1. Mary Voigt, Patricia McGurk, and Alma Mendez
News Satire
Mary Voigt, Patricia McGurk, and Alma Mendez

2. Genre: Political News Satire
Stephanie Miller Radio Broadcast
Twin Cities: M-F (8 a.m. – 11 a.m.) on 950 A.M Air America Radio Station
Setting: produced in Los Angeles; show goes on the road from time to time
Distributed by the Jones Radio Network. As of November 28, 2005 the show is produced exclusively by WYD Media Management
Theme: Take Back America
Links:

3. Value Assumptions
Democrats are protecting democracy. They have the moral high road on equitable taxes; universal health care; social security; pro-labor; pro civil, women’s & gay rights; anti-war message.
Republicans are no longer conservative in the original sense of the word; instead they are corrupt and scandal-ridden (control of media, voting machines, co-opting of religious fundamentalist message, torture of prisoners, Foleygate, false justification for Iraq war)
Blatant mix of low-brow and high-brow; serious news content treated satirically, Republicans ridiculed, apolitical entertainment, pop culture segments

4. Roles and Line-up
Stephanie Miller-comedienne. Refers to herself as “mama,” with leitmotif of box-wine addict, elderly shut-in, infatuation with “future husbands” including Sen. Russ Feingold (WI), Keith Oberman (eloquent MSNBC news commentator).
Jim Ward (voice deity) – straight man to Stephanie’s comedic takes; voice imitations of Saturday Night Live quality; conspiracy corner theorist
Chris Lavoie– commentator – sound board genius – each 3 hour segment includes twenty plus songs; vaudevillian pace punctuated by brilliant sound effects.
Live drummer and telephone call screener
Right Wing World – Republicans Eating Their Own
Stand-Up News We Don’t Want To Lose
Tinsel Talk: Hollywood gossip of apolitical nature
Celebrity Interviews: politicians, authors or Hollywood celebrity activists

5. Question: Whose blue suit with red power tie makes the news truthier?
Answer: Neither. It’s really all about tiny TV’s in the background.

6. On Presentation: “Anyone can read the news to you, I promise to feel the news at you.“
Being senselessly controversial "Even the weather page is in a state of moral decay. What’s wrong with red, white and blue, USA Today? This rainbow weather map is just another example of the homometerological agenda”
On his audience: "…This show is not about me. No, this program is dedicated to you, the heroes. And who are the heroes? The people who watch this show, average hard-working Americans. You’re not the elites. You’re not the country club crowd. I know for a fact my country club would never let you in. You’re the folks who say something has to be done. And you’re doing something. You’re watching TV."
On facts: "Truthiness. Now I’m sure some of the word police — the wordinistas — over at Webster’s are going to say, 'Hey, that’s not a word.' Well, anybody who knows me knows that I’m no fan of dictionaries. Or reference books. They’re elitist,"

7. Parodies of Prime Time News Programs
Like any other type of program can be parodied.
Uses similar “bits” as “real” news programs
Has a set that’s very similar to real news programs-sits behind a desk, has graphics displayed over talking, interviews live guests, and goes on location to do “spots.” Just like SNL’s weekend update
Has a live audience and does interact with them more like a talk show would
Aired on Comedy Central after prime time, but during “real” local news programs

9. Roles… Playing talk show host, but arrogant right wing sort
Described as “a fake newsman’s fake newsman”
Plays fast and loose with “truth” in a way that is like reality, but obvious enough to be funny to most people
Uses proper news setting but doesn’t have responsibility to viewers, so can be funny

10. Imagery and Symbols
Uses all signs and symbols of news media, microphones, satellite feeds, etc.
Creates air of authority with dress, set, etc. Loves audience, but has contempt for them
Asks newsy questions but framed in a particular way “Would you say George Bush is a great president or the greatest president?”
Newsweek sees it as a response to the Bush presidency that won’t last 10/24/06

11. Demographics of Comedy Central
Different Demographic Target. Comedy Central targets A25-34, which drives Comedy's highly-ranked concentration of Adults 18-49, and Source: Nielsen Media Research, 2Q'03 VPVH, Total Day.
Light Viewers: Comedy's "smart" programming attracts one of cable's highest concentrations of "light" viewers. These viewers are selective and discriminating and are likely to pay more attention for these reasons. Source: Nielsen Media Research, N*Power. Custom Quintile Analysis, October '02,Mon-Sun 8-11p
More Attentive Viewers: Comedy Central ranks #1 among measured cable networks for "paying full attention" to the programs on our network. Source: MRI 2003 Custom Cable Study, A18-34
10/26/06

12. Value Assumptions Care about the news
Feel innate distrust of media sources
Want a b.s. free version of the news
Media savvy