Ladies and Gentlemen, if you haven’t seen the clips for Fox News Channel’s upcoming satirical news show entitled “The ½ Hour News Hour“, you don’t know what you are missing!
Debuting this Sunday, February 18, 2007, at 10:00 PM Eastern, “The ½ Hour News Hour” is a satirical conservative comedy news show created by “24’s” executive producer Joel Surnow, “24’s” co-executive producer Manny Coto and former “Politically Incorrect” writer Ned Rice.
Rush Limbaugh and Ann Coulter, took time out of their busy schedules to introduce “The ½ Hour News Hour”. Take a look at this hilarious clip, compliments of YouTube, right here:
The creator of “The ½ Hour News Hour”, Joel Surnow, says he got the idea after thinking about what wasn’t available on the television for conservatives. He said there are several shows that satirize President Bush, but nothing for “those who tilt right”. Surnow decided to remedy that.
The “news anchors” of “The ½ Hour News Hour” are comedians Kurt Long and Jennifer Robertson. Kurt Long’s credits include “Scare Tactics” Sci-Fi Channel, “Spy TV”, “The Tonight Show”, “Abby” UPN, and “Bagboy” Cartoon Network. Jennifer Robertson’s credits include “Relative Chaos”, “The Sean Cullen Show” and writer/director of “Point Blank”.
Topics covered in the pilot of the show are Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and Global Warming. According to an article at Variety.com, “The “newscasters” will take a story of the day and then spin it to a comedic extreme”. Similar to “The Daily Show”, the satire in “The ½ Hour News Hour” is supposed to be all in good fun with no mean-spiritedness.
I think Surnow is right when he says there isn’t any political satire out there for conservatives. There really isn’t a balance of different political satires out there at all. Most television shows poke fun at President Bush and… well… that’s all.
After viewing the clips for “The ½ Hour News Hour”, I have to say I’m looking forward to viewing the entire show. There were tons of laughs in just the few moments captured in the clips found on YouTube and iFilm.
Why don’t you check it out and decide for yourself?
If you notice, “The ½ Hour News Hour” spends more time poking fun at the hysteria surrounding Barack Obama, than Barack Obama, himself. I think that’s pretty funny as I’ve been a bit bewildered by the rock star status given to this new politician.
I found many comments across the web that disparage this new show and I’d have to say that most of them must be from ridiculous people who can’t laugh at themselves. As an independent, I find myself laughing at myself and all the other crazy politicians and pundits all the time. So, what’s the big deal? Why not give it a chance and see if you laugh? After all, I think President Bush and other conservatives have been pretty good sports when it comes to this whole satire thing.
When I first saw the promo for the show, I nearly spit Coca Cola all over my computer screen. I was shocked and entertained, to say the least. Finally, let’s take a look at the promo:
FNC will air two shows to see how a right-leaning satire show is accepted. If ratings are good, “The ½ Hour News Hour” will become a permanent addition to the Fox News Channel. If you enjoy the first show, be sure to catch the second episode at the same time, 10:00 PM Eastern, on March 4, 2007.
I can only share my initial opinion on what I’ve actually seen of “The ½ Hour News Hour”. I’ll be ready to give a review after I watch Sunday’s show.
Now, why don’t you tell me what you think? Will you watch the show? Are you offended by what you’ve seen of “The ½ Hour News Hour”? Do you think it’s funny?
On a side note, what do you think of commercials and comedy shows poking fun at cavemen and gay penguins? Do you think these supposed fictional characters are fair game? Why do you think this is happening?
Thanks for reading, I look forward to hearing your comments!
Sources
Stephen Battaglio, “The Right to Laugh”, TV Guide. URL: (http://www.tvguide.com/news-views/columnists/the-biz/default.aspx)
Michael Learmonth, “FNC Takes Satire Out for Spin”, Variety. URL: (http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117959328.html?categoryid=14&cs=1)
Reuters Limited, “Fox News, 24 Producer Lean Right with Satire” Reuters Limited. URL: (http://www.tv.com/story/8767.html?tag=news_headlines;title;3)
