The Surprising Takeaway from the 2015 Oscars—And Why Sean Penn's Joke Fell Flat
Many of us expected the Oscars to open up a conversation about our nation’s identity, but it’s unlikely that we expected the conversation to be about immigration, Mexicans and cultural diversity. With two films nominated for Best Picture that drew directly on important national events—“American Sniper” and “Selma”—and with the whitest list of nominees since 1995, this round of Academy Awards seemed to be a battle between civil rights and American exceptionalism. And yet it would be a film about a middle-aged, washed-up white actor that would spark a conversation about not just the role of Mexicans in Hollywood, but about the cultural identity of our nation.
Read the rest at Alternet
(Photo Credit: Youtube)
I dared criticize *American Sniper.* You'd be horrified by the response from aggressive, deluded “patriots”
I dared criticize “American Sniper.” You’d be horrified by the response from aggressive, deluded “patriots”
Read the rest at Salon
(Photo Credit: Warner Bros. Entertainment/Salon)
I dared criticize *American Sniper.* You'd be horrified by the response from aggressive, deluded “patriots”
I dared criticize “American Sniper.” You’d be horrified by the response from aggressive, deluded “patriots”
Read the rest at Salon
(Photo Credit: Warner Bros. Entertainment/Salon)
The Stephen Colbert legacy
If you were following politics over the last few election cycles, you were most likely getting some of your information from satire. In fact, research has shown that in today’s political climate, satire has become one of the most influential sources of public discourse in our nation – especially for younger voters. Sometimes, satirical news shows even create news of their own that’s later reported on by mainstream outlets.
Read the rest at The Conversation
image Lucy Nicholson/Reuters
The Stephen Colbert legacy
If you were following politics over the last few election cycles, you were most likely getting some of your information from satire. In fact, research has shown that in today’s political climate, satire has become one of the most influential sources of public discourse in our nation – especially for younger voters. Sometimes, satirical news shows even create news of their own that’s later reported on by mainstream outlets.
Read the rest at The Conversation
image Lucy Nicholson/Reuters
10 Reasons It Sucks to Lose 'Stephen Colbert'
As we prepare for the end of The Colbert Report, it is time to reflect on exactly what we are losing as Stephen Colbert retires his character and moves on to host The Late Show. Sure it’s a great move for Colbert. Sure it promises to invigorate late-night comedy and give Colbert a chance to show us the full range of his skills as a performer. But let’s be serious, there is a huge loss here and that loss is the brilliant character Colbert crafted.
Read the rest at The Huffington Post
10 Reasons It Sucks to Lose 'Stephen Colbert'
As we prepare for the end of The Colbert Report, it is time to reflect on exactly what we are losing as Stephen Colbert retires his character and moves on to host The Late Show. Sure it’s a great move for Colbert. Sure it promises to invigorate late-night comedy and give Colbert a chance to show us the full range of his skills as a performer. But let’s be serious, there is a huge loss here and that loss is the brilliant character Colbert crafted.
Read the rest at The Huffington Post
Evil Fox News idiocy, unchecked: As Stephen Colbert departs, demented loons set to run free
“The Colbert Report” officially ends Thursday and with it goes one of the most important satire personas in our nation’s history. Following in the footsteps of Ben Franklin’s Poor Richard and Samuel Clemens’ Mark Twain, Colbert’s persona offered us an exaggerated version of one of our nation’s deepest social ills and, as with his counterparts, his focused on a main source for unsophisticated thinking. Colbert’s target? Pundits.
Evil Fox News idiocy, unchecked: As Stephen Colbert departs, demented loons set to run free
“The Colbert Report” officially ends Thursday and with it goes one of the most important satire personas in our nation’s history. Following in the footsteps of Ben Franklin’s Poor Richard and Samuel Clemens’ Mark Twain, Colbert’s persona offered us an exaggerated version of one of our nation’s deepest social ills and, as with his counterparts, his focused on a main source for unsophisticated thinking. Colbert’s target? Pundits.
Stephen Colbert schooled Fox News hard: Comedy, Bill O’Reilly and the exposure of right-wing patriotism lies
As we enter the final days of “The Colbert Report” there is much speculation about what will come next for the comedian when he goes on to host “The Late Show.” One of the most important shifts for Stephen Colbert will be that he will no longer be performing in character as a parody of a right-wing bloviating pundit. While that shift might signal a welcome opportunity for greater creative license for Colbert, it’s worth remembering the unique features of Colbert’s character we will soon be losing — features that include Colbert’s special brand of patriotism.