Archive for the ‘Media Satire’ Category
Sunday, April 12th, 2009
At long last, we have an answer to these burning questions: What kind of dog will Obama get daughters Malia and Sasha, and when will he get it? From a plethora of breathless press reports we learn that it’s a male Portuguese water dog puppy named Bo with a Kennedy pedigree.
Next on the press agenda? World peace. But first, a limerick:
Dogged Journalism
By Madeleine Begun Kane
There’s a new White House dog. Stop the presses!
Yes, at last there’s an end to the guesses:
What dog will Obama
Acquire? Next drama:
Just who will clean puppy Bo’s messes?
Tags: Bo, First Dog, Journalism, Kennedy, Malia & Sasha, Media, Obama, Portuguese Water Dog, Press, White House Dog
Posted in Barack Obama, Media Satire, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, White House | 6 Comments »
Wednesday, March 25th, 2009
After President Obama’s outstanding performance during his second primetime press conference, the AP’s Ron Fournier had some column inches to fill. So, what words of wisdom did he share in his “news analysis?” Obama really “likes to have [his words] up on the Teleprompter.”
How nice to know we can count on Fournier to perpetuate the “Obama can’t talk without his Teleprompter crutch” rubbish. Apparently, poor Ron can’t write without a nonsensical meme:
Ode To Ron Fournier (Limerick)
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Dear Ron, you have nothing to say.
But, alas, you’re on deadline today.
Just continue a meme
Like that lame prompter theme.
Maybe someday you’ll merit your pay.
Tags: AP, Deadlines, Media, Memes, News Conference, Obama, Press Conference, Ron Fournier, Teleprompter, Television
Posted in AP Humor, Barack Obama, Media Satire, Political Commentary, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Press Conferences, Ron Fournier, Television (TV) Satire | 5 Comments »
Tuesday, March 24th, 2009
I could have sworn that Obama’s 60 Minutes interview was both serious and informative. But I guess that’s what happens when you watch something yourself, instead of relying on press accounts. Silly me! Somehow I missed the part where Obama laughed it up over our economic hardship.
On the other hand, perhaps it’s because it NEVER HAPPENED!
Yes, there was a bit of gallows humor in the course of Steve Kroft’s interview with the President. But the laughter-police media has completely mischaracterized the President’s demeanor.
And that brings me to my latest limerick:
Ode To The Laughter-Police
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Watch the press-buzzards busily mocking:
“The President laughed — oh, how shocking!”
Distortion’s their game
As they try to place blame.
Wake me up when there’s something worth knocking.
Tags: 60 Minutes, Bush, CBS, Economy, Gallows Humor, Interview, Laughter, Media, Obama, Punch Drunk, Steve Kroft
Posted in Barack Obama, Media Satire, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Television (TV) Satire | 5 Comments »
Sunday, March 22nd, 2009
I’d hoped that Maureen Dowd was all done with her Michelle Obama biceps obsession. But apparently not. In her latest column, Dowd insinuates that Michelle’s “sinewy arms” belong in the Oval.
Dear Maureen Dowd, I Don’t Like Your Tone
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Dear Maureen, please I’m begging, enough!
Yes, the First Lady’s biceps are buff.
But I really don’t need
To constantly read
About “sinewy arms.” Stop the fluff!
Tags: Biceps, Clothing, Fashion, Fashion Police, First Lady, Maureen Dowd, Media, Michelle Obama, New York Times, Op Eds, Oval Office, Sinewy Arms
Posted in Appearance Humor, Barack Obama, Gender Politics, Maureen Dowd, Media Satire, Michelle Obama, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Social Satire, White House | 2 Comments »
Sunday, March 22nd, 2009
What delicious irony — Brit Hume bitching about blogger partisanship. And then thanking rightwingers Brent Bozell and the Media Research Center “for the tremendous amount of material that the Media Research Center provided me for so many years when I was anchoring Special Report. I don’t know what we would have done without them.”
