How to be Political Like Jon Stewart

Jon Stewart has been known as one of America's foremost comedians and satirists since the day he took over Comedy Central's flagship "The Daily Show." Today he is widely regarded as a master of incisive political commentary, clever analysis and just plain silliness. If you have been hoping to capture a rapier mojo like his, it may help to cultivate a few of the same interests and habits as the great man himself.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Newspaper subscriptions
• C-SPAN

Know Your Stuff

1. Spend at least an hour every morning surveying the nation's top print media such as the "New York Times," "Washington Post" and "Los Angeles Times." Often the stories you find will be a wellspring of new material.
2. Watch and record the televised appearances of political figures in press conferences, wire stories and on C-SPAN (see Resources below). Primary sources in particular can help you gain some humorous insight into the absurdity of our national government.
3. Check the Web for political stories that may have slipped past the mainstream media. Often hidden nuggets like these offer Jon Stewart his most satisfying "gotcha" moments.

Deliver the Goods

4. Create a forum in print or in person that allows you to try out your political material in front of people you trust.
5. Employ clips, quotes and other solid evidence for the points you make, being sure to couch even the most ardent political points in humor and irony.
6. Maintain a healthy apoplexia at the misdeeds of the political elite and be sure your audience feels included in your outrage as fellow travelers.
7. Consider throwing to friends or other sources for moments of true satire. Typically Jon Stewart has his correspondents adopt a clearly wrong or indefensible position so that he can play off them as the "straight man."

Tips & Warnings

• One of Jon Stewart's great comedic gifts is his natural ability to break the fourth wall and relate in a human and familiar way with his audience.
• Avoid showing true rage or distress when you are expressing a political idea. The satiric oeuvre is all about sneaking in through the back door via the soft sell and winning points through laughter.