Satire for sanity : an examination of media representation and audience engagement with The Daily Show's 'Rally to Restore Sanity'

• Main Author: Kilby, Allaina
• Published: Cardiff University 2014
• Subjects: 384.55; PN1990 Broadcasting
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.637123

This thesis examines the media representation of The Daily Show’s ‘Rally to Restore Sanity’ and the way the rally participants engaged with it. This was a unique event because of the speculation and ambiguity that surrounded it which included characterisations of activism for civil discourse, advocacy for Democrats in the run up to the Congressional mid-term election, to those labelling it as a mass comedy/music event. Also, given that The Daily Show was shifting from its television platform to the field of public protest, this was an opportunity to examine whether the rally could push the boundaries of satire by instigating a more civilised tone in America’s political news discourse. The rally would also be an opportunity to better understand the type of people that engaged with this hybrid satire event and whether their attendance was an act of civic participation.