Fuming About Hume (Limerick)
By Madeleine Begun Kane
The blogs are a threat to the news
Cuz they’re slanted, says Hume, in their views.
A fellow from Fox
Casting “partisan” knocks?
To Hume I must say, “Brit, j’accuse.”
Tags: Bias, Bloggers, Brent Bozell, Brit Hume Humor, Fox, Irony, Media, Media Research Center, MRC, News, Partisanship
Posted in Brit Hume, Fox News Humor, Media Satire, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Wingnuts | 2 Comments »
Friday, March 20th, 2009
President Obama was witty and entertaining on last night’s Leno appearance, and what’s the upshot? He’s forced to apologize for a self-deprecating, throwaway line comparing his bowling performance to the Special Olympics.
Obama sure is lucky he didn’t compare his basketball prowess to that of short people. Otherwise, I might have to sue him.
This calls for a limerick, don’t you think?
Ode To The Easily Offended
By Madeleine Begun Kane
There are people quite readily stressed
And appalled by the innocent jest.
Our problems are great,
Yet they’re often irate
Over nonsense. Is umbrage their quest?
Tags: Basketball, Bowling, Joke, Leno, Media, Obama, Offense, Political Correctness, Priorities, Special Olympics, Sports, Talk Show, Television, Tonight Show
Posted in Barack Obama, Entertainment Humor, Media Satire, Political Jokes & One-Liners, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Television (TV) Satire | 4 Comments »
Friday, March 13th, 2009
The stream of deceit that came pouring out of Ari Fleischer’s belligerent mouth during his Chris Matthews’ interview must surely have set some sort of record. And his calling Matthews’ “shameful” gives new meaning to the word chutzpah. Then, of course, there’s the 9/11 lie:
Fleischer: “After September 11th having been hit once how could we take a chance that Saddam might strike again? And that’s the threat that has been removed and I think we are all safer with that threat removed.”
Matthews: “I’m proud that we no longer have an administration that uses that kind argument…and the American people are too.”
This brings me to my latest limerick:
Ode To Ari Fleischer
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Dear Ari, your lies just keep flying.
But sorry, we still are not buying.
That nine-one-one hit
Was not Saddam, you twit!
And to say so is shameful. Stop lying!
Tags: Ari Fleischer, Chris Matthews, Lies, MSNBC, nine-eleven, Saddam Hussein
Posted in 9/11 Satire, Ari Fleischer, Chris Matthews, Hypocrisy Humor, Media Satire, Political Commentary, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Spin Humor | 2 Comments »
Tuesday, March 3rd, 2009
Who’s in charge of the GOP? Based on all the groveling and Limbaugh-tuckus-licking, it’s surely the guy with “talent on loan from God” … even though God foreclosed over a decade ago.
And that brings me to my latest song parody … with apologies to Walt Disney, the founder of my alma mater:
Ode To GOP Grovelers
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Who’s the leader of the clubby, selfish GOP?
Steele or Rush?
(Newt won’t hush.)
They’re all the same to me.
Mickey mouse,
Mickey mouse.
How ever do they hold their heads up high?
High, high, high.
Each presumptive leader shares a callous policy.
Commonweal’s
Naught to Steele’s
And Limbaugh’s GOP.
UPDATE: The DCCC has a good sense of humor. You’re sure to have fun with its Republican Apology Machine.
Tags: Apology, Cal Arts, Gingrich, GOP, Limbaugh, Media, Mickey Mouse, Radio, Republicans Humor, Song Parody, Steele, Walt Disney
Posted in GOP Humor, Media Satire, Michael Steele, Newt Gingrich Humor, Politics Satire, Radio Humor, Republicans Humor, Rush Limbaugh, Song Parodies | 1 Comment »
Monday, February 23rd, 2009
Mystified about Twitter? Wondering what the tweet fuss is all about? Desperate to find out what words of wisdom you’ve missed by ignoring the Political Twittersphere?
