TDS 3.0: Season One Talk

[peeayebee]

I too like Trevor's accents. Also, his impression of Ben Carson was spot on. Loved when he was asking Rachel to vote for a Republican candidate "If someone held a gun to your head because Ben Carson said, 'Point it that way,'..."

 

Great graphic "How to Get Away From Murder."

 

I also loved in Hasan's segment where the one guy referred back to Hasan's "shadow jerking" story by saying, "You wouldn't want to walk into a room and have everyone hide the lotion, right?"

[ganesh]

All of those guys in the piece were really good sports. The hide the lotion joke stole it.

[iMonrey]

 

A week plus a few days isn't nearly enough time to decide whether Trevor's TDS is good.

 

Why not? If this show were on once a week like most shows, then five or six episodes is plenty of time to decide whether or not you like a show. I don't see why it needs to get a pass because it's on every night.

 

Mind you, I don't dislike Trevor, or the show. My main take-away with Trevor is that virtually anyone could do this show so long as they have the same writers and the same format. It's like, he's just there, it could be anyone doing this job and it would have essentially the same impact.

 

I don't need a month or a year to decide whether or not I like someone. I don't think Trevor needs to "get better," he'll still be Trevor. I think they should have picked someone stronger for this.

[Hanahope]

Jessica Williams was right, we'd get another shooting before Thanksgiving.  Before Halloween even.

[ganesh]

I think a nightly show is far different than a weekly show simply from the pov of content demands. I never was as attached to JS as the average viewer from what I've read, so it's always been just a political comedy show for me. 

[Hooper]

"Jessica Williams was right, we'd get another shooting before Thanksgiving. Before Halloween even." *

Before frickin' Columbus Day!

*(Sorry, my phone doesn't let me use the quote function)

[Neurochick]

I like Trevor, but then again I hated Jon Stewart so there is that.

[LJonEarth]

I just finished the Maddow show and I think it was the best so far. Trevor finally had a good "interview" with Rachel. It may be because he was just having a conversation with her rather than the butt-kissing and the project promotion stuff. And maybe Rachel doing this every night helped too.

[bmoore4026]

Yeah, saying "Or else" always means "we're going to boycott".  We white people would never think of anything besides that.

 

I loved the comparison of Hilary and The Dalek.  Which one is scarier?

 

And I also loved Trevor's Valley Girl voice.

[walnutqueen]

I'm beginning to suspect that Trevor Noah just might be a bit of a thinker ... which makes me love this new show even more.

[ganesh]

Before I watched this piece today, yesterday I heard about this on the radio and the guy was ranting about "zomg what does or else mean??!!!" I thought it meant "or else there will be more protests and rallies". 

 

I'm sure there were people they interviewed who didn't automatically go to the violence angle, but the white lady just going off with death, mayhem, and blood everywhere, was too good not to include.

 

Though I think it was a better point that people at the rally didn't know what the "or else" meant anyway. Not that they didn't have something to say about the state of race. So, maybe they needed a better PR vetting of the slogan. 

 

CNN is as bad a reality tv.

[attica]

I was happy to see TNC in the interview chair. I read his book a couple of weeks ago: it's a fucking gorgeous bit of writing. Also, his remark at the top of the interview that he's a genius refers to his recent receipt of a MacArthur Fellowship, in case you didn't know. But of course you do. You guys are reliably well-informed!

[EyewatchTV211]

Why not? If this show were on once a week like most shows, then five or six episodes is plenty of time to decide whether or not you like a show. I don't see why it needs to get a pass because it's on every night.

 

Mind you, I don't dislike Trevor, or the show. My main take-away with Trevor is that virtually anyone could do this show so long as they have the same writers and the same format. It's like, he's just there, it could be anyone doing this job and it would have essentially the same impact.

 

I don't need a month or a year to decide whether or not I like someone. I don't think Trevor needs to "get better," he'll still be Trevor. I think they should have picked someone stronger for this.

I haven't decided yet how long to give the show. However, my current issue with it is similar to yours. While the writing and segments are good, there's just something lacking or wrong for me in his delivery. I read an article this morning that had an appropriate description of him, but I can't seem to find it now. It was actually a positive review, even if it somehow put into words what I am having trouble with.

[Ottis]

A week plus a few days isn't nearly enough time to decide whether Trevor's TDS is good.

