Why There Will Never Be Another Jon Stewart

WHY THERE WILL NEVER BE ANOTHER JON STEWART

           There are many reasons to love Jon Stewart. His wit, his passion, his brilliance in making

 complicated  political statements, funny and understandable, and of course the overall down to earth

guy he comes across as being.  However we as a society tend to say this about anyone we look up to

or admire, but in the case of Jon Stewart there will never be a sequel.

           Many of us know Jon Stewart as the host of the Daily Show which he served as host of from

1999- 2015.  Oh you never heard of it?  Well let me give you the skinny,  The show blends humor 

with the day's top news stories, usually in politics, while simultaneously poking fun at politicians and 

many newsmakers as well as the news media itself.  Stewarts main target tended to be Fox News and 

on  a few occasions Bill O'Reilly. 


THE YOUTH MOVEMENT

 Stewart brought new life to the show after Craig Kilborn (former host) 

left to do the Late Late Show.  

Under Stewarts reign, the younger generation tuned in to watch his 

satire,  they tuned in to get a more understandable version of politics.  In a way Jon Stewart was like 

the hip new teacher that comes to school and brings his own system which totally relates to the kids. 

He was like the Mr. Turner to Mr. Feeny (Boy Meets World reference).  Stewart would interview movie 

stars, tv stars and musicians but he really showed his interest in history and his knowledge 

when interviewing political figures and getting those political figures to relate to a young generation 

and make them seem almost down to earth or human.   I personally tuned in more when he had on a 

politician because I felt if anyones gonna make me understand what they're talking about its Jon 

Stewart.  His coverage of the U.S elections in  2000, 2004, 2008 and 2012 are released on DVD (well 

some are) which are compliments to his success. Who really would watch a DVD of a guy making fun

of the election?  Well we did because it was comedy gold and is a big reason why most are upset that 

Stewart didnt stick around for the 2016 Election, especially when you have Donald Trump running.

Cmon Jon PLEASE. 

Stewart Interviews Obama

Stewart Interviews Malala
   















 CREATED TALENT   


BUT Stewart shared the wealth,  under Stewart other cast members got their fun in the sun. 

 Stephen Colbert, Jon Oliver, Steve Carell,  Ed Helms, Jason Jones, Rod Corddry, Lewis Black, Kristen 

Schaal, Michael Che and the longest running cast Samantha Bee.  Colbert was a correspondent on 

KIlborns version but said that with Stewart it was more based on political humor and having fun with 

the show.  The environment was more fun to be around. 

       Colbert would later host his own show RIGHT AFTER Stewarts called the Colbert Report.  Colbert 

is set to replace Letterman on the Late Show come September, not to shabby Jon

Oliver also got his break on the show, as he now has his own show called Last Week Tonight.  And is 

a house hold stand up comedian with the help of the exposure.   Steve Carell, Ed Helms and Rod 

Corddry also became household names becoming quite successful tv and movie actors.  Carell 

starred in the American version of The Office, 40 Year Old Virgin, Anchorman's and Foxcatcher which 

he received 10 nominations for through various award shows. Ed Helms also a cast member on The 

Office has seen success in movies like The Hangover Trilogy, We're the Millers, and Semi- Pro. These 

are just a few examples.

Colbert says heart-felt Thank You to Stewart

Stewart was One of Us

He was someone we could relate to.  He was a Jewish kid from Jersey, although it says he was a New Yorker... he's from Jersey.  And no we are not all Jewish kids from the States but we can all relate to having a dream and failing only to keep pushing and trying to achieve it, that's why we love Jon Stewart.  You can argue if he's a good stand up comedian, personally I didn't find him THAT funny but again he was young, and just getting started.  

 From Wikipedia:

"
Stewart became a regular at the Comedy Cellar, where he was the last performer every night. For two years, he would perform at 2 a.m. while developing his comedic style. In 1989, Stewart landed his first television job as a writer for Caroline's Comedy Hour. In 1991, he began co-hosting Comedy Central's Short Attention Span Theater, with Patty Rosborough. In 1992, Stewart hosted the short-lived You Wrote It, You Watch It on MTV, which invited viewers to send in their stories to be acted out by the comedy troupe, The State.
Stewart felt his career did not take off until a March 1993 appearance on NBC's Late Night with David Letterman. He was considered a finalist to take over Letterman's position upon his departure from the program, but it was instead given to relatively unknown Conan O'Brien. "

THIS was his first setback, we can relate to this and feel for him in this case. 