Well, your worries are over. Because I’m launching (as a public service) the Political Twittersphere Words of Wisdom. Here’s my first selection of recent, genuine, and attributed tweet quotes:
“trying to explain to junior white house staffers that mickey rourke was once young handsome and supercool.” @jaketapper
“tweeting about twitter no longer meta, now oafish. starting…..NOW.” @jaketapper
“My intvu with Gov. Huntsman. He says GOP needs ‘bold solutions’ instead of ‘gratuitous political griping.'” @NorahODonnell
“I’m at Chef Geoff’s eating the most delicious meal ever of bucatini and veal meatballs. Can u say garlic?” @NorahODonnell
“So @algore makes cut w/ 12 tweets since Nov? And I didn’t even know @chuckgrassley existed. But we’re talking so @thepolitico wins.” @williambeutler
“Bombay. It should be called Bombay, dammit. #oscars” @williambeutler
“you would think that our largest affiliate could actually put us on the air before the 1st segment ends. grrrrr.” @Radioblogger (Senior producer of the Hugh Hewitt Show)
“All GOP governors will take most of the money. Otherwise, they’re taxing their residents for states that didn’t control spending.” @KarlRove
“query: once all the newspapers are gone, what happens during an internet outage?” @craig_crawford
“Why is Gibbs tie distracting me? Perhaps that’s the point since he’s having to talk about cutting entitlements.” @craig_crawford
“Choreography at White House fiscal event is interesting: Obama calls on McCain, Cantor, etc Maybe he’s serious abt this bipartisanship stuff.” @TerryMoran
“Feeling kind of defeated in my shabby attempts to pretend to cover the WH. Do I need to sip from the Potomac more? Or less?” @anamariecox
“Cosi across the street from the WH is like an annex. Two other journos here, Secret Service guy just got a chicken salad to go.” @anamariecox
Well, that’s it for the first edition of Political Twittersphere Words of Wisdom. Please let me know if I should make this a regular feature. Oh … and if you’d like to follow me on Twitter I’m @MadKane.
Tags: Journalists, Political, Quotes, Satire, Twitter, Wisdom
Posted in Media Satire, Political Commentary, Technology Humor, Twitter | 3 Comments »
Friday, February 13th, 2009
I can’t decide whether Bret Stephens is nuts or just a really bad satirist.
I’m referring to his Wall Street Journal column entitled Obama’s Charm Isn’t Working Wonders Abroad, in which he recites a litany of foreign policy problems and wonders why Obama hasn’t solved them all yet. After all, it’s been twenty-one whole days!
Both Steve Benen and Steve M. assume Stephens suffers from unrealistic expectations.
But I’m wondering whether Stephens is trying to pass sarcasm off as satire.
And that brings me to my latest limerick:
Obama Hasn’t Fixed Everything Yet? What’s Taking Him So Long?
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Poor Bret is beginning to fret
Cuz our enemies still are a threat.
And Barack (he critiques)
Has been prez three whole weeks.
If this isn’t a spoof, get a net!
Tags: Bret Stephens, Enemies, Expectations, Foreign Policy, Journalism, Media, Obama, Sarcasm, Satire, Wall Street Journal
Posted in Barack Obama, Foreign Policy, GOP Humor, Media Satire, Political Commentary, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor | 2 Comments »
Friday, December 12th, 2008
I was heartened to read this column declaring war on the “war on Christmas” whine. Something tells me, however, that Bill O’Reilly won’t agree.
I don’t have time to write anything new about Bill O’Reilly’s war on the faux war on Christmas, because my mother’s been in the ICU for the last week. But a song parody I wrote three years ago remains surprisingly up to date:
Bill O’Reilly’s Faux War On Christmas — Song Parody (Sing to Get Me To The Church On Time)
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Bill says we’re waging war on Christmas,
Spouting another Fox News lie.
Bill’s rarely proper.
Loves telling whoppers.
