Post class post Nov. 4th: the influencial style of Stewart and Colbert

First, I would like to say I really enjoyed the class discussion today. I thought this was one of the most productive discussions we have had yet. Consequently, I came up with a number of potential topics to discuss: pseudoidentities, commodification of sub and counter culture- however, the most pertinent point for me personally was the discussion about the following quote from p. 47 from Horkheimer and Adorno:

“The concept of a genuine style becomes transparent in the culture industry as the aesthetic equivalent of power.”

As I stated in class, I think an interpretation of this is when there is an originality in a certain way of doing things (style), the conceptual person has the power of association because other people will copy and thus follow the original. Effectually, the person with the original style holds the power over the followers, and the way other people do those same things, other relational things, or even think of life. I think the example given in class of the Devil Wears Prada was an obvious choice in that it both superficially and intellectually embodies the idea of style as power.

However, I also thought there are more examples that might not be as obvious, but may reach a wider audience of understanding. I thought about the influence of John Stewart’s “Daily Show” and consequently, Steven Colbert’s “Colbert Report”. Although there are other implications with the shows relating to the reading and class discussion (the popularization of subculture, etc.) I mean to emphasize the power the particular style of Stewart and Colbert hold over their viewers and the greater American peoples. Reportedly, more and more people are looking to these “pundits” for their dose of daily political and national news. The way people view and think about domestic affairs is almost articulated by the style of these men and their shows. Not only do people associate a sense of ridicule and laudability with politics more so now, but the shows also help to dictate the popularity of politicians, authors, and other producers of entertain. As Colbert states, his show gives people the “Colbert bump,” or when people go on his show, they instantly become more popular and favored by the mass public.

Many of the positive connotations of Stewart’s and Colbert’s shows have much to do with their comedic style and its sense of originality. Their shows are the basic venue of comedic “entertainment” news. They are considered to be more “real” than other news sources. Also, in addition to people emulating the ideals presented in the show, other shows, movies, and cultural products are attempting to copy the “comedic reality” style of the shows.