As election time gets closer and closer, I find myself reading more politically oriented news magazines, such as Maclean's. The latest issue, which is heavily devoted to the political race, features Rick Mercer as a campaign columnist.
A comedian, doing journalism?
Perish the thought.
But when we take a hard look at the people that actually read and think critically about the news, we find that they are the intellectuals, the intelligent. Or at least, that is what we like to think.
So if we want to get the news out to everyone, and not just the intellectuals that actually read the newspaper, what better way to do it than to do it at their level?
I'm not saying comedy is for the less than intelligent, but it is more accessible to them.
The same thing happened with The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. More Americans were getting their news from him, a comedy show, than from many other stations. According to a PBS study done in 2007, 1.6 Million people watch The Daily Show, in contrast to 1.4 million going to the New York Times Online for their news. Even less buy the actual newspaper (1 million) and fewer buy the Washington Post. You can see the full list here.
I don't really have an issue with comedians providing us with news. At least that means that people are actually reading/viewing it, and hopefully learning from it.
So now, for a few fun Rick Mercer videos!
Moving in with Iggy!
Sleeping Over with the PM!
Enjoy!