Ain’t nothing that his fans won’t buy.
Bill claims we’re screwing blessed Christmas.
We’re greeting people wrong, he cries.
Not saying merry,
Christmas is very,
Belligerent and most unwise.
O’Reilly’s nasty, and quite the bore.
Too bad that Fox won’t kick him out the door.
Store signs must twinkle “Merry Christmas.”
“Happy” and “holidays” won’t do.
Bill makes a rumpus,
With no moral compass.
He leaves truth in the lurch.
O’Reilly goes to church?
He fibs and fabricates and lies on cue.
Bill says we’re out to outlaw Christmas.
Some people call its tree a bush!
Bill’s not facetious.
Bill’s claims are specious.
His reasoning is packed with mush.
Bill says we’re out to kill off Christmas.
We’re harming symbols so sublime.
Bill’s got a vision.
Bill’s on a mission:
To battle his faux war prime time.
Is Bill a madman, or just perverse?
It’s hard to picture a talk show host who’s worse.
Shop lights must twinkle “Merry Christmas.”
“Seasons” and “greetings” just won’t do.
Bill likes inciting,
And people dividing.
He leaves truth in the lurch.
O’Reilly goes to church?
He fibs and fabricates and lies on cue.
Tags: Fox News, Holiday Satire, Media Humor, O'Reilly, War On Christmas
Posted in Bill O'Reilly, Media Satire, Politics Satire, Religious Satire, Social Satire | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, December 3rd, 2008
Ron Kuby is known on the street
As a lawyer who rarely is beat.
And his show Doing Time
Is quite simply sublime.
Now Ron Kuby has learned how to Tweet.
And speaking of Twitter, you can follow me on Twitter here.
Tags: Air America, Doing Time, Lawyers, Media, Radio, Ron Kuby, Talk Show Hosts, Twitter
Posted in Air America Humor, Celebrity Verse, Legal Limericks, Media Satire, Non-Political Verse, Ron Kuby, Technology Humor, Twitter | 3 Comments »
Sunday, November 30th, 2008
Once again, the media is debating the purported death of irony. Nine-eleven killed it the last time, and this year’s culprit is Barack Obama. Lucky for humorists (and their readers), irony apparently has a cat-like nine lives:
Irony Has At Least Seven More Lives
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Obama’s election’s to blame
For irony’s death, many claim.
Is there nothing to mock?
To satirically knock?
Spoof the press and the pundits — I’m game.
And there’s always the cowardly Dems,
And obstreperous GOP “gems,”
Greedy banks, AIG,
CEOs, bad TV.
Start lampooning — no haws and no hems.
Tags: AIG, Banks, CEOs, Death Of Irony, GOP, Greed, Humor, Press, Pundits, Satire, Television, Writing
Posted in 9/11 Satire, Barack Obama, Entertainment Humor, Irony, Media Satire, Political Commentary, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, White House | 6 Comments »
Thursday, November 20th, 2008
Hillary wants to be Obama’s Secretary of State. Hillary doesn’t know if she wants to be Secretary of State. Bill’s standing in her way. Bill’s fully cooperating. Obama’s made an offer. Obama hasn’t made an offer. The blogs think it’s a terrible idea. The blogs think it’s a great idea.
Just one question: Does anyone else think all this rumor-mongering is a wee bit silly?
What Would The Press Do Without Clinton Rumors? (Limerick)
By Madeleine Begun Kane
The press is so desp’rate for drama
In a White House that’s run by Obama,
That they eagerly tell
Bill and Hill tales pell-mell.
No Clintons? They’d run home to mama.
Tags: Bill Clinton, Cabinet, Hillary Clinton, Media, Obama, Press, Rumors, Secretary of State
Posted in Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, Foreign Policy, Hillary Clinton, Media Satire, Political Commentary, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, White House | 1 Comment »
Monday, October 27th, 2008
I’m a bit late on this. But I was amused to read that Joe Klein has suffered the same fate as Maureen Dowd — banishment from the McCain / Palin planes:
Just Call It The McPettiness Express
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Beware of the wrath of McCain.