 

Why not? If this show were on once a week like most shows, then five or six episodes is plenty of time to decide whether or not you like a show. I don't see why it needs to get a pass because it's on every night.

Mind you, I don't dislike Trevor, or the show. My main take-away with Trevor is that virtually anyone could do this show so long as they have the same writers and the same format. It's like, he's just there, it could be anyone doing this job and it would have essentially the same impact.

I don't need a month or a year to decide whether or not I like someone. I don't think Trevor needs to "get better," he'll still be Trevor. I think they should have picked someone stronger for this.

 

 

YMMV. But keep in mind this is not a scripted show, with every show written around a theme months in advance. This is a host finding his voice and style, and that takes time. Some people didn't like Jon Stewart after a week or two. Things change. So far since Trevor took over, there have been some awesome segments, and some duds. His international perspective has potential, if they can capitalize on it like they did when he compared Trump to an African dictator. Which way will they go? I'll give them a month. As an aside, the show - both with JS and now with Trevor - needs to find another way to talk about racial issues, gun issues, etc. than with reports and skits that basically say, "Can you believe how stupid other people are who believe this is OK?" It's beyond well worn.

[futurechemist]

I also like Trevor's perspective.  I'm not making any judgments about the overall quality of the show, but I will routinely watch from 11:00-11:30.  Or at least 11:00-11:20 unless the guest really piques my interest.

 

I'm not sure what to think of Roy Wood's segment last night.  He seemed to be targetting both the marchers for coming up with a vague slogan, and white people for immediately misinterpreting the slogan.  Except that as supportive as I am about various civil rights movements, I'm really having a hard time coming up with a reasonable way "or else" could be used in a non-threatening way.  Unless the march was using it in a mathematical sort of way "Justice or else there isn't justice". I certainly wasn't going to come up with "Justice or else we boycott you" on my own.  Either way, I don't think the march was doing itself any favors by making that their slogan.  Same as how Occupy Wall Street started off well, but they didn't have a coherent message and then kind of petered out.

[peeayebee]

I don't think it's a good slogan, and I actually think the creators of the slogan (that Nation of Islam guy?) is being disingenuous by saying its about boycotting, not violence. "Or else" is always a threat. One can subvert the expectations, i.e. "You eat your vegetables or else... I'm going to eat them myself," which may be what is happening here.

 

Black people: Justice or else!

White people: Or else violence?

Black people: No. Or else we won't shop at your stores.

 

TNC is pretty amazing. I have his latest book on hold at the library. He certainly deserved his genius grant.

But I don't buy that someone could create this slogan and not believe it will be understood to mean violence.

[Victor the Crab]

I knew, looking immediately at the "Justice Or Else" slogan, that it was going to be mangled and twisted into a different narrative than what the creators had intended, much like Occupy Wall Street and Black Lives Matter was done to them. I can only imagine how someone like Megyn Kelly will cover this.

[Ms Blue Jay]

People say Jimmy Fallon is fake.  Trevor Noah's fake laugh at his guests is even faker than that.  I don't dislike Trevor at all, but I would really, really love if he curbed this part of his show.  I think then it'd be pretty great.

 

I can't believe how much people hate Seth Rogen here.  I've never known him to do anything remotely offensive.  My word.  

 

Bee Tee Dubs, it's cute when Trevor imitates a doll or a robot from the future because he's hot enough to be one.

Edited October 13, 2015 by Ms Blue Jay

[Paws]

Please, if a group of white middle aged moms like myself said "or else" you would immediately know we meant boycott.  I get away with so much shit just because I am a middle aged suburban white woman.  I don't even need receipts to return stuff. People just believe that I'm a good person.

[bmoore4026]

I can't believe how much people hate Seth Rogen here.  I've never known him to do anything remotely offensive.  My word.  

 

Yeah, he's not done anything to me personally, but there's just something about his attitude and "stoner bro" face that makes me want to punch him repeatedly.

[shok]

Either way, I don't think the march was doing itself any favors by making that their slogan.  Same as how Occupy Wall Street started off well, but they didn't have a coherent message and then kind of petered out.

 

I agree that the slogan misses the mark but may I just point out that as naive as Occupy Wall Street was, their message hasn't petered out at all. It's the basis for the whole Democratic primary and the country is now more than aware of income inequality.

 

Great interview and I'm really enjoying the fresher angle that Trevor brings as an outsider of trying to understand the years and years of influence American politics has had on some of the horrific problems the country is experiencing.

