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bjwilsonesq's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
hoorayleigh's review against another edition
4.0
This is a really nicely written, detailed history of the Daily Show. I very much love and miss Jon Stewart and reading this was such a nice way to be able to hear Jon's voice again. I also liked that a lot of the disputes and rumors that I've heard about the show (i.e.: issues of racism and sexism) were cleared up and explained from the points of view of the various people who worked on the show. It was also great to hear from people behind the scenes, such as the writers and producers. If you love The Daily Show, you'll love this book.
anyacrittenton's review against another edition
5.0
This show - and subsequently Jon Stewart - had a huge impact on me growing up, and absolutely shaped a lot of the way I view certain issues. And I'm very grateful for it.
I loved this book - understanding the inception of Stewart's take on the show, and how he evolved it is fascinating. I also love how candid everyone is in this book, almost to an astonishing degree. Of course I can't know if everyone is telling the full truth here, but there were certainly times I was surprised to be reading people sharing uncomfortable truths. It definitely makes the book a better experience and adds a weight as a true oral history.
I loved this book - understanding the inception of Stewart's take on the show, and how he evolved it is fascinating. I also love how candid everyone is in this book, almost to an astonishing degree. Of course I can't know if everyone is telling the full truth here, but there were certainly times I was surprised to be reading people sharing uncomfortable truths. It definitely makes the book a better experience and adds a weight as a true oral history.
pccrochets's review against another edition
4.0
I loved hearing some of the behind the scenes stories. I greatly admire Jon and miss him. Only change I would have made to the audiobook would be to have the actual people read it
mangoway's review against another edition
3.0
This was an interesting way to tell the story of a ground breaking show's rise to success. However, I don't think it was curated as well as could be. It's all quotes from Jon Stewart, the writers, the producers and the cast. Except for a few paragraphs of interstitial connective tissue, the 'topics' seem to jolt around willy nilly.
For example, there seems to have been some behind the scenes drama involving writers and producers coming and going (mostly going.) Not only does the book not present both sides, it doesn't present any context toward understanding how the conflicts started or ended. Just a gripe-y paragraph here and there And, none of that was why a huge fan of the show read this book cover to cover.
Sadly, I have to admit, I was reading to relive the glory days. Not that I don't watch Trevor Noah, he's just not Jon. And the current correspondents are just not 'the best damn news team.'
So, for a bit of nostalgia, give it a read. The best parts are simply the transcripts of scenes from shows gone by.
For example, there seems to have been some behind the scenes drama involving writers and producers coming and going (mostly going.) Not only does the book not present both sides, it doesn't present any context toward understanding how the conflicts started or ended. Just a gripe-y paragraph here and there And, none of that was why a huge fan of the show read this book cover to cover.
Sadly, I have to admit, I was reading to relive the glory days. Not that I don't watch Trevor Noah, he's just not Jon. And the current correspondents are just not 'the best damn news team.'
So, for a bit of nostalgia, give it a read. The best parts are simply the transcripts of scenes from shows gone by.
joshuamt's review against another edition
3.0
3-stars is for the audio book; I likely would have gone 4-stars as a read. The audio book format suffers during interview transcripts /show excerpts because the dialogue is like a play being recited instead of performed, with each change of speaker being announced aloud (e.g., "Jon Stewart:..."). This could have been an amazing audio book if audio clips were embedded and if Jon Stewart narrated (I had deluded myself into thinking this would be the case because of the inclusion of "oral history" in the title).
The content itself is funny at times (which is why I checked out the book in the first place) but I did not find it to be an extremely humorous book. Rather, it was more thoughtful, revealing an intentionality and philosophy behind the show that should have been apparent and yet which I didnt fully appreciate. Which just goes to show how good Jon Stewart is... damn I miss his voice in today's media!
The content itself is funny at times (which is why I checked out the book in the first place) but I did not find it to be an extremely humorous book. Rather, it was more thoughtful, revealing an intentionality and philosophy behind the show that should have been apparent and yet which I didnt fully appreciate. Which just goes to show how good Jon Stewart is... damn I miss his voice in today's media!
ajreader's review against another edition
4.0
Read my full thoughts on this book and hundreds more over at Read.Write.Repeat.
A thorough, fascinating look back at two decades of The Daily Show history. It was just an all around very interesting read, particularly for someone who is interested in both politics and how it is covered. And, man, will it make you miss Jon Stewart's sensible voice.
A thorough, fascinating look back at two decades of The Daily Show history. It was just an all around very interesting read, particularly for someone who is interested in both politics and how it is covered. And, man, will it make you miss Jon Stewart's sensible voice.
ljesica's review against another edition
4.0
Someone gave this to me as a gift a few years ago and I just now got around to reading it. It was so nice to be transported back. I've never read an oral history before. It's a different format for me. But I enjoyed the way the voices in my head alternated between Jon, Colbert, Carrell, and others, my favorite being that I can hear Lewis Black in my head just as clearly as if he's on my tv.
I thought this would be a silly book. I was wrong. It was super interesting. It all happened so gradually, that I'm not sure I realized how much Jon changed not just how I ingest the news, but how the whole country (and the world) does. He called out the BS on both Fox (remember when they were "Fair and Balanced"?) as well as CNN and really tried to hold people accountable.
As someone who has maintained for years that Jon Stewart is the sexiest man alive, this book just confirmed it for me. He is not a perfect man. But for 16 years he worked to better himself and this country and I know that I am better because of that effort.
I thought this would be a silly book. I was wrong. It was super interesting. It all happened so gradually, that I'm not sure I realized how much Jon changed not just how I ingest the news, but how the whole country (and the world) does. He called out the BS on both Fox (remember when they were "Fair and Balanced"?) as well as CNN and really tried to hold people accountable.
As someone who has maintained for years that Jon Stewart is the sexiest man alive, this book just confirmed it for me. He is not a perfect man. But for 16 years he worked to better himself and this country and I know that I am better because of that effort.
finnthehuman217's review against another edition
5.0
So I’ve been a fan of the daily show since my English teacher gave us an assignment to watch the show in 11th grade. It was some of the best tv of my week. I would dvr it and watch them at the end of the week. Jon’s seriousness about his job always inspired me. Hearing this book was great because I got to hear how many careers were started because of the daily show! I had no clue so many people were influenced by Jon! It’s been a few years since he’s been off the air and I love Trevor Noah but I still friggin miss Jon! Anyway, if you like the long books about great tv, this book is for you!