If you’re mean you’ll be barred from his plane.
You’ll join Klein and Mo Dowd —
That non-patriot crowd.
Wave goodbye to the “straight talk” campaign.
Tags: Campaign, Election, Humor, Joe Klein, Maureen Dowd, McCain, Media, Patriots, Pettiness, Planes, Press, Satire, Straight Talk Express, Transportation
Posted in Campaign Humor, Election Satire, John McCain, Media Satire, Political Limericks, Sarah Palin | Comments Off on Just Call It The McPettiness Express
Tuesday, October 14th, 2008
David Frum, infamous for fathering (or at least taking credit for fathering) the phrase “Axis of Evil,” took on the wrong person last night. I’m referring, of course, to Rachel Maddow.
Frum (without any provocation) insulted Maddow several times during his interview on Rachel’s MSNBC show. And the classy and brilliant Maddow let him have it in such a gracious manner, Frum didn’t seem to know what hit him. Bravo Rachel!!!
The contrast between Frum’s rude, condescending behavior and Maddow’s calm, graceful, yet powerful take-down was a beautiful thing to watch. (You can see the Maddow/Frum clip here.)
I thought I’d celebrate with a limerick:
Ode To David Frum
By Madeleine Begun Kane
There once was a fellow named Frum
Who made a mistake rather dumb:
He started a fight
With Ms. Maddow one night.
When she finished, he looked like a bum.
Tags: Axis of Evil, David Frum, Frum Verse, Interviews, Maddow Limerick, Media Humor, MSNBC, Rachel Maddow
Posted in David Frum, Media Satire, Rachel Maddow | Comments Off on Ode To David Frum
Thursday, October 2nd, 2008
According to Fred Thompson, Sarah Palin’s inability to name a single Supreme Court case she disagrees with wasn’t her fault. Why not? Because Katie Couric didn’t give her a list of cases. I half-expected Thompson to demand a do-over test.
A Do-Over Supreme Court Test For Palin?
By Madeleine Begun Kane
You’re excused, dear Ms. Palin. Rejoice!
Now that Thompson has lent you his voice,
The court case-test you flunked
Has been strongly debunked
As unfair — wasn’t multiple choice.
Tags: Campaign Satire, Do-Over Tests, Election Humor, Fred Thompson, Governor Palin, Katie Couric, Legal Humor, Presidential Campaign, Supreme Court Humor
Posted in Campaign Humor, Election Satire, Law Satire, Legal Limericks, Media Satire, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor, Sarah Palin, Supreme Court | 4 Comments »
Sunday, August 24th, 2008
So Bill Kristol’s a feminist. Who knew? Yes, William Kristol, Republican con man, is oh so terribly concerned about the glass ceiling perpetuated by Barack Obama when he chose Joe Biden for his running mate, denying Hillary Clinton her shot at Veep.
I’m touched. Aren’t you?
Kristol-izing Feminism (Limerick)
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Bill Kristol is outraged that Hill
Ain’t the Democrats’ Veep pick. Dear Bill,
Your concern about gender
Would strike me as tender
If phonies did not make me ill.
Tags: Bill Kristol Limerick, Campaign Satire, Feminism Humor, Glass Ceiling, Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden Poem, Media Humor, Obama's VP Pick, Weekly Standard
Posted in Barack Obama, Bill Kristol, Campaign Humor, Election Satire, Feminism Humor, Gender Politics, Hillary Clinton, Hypocrisy Humor, Joe Biden, Media Satire, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, White House | Comments Off on Kristol-izing Feminism
Wednesday, July 30th, 2008
I’ll be making a big announcement very soon — probably on Friday. But in the meantime, here’s my Media Sheep, inspired in part by this Carpetbagger Report post: In context, Obama’s humble; but out of context…
Of course, we’ve reached a point at which reality no longer matters. A reporter found an anonymous source who took Obama’s comments out of context, changed the meaning entirely, and all of a sudden, we’re off to the races. As Vincent Rossmeier noted, “Of course, the simple fact that the quote isn’t accurate isn’t going to stop some on the right — and in the media — from using it as fuel for the emerging narrative about Obama.”