[bmoore4026]

Didn't watch tonight's episode because fuck Richard Dawkins.

[33kaitykaity]

I shouldn't be shocked since I detested Sam Bee, Jason Jones, John Oliver, and especially Aasif Mandvi, so I am having an equally toxic aversion to the new one, especially Roy Wood, Jr.  I was almost kind of grateful that I got to fast-forward through two-thirds of the show tonight that explicitly dealt with race.  

[brgjoe]

Call me shallow, but I really enjoyed both Jessica's "porn/power" comparision bit as well as the Lewis Black rant.  Then again, Jessica almost always does a great job with her segments.

 

I was really laughing through Lewis Black's tirade on millenials.  Then I realized...OMG, I am my parents now!  You know, always saying, "Oh, kids these days!"  or "This generation will be the death of us.."  Like those baby boomers were saying about us Gen-Xers.  And most likely what the parents of the baby boom generation were saying about them.  And you know, I do read a lot of good things about what the young people are doing today.  Probably more civilized at this point than I was and many of my generation at the time.  So in reality, I think our nation is in good hands for the future. 

 

I still LOL'ed through it though.  ;)

[ganesh]

Jessica's piece was very clever. 

 

My own, pov, I don't think the Speaker issue is nearly an issue as the media is making it out to be. I know it's about the inner workings of the party, but I doubt people care that much. Boenher is going to stay on until there's a new one, and regardless who is there, they are still going to threaten to shut down the government. 

 

The Dawkins interview was fine.

[Ms Blue Jay]

I think humour about millennials is endlessly hilarious so I loved that piece.

 

Interesting to see Atheist hater Trevor interview Dawkins

Edited October 14, 2015 by Ms Blue Jay

[peeayebee]

Please, if a group of white middle aged moms like myself said "or else" you would immediately know we meant boycott. 

With all due respect, I would not know you meant boycott. "Or else" always means a threat to me until it's clarified. Frankly, it IS a threat, period. Now, what the threat is implying is up for debate, but for me, my immediate reaction is that it's something to be scared of, and what I'm most scared of is violence.

 

 

I can't believe how much people hate Seth Rogen here.  I've never known him to do anything remotely offensive.  My word.  

I don't mind him in movies or TV shows. He was good in Freaks & Geeks. I just can't abide that laugh which comes out constantly during interviews.

[Arcey]

I was happy to see TNC in the interview chair. I read his book a couple of weeks ago: it's a fucking gorgeous bit of writing. Also, his remark at the top of the interview that he's a genius refers to his recent receipt of a MacArthur Fellowship, in case you didn't know. But of course you do. You guys are reliably well-informed!

I was disappointed that Trevor didn't seem to know about this though. If as the audience you didn't know that bit of information, Ta-Nahesi would have come off as a little full of himself. I wished Trevor would pick up on the "genius" thing and acknowledge that Coates had won the MacArthur grant earlier that day (or the day before?).

 

I was glad they did a piece on "or else" no matter what the outcome was, since I cringed when I heard the name last week. I wish they'd chosen a different slogan, but didn't know I wasn't alone in that. I see it as a threat in almost all instances when it's used, so why not this time? Who am I to say though, I wasn't one of the organizers of the event, and maybe they did want to give that message, and are now walking it back a little.

 

Still am not feeling Trevor. :( I so miss Jon and the old Stephen in this election cycle. We really need astute satirists at a time like this, and Trevor doesn't know the politics of the US very well yet, and doesn't have the background knowledge. That might give a new way of seeing things, which might be good sometimes, but for the most part, I want my satire to come from someone who has been steeped in this shit for a long time. Just my two cents, of course.

Edited October 14, 2015 by Arcey

[ganesh]

Not to be overly-general, but if the Nation of Islam came up with the slogan, well, they're not known for their subtlety. 

 

Trevor doesn't know the politics of the US very well yet, and doesn't have the background knowledge.

 

That seems awfully premature to me. In comparison to someone who has been putting in four shows a week for 16 years, ok, yes. 

Except for not directly addressing the last mass shooting, which seems more an editorial choice, and Jessica's piece was well done anyway, I'm not sure there's been any political issue over the last couple of weeks where I've noticed any lack of background knowledge on his part. 