He Finally got a break through in 1993, 

Stewart developed The Jon Stewart Show, a talk show on MTV. The Jon Stewart Show was the first talk show on that network and was an instant hit, becoming the second-highest rated MTV show behind Beavis and Butt-head. In 1994, Paramount canceled The Arsenio Hall Show and, with new corporate sibling MTV (through MTV parent Viacom's acquisition of the studio), launched an hour-long syndicated late-night version of The Jon Stewart Show. Many local affiliates had moved Hall's show to 2 a.m. during its decline and Stewart's show inherited such early morning time slots in many cities. Ratings were dismal and the show was canceled in June 1995.

Among the fans of the show was David Letterman, who was the final guest of The Jon Stewart Show. Letterman signed Stewart with his production company,Worldwide Pants.^[34] Stewart then became a frequent guest host for Tom Snyder on The Late Late Show with Tom Snyder, which was produced by Letterman and aired after the Late Show on CBS. This led to much speculation that Stewart would soon replace Snyder permanently, but Stewart was instead offered the time slot after Snyder's, which he turned down.

Another letdown, but Stewart kept pushing and trying... 

In 1996 Stewart hosted the short-lived talk show entitled, "Where's Elvis This Week?" It was a half-hour, weekly comedy television program that aired on Sunday nights in the United Kingdom on BBC Two. It was filmed at the CBS Broadcast Center in New York City and featured a set of panelists, two from the United Kingdom and two from the United States, who discussed news items and cultural issues. The show premiered in the UK on October 6, 1996; five episodes aired in total. Notable panelists included Dave Chappelle, Eddie Izzard, Phil Jupitus, Nora Ephron, Craig Kilborn, Christopher Hitchens, Armando Iannucci, Norm Macdonald, and Helen Gurley Brown.

See Everyone has times where they fall down but as Letterman told Stewart on his MTV show, "Don't confuse a cancellation for failure" and to this day Stewart remembers that advice and I believe it kept him going. 

Kept him going to host the Emmys,win awards for his show and become one of the greatest political satire comedians to exist. 

So heres to Jon Stewart! Who many believe will return to Stand Up,  In the words of Jon Stewart HERE IS YOUR MOMENT OF ZEN!

Best Of Jon Stewart

By: Bryan Tobin

Follow Me on Twitter:
Bryan Tobin

The Irony of Social Media (Facebook/Twitter)

                                         

                                                  If you know these symbols, then you're the individuals I want to talk to. 

        Facebook and Twitter are social media outlets that most of us use daily.  They allow us to keep up with friends, family and connect with celebrities.  That last one is more less for twitter where you have the ability to follow a person, place or thing.

       But there is irony in the mediums.   They are suppose to CONNECT us,  yet I find as well as many others I talk to, they find it to be distracting, causing problems and becoming more of a bad thing then a good thing.

     THINK ABOUT IT!

      Before FB/Twitter you were your own person.  You didn't feel the need to see what your friends were posting, what they liked or shared.  You didn't bother to define a relationship by being friends on social media sites and no one heard of a random add or message.  You simply lived your life. You didn't know if say Cindy hated you or if Max didn't invite you to an event or lied to you.  It was what it was, but FB?Twitter now allows us to see all of these things whether we want to or not and they keep expanding on it to make things worse,  We can now see when people read our messages, when they comment on something or when they add new people.  It's actually quite scary.

     We rely on these sites too much, they have now become an easier escape root of sending someone a message no not by chat but figuratively.  We BLOCK people, UNFRIEND/ UNFOLLOW them.  We make status updates hinted at the person, in hopes they see it.  The person in turn is suppose to just ACCEPT that and move on.  Maybe its my Newfoundland ways or my BA in Communications but wouldn't it be beneficial to just TALK IT OUT, not everything has to end so awkwardly.  This hinting game is childish and not mature.  REAL LIFE is not like FB, you can't block your boss, family or strangers from talking but yet we have that mentality that its ACCEPTABLE to do that now.  It's just a very cheap way of ending things or not bothering to fix a situation.

