Video: “The Half-Hour News Hour”
posted at 6:29 pm on February 13, 2007 by Allahpundit
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This is the other “info-tainment” show Fox is developing, “Red Eye” being the first. It’s supposed to be a right-wing alternative to the Daily Show, although I don’t recall the last time Jon Stewart did two and a half minutes of Marion Barry jokes and body odor puns.
Maybe the producers leaked this to lower expectations, thereby ensuring our surprise at the quality of the pilot will be that much more pleasant. Maybe?
Bring in Gutfeld’s mom to anchor, boys. It’s your best chance.
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Death to all laugh tracks!
Savage on February 13, 2007 at 6:33 PM
They’ve already got more viewers than Olberdunce.
JammieWearingFool on February 13, 2007 at 6:38 PM
Certainly a great concept for a show, but they better start building up their writer’s bullpen, and fast. Nothing worse than listening to a canned laughtrack going crazy over material that’s simply not terribly funny. Or a nervous host who reminds you how good Chevy Chase and Dennis Miller were at their comedy news anchorman peak.
Ed Driscoll on February 13, 2007 at 6:46 PM
Other than the anchordroids byplay, it wasn’t bad. The part about BO magazine was definitely above the SNL line.
jeffshultz on February 13, 2007 at 6:50 PM
Hmmm, it’s hard to be funny and right-wing, unless you’re either Dennis Miller (you started liberal but turned) or some kind of Deadpan Irony Black Belt (I believe Andrew Levy is 2nd degree).
The humor in the clip seemed very…safe. Very middle-class-dad-with-two-kids safe. You know?
Enrique on February 13, 2007 at 6:54 PM
Wonderful–Conservatives: dumber, less funny than liberals, and unoriginal too.
Alex K on February 13, 2007 at 6:54 PM
zip
CanaryinaCoalMine on February 13, 2007 at 6:55 PM
Looks to me more like “Weekend Update” on SNL, than Daily Show.
The laugh track has got to go.
Why don’t they give Dennis Miller his own show? That would be good.
nailinmyeye on February 13, 2007 at 7:02 PM
Sorry, but this is a pretty bad showing. You’re only going to gain a significant viewership if you risk pissing-off a good chunk of the American viewing landscape. Safe is not a good way to start a race 10 years late. Unfunny is also a bad way.
It’s like Leno’s writing staff put this together on their off-hours.
askheaves on February 13, 2007 at 7:03 PM
Delivery needs work.
see-dubya on February 13, 2007 at 7:03 PM
There are plenty of funny conservatives (just off the top of my head, the afore mentioned Dennis Miller, comedian-author Larry Miller, PJ O’Rourke, Mark Steyn, Jonah Goldberg, Tim Blair, et al), but how many conservatives are practicing television sketch comedy writers who understand the particular demands of that medium? Given the barriers to entry, it seems like a pretty thin talent pool to draw upon.
Ed Driscoll on February 13, 2007 at 7:04 PM
That statement is ab-so-lutely false.
Unfortunately, none of them are writers/performers for the 1/2 Hour News Hour.
What was Fox thinking when they greenlit this show? Doughy unknowns copying The Daily Show on the Studio B set for an audience in NYC? Idiotic?
They should’ve rented studio space in Dallas and done the show in front of live audience. The production costs would’ve been halved and the audience would’ve been much more genuine.
ScottMcC on February 13, 2007 at 7:09 PM
Oh and “Clean up your House…and your Senate!”?
That joke should not have been told in a pre-recorded bit. If you have to improvise something like that to keep things rolling, I understand, but that’s just high-school yearbook humor. These guys need to hire Iowahawk and Frank J. reeeel fast.
see-dubya on February 13, 2007 at 7:10 PM
Laugh track? How is that a good idea? And no, it didn’t come off as ironic.
Stewart didn’t start off as the liberal alternative to anything. He started off with a show that should have tanked, but didn’t. It didn’t because Stewart is talented, caught some breaks and picked up good writers in the meantime.
I liked the Gutfeld idea. This? Not so much.
spmat on February 13, 2007 at 7:16 PM
Meh. It was okay. Could get old pretty quick.
Slublog on February 13, 2007 at 7:21 PM
Actually, in many ways it’s just the opposite–as this Australian Age article noted in 2006, “Political correctness has crippled the left’s sense of humour”. One of the reasons why there are so fewer comedians making a name for themselves these days is that the rigors of orthodox PC are so strict that the only subjects remaining for the left to riff on are “George Bush sucks”, “Godbags suck”, etc. Nearly everything else is verboten if PC is the religion you practice.
