The Daily Show finally figures out CNN's absurd obsession with missing flight MH370
Comedy Central
If CNN's obsessive coverage of the vanished Malaysian Airlines Flight 370 is getting a little threadbare by this point, Jon Stewart's fulsome criticism of the original cable news network never grows old. On Tuesday night's Daily Show, Stewart took another mocking look at the absurd lengths CNN is going to in order to prolong its crash-related ratings bonanza — despite the lack of much actual news. CNN is like that guy at the beach with the metal detector, Stewart said: They keep on thinking they've hit the breaking-news jackpot, only to uncover a bit of metal trash.
And that's what CNN's coverage of MH370 has become: There's lots of trash in the sea; if all else fails, they can make the story about their own reporters covering the search; and speculating about the future is more fun that reporting on the present. Seriously, it's like CNN is bored with the actual news and "no longer wants to be pigeon-holed in the nonfiction section," Stewart said. Ouch. But thanks to CNN, we know that searching the ocean floor for an airplane can take a long, long time. That might be good news for both CNN and Jon Stewart. --Peter Weber
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Laurence Fox suspended by GB News after 'unacceptable' Ava Evans comments
Speed Read Broadcaster issues apology after actor goes on a tirade during a live interview with Dan Wootton
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Fox News apologizes to Gold Star family for false story Marine Corps called 'disgusting'
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Tucker Carlson Tonight is being replaced by Fox News Tonight
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Judge delays Fox News-Dominion defamation trial start, reportedly to allow settlement talks
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Judge orders Dominion lawsuit against Fox News to go to trial
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Fox News seeks gag order for producer who claims she was coerced to mislead in Dominion deposition
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Lawsuit documents: After 2020 election, Tucker Carlson said he hates Trump 'passionately'
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Rupert Murdoch gave Jared Kushner 'confidential information' on Biden ads, debate strategy, Dominion says
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published