The link on the clip wouldn't work for me, so I couldn't check out the source. However, as a regular viewer of both shows, I can say from experience that Jon Stewart makes fun of the ridiculous aspects that so many other pundits take seriously, and that Stephen Colbert skillfuly satirizes the spin of the right-wing pundits he parodies. However, without a decent grasp of current events, much of what Stewart and Colbert say will go completely over one's head. Therefore, it stands to reason that these shows' viewers (whom Bill O'Reilly once characterized as a "...bunch of stoned slackers..." are actually better informed than the average viewer who just sits back and passively watches whateve...

The link on the clip wouldn't work for me, so I couldn't check out the source. However, as a regular viewer of both shows, I can say from experience that Jon Stewart makes fun of the ridiculous aspects that so many other pundits take seriously, and that Stephen Colbert skillfuly satirizes the spin of the right-wing pundits he parodies. However, without a decent grasp of current events, much of what Stewart and Colbert say will go completely over one's head. Therefore, it stands to reason that these shows' viewers (whom Bill O'Reilly once characterized as a "...bunch of stoned slackers..." are actually better informed than the average viewer who just sits back and passively watches whatever passes for news these days.

Another thing - since I started watching Daily Show and Colbert Report, I find myself frequently logging on to my local library to reserve books written by guests interviewed on the show. So beyond what's on screen, I personally have both these shows to thank for becoming a better-informed citizen.