What did the election mean for comedy?
What do the 2010 election results mean for comedy? In the months before Bush left the White House, people asked comedians Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert if their jobs would be more difficult without such a gaffe-prone president. They usually said that it wouldn’t be much harder because there are always jokes to be made about issues. (In any case, the lack of material probably wouldn’t have been near the challenge for them that it would be for their writers.)
But their shows make elaborate jokes about issues. My show, FAILocracy (and YouTube in general,) is more about pointing and laughing at presidents who accidentally say “sex” during speeches. So, in the name of comedy, FAILocracy endorsed the following 15 candidates who we hoped would continue to provide us with hilarious gaffes after the election. Beneath the video is a run-down of the results.
The “Gun Mechanics Competency” award was given to Democratic Congressman Lincoln Davis.
Election outcome: WINNER
The “Best Attack Ad” was directed at Winnipeg Mayor Sam Katz, the lone non-American award winner, because “He kicks children in the face.”
Election outcome: WINNER
Jack Conway, who was given the “Most Paradoxical Question ” award for his campaign’s ad, which asked, “Why are there so many questions about Rand Paul?” did not win, but the inspiration for the question did, so that’s not all bad!
Election outcome: LOSER
John McCain won the prestigious “Maverick” award for his claim in Newsweek that he never considered himself a maverick.
Election outcome: WINNER
The “Harry Reid Bi-Partisanship” award was given to none other than Harry Reid for excellence in accidentally voting against his own health care bill.
Election outcome: WINNER
The “Constitutional Expertise” award was given to Christine O’Donnell for excellence in complete ignorance about the Bill of Rights.
Election outcome: LOSER
The “Talking Good” award was given to incumbent Arizona governor Jan Brewer for excellence in having did what was best since she be-ha-comed governor and… …. … … never mind.
Election outcome: WINNER
The “Geographic Apathy” award went to Idaho Congressional Candidate Vaughn Ward for excellence in not knowing (or caring) that Puerto Rico is not a foreign country.
Election outcome: LOSER
The “Most Appropriate use of Debate Time” award went to Providence Mayoral Candidate Chris Young for excellence in proposing to his girlfriend during a debate.
Election outcome: LOSER
The hotly-contested “Rand Paul STOMP” award went to Tim Profitt, who wasn’t a candidate, but he did support Rand Paul so we’ll consider his election outcome.
Election outcome: WINNER
The “Candidate Making Best Use of College Degree” award went to Phil Davison for his incredible audience/speaker enthusiasm gap.
Election outcome: LOSER
The “Worst Understanding of Physics” award was given to Democratic Representative Hank Johnson for worrying that Guam might capsize.
Election outcome: WINNER
The “Ultimate Warrior” award was given to Alvin Greene for being unemployed, living with his parents, being indicted on felony charges for showing pornography to a student, giving a reporter bunny ears during a live broadcast, and being the Ultimate Warrior.
Election outcome: LOSER
The “Worst Name for a Pro Wrestler” award went to Taliban Dan, the nickname given to Daniel Webster in his opponent‘s attack ad.
Election outcome: WINNER
Finally, the “All Around Best Candidate” award went to Basil MarceauxDotCom, the Tennessee gubernatorial candidate who didn’t make it past the primary.
Election outcome: LOSER
So, out of 15 gaffe-prone candidates, we have 8 won, and 7 lost, which is actually pretty good, considering the fact that almost all the awards were given for things that, in theory, should have hurt the candidate’s chances. It looks like we have until the 2012 election before we need to have any major concerns about political comedy. (And after that, it won‘t even matter because the world will end, right?)
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