    The NORM has changed due to social media.  And it's a can't win situation.  Remember when a story of how people met was strangers talking to strangers (that's what we all are until we communicate and move things forward) AND here's the kicker it wasn't THAT weird cause that was the only way of communicating.  If you wanted to talk to someone you built up the courage to go over and talk to them and you'd  get to know each other face to face.  You might exchang numbers but other than that YOU got to know the person by ENGAGING with them, not browsing their profile.

   But here is the thing,  when a random person that you just met or maybe just has an interest in knowing you adds you or messages you on FB that is NOT NORMAL, but yet in this day and age if they tried the earlier version THAT wouldn't be normal either.  You CAN'T have it BOTH ways.

     We are a fucked up generation due to technology, it becomes an easy escape from reality or how to handle things.


MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE:

I never joined FB until high school, all my friends had it but I just didn't care cause I had MSN... and MSN was simple.  But even I fall victim to random messages and adds.  I thought it would make things simple, but the more I found myself caught up in it, the more awkward it would become because it WASN't REAL. I would talk o people on fb, but not in real life, I would think these people I added were y friends cause FB said they were... but it's not that way.

I have lost friendships due to FB and Twitter because of arguments or misleadings.   Some people take unanswered messages or ignored comments seriously but cmon if you're being ignored you would but see without FB we wouldn't SEE it as much.  We wouldn't feel the need to treat someone differently or hold a grudge over a blocking cause we wouldn't know they didnt like us, we could just LIVE.


I decided to give up FB for the summer to see what the difference will be, what will the outcome be? CAN we be saved? Are there people out there who will accept me for not having it or will they see it as weird?

Some of us  keep wishing things were more simple, that the old ways of face to face communication still existed.  I want to see if LIFE is actually better without FB or is it just the fact we need to cut down on the  media sites.

Because they do have positives.

Late Night Legacy

                                                 
           
                                          FAREWELL MR. LETTERMAN

                                
         

       Whether you like him or hate him, you have to admire a guy who has hosted a late night talk show for 22 years.  He took the late night platform and changed it completely.  He in many ways was the anti-talk show host, but it made for great entertainment and comedy.  He will be missed by many celebrities, actors, musicians and other talk show hosts, so without further delay let's look back at the late night road he paved, give it up for Dave.

        David Michael Letterman was born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana.  Letterman attended Ball State University and graduated from their radio program. He began his broadcaster career as a newscaster and announcer for the college radio station. After graduating in 1969 Letterman became a anchor and weatherman for a local television company. He also served as a radio talk show host.  Not bad for a kid fresh out of college.

       By 1975 the Sigma Chi alumni was getting bored of being serious and decided to move to L.A to pursue a career in comedy. He would perform at The Comedy Store.  Letterman had a DIFFERENT style of comedy, one that included being very sarcastic and dry.  This is what made him DIFFERENT than his friend/ soon to be rival host Jay Leno.  Where Leno's jokes were simplistic, Letterman's required thought and intelligence.

       In 1978, Letterman got his foot in the door as he became a regular on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.  This led him to having his own 90 minute morning comedy show on NBC called, The David Letterman Show.  The show began June 23, 1980 and ended in October.  The show won two Emmy Awards yet did not receive the ratings and was canceled.

       However as Letterman once told Jon Stewart, "Do not confuse cancellation with failure".


      And those words could not be truer.  Letterman would go on to host the Late Night show on NBC from 1982 until 1992.  After Carson retired from the Tonight Show, many believed it was Letterman's time,  after all he was on right after Johnny.  However NBC gave the job to Jay Leno and that was enough for Dave.

       Letterman was as they say in sports the top free agent and believe me the teamor I should say company that got him, payed the price.  Letterman signed with CBS to host the Late Show.  A show that to this day competes with the Tonight Show.

According to Wikipedia:

"For Letterman's arrival, CBS spent $8 million in renovations.^[59] In addition to that cost, CBS also signed Letterman to a lucrative three-year, $14 million/year contract,^[60] doubling his Late Night salary. The total cost for everything (renovations, negotiation right paid to NBC, signing Letterman, announcer Bill Wendell, Shaffer, the writers and the band) was over $140 million." 

