Inside Media: Comedian Jon Stewart in trouble with Democrats ahead of US election and why I’m hate-watching Saturday Night Live

*A VIDEO VERSION OF INSIDE MEDIA IS AVAILABLE IN THE PLAYER ABOVE*

In our column that takes you inside the world of media we look at why Democrats in the US are turning on Jon Stewart, reveal an exclusive rumour about a former Foxtel executive potentially ending up at the ABC, why a news promotion has been called “disrespectful”

RUMOUR: SHOCK REPLACEMENT FOR DAVID ANDERSON AT ABC

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Ever since the highly-regarded Amanda Laing departed Foxtel, there has been growing speculation that she would end up at Nine as the new CEO.

Matt Stanton is currently acting CEO, after stepping up after the sudden departure of Mike Sneesby.

With Nine’s toxic culture under the spotlight, Laing would be a smart choice for the role and send a clear message the sins of the past won’t be swept under the rug.

BUT word has now reached INSIDE MEDIA that Laing could end up in another high profile role — specifically that of Managing Director of the ABC.

David Anderson has announced his resignation and is currently helping to find his replacement. ABC Chair Kim Williams previously worked with Laing when he was the boss of News Corp Australia, so the two do have a previous working relationship.

Watch this space.

WHY LEFT-LEANING COMEDIAN JON STEWART HAS BECOME AN ENEMY OF THE DEMOCRATS

Jon Stewart, a left-leaning comedian, has become enemy number 2 this week for Democrat supporters (just behind Donald Trump). His crime: daring to support a fellow comedian and going against the left’s narrative.

On Monday’s edition of The Daily Show, Stewart was talking about the Tony Hinchcliffe Puerto Rico “garbage” controversy.

Hinchliffe caused outrage this week during an appearance at a Donald Trump rally at Maddison Square Garden with this routine: “There’s a lot going on. I don’t know if you know this but there’s literally a floating island of garbage in the middle of the ocean right now. I think it’s called Puerto Rico.”

It outraged many, which is fair enough.

One person who wasn’t outraged was Stewart.

During his monologue on Monday (which you can see in the video player above), Stewart stood by his fellow comedian.

“Obviously, in retrospect, having a roast comedian come to a political rally a week before Election Day and roasting a key demographic, probably not the best decision by the campaign politically. But to be fair, the guy’s just really doing what he does,” Stewart said.

Stewart then played Hinchcliffe performing at the Roast of Tom Brady, where he made similar off-colour jokes.

“Yes, yes, of course, terrible, boo. There’s something wrong with me,” Stewart continued.

“I find that guy very funny. I’m sorry. I don’t know what to tell you. I mean, bringing him to a rally and having him not do roast jokes? That’d be like bringing Beyoncé to a rally and not have — oh.”

That was a reference to the fact Beyoncé didn’t sing when she appeared with Kamala Harris at a Houston rally last week.

But the fact Stewart – again, a left-leaning comedian – wasn’t outraged by the joke and dared to defend the comedian has outraged those on the left and immediately led some to attack him.

US Political commentator Keith Olbermann tweeted to his 93k followers: “Honestly? F**k @TonyHinchcliffe. F**k @jonstewart. If at your age you can’t tell the difference between comedy and racism thinly cloaked as racism, get the f**k off television.”

(I censored the tweet, he wrote out the full word).

Olbermann went on to elaborate in his podcast.

“John Stewart is a freaking idiot. Somewhere long ago, John Stewart decided that comedians were always to be defended, no matter if they harmed individuals or groups of people, and that jokes were just jokes, and if you have a problem with jokes, it’s your problem,” he said.

Ray Flook at Bleeding Cool also took aim.

“Jon Stewart has joined that growing club of aging male comedians who suddenly now feel like they’re some kind of ‘prophets’ whose views carry some kind of extra importance because (I’m assuming) they crack jokes and haven’t died yet so that somehow affords them some kind of ‘elder’ status,” he said.

“The kind that blames the audience for not finding them funny or for taking offence — because they know comedy and you don’t.”

Well, Ray, the audience seem to like him — if ratings are anything to go by.

According to this Variety headline: Jon Stewart Brings ‘The Daily Show’ Its Highest Viewership on Comedy Central Since His Exit in 2015.

Stewart’s greatest crime seems to be he takes aim at both sides of politics and many on the left see that as the actions of a traitor. They — rightly or wrongly — see Donald Trump as a threat to democracy and anyone who is balanced in their comedy or reporting should just shut up.

Stewart has always mocked both sides of politics but, as The Hollywood Reporter noted at the time, drew fire from Democrats for criticising Joe Biden when he returned to The Daily Show in February.

Mary Trump — a vehement critic of her uncle — wrote on X: “Not only is Stewart’s ‘both sides are the same’ rhetoric not funny, it’s a potential disaster for democracy.”

