Intelligence Squared U.S. 1 November 1, 2018 November 1, 2018 Ray Padgett |
[email protected] Mark Satlof |
[email protected] T: 718.522.7171 Intelligence Squared U.S. Trump Is Bad for Comedy For the Motion: P. J. O’Rourke, Sara Schaefer Against the Motion: Kurt Andersen, Billy Kimball Moderator: John Donvan AUDIENCE RESULTS Before the debate: After the debate: 35% FOR 37% FOR 42% AGAINST 54% AGAINST 23% UNDECIDED 9% UNDECIDED 00:00:00 [music playing] [applause] John Donvan: There has always been political humor. It has always been part of the political discourse while serving several functions at one time, from truth telling to catharsis and also, ideally, it's supposed to be funny, which brings us to the present moment. With the sharp spike that we are all seeing in comedy that is focused on politics, and especially on the man who currently occupies the Oval Office, we have all of those late night monologues, the satirical cable shows, the columns and the podcasts, and, of course, everybody and his brother is doing a Trump impersonation. But this spike in comedy, how sharp, comically speaking, is it really? Now, when we are so very Prepared by National Capitol Contracting 8255 Greensboro Drive, Suite C100 (703) 243-9696 McLean, VA 22102 Intelligence Squared U.S. 2 November 1, 2018 polarized, how good and how successful is comedy at this moment, not just in getting us to think, but also in getting us to laugh? Well, we think this has the makings of a debate, so let's have it.