Not to be all nose scraping the ceiling, but I'm not that sure either that the *average* American has much background knowledge. I was reading how last week how stunned people were that the Speaker of the House doesn't have to be elected, for example. Really, over the Obama Administration, there's not much inherent expertise needed in order to understand the current political climate imo. 

[formerlyfreedom]

I was disappointed that Trevor didn't seem to know about this though. If as the audience you didn't know that bit of information, Ta-Nahesi would have come off as a little full of himself. I wished Trevor would pick up on the "genius" thing and acknowledge that Coates had won the MacArthur grant earlier that day (or the day before?).

 

The announcement was actually made September 28, so that's more than two weeks ago. I was aware of it, but it would have been good to mention it, for those who didn't know.

[rwlevin]

Wait...so I'm a millenial? I always thought I was a gen-xer.

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[Fable]

I'm enjoying Trevor quite a bit.  I liked Jon, but I liked him better in his earlier days before he became so cynical, and I don't blame him for that, but I tune in to CC for comedy.  At the end of the day, I need to laugh at the world around me, not become enraged by it.  I'm not even saying Jon ceased to be funny, but his world weariness was affecting his persona.  I hope his retirement is peaceful and enjoyable.  On the other hand, Trevor can call me anytime!

[zxy556575]

I like Trevor but want him to start taking more ownership of the desk. So far he's just been pretty much a news anchor reading the teleprompter, and his voice is that of an outsider with no skin in the game. I'd like to see more opinion pieces that represent his convictions. I'm sure he'll grow into it.

[shok]

I think Trevor's doing great and he's really settling in to his role. Their segment tonight on the Democratic debate was terrific and I chuckled several times.

[ganesh]

I'm assuming what TN is reading on the teleprompter is what he wrote himself, no? 

 

Ugh, CNN are such hacks.

Edited October 15, 2015 by ganesh

[Paws]

One thing that has drastically changed since Jon took over the show: the  diversity of the correspondents.  Trevor jumped to the correspondents and of the 5 shown, there was one black woman, one white woman, one black guy, one certainly not white (not sure how Maandvi identifies) guy, and one white guy.  Back when Jon started it would have been 5 white guys or maybe 4 white guys and Nancy Walls. TDS has come a long way!

 

ON another note,  I'm loving Jessica Williams' new do, although it's getting very close to "anchorwoman" hair.  Which reminds me that  as much as I love Trevor, I would have been overjoyed had she been given the anchor spot. She's perfect.

[Qoass]

 

I'm assuming what TN is reading on the teleprompter is what he wrote himself, no?

That's the thing:  Jon sounded like he was talking.  Trevor sounds like he's reading.

 

I hope Noah's delivery will become more natural with time and practice.

Edited October 15, 2015 by Qoass

[attica]

I agree TN often sounds like he's reading, which is why I'm pleased when he does an accent or voice. Because then it feels like he's playing, which is the best.

 

In other news, Tom Hiddleston is welcome eye candy.

[peeayebee]

I always welcome "Too soon?" lines. 

 

And I always welcome Aasif.

 

Trevor: How are Chaffee's supporters responding right now?

Aasif: Oh, you mean Jeff? He was so thrilled that Lincoln got to meet Miss Clinton and Mr Sanders because one of them might be president next year.

 

Trevor continuing with the Jake Tapper gambling puns at the airport was great.

[WAnglais1]

TNC is coming to Davidson College near Charlotte, NC next month for a talk and (I'm guessing) book signing. Mrs. WAnglais1 snagged tickets. If you're in the area they are free with a minimal service charge.

 

TDS with TN? I'm still deciding. So far I'm over the penis and wanking jokes. I may give it another couple of weeks. Or it may be my general mood. I'm not into Wilmore, either.

[Kaoteek]

I gotta say, as much as I've got no problem with TN's work on the show in and of itself (aside from that "reading the teleprompter" thingie that will undoubtedly get better with time), I really struggle with his interviews. More often than not, they end up amounting to nothing, he gets sidetracked along the way, and his talking points feel really random... he'll probably improve on that front, too, but so far, at the end of the night, I often end up not remembering anything about the last third of the show.

[gesundheit]

I'm assuming what TN is reading on the teleprompter is what he wrote himself, no? 

He's just one of many writers on the show. 

 

I'm enjoying the new approach in that the show has more political satire now as opposed to political-media satire. I imagine that'll eventually change, but watching Trevor's dumb-foundedness at the madness of American politics is kind of a delight.