Podcast host Michael J. Elston tweeted: “If you’re a Democrat with high hopes about the return of Jon Stewart, save your excitement. The first half of his return was both-sides-ing the age issue. I bailed when we got to the guest who believes Biden should not have run for a 2nd term. Jon Stewart is not your friend.”

And there it is – balance is not welcome here, you’re either with us or you’re against us.

I saw the same thing happen to journalist (and friend) Jessica Rowe when she dared to interview Senator Pauline Hanson for her podcast.

As soon as the interview went live the backlash started, most notably from Australian of The Year Grace Tame.

“This is how discrimination and hate is subtly enabled and normalised,” Tame tweeted.

“Everyone’s entitled to their own views but not all views should be valorised by promoting their source. Pauline doesn’t need help to be heard, but those whose oppression she’s both driven and reinforced do.”

That tweet sparked a horror 36 hours for Jess as the left piled on over her decision to platform Hanson. It ultimately resulted in her removing the episode altogether. Apparently, speaking with an elected official was considered high treason because the moral brigade don’t agree with Hanson’s views.

What struck me about this turn of events was the way those on the left turned one of their own.

I’m not a fan of characterising the left or the right because there are issues with the extreme ends of both sides of the political scale but, on this occasion, the mean-spirited side of some on the left was shameful. And it’s always more disappointing when we’re led to believe those on the left are more caring. Sure, they will champion social issues, but they’re not afraid to claim the scalp of anyone who strays from the established narrative of what is acceptable.

As Executive Producer of Studio 10, I worked very closely with Jess. She wears her heart on her sleeve and champions every left-wing cause and issue, even when she’s in the minority. Despite all the good work she had done for causes close to the hearts of those on the far left, none of that mattered at a time they disagreed with her decision to interview Hanson. There was no bank of good will, no private conversation. No, instead she was called out publicly and attacked.

The same people that she would be the first to defend not only turned their backs on her, but they stuck the knife in.

The lesson here is the left will love you… until they don’t.

PROMO CONTROVERSY

I made a bit of news this week — and not in a good way.

A promo I made for 7NEWS Brisbane to announce the appointment of Sarah Greenhalgh as the new co-presenter, alongside Max Futcher, has apparently caused a bit of a stir (you can see the promo in the video player above).

According to The Courier-Mail the promo has “reportedly stirred up controversy among industry peers, with insiders calling it “disrespectful” to past anchors and seemingly dismissive of veteran journalists at rival networks”.

Huh?

Apparently, the outrage centred on the fact Max says in the promo “You are going to have two people committed to the news like you’ve never seen before in Queensland”.

OK. I’ll be honest, I’m a bit confused.

The Courier-Mail goes on to report that: “Sources have claimed this remark has ruffled feathers, with some interpreting it as a ‘jab’ towards Futcher’s former co-anchor Sharyn Ghidella.

“The phrase has also sparked speculation that it indirectly targets other respected Brisbane anchors, including 9News’s Melissa Downes and Andrew Lofthouse.”

An ‘industry insider’ apparently told The Courier-Mail: “Many see this promo as not only a jab at Sharyn but also a snub to veteran presenters who’ve been in the game for years. It’s just disrespectful.”

Give me strength.

The promo is not a jab at any past employee of Seven, it is simply promoting the very real qualities of the two people now presenting 7NEWS. They are both journalists and they both have on-the-road experience covering stories all over the world.

I’ll be honest though, I don’t care if an “industry insider” sees the promo as “disrespectful”.

The job of a promo isn’t to worry about upsetting the competition (and I say that as someone who has worked closely with Andrew Lofthouse and Melissa Downes during my time at Nine, I like them and respect them both very much).

A promo is there to engage the audience and explain why they should watch 7NEWS over any other news service.

If people are getting so upset over a promo, it must be doing something right.

IS HATE-WATCHING A THING?

A few weeks ago I shared my thoughts on why I believe Saturday Night Live is the worst show on TV.

Since then, I’ve become addicted and haven’t missed an episode.

And while the skits are still waaaaaaaaaay too long, I have found myself looking forward to each new episode.

Am I guilty of ‘hate-watching’?

The highlight each week is still Weekend Update but I now have this weird sensation where I’m watching a show I know I’m unlikely to enjoy.

Is that normal?

Well, apparently hate-watching is a real thing. According to Wikipedia: Hate-watching is the activity of watching a television show or film with the intention of acquiring amusement from the mockery of its content or subject. Closely related to anti-fan behaviours, viewers who partake in hate-watching derive pleasure and entertainment from a show’s absurdities or failures. The act of hate-watching is premised on the audience engaging with media through a satirical lens.

Guilty as charged!

Maybe, just maybe, if I keep watching long enough I’ll become a true fan?

INSIDE MEDIA is published every Monday and Thursday at 5pm

Rob McKnight is the co-owner of TV Blackbox.