Media Sheep
By Madeleine Begun Kane
McCain’s a straight talker.
Ignore all his lying.
Obama is pompous.
He’s humble? Not buying!
That’s the agreed-upon narrative. See?
Facts don’t support it?
So scrap them with glee.
McCain contradicts
All his stated positions.
Just brush this aside.
He’s above all suspicions.
Minor adjustments in views from Barack?
Paint them as flip-flops
And go with the flock.
(For extra points, tell me what song parody this could be turned into with a bit of tinkering.)[tags]John McCain Verse, Barack Obama Poem, Straight Talk, Press Narratives, Flip-Flops, Media Humor, Presidential Campaign Satire, Election Humor[/tags]
Posted in Barack Obama, Campaign Humor, Election Satire, John McCain, Media Satire, Political Commentary, Political Verse, Politics Satire, White House | 3 Comments »
Tuesday, July 15th, 2008
By now, everyone’s surely seen Barry Blitt’s New Yorker cover, depicting Barack Obama as a flag-burning, bin Laden-loving, fist-bumping Muslim. Intended to satirize “The Politics of Fear,” the image is being widely criticized as reinforcing the very stereotypes it seeks to mock.
Cartoonist Tom Tomorrow has a very interesting take on the topic here and here, as does cartoonist Ruben Bolling here, and Don Davis here, here, here, and here. The New York Times queries some late night talk show hosts here and Mark Karlin of Buzzflash speaks out here.
Here’s my view in verse:
A Humorist’s Lament
Madeleine Begun Kane
A humorist like me sure knows
How tough it is to write, compose,
And sketch satiric toons and prose
And poems. It’s not without its woes.
For instance, Barry Blitt’s lampoon,
New Yorker’s well-intentioned toon,
Is meant to show as crass buffoon
The lie and bias-spreading goon.
The humor quand’ry, if you please:
This toon could fit with equal ease
In any right-wing, racist sleaze
And readily its readers please.
That’s why it draws this fit of pique
For spreading what it would critique,
Confirming to the knowledge-weak:
Barack Obama — Terr’ist Sheik!
Update: Some more funny people have chimed in on this topic: skippy; David Horsey; Jon Swift; and Talk About Comics.[tags]Barack Obama, New Yorker Cover, Barry Blitt, Tom Tomorrow, Ruben Bolling, Racial Stereotypes, Media Humor, Election Coverage Satire[/tags]
Posted in Barack Obama, Campaign Humor, Election Satire, Humor Writing, Media Satire, New Yorker, Political Commentary, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Social Satire | 4 Comments »
Ode To AP’s Ron Fournier
Wednesday, March 25th, 2009After President Obama’s outstanding performance during his second primetime press conference, the AP’s Ron Fournier had some column inches to fill. So, what words of wisdom did he share in his “news analysis?” Obama really “likes to have [his words] up on the Teleprompter.”
How nice to know we can count on Fournier to perpetuate the “Obama can’t talk without his Teleprompter crutch” rubbish. Apparently, poor Ron can’t write without a nonsensical meme:
Ode To Ron Fournier (Limerick)
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Dear Ron, you have nothing to say.
But, alas, you’re on deadline today.
Just continue a meme
Like that lame prompter theme.
Maybe someday you’ll merit your pay.
Tags: AP, Deadlines, Media, Memes, News Conference, Obama, Press Conference, Ron Fournier, Teleprompter, Television
Posted in AP Humor, Barack Obama, Media Satire, Political Commentary, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Press Conferences, Ron Fournier, Television (TV) Satire | 5 Comments »