 

But I agree with those who still find most of the interviews to be complete misses. Which is fine by me, really. For years I skipped Stewart's and Colbert's interview segments unless the guest was someone I was really excited about. It took a long time for those interviews to get good enough for me that I'd watch them no matter who it was.

[magdalene]

Interviewing the guests is really Trevor's weak spot so far. Not that Jon was that great at it either, but still much more natural than Trevor. Come on. You have Tom Hiddleston as a guest, a man who is genuinely funny and charming and has chemistry with lamp posts - and Trevor was so awkward and fawning with him. It doesn't help that I also watch Charlie Rose on occasion and know how it can be done.

[iMonrey]

 

I can't believe how much people hate Seth Rogen here.  I've never known him to do anything remotely offensive.  My word.

 

I have no problem with his work but his interviews are irritating as hell. He's got a really annoying (perhaps nervous) laugh that punctuates the end of almost every sentence and it drives me up the wall.

 

Trevor is growing on me a little, especially when he does the voices because he's actually quite good at that. I still don't feel he's ever going to have the impact on political conversation that Jon Stewart did though. 

[Ottis]

I have no problem with his work but his interviews are irritating as hell. He's got a really annoying (perhaps nervous) laugh that punctuates the end of almost every sentence and it drives me up the wall.

 

 

That's where I am landing as well. Trevor also asks strange questions, vs. getting to something interesting. His interview of Richard Dawkins was a real head scratcher. I have to assume Trevor is religious, given his crack about "god-given talent" (he is a scientist, Trevor, a man who learns for a living, not an athlete), and his insistence on how Dawkins is a "man of science." Then the weird left turn about Dawkins' daughter and the ties his wife makes.

 

More often than not, I find Trevor's interviews very lightweight, even more so those of JS's.

[ChelseaNH]

Please, if a group of white middle aged moms like myself said "or else" you would immediately know we meant boycott.

 

I would assume I was going to be sent to my room and/or grounded.

[magdalene]

That's where I am landing as well. Trevor also asks strange questions, vs. getting to something interesting. His interview of Richard Dawkins was a real head scratcher. I have to assume Trevor is religious, given his crack about "god-given talent" (he is a scientist, Trevor, a man who learns for a living, not an athlete), and his insistence on how Dawkins is a "man of science." Then the weird left turn about Dawkins' daughter and the ties his wife makes.

 

More often than not, I find Trevor's interviews very lightweight, even more so those of JS's.

Well, Dawkins is a pretty controversial figure who rubs some folks the wrong way.  For me it's not that he is an atheist - I fall more onto the agnostic side of things myself - but that he is so rude and offensive to people who are religious and believe in a creator. Nobody cares to be called delusional and stupid. 

[Victor the Crab]

Ugh Jake Tapper, you fucking doofus! While I don't mind the digs at CNN, I hope Trevor starts to give equal treatment to Fox News, who are more deserving of criticism.

 

I was looking forward to the interview with Tom Hiddleston, and I was not disappointed. I was surprised Trevor brought up Hiddleston's next project, which is about Hank Williams - and that Hiddleston showed us his talent by talking in a southern drawl. That's something Jon would never have talked about, as he would be asking him about his next movie as Loki (not that there's anything wrong with it).

[BookThief]

 

I have to assume Trevor is religious, given his crack about "god-given talent" (he is a scientist, Trevor, a man who learns for a living, not an athlete), and his insistence on how Dawkins is a "man of science." Then the weird left turn about Dawkins' daughter and the ties his wife makes.

Hmm. I took it as a joke...joking around to a man who has made a career out of not believing in God and jokingly asking about his God given talent (having had the career he has). Trevor very well may be religious, but in that moment I took it as a joke, not a slam or pro-religion/God statement.

[LJonEarth]

Trevor does sound like he's reading, but so do most news and new talk hosts, from the nightly news people, to the MSNBC folks, to Bill Maher. That's why it doesn't bother me. The only thing that bothers me is "scripted" moments that are supposed to sound off-the-cuff sounding like they're teleprompter lines because of poor reading. He'll improve.

 

I don't know what I was expecting, but was Trevor joking about being a debate virgin. I don't know his background beyond his TDS appearances. Where was he based prior to taking this job. If he was living in the US and he'd never seen a debate, that adds to my worry about him really not getting American politics.