"The ten essays in this interdisciplinary collection explore the issues engendered by the popularity of entertainment news, including the role of satire in politics, the declining level of trust in traditional sources of media, the shows' cathartic or informational function, and the ways in which these shows influence public opinion"--Provided by publisher.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Introduction: Surveying scholarship on The daily show and The Colbert report / Josh Compton -- New research on The daily show and The Colbert report. Science of satire : The daily show and The Colbert report as sources of public attention to science and the environment / Lauren Feldman, Anthony Leiserowitz, Edward Maibach -- Making sense of The daily show : understanding the role of partisan heuristics in political comedy effects / Michael A. Xenos, Patricia Moy, Amy B. Becker -- Stoned slackers or super citizens? The daily show viewing and political engagement of young adults / Jody C. Baumgartner, Jonathan S. Morris -- Is fake news the real news? The significance of Stewart and Colbert for democratic discourse, politics, and policy / Mark K. McBeth, Randy S. Clemons -- Jon Stewart a heretic? Surely you jest : political participation and discussion among viewers of late night comedy programming / Dannagal Goldthwaite Young, Sarah E. Esralew -- Theoretical considerations. Irony and the news : speaking through cool to American youth / Richard Van Heertum -- Wise fools : Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert as modern day jesters in the American court / Julia R. Fox -- I am the mainstream media (and so can you!) / Robert T. Tally, Jr -- It's all about meme : the art of the interview and the insatiable ego of the Colbert bump / Kevin A. Wisniewski -- Real ethical concerns and fake news : The daily show and the challenge of the new media environment / Bruce A. Williams, Michael X. Delli Carpini.