     However they cashed in. I don't think I have to tell you why.  But I will.
The show was edgy, it was humorous, it did things you didn't believe could be done. Yes it's a late night show, but it's still television with an audience and he pushed the limits. And now the kid from Indianapolis is calling it a career.

      One of the most memorable bits on Letterman's show is his Top Ten, however I don't want to duplicate a top 10, so to honor the man who changed the late night landscape here are my top 5:

 TOP FIVE LETTERMAN MOMENTS:

5. David Letterman's First Late Night Show

Bill Murray was Letterman's First EVER guest

4.  Letterman's Appearances on Johnny Carson After Losing Tonight Show Gig

 Letterman (left) telling Johnny (right) how he feels about being  ousted by NBC.

3.  Letterman's Interviews with Conan O'Brien

Conan on Late Show (2012)

Conan on Late Show (1990's)

Letterman pokes fun at Conan

Letterman Surprises Conan (5:15)

Letterman Returns to Late Night Show

Conan O'Brien and David Letterman Discuss NBC, Jay Leno and Life. 

2. Letterman's Interviews with Jay Leno

Leno made 15+  Appearances on Dave's Late Night Show. 

Jay Leno on Late Night with David Letterman

Leno's Last Appearance on Late Night 

Leno on Late Night in 1989

David and Jay in 1983

1. Without a Doubt, Number 1 has to be his heartfelt speeches. Whether it's remembering Johnny Carson or 9/11. No one does speeches better than Dave. Don't believe me? NO OTHER talk show host went on air after 9/11, not even JAY LENO until Letterman addressed the audience first.  (Yo can watch his full tribute show to Johnny on Youtube)

                                  


David Letterman 9/11 Monologue


But hey if you still have doubts on the mans legacy, here's what other late night hosts have to say about Dave.  One host is even taking the night off, (Jimmy Kimmel, who among other hosts have idolized the man)

Conan on Letterman: 

A young Conan talks about Letterman

Conan tells Rolling Stone about Letterman's Legacy (no video)

Conan tells Charlie Rose how he plans to tribute Letterman

Fallon on Letterman: 

Fallon talks about Letterman's Legacy

Fallon does his own Top Ten for Letterman

Colbert on Letterman: 
Colberts quick little thank you


Stewart on Letterman:
Jon Stewart Bids Farewell to Dave (no video)

      These are just a few, i'm sure if you watch interviews done within the past few months on Letterman's show, they may have said more.  We could continue on and on with links to articles, videos etc but let's just finish off with saying:

Letterman WILL be missed, he IS one of the greats.  In my mind if Carsons #1, then Letterman has got to be #2.

And to finish up this blog post I wanted to add in this feature:

DID YOU KNOW? 

Six Facts you might have not have known about Dave Letterman. 

1.  Letterman was fired as a weatherman for unpredictable on air behavior

2.  Letterman appeared as a pit road reporter for ABC Sports' tape-delayed coverage of the Indianapolis 500. Letterman was initially introduced as Chris Economaki in his job as a corner reporter. Letterman interviewed Mario Andretti, who had just crashed out of the race.

3.  He hosted a 1977 pilot for a game show entitled The Riddlers

4. Letterman was a cast member on Mary Tyler Moore's variety show, Mary. Letterman made a guest appearance on Mork & Mindy (as a parody of EST leader Werner Erhard) 

5.  Dave made appearances on game shows such as The $20,000 Pyramid,  The Gong Show, Hollywood Squares, Password Plus and Liar's Club, as well as talk shows such as The Mike Douglas Show.

6.  The Truck that Dave used in 1975 to get to L.A,  he still has. 


Follow Me on Twitter:  Bryan Tobin

Whatever Happened To: Music Edition

    In this blog post, I want to focus on the career of a young acoustic singer.  You may have remembered her from the early 2000's.  This performer got her start from a phone call,from her best friend  telling her she had to meet this producer who was in town.   The artist had no way of getting there but noticed that her neighbor had left the keys in their golf kart, and just like that she was off.  Maybe it was luck or destiny?

