Tom Parkin explores how the satirical comedy of Stephen Colbert and twitter isn’t always a great combination.
There is one rule in satire which is commonly and universally known by people in the profession and that is there is always someone, where ever they may be, who will not understand the punch line of the joke and therefore take your comment in a serious matter. And in the cases where that happens extreme criticism is sure to follow.
If you have come across the comedy channel on Foxtel you may of seen an advert for The Colbert Report. It is a satirical news program hosted by Stephen Colbert who would have to be one of he boldest people on television for his consistent fake news, and his attitude, which is an utter uncaring nature for…show more content… The problem with twitter and the account Stephen Colbert has, everything he
says is taken in a bad way whether it was a light-hearted joke or something that can’t be said around Americans. Sometimes it's hard to know when the real Colbert dives deep into his self-described role as Stephen Colbert, the "wilfully ignorant" satirical entertainer.
Recently there was criticism in the US as the owner of NFL team, the Washington Redskins; Dan Snyder created a non-profit foundation, which is aimed at Native Americans. It is called, the Washington Redskins Original Americans Foundation. Now the criticism was not due to the foundation, it was due to Stephen Colbert’s comment about the underlying racism of the foundation, so he decided to start a foundation called the Ching Chong Ding Dong Foundation for Sensitivity to Orientals or Whatever.
Now when Stephen Colbert made these comments on his television show he got the laughter and applause he was after, and yes what he said was quite uncomfortable to hear but what’s satire if it doesn’t make you uncomfortable at…show more content… To those who don’t know what that is. It is someone who raises issues by attaching hash tags to their viewpoints on Twitter.
Park went on a warpath, ranting about Colbert’s comment and how it portrays stereotypes of the Asian American society. She has become a very influential person in media as her rants trended for several days after Stephen Colbert’s comment.
Her new cause #CancelColbert, outdid her previous campaigns by miles triggering backlash in every way shape and form. Critics blasted Colbert and were blasted back by his fans, political correctness opponents and a broad range of general haters. Genuine right-wingers I cases used #CancelColbert to purely just vent their long held disgust.
To his credit, Colbert asked people to stop attacking Park because he believed everyone is entitled to their opinion and she was just “speaking her mind.” That’s what Twitter is for, it is a website used for people who want their opinions out there.
Park said in interviews following the outrage that she normally likes the Colbert Report but hates the way in which Asian Americans become an easy target for comedians to mock. Which is an understandable thing, but it is not Colbert’s intention to come across as racist it is just his satirical humour that many people seem to love about the
