I have to admit, I was skeptical of how quality Jon's return would be especially after reading a less enthusiastic review on "The Problem" via The New York Times. Fortunately, it was better than I expected. It's a good-flowing format that provides a neat piece of investigative coverage and touches on heavy topics while also remaining palatable, and I think it's commendable of a creative like Jon (who could have pursued any venture in life at this point) to try and put it together. A welcomed return for Mr. Stewart.
"The Problem" treads a line of comedy and journalism (probably significantly less comedy than most viewers will expect, but it's still there) and Jon is a good host for it, especially as he gets older and has seemingly matured and looks to take on a more critical and analytical role. This is surely not as satiric as his role on "The Daily Show". "The Problem" shies away from late night talk show comedy vibes and goes for a more sober intimation, and it feels like it genuinely wants to take a closer look at things. Still, the show never takes itself too seriously and strikes a satisfying balance. Jon said he sees "The Problem" as being a way to amplify issues, and provide comfort, support, entertainment, and insight. This biweekly show is a deeper dive then, well, the daily "The Daily Show". It being biweekly and on Apple TV gives it more time to plot and more freedom to do what it wants, which is a good place to be, although less people are likely to watch it due to the subscription. The show was put together well. I was illuminated about burn pits and thought deeper and differently about the topics, and I think that's a quality service in that format for a lot of people today especially if it continues to bring that spotlight to a range of problems. I presume the show will only get better once Jon and the team get in the groove and get their legs under them. I wasn't sure it was a show I'd see myself watching regularly, but after watching the first episode, it's a show I'd always be down to watch if it's in front of me and that I'd maybe even seek out.
The first episode starts with a monologue. Then Jon introduces the topic--burn pits, which are a method the US military uses overseas to dispose of everything from day-to-day trash, uniforms, chemical waste, and feces, all in close proximity to the troops' living quarters. Whatever it is, throw it in the pit and burn it! The problem is that troops breathe in the toxic, black smoke from the burn pits and get severe health problems from it ranging from asthma to cancer and everything in between. When they try to get health coverage from the VA afterwards, the VA essentially bails on them by stalling, ignoring, or requesting more data from them. Jon speaks with a panel of veterans who share their experiences. It's very open, like a town hall session, with the veterans airing their grievances. Their stories are unjust and touching. Next, Jon goes to the Department of Veteran Affairs to conduct what is edited down to a roughly 12 minute long interview with the Secretary of Veteran Affairs himself, Denis McDonough. It's a solid portion of the show, around one third of the runtime after skits and breaks in segments. It felt impressive and actionable that he went straight to the Secretary right away. The interview was surprisingly uncompromising, with Stewart aggressively pressing McDonough for answers. I've heard in the next episode he speaks with Janet Yellen, the Treasury Secretary, so it will be a recurring point of the show to speak to the "stakeholders" (veterans) and someone with the power to make a change (Secretary of Veteran Affairs). Finally, at the end of the episode there are some closing remarks. This along with a few whimsical, prerecorded, comedy bits at breaks make up the runtime.
It's a nice development from Jon. He maybe isn't the most prototypical, legitimate journalist and you get the impression that he's still learning to adjust to the new approach, but kudos to him for stepping out and trying something new. As he said, his whole run on the Daily Show he never really sat down and conducted a separate interview like he did already on the first episode of the new show with the Secretary of Veteran Affairs. I think it did shed a light on things and give veterans a platform. At the very least, he made coverage of ill veterans an oddly comforting 43 minutes of television. The problem of burn pits certainly is a problem, so the premise of the show is valid. I'm looking forward to more episodes and hoping Jon can grow into this role and provide more genuine coverage for a long time to come. Glad he is back.
"The Problem" treads a line of comedy and journalism (probably significantly less comedy than most viewers will expect, but it's still there) and Jon is a good host for it, especially as he gets older and has seemingly matured and looks to take on a more critical and analytical role. This is surely not as satiric as his role on "The Daily Show". "The Problem" shies away from late night talk show comedy vibes and goes for a more sober intimation, and it feels like it genuinely wants to take a closer look at things. Still, the show never takes itself too seriously and strikes a satisfying balance. Jon said he sees "The Problem" as being a way to amplify issues, and provide comfort, support, entertainment, and insight. This biweekly show is a deeper dive then, well, the daily "The Daily Show". It being biweekly and on Apple TV gives it more time to plot and more freedom to do what it wants, which is a good place to be, although less people are likely to watch it due to the subscription. The show was put together well. I was illuminated about burn pits and thought deeper and differently about the topics, and I think that's a quality service in that format for a lot of people today especially if it continues to bring that spotlight to a range of problems. I presume the show will only get better once Jon and the team get in the groove and get their legs under them. I wasn't sure it was a show I'd see myself watching regularly, but after watching the first episode, it's a show I'd always be down to watch if it's in front of me and that I'd maybe even seek out.
The first episode starts with a monologue. Then Jon introduces the topic--burn pits, which are a method the US military uses overseas to dispose of everything from day-to-day trash, uniforms, chemical waste, and feces, all in close proximity to the troops' living quarters. Whatever it is, throw it in the pit and burn it! The problem is that troops breathe in the toxic, black smoke from the burn pits and get severe health problems from it ranging from asthma to cancer and everything in between. When they try to get health coverage from the VA afterwards, the VA essentially bails on them by stalling, ignoring, or requesting more data from them. Jon speaks with a panel of veterans who share their experiences. It's very open, like a town hall session, with the veterans airing their grievances. Their stories are unjust and touching. Next, Jon goes to the Department of Veteran Affairs to conduct what is edited down to a roughly 12 minute long interview with the Secretary of Veteran Affairs himself, Denis McDonough. It's a solid portion of the show, around one third of the runtime after skits and breaks in segments. It felt impressive and actionable that he went straight to the Secretary right away. The interview was surprisingly uncompromising, with Stewart aggressively pressing McDonough for answers. I've heard in the next episode he speaks with Janet Yellen, the Treasury Secretary, so it will be a recurring point of the show to speak to the "stakeholders" (veterans) and someone with the power to make a change (Secretary of Veteran Affairs). Finally, at the end of the episode there are some closing remarks. This along with a few whimsical, prerecorded, comedy bits at breaks make up the runtime.
It's a nice development from Jon. He maybe isn't the most prototypical, legitimate journalist and you get the impression that he's still learning to adjust to the new approach, but kudos to him for stepping out and trying something new. As he said, his whole run on the Daily Show he never really sat down and conducted a separate interview like he did already on the first episode of the new show with the Secretary of Veteran Affairs. I think it did shed a light on things and give veterans a platform. At the very least, he made coverage of ill veterans an oddly comforting 43 minutes of television. The problem of burn pits certainly is a problem, so the premise of the show is valid. I'm looking forward to more episodes and hoping Jon can grow into this role and provide more genuine coverage for a long time to come. Glad he is back.