Fake news shows use parody and satire to mock traditional news broadcasts. The format originated with Mark Twain and became popular in England with That Was The Week That Was. The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and The Colbert Report are popular examples. While they are primarily for entertainment, they also critique the state of journalism and politics. Both shows have won awards and have spread to other countries.
A fake news show is a comedy television program that makes fun of traditional newscasts through parody or satire. In a world increasingly filled with poor examples of journalistic integrity and political correctness, fake news programs irreverently poke fun at both the news and the news charmer. Perhaps the most popular fake news programs are The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and The Colbert Report.
Many trace the origin of the fake news show to American writer Samuel Clemens, better known as Mark Twain. Early in his career, Twain often published false stories as a means of satire against the political or social norms of his day. In the television era, the style of fake news shows has become popular in England, with the television program That Was The Week That Was. This program was renowned for its distortion not only of Britain’s monarchy and political system, but also of the occasional pomposity and silliness of royal news. The popular sketch comedy program Monty Python’s Flying Circus has also humorously lambasted reporters, with a famous sketch involving a broadcaster kidnapping her desk, driving it into the sea and throwing it in, all while still speaking in monotonous way.
The modern incarnation of the fake news show is perhaps best exemplified by the American show The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. The format of the program is usually fairly standard, starting with a summary of the day’s top headlines followed by an in-depth report on a current issue. Reports are usually made by one of the show’s “senior correspondents” usually standing in front of a green screen projection showing whatever location they are talking about. The report is followed by a brief interview with a visiting scholar, celebrity, or occasionally political dignitary.
While The Daily Show parodies daily network news programs, The Colbert Report satirizes shows run by political pundits, such as Bill O’Reilly’s controversial show The O’Reilly Factor. The Colbert Report includes a portion of the interview, but relies heavily on the conservative and anti-educational beliefs of the host, Stephen Colbert.
While it may appear that a fake news show is simply a vehicle for comedy, some suggest that it actually displays a deep love for real journalism and a cynical mockery of the state of journalism, the political spectrum, and cultural practices around the world. . A considerable fury was raised when studies were released showing that many people were more likely to get their daily information from programs like The Daily Show than from actual news programs.
Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert, while both insist their shows are mostly for laughs, have both created serious buzz by making public statements. Stewart created controversy by appearing on the political debate program Crossfire and imploring the hosts to “stop hurting America” by using blatant and irrelevant arguments as an excuse for a viable debate. Similarly, Colbert garnered considerable media furore as a guest speaker for the 2006 White House Correspondent’s Dinner, where his blistering speech managed to make fun of the President, the Supreme Court and the Washington media.
Despite their humorous intentions, fake news programs are recognized as a vital voice of dissent in an age where some people trust the media as much or less as they trust politicians. Both The Daily Show and The Colbert Report have won multiple awards for excellence in entertainment. The phenomenon of fake news shows has spread outside the United States and England, with popular programs being broadcast regularly in Canada and New Zealand.
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