Ed Driscoll on February 13, 2007 at 7:23 PM
Whoops–right continent, wrong newspaper. That should have been the Sydney Morning Herald, not the Age.
Ed Driscoll on February 13, 2007 at 7:25 PM
True dat, brotha!
Let’s look at it this way: The Vent vids here on HotAir RE: the Pandagon fiasco have been very funny. Could these skits be used on The 1/2 Hour News Hour? Sure.
However, the Vent vids were only 3-5 minutes apiece and produced once every 24 hours. The output volume has to be greater than that to cut it on weekday TV.
Iowahawk and other political bloggers are extremely funny, and Iowahawk’s material begs to interpreted in video. Unfortunately Iowahawk’s output is often at a glacial pace and most conservative political bloggers that write daily produce material that wouldn’t translate to TV at all.
If there is undiscovered conservative comedy video talent out there you know of that would give the 1/2 Hour News Hour a run for their money, then post links to them here in the comments section.
Michelle, Bryan, and Allah can take those links and give those conservative comedians a shot at widening their audience. It would be great to see a HotAir network of talented and conservative videographers!
ScottMcC on February 13, 2007 at 7:29 PM
Part of the problem is if they feel the need to make every point conservative and political–as this clip makes me think they do. Weekend Update couldn’t ever do that; they would wander off into Operaman or something just generally funny and then come back to the regular stuff. Part of the humor was when there was a political punchline that you didn’t see coming.
I really think there are enough funny conservative bloggers out there that they could do well throwing this open to freelance submissions. If Iowahawk or TNOYF or Six Meat Buffet can write a timely bit for these guys, in the format they want, they ought to be open to using it. Open source humor.
see-dubya on February 13, 2007 at 7:37 PM
Not funny. “My 18-month journey” got a smile though.
aengus on February 13, 2007 at 7:45 PM
Thanks for that link. It was a very interesting read.
JadeNYU on February 13, 2007 at 7:52 PM
Agree totally with the first part and partially with the last part. What I take issue with is “open source humor” because as a TV producer I don’t want to share content with anyone, let alone something that’s already made its rounds in the blogosphere.
There’s value in exclusivity. If Iowahawk cranks out a bit for 1/2 Hour News Hour then there should be a contract that he is paid for it and will not post it on his blog.
ScottMcC on February 13, 2007 at 8:01 PM
Good point!
Jim Treacher on February 13, 2007 at 8:03 PM
Sure, there’s plenty of right-wing humorists and whatnot. I’m thinking more about TV. I think more often than not conservative people have a safer sense of humor, which makes for lousy TV. The stuff that makes me laugh the hardest is that which skewers the sacred. South Park, for example. The most conserative person I know is my mom, and she’s funny, but her best jokes are the ones she won’t tell in public.
Maybe conservatives are better at being funny one on one or in small groups, but liberals are better at being funny in front of an audience?
Enrique on February 13, 2007 at 8:04 PM
I stabbed myself in the eye and enjoyed that more than the clip.
lorien1973 on February 13, 2007 at 8:06 PM
I think liberals are secretly behind this thing.
Alex K on February 13, 2007 at 8:08 PM
Treacher–the most painful part of that was the way all the laughter prevented Mrs. Gutfeld from retorting. I bet she woulda let him have it!
Alex K on February 13, 2007 at 8:12 PM
They should hire the people behind the Obama Campaign Posters
MirCat on February 13, 2007 at 8:25 PM
You’ve just confirmed that conservatives feel shame–an emotional state alien to many on the left.
Without the burden of shame, liberals are unafraid to be total assclowns in public… which according to an article on Wikipedia is the hallmark of any good TV comedian.
ScottMcC on February 13, 2007 at 8:34 PM
Not too bad. The promo commercial was funny as well.
elpresidente on February 13, 2007 at 8:37 PM
It’s alright, but not the greatest. The canned laughter has to go…
jaleach on February 13, 2007 at 8:53 PM
Enrique – I think the South Park creators are Libertarians. Although a Libertarian is certainly not the same thing as a Conservative, I’m pretty sure that Libertarians are supposed to fall on the right side of the political spectrum.
