Do you think that mainstream TV news is boring?

Does the idea of sitting down to watch NewsHour with Jim Lehrer make you yawn…just thinking about it? If so, you’re not alone – in fact, this is now the norm among the college-aged demographic.

A recent article by Gail Shister of the Philadelphia Inquirer sheds light on this, noting that many young adults eschew traditional nightly news for ‘The Daily Show’:

“Before Katie Couric was signed last year, rumors surfaced that Comedy Central’s Jon Stewart might be in the running to anchor CBS Evening News.
The idea may not be as ludicrous as it sounds. If Stewart did anchor a Big 3 evening newscast, young adults might actually watch it. Short of that, they will continue to ignore such traditional news sources in favor of mavericks like Stewart’s The Daily Show, which proudly bills itself as “the most trusted name in fake news.”

Shister explains that young people enjoy the satirical nature of the show, largely because – though it is a ‘fake’ news show – it is witty, entertaining, and relevant to their world today.

“While The Daily Show doesn’t do original reporting – other than what its faux correspondents make up – it weaves real news clips with biting satirical commentary. With a network evening news format that’s remained virtually unchanged – and unfunny – for 40 years, it’s no surprise that young adults take a pass.

This is a generation, after all, raised on the savagely barbed topical lampoonery of The Simpsons and South Park. Irony is mother’s milk to them.”

The average viewer of the “Big 3” news viewers (NBC, ABC, and CBS) is nearing retirement, probably around 60 years old. This is more than twice the age of those who watch Comedy Central (only 10% of 18-24 year-olds are tuning into mainstream evening newscasts).

According to the Pew Research Center for the People and Press, however, 13% of 18-25% of this demographic says they watch The Daily Show regularly not merely for entertainment, but as an INFORMATION source.

Wow. While I’m a huge fan of Comedy Central, I usually tune in to watch something with an inherently comedic purpose – like South Park, Mencia, or the Colbert Report. While Colbert is billed as a blatantly mockery of conservative TV pundits (*cough* Bill O’Reilly *cough*), the lines are more blurred when it comes to The Daily Show.

Yes, it is largely satirical, but I can understand why many might watch the show as a main source of news. While it is based on real news, it is also written by comedy writers, and has ratings in mind – not necessarily the best interests of the American public or young adults. As a journalist, I find it slightly disturbing that members of my own generation are so ignorant of mainstream news.

Yes, the Daily Show is funny. Yes, Jon Stewart is right on the nail with his ironic insight and sarcastic humor. However, it isn’t a real news show. With its undeniably liberal slant, I wonder if the Daily Show’s devoted viewers are necessarily getting a balanced – and accurate – version of the news.

However, to counterbalance this thought, figures from a 2006 Indiana University study seem to reveal that the Daily Show is actually as substantive as real news.

Go figure.

Daily Show fans, rejoice – you may actually be the most informed citizens in our democracy.

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