Saturday, February 17, 2007

The 1/2 Hour News Hour


Of course liberals are funny but what about conservatives? Can a satirical news show with a conservative point-of-view make America laugh? The new faux news show on Fox News Channel, The 1/2 Hour News Hour (Shades of the CBC show, "This Hour Has 22 Minutes") is a new attempt to make funny with some conservative-based political humor. I think it's high time for such an offering. I just hope it is well-written and, above all, funny.

The show is executive-produced by Joel Surnow, who created the wildly successful Fox thriller, "24", and features cameo appearances by Rush Limbaugh and Ann Coulter. The article linked to above, from the Washington Post's Tom Shales, indicates (albeit, begrudgingly) that the show is funny. If he thinks it's funny, it's probably hilarious, especially to conservatives.

My suggestion? Hire Scott Ott to provide some of the writing for the show, as well as some other, established satirists with a right-leaning political bent. They could also get conservative actors-yes, there are some-to come on for cameos and short bits to boost ratings and provide some star power. Conservative politicians with good senses of humor could make appearances, also. Finally, the show should make sure to poke fun at conservatives as well as liberals. Sure, liberals are easy targets and they have the most material to work with but there are plenty of conservatives that would be good fodder, as well. It would make the show seem more even-handed and would probably make it more popular, too.

The show debuts tomorrow night at Ten. I'll be watching, how about you?

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

stI'll be sitting in the virtual chair next to you!

Here's what Liberatas are saying...These first two episodes of the show provide some of the funniest, most outrageous moments I’ve seen on a major TV network. You simply will not believe some of the things this show gets away with saying and showing, how politically incorrect the show genuinely is (as opposed to Bill Maher), how many taboos it breaks …
Or maybe you would believe it. Why? Because a lot of us have come to the conclusion that conservatives are, quite frankly, a lot funnier than liberals these days. Whether it’s Rush or Ann Coulter or Michael Savage or whomever, conservatives are simply a lot more amusing and edgier to listen to (which is, incidentally, in large part why the left-liberal Air America network fell apart recently). Conservatives have a kind of counter-cultural, satiric bite to them these days, in large part because conservatives truly are out-of-power when it comes to the culture, Hollywood, the arts, universities, etc. That’s what makes The Half Hour News Hour work so well — it’s just so damned cathartic to see the powers-that-be satirized, whether those powers be: hysterical environmentalists, pompous Democrat politicians, the weirdly predatory ACLU, child psychology ‘experts,’ or — of course — vapid Hollywood celebrities. All of these people — America’s A-list leeches, one might say — get skewered mercilessly in this show, and it’s such a delight.

Anonymous said...

Even the commentors on Liberatas think Scott Ott should be a writer!

And sti'll or what ever that first word is should read I will and I 'm sorry I took up so much room!

Hawkeye® said...

Sounds like fun! I hope I can remember to watch. I often forget to remember these things... What were we talking about anyway...

(:D) Regards...

P.S. -- Today's word is "nefedeoi"... OI!

Beerme said...

mig,

Thanks for the link to Libertas! I hadn't seen that before. I noticed, as the Libertas article notes, that Fox News is not very strongly supporting the new show. I went to their website and they don't have a mention of it showing! I did find a link to the show but it took awhile.

Beerme said...

Hawkeye®,

"Nefedeoi", the act of forgetting what you were talking about...

Anonymous said...

I could always use a good paying job. sigh, old and forgotten

Beerme said...

MsRW, INK,

Now is the time to submit your ideas to the show. If it takes off the competition will be fierce. Throw some idears at 'em, now! I think you could be effective!

camojack said...

Scott Ott would prob'ly be interested, too...

Anonymous said...

I heard the show wasn't bad and that's good. However nothing will ever touch the Daily Show. I know that's not your slant but they do attack both sides.

This being the 4th anniversary of the Iraq invasion I was wondering what you conservatives think. I'm sure you don't need to hear my opinion again. Wow what a lame speech Bush just gave. He seems depressed and beat up.

Beerme said...

I was a bit disappointed in the show. It just wasn't funny enough. I haven't watched again, since ten o'clock is my bedtime (if it was a Red Wings or Pistons game...).

I think we have a mess that needs our attention in Iraq and can't leave until we make a strong stand at fixing it. I was against the war at the start because of my general protectionist sentiments, but know that now we're in a war with the terrorists and can't quit until we win (if that's possible). Now, I know it's possible but public opinion and sentiment won't stand for the brutality that it might require. But that's another subject entirely.

Bush has been a large disappointment to me as he held the bully pulpit after 9/11 and didn't use it. He also tends to think he can pal up with Ted Kennedy and get things done in a bi-partisan way. That's out of the question as he is the most hated man in America by both the media and the liberals, so why play games? Do what your base wants you to do. Cut taxes, fix Social Security and bomb the hell out of the Iraqis and Iranians. They'll holler uncle soon enough, after their countries are carpet bombed for a couple of weeks. Puts the defense contractors to work, too...

A guy can dream, can't he?