In fact, the few times I’ve watched South Park, I’ve been amazed at how much of it is aimed at making fun of liberal ’sacred cows’. I personally don’t like the show because there is too much ‘potty’ humor (I’ve watched 3 shows – 1 was about explosive diarhea, 1 was about pooping out of mouths, and 1 didn’t involve body functions) and other low brow humor that covers up the often insightful point the writers are making.
I do have one great South Park memory: I was hanging out with a group of my friend’s brother’s friends. They’re all hardcore liberal Democrats. They turn on South Park and are cracking up. They think it’s the funniest thing ever. I’m cracking up because it’s an episode making fun of crazy ultra-libs. I’m not sure they ever realized that they were the butt of the jokes. For that experience alone, I will always have a soft spot in my heart for South Park.
JadeNYU on February 13, 2007 at 9:00 PM
I think the creators are quoted as saying that they hate conservatives, but they really F-in hate liberals.
lorien1973 on February 13, 2007 at 9:14 PM
Honestly, without the laugh track it would have been quite a bit better. I thought some of the Barack stuff was funny, so there is potential. I must admit though, I am a little biased since Joel Surnow (creator and executive producer of 24) is behind “the 1/2 hour news hour”. I really just want him to succeed.
tiekitwist on February 13, 2007 at 9:25 PM
Man, I’m happy I’ve never done that.
By the way, I think we need to get “assclown” over as a standard HA epithet. Fark has “Duck sucks,” we need something recurring…
Enrique on February 13, 2007 at 9:27 PM
And who the heck is this Jennifer Lang?
She’s no Dari Alexander.
Enrique on February 13, 2007 at 9:34 PM
I think that they just need to focus on being funny and if the talent and writers are conservative, then their political leanings will shine through the humor.
I’m sure Jon Stewart and his writers don’t sit down and think “Okay, this is the liberal Daily show, let’s write some liberal jokes.” They sit down and write material they think is funny, and because most of them are liberals, conservatives end up being the butt of many of the jokes and the show has gained a reputation as leaning liberal.
The show is doomed if they market it as the “conservative Daily Show” and worry themselves with making sure every joke, every segment reeks with right-wing ideals. Hire conservative writers and talent and concentrate on being funny; it shouldn’t be that hard to figure out.
JaHerer22 on February 13, 2007 at 9:43 PM
Scott, as far as open sourcing goes, of course it would have to be exclusive. I’m talking about tapping into these guys to do freelance pieces exclusively for TV. Which they would then promote on their blogs, by the way, and they might get their blog URL in the credits.
This idea is in addition to a regular stable of writers, by the way, not in place of it.
see-dubya on February 13, 2007 at 9:46 PM
It’s a mistake for FOX to roll this out on the FOX News channel. I get the concept, but FOX News is supposed to be about news. The Daily Show is cutting edge funny and can take risks with comedy because it’s on the Comedy Channel. This show will (and should) be constrained due to being part of FOX’s lineup. Why not put it on FX or any of the other cable channels they own? FOX will damage the credibility of its news organization in doing this. A show like this really does have a chance to succeed and compete with the Daily Show. I predict it will fail – because it’s on the wrong network. I further predict the usual suspects will respond to my comment stating FOX News has no credibility now. And so it begins…
thedecider on February 13, 2007 at 9:54 PM
I’m telling you, FOX…
Colin Quinn.
Get on it.
DaveS on February 13, 2007 at 10:00 PM
I’m down with that. Too bad I ain’t in charge.
I agree that FX would’ve been better–or even posting it on MySpace Vids as a Web exclusive.
ScottMcC on February 13, 2007 at 10:11 PM
Seriously! (And I meant that with the exclamation point, not a question mark, as I completely agree. Yes, it would have been less to just say “I agree”, but then I wouldn’t have made you read all of this)
RightWinged on February 13, 2007 at 10:11 PM
Those were great links! Hilarious!
thedecider on February 13, 2007 at 10:17 PM
Here’s an idea: just collect all of honora’s posts on this website. Funny material for at least a year. No laugh track needed.
Andy in Agoura Hills on February 13, 2007 at 10:18 PM
That implies a one-dimensional spectrum. Here is one way to classify (mostly domestic) politics in a two-dimensional format. Add a third orthoganal axis for foreign policy and you’ve got a lot better feel for how complicated it is.
For example, I’m an anti-idiotarian libertarian. I want a government that keeps out of my wallet AND bedroom, and sticks to its core purpose of protecting us from the bad guys, whether they be domestic criminals or jihadis. For reasons I don’t entirely understand, the LP has taken an isolationist position. So that’s me and Neal Boortz anyway.
