Professor McClennen in the media around Jon Stewart’s departure

Since Jon Stewart’s announcement that he will retire as the 17-year host of The Daily Show, the media is speculating about the reasons behind Stewart’s decision and what he will do in the future. While Stewart hasn’t shared that information, yet, SIA professor and satire expert Sophia McClennen has been interviewed by several news outlets about how Stewart’s exit will leave a void in satire’s critique of politics and traditional news media. Stewart impacted his audience by forcing them to think by fact-checking politicians and news media, McClennen says. She calls his departure “not just a loss for satire, but also a threat to the health of our democracy.”

Part of McClennen’s research focuses on how satire’s critiques of politics and news media played a central role in shaping public debates and in fostering productive engagement with democracy.

Columns and interviews by McClennen about Jon Stewart’s announcement:

McClennen talks with Radio Times for NPR affiliate WHYY, Feb. 19, 2015

You had me at hello: How Jon Stewart’s first episode gave birth to his brand of satire,The Conversation, Feb. 13, 2015

Who will factcheck Fox News now? We’re lost without Stewart and Colbert, Salon, Feb. 11, 2015

News stories on the topic that quote McClennen:

Interview on This Morning: America’s First News with Gordon Deal, Feb. 12, 2015

Comedy Central Has Short List for Jon Stewart’s Replacement, The Associated Press, Feb. 12, 2015

After Jon Stewart: Debating the future of satire and what makes a news anchor, Air Talk, 89.3 KPCC, NPR Los Angeles, Feb. 11, 2015

The ‘Daily Show’ Search Is On: Who is the next Jon Stewart?, The Associated Press, Feb. 11, 2015

Jon Stewart to Leave Comedy Central’s ‘The Daily Show”, Bloomberg News, Feb. 10, 2015