'The War on Terra'

The Daily Show goes green

Posted by David Roberts at 12:17 AM on 07 Oct 2005

The Daily Show has instituted another regular feature called "The War on Terra," which as you might imagine is about environmental matters. You can see the first one -- about melting polar ice caps and dying Chinese tigers -- here.

I must say, I'm happy they're doing this, but the results are a little dispiriting. Even these guys, the funniest guys on the planet (except maybe the writers on Arrested Development) have trouble making green issues funny.

Why is that? Why is humor about the environment never, ever funny? And music about it never good? And art about it never interesting? It seems to repel everything except earnest sanctimony. Truly vexing.

Does anyone have any counter-examples to prove me wrong?

For story: 'The War on Terra'
8 Comments | Post a Comment

good questions

I think you're on to something. Maybe the problem is that earnestness is only funny when you're mocking the earnest one. But here are a few counterexamples:

Humor:

I Heart Huckabees (gently mocking the activist, sure, but broadly sympathetic to his goals); anything by Carl Hiaasen. Ed Abbey had his moments too.

Music:
"Fall on Me" and "Cuyahoga" by R.E.M.
"Men in Helicopters" by Adrian Belew

Art:
Andy Goldsworthy, David Maisel

Also on the art front, when looking for links on Maisel and Goldsworthy I found the online Green Museum, which looks worth visiting. I wonder if there is an online green humor library or online green music service (gTunes?) . . .

by Michael Boydston at 8:08 AM on 07 Oct 2005

while we're making a list...

Humor:

Occasionally Dave Barry brushes on environmental issues.

Music:

Kiwi Dub band Rhombus has a cool song called "Tour of Outer Space," that is blatantly environmental.

Frequently asked technical questions about Grist's newsletters and website.

by Corey McKrill at 11:55 AM on 07 Oct 2005

green humor

I know what you mean, Dave.

Fortunately, I came across a hilarious environmental website just the other day. It was called something like "piecemeal," or "gray gill," or ... oh yeah, it was this one!

by Michelle Parker at 6:20 PM on 07 Oct 2005

Good Art

If one defnies "art" generally, "Lord of the Rings" was a great series of movies, and its underlying theme was that industrial society is evil, environmentally speaking. Unfortunately, most people probably know nothing about Tolkien, so the theme is lost on them.

BTW, IMHO, "The Silmarillion" was Tolkien's best work. He spent his entire life writing it, though it's much shorter than LOTR. If you want to know how he really felt about humans, read that one, though be forewarned that it's not an easy read and the beginning reads like the Old Testament.

Jeff Hoffman

by jdhlax at 11:40 PM on 07 Oct 2005

You're right, like oil and water

Watching the Siberian tiger being butchered just took the funny right out of it. I suspect that had a big impact just the same. Like having ice water dumped on your head.

In the end, it all comes down to biodiversity. Poison Darts--Protecting the biodiversity of our world

by biodiversivist at 9:14 AM on 08 Oct 2005

Hmmm... how about...

... Wallace and Gromit: Curse of The Were-Rabbit? About as funny a movie as I've seen, and a far better advertisement for kindness to animals than any PETA campaign I've seen.

"We're Gonna Live in the Trees" by Robyn Hitchcock is a slyly humorous song with a green tinge.

by jonstahl at 9:56 PM on 09 Oct 2005

Comedians of the world unite!

Dave,

It seems like comedians are heeding your call:

Aiming to prove that laughter is the best medicine--even for what's ailing the planet--Earth to America! kicks off The Comedy Festival with a two-hour event featuring America's comedy superstars. The event will be a gut-busting night of comedy where some of the planet's funniest people--including Will Ferrell, Ben Stiller, Jack Black and more--will make light of the world's plight, all for a good cause.

While the featured celebrities heat up the Vegas strip, the theme of Earth to America! focuses on the ultimate environmental issue, global warming.

From TBS via TH.

by Chris Schults at 10:45 AM on 11 Oct 2005

In a serious funk

No good enviro music? I have 10 words for you:
Tower of Power "Only So Much Oil in the Earth"

by elbhenry at 11:19 PM on 14 Oct 2005

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