WS-News Satire Paper

            News Satire is a spoof of news broadcasts that has proven to be extremely effective. There are several successful news satires currently running such as The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, The Colbert Report, and “Weekend Update” on Saturday Night Live. Satire is a form of rhetoric that reveals the flaws of something through the use of ridicule, irony, and other methods of mockery in order to bring about change. Generally, the purpose of a news satire is to provide a social commentary, reveal the assumptions of a particular viewpoint, and criticize the way certain things are done, all while providing entertainment. News satires tend to expose problems rather than provide solutions. They also keep the viewer up to date on recent events and major stories, although generally, this is done in a satirical, humorous manner.

 News Satires are generally anchored by intelligent, well-dressed people that appear trustworthy. They look almost exactly like the typical news-anchor. The major difference lies in the material presented, and how it is presented. The stories covered in news satires are similar to the stories covered in actual broadcasts; only satires are biased and mocking. A news satire generally begins with an introduction of the anchor. In the Colbert Report, the introduction is extremely over the top, overly patriotic, and arrogant. The focus is on Colbert with American symbols in the background. Phrases such as “warrior poet” scroll through the background. This parodies introductions to many news broadcasts. Conventional news music often plays in the introduction, which continues the appearance of a normal news broadcast. The audience is shown or heard, and the show begins, probably for the same reason as a sit-com or other television programs. The audience’s laughter gives the show a more enthusiastic feeling, as well as makes the shows more informal. When an audience laughs, it’s easier for a home viewer to laugh as well. The shows normally begin with a monologue, which is meant to be funny and captivating to viewers. The anchors set the theme for the rest of the show by introducing major stories that will be covered.  Jon Stewart for example, introduces himself and his guests, makes a few quick jokes, and moves into the rest of the show. This monologue provides an introduction to the rest of the show as well as leads into the news segments. The remainder of the show involves over the top journalists reporting ridiculous stories, and the anchor reporting and mocking events and stories. Many times, the anchor interviews a guest. Stephen Colbert, for example, responds sarcastically. He manipulates this sarcasm in order to support his views. At the end, the anchors sign off of the show with a trademark such as The Daily Show, which ends with John Stewart talking to Stephen Colbert. The anchors often reveal the guests who will appear on the next show and the credits roll.