History, culture, and politics of English speaking countries (USA, the United Kingdom), Cultural studies. Specific areas: Today’s politics in USA; American national culture and cultural diversity

Bc. Jan Tichý, DiS.

Bachelor's thesis

Abstract:

Politická parodie a její vliv na americký politický diskurz: analýza efektu Daily Show Tato práce se snaží analyzovat metody použité k vystavení politicky neangažovaného publika současné americké politice a ovlivnění způsobu, jakým lidé, voliči a diváci o politice přemýšlejí. Cílem práce je vysvětlit termín "efekt Daily Show", který popsali Baumgartner a Morris (2006), jak pořady typu Daily Show, Colbert Report, Last Week Tonight with Jon Oliver pokračují v ovliňování vnímání politiky běžnými občany a prostřední americké politiky jako takové.

Abstract:

Political satire and its influence on the American political discourse: analyzing The Daily Show Effect The Daily Show first hit the TV screens in the USA on July 21st, 1996, and it spent its first two seasons dealing with the fallout of popculture in the States. When Jon Stewart took over, nobody was prepared for what would eventually come – the show went political and it developed into an unexpected phenomenon of political satire, gradually spreading its reach all across America and having bigger and bigger influence on the real politics. The Daily Show effect was born. This thesis tries to analyze the methods used to bring politics to the politically unaware citizens the way they understand and to influence the public opinion about key issues. The goal of the thesis is to explain the term „The Daily Show effect“ ( Baumgartner, J., & Morris, J. S. (2006). The Daily Show Effect: Candidate Evaluations, Efficacy, and American Youth. American Politics Research, 34(3), 341–367) – how this type of show (The Daily Show, The Colbert Report, The Real Time, The Full Frontal, The Patriot Act) continue to form the political opinon of US citizens and to shape the political spectrum in the United States. The theoretical part shows all the influences which shaped the genre of political parody and presents all the important figures who helped this genre to move on and evolve. Analytical part then shows how the „Daily Show effect“ came to existence and how it formed not only the public opinion, but also other creators who then went on to create their own show with similar aim and methods. It proved the efficiency of „The Daily Show effect“ and shows that in a modern democracy the media´s role of guardian dogs of democracy must be effectively used and protected. .

Keywords

The Daily Show effect, political parody, fake news, young viewers, first-time voters, media, Jon Stewart, politics.

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 20. 4. 2021

Thesis defence

• Date of defence: 24. 6. 2021
• Supervisor: M.A. Michael George
• Reader: Mgr. Pavla Buchtová

Masaryk University

Faculty of Education

Bachelor programme / field:
Specialization in Education / English Language for Education