The fusion of politics, news, and entertainment has given prominence to comics like Jimmy Kimmel, Stephen Colbert, Seth Meyers, and Bill Maher, who serve as attack dogs for the Democratic Party, which has joined forces with the establishment wing of the old Republican Party against Donald Trump and his supporters. By belittling Trump and his followers, these comics feed the smug, self-righteousness of the ruling establishment, bolstering their sense of moral and intellectual superiority. All the while, they remain comfortably constrained by the corporations and advertisers that employ them. They function as court jesters, never questioning the right of the rulers to rule or the terrible social injustices built into a rigged system. They serve as attack dogs for establishment power, directing their comedic barbs at critics of the system, even if these critics come from the left. Comedian and political commentator Lee Camp joins The Chris Hedges Report to discuss the transformation of comedy from an art form rooted in the counterculture to one that has largely become a megaphone for power.
Lee Camp is a comedian, political commentator, and former head writer and host of the national TV show Redacted Tonight with Lee Camp on RT America. He’s a former contributor to The Onion, former staff humor writer for HuffPost, and his web series “Moment of Clarity” has been viewed by millions. Camp has toured the country and the world with his fierce brand of standup comedy, and George Carlin’s daughter, Kelly, credited him as one of the few comics keeping her father’s torch lit. His website is www.LeeCamp.com.
Studio Production: David Hebden, Cameron Granadino, Adam Coley
Post-Production: Adam Coley
Watch The Chris Hedges Report live YouTube premiere on The Real News Network every Friday at 12PM ET: https://therealnews.com/chris-hedges-report
Listen to episode podcasts and find bonus content at The Chris Hedges Report Substack: https://chrishedges.substack.com/
The Real News is an independent, viewer-supported, radical media network. Help us continue producing The Chris Hedges Report by following us and making a small donation:
Donate to TRNN: https://therealnews.com/donate-yt-chr
Sign up for our newsletter: https://therealnews.com/nl-yt-chr
Like us on Facebook: https://facebook.com/therealnews
Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/therealnews
#chrishedges #therealnewsnetwork
** (Disclaimer: This video content is intended for educational and informational purposes only) **
I don't understand the idolitary of Chris Hedges. He is "ok" but hardly a trailblazer. kind of a slow boat. But what do I know. Im a deplorable who appreciates Jimmy Dore in spite of his "roots" (tyt) and SOME of his causes.
Specifically I feel all CITIZENS in US should have HEALTHCARE – but NOT as prescribed or peovided by government. Just like all kids agould have an education – but people should have choices ESPECIALLY where US public education is an abysmal failure.
Comedy?
I really can't comment. I haven't seen "good" comedy in decades. Or many good movies.
At 67 I stopped watching "stand up" conedy decades ago. I didn't see much of it cause it was all about who could be most vulger
Good luck with writers strike.
“The road to serfdom consists of working exponentially harder to earn a currency that is growing exponentially weaker.”
expecting corporate-sponsored network LATE NIGHT TALK SHOW hosts to be out there..edgy, going all the way critical towards the establishment (tho sweet to imagine), in reality, is just super NAIVE.
what do you think those comedians were expecting and why were they even trying to get those gigs..?? MONEY. lots of it.
they're not going around to be martyrs. they're vying for stardom, fame and WEALTH.
you wanna look for comedians really going for it…PUSHING the envelopes..??
go watch the Chappelles, the Rocks, The Burrs…all those guys.
Coronation Star Scream…!? This is Bad Comedy…!
Lmao!! Did this guy really give Dave Chappelle criticism? Ok.
I forgot why I don’t like lee camp. I remember now
Great work guys, thank you! 'Smug moral and intelletual superiority' – nailed it.
Comedians are doing EXACTLY the same in New Zealand – it is an abomination of democracy and facts of life.
In a country where there are 1st amendment rights, if you say "Sandy Hook was a hoax", you will be fined a billion dollars. WTF?
Colbert and Stewart were always psyops, this is how the media machine works.
Alex Jones is Bill Hicks 😮
It is hard to understand or even believe that with all of the rhetoric of WWII and the Nazis the past 80 years, you'd think that the public might be able to see the Jose[h Goebbels style of propaganda being used on them.
Excellent segment.
Chris, I know you were never in it to be a hero… but you are one of my heroes.
Another thing about the bunch of comics; for the past 40 years they’ve given the illusion of doing something about evil by laughing at it and being smug, as if that changed anything. They’ve diverted political action into TV watching, couch potatoes.
What about DL and Dave Chappelle
This was a really interesting interview.
A very well worded title for the video!! Something many have thought about, but never defined so precisely!!
Jimmy Dore is a wonderful exception
respect to both
Who are "our" real enemies?
To be fair, Seth Meyers’ “A Closer Look” does call-out and push the boundaries, but only on the obvious stuff
I'm thankful Dave Chapelle is making fun of trannies.
bread blood and circuses as Rome burns