Home
cover of episode Jon Stewart Looks Back With Sanity and/or Fear

Jon Stewart Looks Back With Sanity and/or Fear

2024/11/4
logo of podcast The Ezra Klein Show

The Ezra Klein Show

Key Insights

Why did Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert decide to hold the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear in 2010?

The rally was a reaction to the heightened political emotions during the Tea Party movement and Glenn Beck's demagogic rallies. Stewart and Colbert aimed to counter the divisive rhetoric by hosting a satirical event that promoted sanity and reason.

How did the media landscape influence the political climate during the time of the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear?

The media, particularly cable news and later social media, amplified hostility and distorted relationships between Americans. Stewart criticized the media for stoking divisions and presenting a false image of the nation through a funhouse mirror.

What does Jon Stewart believe is the primary driver of the division in media and society today?

Stewart attributes much of the division to capitalism and the media's business model, which thrives on generating income through engagement. Fear, anger, hate, and outrage are more profitable than positive content, leading to a warped perception of reality.

How has Jon Stewart's perspective on politics evolved since his time hosting The Daily Show?

Stewart has become more of a left populist, advocating for fundamental changes in the structure of power to ensure that all people, especially the vulnerable, have a voice. He emphasizes the need for a more participatory and equitable economy.

What role does Jon Stewart believe the media plays in shaping political discourse?

Stewart believes the media has a significant impact on shaping political discourse by warping perceptions and creating an atmosphere of outrage and anger. He argues that media outlets often reflect their audience's views unless strong editorial control is applied.

How does Jon Stewart view the transformation of Tucker Carlson from a humorous commentator to a more serious political figure?

Stewart sees Carlson's transformation as a shift from treating politics as a joke to taking it seriously and becoming more dangerous. He attributes this change to Carlson's experience of being rejected by the establishment, which led to a more cynical and hardened political stance.

What does Jon Stewart recommend as a solution to the issues caused by segmented and polarized media?

Stewart suggests that media needs to raise the bar in terms of the cadence and quality of content. He advocates for a more forceful editorial approach to combat lies and bad faith actors, similar to how Roger Ailes built Fox News with a clear vision and purpose.

What are Jon Stewart's book recommendations for the audience?

Stewart recommends 'I Shouldn't Be Telling You This' by Chelsea DeVantez and the works of Kurt Vonnegut, particularly 'Breakfast of Champions' and 'Player Piano.' He praises Vonnegut for his hopeful yet heartbroken perspective on humanity.

Chapters

Jon Stewart and Ezra Klein discuss the polarization of media over the past 25 years and its impact on politics, including the transformation of Tucker Carlson and the changing dynamics of political coalitions.
  • The media has become increasingly segmented and polarized, affecting political discourse.
  • Tucker Carlson's transformation from a humorous commentator to a serious political figure is highlighted.
  • The political coalitions have split into aesthetics of sanity and fear, with institutions and systems on one side and conspiracy and rage on the other.

Shownotes Transcript

In 2010, Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert held a satirical rally on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., called the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear. This was amid the Tea Party movement. Political emotions were running high. And Stewart ended the rally with a speech slamming the media for stoking the country’s divisions.

“But we live now in hard times, not end times,” he said. “And we can have animus and not be enemies. But unfortunately, one of our main tools in delineating the two broke.” 

That rally has a Rosetta Stone quality to it now. Because what Stewart was describing has only gotten worse. Our divisions feel deeper and more dangerous. 

So as we enter election week, I wanted to have a conversation with Stewart about some of the arcs he has traced in American politics since he first hosted “The Daily Show” in 1999. We discuss how the media has become increasingly segmented and polarized in the past 25 years, how that has affected politics, how he understands Tucker Carlson’s political transformation and whether his own politics have changed.

Note: The Washington Post is one of several news organizations mentioned in this conversation. We taped this interview before the recent controversy at the Washington Post over ending its practice of presidential endorsements -- a decision made by the paper's owner, Jeff Bezos.

This episode contains strong language.

Book Recommendations:

I Shouldn’t Be Telling You This (But I’m Going to Anyway)) by Chelsea Devantez

The works of Kurt Vonnegut (Breakfast of Champions), Player Piano), Cat’s Cradle), Slaughterhouse-Five), God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater), etc.)

Thoughts? Guest suggestions? Email us at [email protected].

You can find transcripts (posted midday) and more episodes of “The Ezra Klein Show” at nytimes.com/ezra-klein-podcast). Book recommendations from all our guests are listed at https://www.nytimes.com/article/ezra-klein-show-book-recs).

This episode of “The Ezra Klein Show” was produced by Elias Isquith. Fact-checking by Michelle Harris. Our senior engineer is Jeff Geld, with additional mixing by Aman Sahota. Our supervising editor is Claire Gordon. The show’s production team also includes Annie Galvin, Rollin Hu and Kristin Lin. Original music by Pat McCusker. Audience strategy by Kristina Samulewski and Shannon Busta. The executive producer of New York Times Opinion Audio is Annie-Rose Strasser.

Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts) or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.