Comedy is partisan, too

+ the Supreme Court's power in setting policy; Manchin's support for natural gas; rise in SNAP benefits US Edition - Today's top story: How conservative comic Greg Gutfeld overtook Stephen Colbert in ratings to become the most popular late-night TV host [View in browser]( US Edition | 30 September 2021 [The Conversation]( Just this morning, my colleagues and I were talking about the importance of laughter in life, especially in a time of crisis – or multiple crises, on personal, local, national and global scales. But what makes me laugh is different from what might make you laugh, and some of that difference is due to our values, our political views and the ways we approach the world. Many big comedians in U.S. culture are, and for some time have been, generally liberal-minded. Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, Trevor Noah, John Oliver and others all offer biting social critiques in ways that spark both understanding and laughter. But they don’t appeal to everyone’s sense of politics, or humor. In fact, the sizable conservative comedy culture in the U.S. passed a major milestone in mid-August, with Greg Gutfeld’s late-night show on the Fox News Channel surpassing Colbert’s Late Show in the key 18- to 49-year-old demographic. So I was really fascinated to read a piece by communications and media scholars Nick Marx of Colorado State University and Matt Sienkiewicz of Boston College, exploring Gutfeld’s work and, more generally, the [partisan elements of comedy]( these days. Perhaps it’s ironic, but their piece about comedy makes a serious statement on the fragmentation of media and politics: “Right-wing comedy has become both a viable business strategy and a crucial element of conservative politics,” they write. Jeff Inglis Politics + Society Editor In August 2021, comedian Greg Gutfeld’s weeknight talk show ‘Gutfeld!’ became the highest-rated late-night talk show in the U.S. Gary Miller/Getty Images [How conservative comic Greg Gutfeld overtook Stephen Colbert in ratings to become the most popular late-night TV host]( Nick Marx, Colorado State University; Matt Sienkiewicz, Boston College Critics have long pooh-poohed conservative comics. But in today’s fragmented media environment, right-wing comedy has become both a moneymaker and a force in politics. The Supreme Court has no army to enforce its decisions; its authority rests solely on its legitimacy. Win McNamee/Getty Images [The Supreme Court’s immense power may pose a danger to its legitimacy]( Richard L. Pacelle, Jr., University of Tennessee The Supreme Court is a leading player in enacting policy in the US. But it has no army to enforce its decisions; its authority rests solely on its legitimacy. The Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Bridge was part of Boston’s Big Dig, which was infamous for its cost overruns. AP Photo/Steven Senne [Trillions in infrastructure spending could mean hundreds of billions in fraud]( Jetson Leder-Luis, Boston University Congress is inching closer to passing as much as $4.5 trillion in new infrastructure and social spending, which would be an attractive target for fraudsters. - [Germans have voted for Angela Merkel’s replacement – here are 7 ways to understand the results so far]( Matt Fitzpatrick, Flinders University With a very close result as counting continues, it could be weeks or even months before a government is formed. But Sunday’s election has already delivered some significant results. - [How Sen. Joe Manchin’s support for natural gas could derail Biden’s US climate plan]( Michael Oppenheimer, Princeton University Natural gas was once widely seen as a bridge fuel to renewable energy. But the industry’s methane leaks make it a larger global warming threat than people realized, Michael Oppenheimer explains. - [Haitian migrants at the border: An asylum law scholar explains how US skirts its legal and moral duties]( Karen Musalo, University of California, Hastings The Biden administration has used a public health provision to deport thousands of Haitian migrants entering the US via Mexico. - [SNAP benefits are rising for millions of Americans, thanks to a long-overdue ‘Thrifty Food Plan’ update]( Tracy Roof, University of Richmond Long-term increases like this are unusual. So is the fact that this increased governmental generosity began with a measure approved by Congress when Republicans held majorities in both chambers. [The Conversation]( You’re receiving this newsletter from [The Conversation]( 303 Wyman Street, Suite 300 Waltham, MA 02451 [Forward to a friend]( • [Unsubscribe](