         It was hard not to turn on the radio in the early 2000's and not hear a Michelle Branch song.  Branch had an amazing voice and her songs were perfect for any girl or guy who was romantically involved or was in love.  Not to say you couldn't enjoy her music otherwise, these were just the themes of her songs.  But really, what artists HAVEN'T  had a few love or sappy songs.

        In my opinion, Branch's biggest hit would have to be "Everywhere" and for those of you still puzzled, I'll give you a chance to redeem yourself by posting the chorus:

"Cause you're everywhere to me,
 And when I close my eyes it's you I see
 You're everything I know, That makes me believe,
 I'm not alone, I'm not alone"



Refreshed? Remembered?

     Michelle Jacquet DeSevren Branch was born in Sedona, Arizona on July 2nd, 1983.   She began singing at the age of three and by eight she was enrolled in University. No, not because she was a little genius, but because she wanted to pursue a singing career.  At Northern Arizona University, a young Branch practiced voice lessons.  Branch received her first guitar at the age of 14 and from then on out she began to sing and write her own songs.  She would do local shows/ small gigs around her hometown doing covers of Lisa Loeb, Fleetwood Mac and Sheryl Crow.


   Branch posted two of her own songs on the Rolling Stones website in December of 1999, this led to her being recognized and able to perform with the trio boy band Hanson.

   Six months later, June 2000,  the 17 year old produced her own album. The album, Broken Bracelet consisted of songs she had written when she was 14 and 15.  The title of the album came was
 inspired from a bracelet made by pop singer Jewel, given to Branch by musician Steve Poltz at a Lisa Loeb concert she attended. Poltz told Branch that "when it breaks, you'll be famous."  And boy was he right. 



     In 2001, Branch hit it big signing with Maverick Records, creating the album the Spirit Room which included the hits, Everywhere, All You Wanted and Goodbye to You. The album charted within the Top 40 of the Billboard 200. The album featured three Top 40 singles on the Billboard Hot 100, The album was certified 2× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. 

Everywhere - Michelle Branch
All You Wanted - Michelle Branch
Goodbye to You - Michelle Branch

In 2003 Branch received some noticeable success in the music industry as she teamed up with legend Santana to perform the song " Game of Love". It was in the same year Branch would release her second album, Hotel Paper, this would be her last album before she turned country.   Game of Love won Branch a Grammy that year for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals.  She was also nominated for Best New Artist but lost to Norah Jones, damn that Norah Jones. 


Two Songs she collaborated with Santana on:
Game of Love - Santana ft. Michelle Branch 

I'm Feeling You - Santana ft. Michelle Branch

Hotel Paper created more success for Branch as the album sold well, peaking at number two on the Billboard 200. Three singles were released, with the first two charting in the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100.  The big hits include, Are You Happy Now? and Breathe.

Are You Happy Now - Michelle Branch
Breathe - Michelle Branch

After this album, Michelle Branch teamed up with her backup singer and best friend, Jessica Harp to form the Wreckers.  Although not widely known or maybe not known at all the band has received its due as it was nominated for a Grammy in 2007 and has won the MusicRow Award for Major Label Breakout Artist of the year and R&R Readers Poll Award for Best New Performer.

Here is a sample of their work, Leave The Pieces was the song nominated for a Grammy:

Leave the Pieces - The Wreckers

 Branch and Harp as the Wreckers

So What is Michelle Branch up to today? 

Branch separated from her husband Teddy Landau who was her former bass player.  They married in 2004.  As of 2014 she is dating  Chris Null, the bassist for Dead Sara. (edgy)  

Branch has a daughter from her marriage, named Owen.  Branch began writing songs again in 2013 and began working on an album.  

Branch performing in concert

On February 2, 2014 she confirmed on Twitter that the rest of the album will be recorded in Nashville for a pop-rock sound.  And that is where Michelle Branch is today, She is only 31 years of age and has done quite well for herself both in and out of spotlight.  Here is a link to her most recent song:
Loud Music - Michelle Branch










This is her Discography:  Not bad for a 31 year old.

Releases
↙Studio albums	3
↙EPs	2
↙Singles	11
↙Music videos	13

Branch at the Warner Music Group Grammy Party in Jan. 2014

You can follow Michelle Branch on Twitter: Michelle Branch

and while you're at it, follow me as well;
 Bryan Tobin