Back in July, when the New Yorker published Barry Blitt’s notorious cover illustration of Barack and Michelle Obama living up to every negative stereotype about them that had been whispered by their opponents, a lot of readers (including the Obama campaign) complained that average folks who spotted the magazine on the newsstand wouldn’t get the joke, that even to raise these stereotypes in order to debunk them was still to perpetuate them. Well, we at Entertainment Weekly imagine our readers to be smart enough to recognize satire and parody when they see them, which is why, for this week’s cover story interview with Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert, we had photographer Jake Chessum shoot this spoof of the New Yorker cover.
Were we right? Will folks get the joke and recognize what we’re making fun of? In the article, Colbert and Stewart talk about how absurd spectacle has hijacked the election coverage; does our cover wittily satirize that phenomenon, or does it just add to the absurdity and make things worse? Was Blitt’s illustration in bad taste, and does that make our lampoon more tasteful or more tasteless? It’s all so confusing! Fortunately, as EW readers, your opinion really is the final arbiter here. Your vote does count! Exercise your right to free speech below. (Do keep it civil, please.)
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I vote brilliant! Not just because it was re-enacted, but because of how well Colbert and Stewart re-enact it. Kudos! Although, you might be reinforcing the issue of spectacle just a little
Thats quite possibly the funniest thing I ‘ve seen all day.
Brilliant. Period.
Speaking only for myself, I just literally LOLed. You can’t argue with that spontaneous reaction. Good work, EW.
The funniest and wittiest thing I’ve seen all week! I can’t wait to get my issue in the mail…
Nice, only thing better would be a Colbert/Stewart inside flap with their own McCain parody!
If people have a problem with it, it’s because they don’t have a sense of humor. I think it’s great!
LOL, nearly did a spit take – can’t wait to get my issue in the mail.
Stupid and Crass. If it’s about the election where is the McCain parody?
I think it’s hilarious! Can’t wait to get my issue!
Sweet, if they HAD done a McCain parody, you’d probably say, “They’re being disrespectful cause he’s a POW!!”
Obviously you have no sense of humor. Everyone else is right – it’s brilliant. EW does it again. Congrats!!
Awesome. But I am biased, I love me some Jon Stewart (would have his babies) and Stephen Colbert. The best part about it is Stephen’s face.
I adore these two and I think the cover is genius. Good job EW.
Love it, it actually makes me sad I let my subscription run out last week.
YEA! YEA!
Completely awesome cover…
It’s hilarious. Can’t wait to get it.
I’ve been a long time subscriber to EW, and every Friday when it arrives, I’m impressed by the gorgeous, thought-provoking, or just plain fun cover. This is the first time I’ve ever looked at it and just exclaimed, “Brilliant.” Kudos on proving you’re the best at everything, including satire.
I think it’s funny, but I also think that about 10 percent of your readership with get it.
OOhhh, hell yes! More blistering satire from the masters.
Talk about a dream team: Colbert and Stewart. Too late for a last-minute grassroots write-in campaign?
That cover is hilarious. Stephen Colbert’s look nearly caused me to spit out my coffee laughing this morning. Bravo!
you’ve totally outdone yourselves. if people don’t get it, they’re simply not paying attention.
The Entertainment Weekly cover is great because it satirizes the failed New Yorker cover. The New Yorker cover failed because, in attempting to satirize the racist smears against the Obamas, it mocked the victims of the smears rather than the perpetrators. In any case, anything with Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert is funny.
Hold on just one minute here. I used to get my mag on Saturday, but now I get it on Monday. Are you people saying you get yours on Friday??? WTH! I have long suspected my mailman of reading my magazines, now I am convinced it is true. I guess it just takes him a little longer now.
It EW had come out with that cover in July, it would have been timely. But three months later? How hip…insert crickets
Yea on the cover! But EW, why didn’t you ask if they were going to do DVDs of Indecision 2008 like they did 2004?
Yes! Love, love, love the cover!
Absolutely brilliant cover.
Just brilliant & apropos – Stewart & Colbert doing what they do best – political parody/satire. And on the heels of their well-deserved Emmy wins This long-time fan of the EW/John Stewart/Steven Colbert trifecta LOVES IT!!!
I like the way it perpetuates the “Obama as victim” narrative.