[Yardstick]

Sigh.

You completely missed IowaHawk's sarcasm.

Which is interesting, because some of the other bloggers who panned the show (IowaHawk lists a few of their reviews under the sarcastic heading "Other Raves") speculate precisely that the writers dumbed it down so as not to alienate the 50-something conservative Mom-and-Pop types who will make up the bulk of the viewership. These are foks who simply do not understand the ultra-sardonic absurdist/sarcastic humor that younger, hipper viewers (like the ones who watch John Stewart's show) breathe like air.

Your inability to detect IowaHawk's sarcasm kind of proves the point. The writers know they can't be subtle because their audience, which is made up of people like you, won't get it. And so the show sucks.

In parting, let me give you an exercise. Reread the following passage from IowaHawk's review and see if you can spot the sarcasm this time around:

Take for example, THHNH's merciless skewering of Barack Obama: when I saw the big payoff punchline that (spoiler alert!) his initials are "B.O.", I fell into such convulsive paroxysms of laughter that I thought my end table would break under the force of my repeated head-smashings. And when they followed that up with a timely zinger about Marion Barry? Let's just say I had to wipe away the tears of laughter while as I punched holes of mirth through my trailer's flimsy masonite walls.

[JCEccles]

These are foks who simply do not understand the ultra-sardonic absurdist/sarcastic humor that younger, hipper viewers (like the ones who watch John Stewart's show) breathe like air.

We understand it. We just don't find it funny. Or intelligent. We find it boorish and shallow.

[Alia]

I read your linked item. So? You want PJ O'Rourke humor, ultimately. And?

What I've read is petty and patent jealousy, hardly constructive, or even useful.

Your inability to detect IowaHawk's sarcasm kind of proves the point. The writers know they can't be subtle because their audience, which is made up of people like you, won't get it.

You poor soul, all writ up and no place to show. Have you sent IowaHawk and Ace's writings to Joel or even 24? Up the ante, dude. Don't you believe in healthy competition?

Goodness, anyone who *CAN* actually write this type of show better than Surnow is obviously in no position to do so.

Or is this obvious point over your head?

[JCEccles]

I am a big fan of Iowahawk, BTW. His humor is very smart and informed. Unlike Jon Stewart's. Or South Park's. I suspect most of it reads funnier than it would act, however.

Still, the producers of the show would be wise to sign Iowahawk on as a consultant or writer.

[LikeLight]

The writers know they can't be subtle because their audience, which is made up of people like you, won't get it. And so the show sucks.

Nailed it. It was like all the potential to be funny was there, but it kept being so utterly lame instead.