The Monster on February 13, 2007 at 10:21 PM
Enrique on February 13, 2007 at 6:54 PM, and
Enrique on February 13, 2007 at 8:04 PM
Here’s your Phd thesis topic, after you finish the Masters.
The lady’s Susan Yeagley, from Nashville
Entelechy on February 13, 2007 at 10:37 PM
Actually Jon Stewart was handed a show that was already good. It was hosted by Craig Kilborn, a Minnesota born, ESPN type. They had what I thought was a great writing staff and the bits were genuinely funny. Kilborn went on to host the Late Late Show on CBS. He was out of his game at that point.
I think Stewart has made it because of Bushate. He had been hosting for a year or so and was slowly ruining a good product. Once there was the Florida mess in 2000, he hit his stride. He was kind of like George Siefert after Bill Walsh handed him a dynasty.
But Stewarts success now is built upon hatred of Bush. Also, D.C. types fear angering him, and they think that appearing on the show and being edited to make them look stupid will get the youth vote.
I really haven’t watched it for almost 5 years. Do they still have 5 Questions?
TugboatPhil on February 13, 2007 at 10:52 PM
I guess AP’s commentary and all the other comments lowered my expectations, but it wasn’t that bad. It will have to be funnier to last, but I’m interested to see the final product.
frankj on February 13, 2007 at 10:55 PM
Iowahawk is hilarious!!
Theworldisnotenough on February 13, 2007 at 11:44 PM
Wanna pull this one out of the fire? Two words,
Danny Bonaduce!
Maybe some carefully selected Penn and Teller bits too.
TBinSTL on February 14, 2007 at 5:38 AM
“Hmmm, it’s hard to be funny and right-wing…” _ Enrique
On the contrary, Rush Limbaugh has been skewering the Left with satire since 1988.
gmaninatl on February 14, 2007 at 8:00 AM
Only because the Left takes itself too seriously.
.
GT on February 14, 2007 at 8:11 AM
We love Susan Yeagley. :)
Enrique on February 14, 2007 at 10:15 AM
wouldn’t that be easy to satirize then?
crr6 on February 14, 2007 at 11:45 AM
Colbert has truthiness, these guys have suckiness.
Seixon on February 14, 2007 at 12:15 PM
Give it a chance. Comedy is hard. Since we’ve only seen a small part I am not prepared to say it sucks. However:
-We all agree that the laugh track must go.
-Pay Scott Ott of scrappleface to use his posts. Tailor made for TV.
-Be meaner. Obama is the first half-black candidate for President. Kennedy/alcohol jokes everyday.
Bill C on February 14, 2007 at 12:31 PM
We love Enrique :)
Entelechy on February 14, 2007 at 12:42 PM
Allah –
To clarify, Red Eye is not “infotainment.” It’s a cross between news and entertainment, or as I like to call it, “neutertainment.”
Levy on February 14, 2007 at 1:38 PM
Well, all of you should be getting lots of calls to write script and produce comedy skits. Your insight is incredible, I can’t believe most you only blog!
mbredmond on February 14, 2007 at 2:08 PM
ah… that’s quite stinky. The commercial for it was funnier. (offends gay and straight penguins alike.)
Although that was weird funny, not haha funny.
Jewels on February 14, 2007 at 2:39 PM
lol! Ditto that!
Connie on February 14, 2007 at 3:42 PM
Is it supposed to be making fun of the Daily Show? Or is it supposed to be the Daily Show for Conservatives?
amerpundit on February 14, 2007 at 4:13 PM
I found it somewhat amusing but at the same time forced.
Oh and, Dear God, lose the laugh track or at least kick out the three paid laughers they have in the audience. That was freaking annoying.
Mt
Mistahtibbs on February 15, 2007 at 8:28 AM
Norman Lear started the slow bleed!
sonnyspats1 on February 18, 2007 at 7:42 PM
I strongly believe that the writers for this gig are NOT conservatives, but want you to think so. That way they can write poor humor, and people will wonder why there’s no funny conservatives. In the meantime, they can keep the liberal-bashing jokes on the “safe” side, such as the BO magazine, or the cover-line of “Clean up your House, and Senate too”. Win-win for them if they keep other plans for conservative-based political humor off the air because they got there first.
It just fits.
Freelancer on February 18, 2007 at 9:42 PM
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