During Monday evening's edition of The Daily Show on the Comedy Central cable network, new host Trevor Noah mocked the efforts by the Cable News Network not only to promote the first Democratic debate in the 2016 presidential contest on Tuesday, but also to add another participant to the event: vice president Joe Biden.
Noah rattled off the current candidates: former U.S. secretary of state Hillary Clinton, junior senator from Vermont Bernie Sanders, former Maryland governor Martin O'Malley, former U.S. senator from Virginia James Webb and former Rhode Island governor Lincoln Chafee.
The liberal host then played a commercial with a male announcer that the network has aired to promote the debate:
Tomorrow! Hillary Clinton! Bernie Sanders! Face to face! Then O'Malley, Webb and Chafee! On the same stage for the first time! The CNN Democratic Presidential Debate!
Noah mimicked the commercial by shouting: “Clinton! Sanders! Tomorrow! On CNN!” Then he used a meek voice to state: “Please note unfortunately Martin O'Malley will be joining the proceedings, along with James Webb, and there's nothing we can do about Lincoln Chafee.”
“The weirdest thing about this whole CNN debate is not just how they're hyping the people that are there,” Noah stated. “It's how they're hyping the people who aren't there.”
Another series of video clips asserted that CNN is prepared in the event of a Joe Biden candidacy in a debate appearance.
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“There it is: Podium Number Six,” a male reporter stated. “We have it waiting in the wings just in case vice president Joe Biden decides to join us. We've been showing our viewers all morning there is plenty of space on this stage.”
When the camera returned to the host, he was shaking his head in obvious disappointment.
“CNN, such amateurs,” Noah sighed. “You can't get Joe Biden with a podium waiting in the wings. You get Joe Biden with wings waiting on a podium.”
Noah also slammed the commercial by stating:
Whoa, wait! Go back to the list of the lower-rated candidates. CNN, what was that? It was like a face, then a face, and then it was just meh, meh, meh.
You guys are heartless, CNN. Any one of these people could be the next president, and you list them like the legally required terms and conditions of a used car ad.
The host began the segment by stating: “We all have our one reality show we 'hate-watch,' and for me, none is more addictive than Keeping up With the Republicans.”
“But I like quality television, the epic dramas with complex characters and story lines,” Noah stated, “and my favorite one is starting tomorrow night.”
The view changed to Wolf Blitzer on CNN: “We're just a day away from the first Democratic debate.”
Other clips showed people stating that this is the “countdown to the big showdown.” Another commercial promoted the event by stating this is “the very first time the Democratic candidates will face off on the same stage.”
“What happens in Vegas could change the course of the Democratic race,” a female reporter asserted.
The final person in the montage was Dana Perino of Fox News Channel's weekday series entitled The Five. While a guest on The Kelly File, she told host Megyn Kelly: ”I can't wait. I'm going to watch that with my popcorn and my Milk Duds and my dog.”
When the camera returned to Noah, he was holding a bag of popcorn, a box of Milk Duds and a plush dog. “Democratic debate, let's do this!” he declared.
“Of course, the star of the Democratic show is Hillary Clinton,” the host continued. “We've been following her dramatic story lines for more than 20 years.”
“There was Lewinsky, Bengazi, 'E-mailzee,' and America can't get enough of her,” he stated. “She has already inspired an actual TV character [lawyer Alicia Florrick on The Good Wife]. Well, two in fact [From Madam Secretary, Elizabeth McCord]," and other characters, one of which was a villainous Dalek from the Doctor Who science-fiction program. The audience responded uncomfortably, and Noah quickly changed the picture to one of Leslie Knope from Parks and Recreation.
“But now, Hillary Clinton's reign is being challenged by a dashing young rebel,” he said before showing news reporters stating: “Bernie Sanders surging against Hillary Clinton.” “Thousands flocking to see the self-described Democratic socialist.” “He's raised $26 million in the last quarter. Reached a million online donors faster than any candidate ever.”
“What's impressive about Bernie Sanders is the fact that he raised $26 million,” Noah added. “That's enough money to give one dollar to every single Republican candidate.”
It will definitely be interesting to learn what Noah says after the debate. Will he admit the questions were obviously softballs, or will he stick to the liberal talking points? Stay tuned.
