree with him. If a show with so much potential cannot present itself to be an inch of what it is supposed to be, then I am glad that it is cancelled because shows like these are indeed “hurting America”.
I found your post to be very entertaining and funny, but at the same time informative and formal. I would recommend you to break the last paragraph into smaller ones, as it is pretty long. But overall very good!
ReplyDelete