November 21 (How to Debate an Exploding Candidate)

[Zeke]

One of my biggest regrets about this long period of inactivity is that I missed the 2008 election, which was prime satire material. (Of course, everyone else and his sister thought so too...) Toward the end, I had an idea which combined one of the shows I've been meaning to cover here -- Heroes -- with my favourite way of doing political comedy at 5M.net. I really wanted it out before Election Day, but it took a while to do, mostly because I kept thinking of things to add.

But past its prime or not, I still think it's worth finding out... How to Debate an Exploding Candidate.

[Tate]

Very funny. I especially liked the "Universal Health Claire" part.

Mohinder: Is this really something you can do with legislation?
Nathan: *smile* You can do anything with legislation, Mohinder.

Reminds me of when Dave Barry said that California had voted to repeal the law of gravity.

Adam: It's gold, my friends! The most valuable thing in the world! I've seen men kill each other for a gold watch-chain! The allure of gold has brought whole nations to ruin, and it can do the same for us!

Funny.

Sylar: You must have been very upset when the bill was voted down 274 to 0.
Nathan: I still don't understand it! There are only 59 states!

It is somewhat strange, but...hey! Where did those extre nine states come from?

I also liked Adam's discrediting of Matt, Mohinder's closing statement, the references to Doctor Doom, just about all of it, in fact.

One more quote:

Sylar: Hasn't he been linked to that shoplifter, Angela Petrelli?
Adam: You're hassling ME about her?
Sylar: Who else would we hassle?
(Adam gestures wildly at Nathan with both arms.)
Sylar: If you like. Senator Petrelli, do you have any connection to this Petrelli woman?
Nathan: Never heard of her, Gabriel.
Adam: *stammering* You... she... your MOTHER!
Mohinder: That's uncalled for, Mr. Monroe. The last thing we need is for another debate to descend into a trash-talk war.

Good stuff

[Derek]

Adam: What's not to understand? The gold standard is the gold standard of currency standards.

Heh.

Nice work, Zeke.

[PointyHairedJedi]

'Twas amusing... but it wasn't hard to spot who you were rooting for.

[Sa'ar Chasm]

I have no idea who anyone was, but the watch business amused me to no end.

Wide stance...hah!

but it wasn't hard to spot who you were rooting for.

Successful political satire rubbishes both sides, otherwise you lose half +/- polling lead your audience.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by PointyHairedJedi

but it wasn't hard to spot who you were rooting for.

You caught me: I did indeed vote Petrelli.

Seriously though, I know I went heavy on the Obama satire; his positions and scandals are easier to comically exaggerate. But there was plenty of McCain too, and some Ron Paul for flavour. And more important, the Heroes characters were primarily Heroes characters -- they just said some things that paralleled the RL election. I'm not equating anyone with Adam Monroe or, for that matter, Sylar. I chose them because they'd be fun to write.

[PointyHairedJedi]

Originally Posted by Zeke

You caught me: I did indeed vote Petrelli.

Zam! I knew it!

I'll admit, I'm just jaded by the lack of Palin jokes. I only counted one, and that woman is comedy gold, dammit.

[Chancellor Valium]

Yes, but it is possible to overmine an obvious joke.

[Wowbagger]

Originally Posted by Chancellor Valium

Yes, but it is possible to overmine an obvious joke.

Sarah Palin is undoubtedly the best example of overmining a joke since the Teapot Dome Scandal.

That was wonderful, Zeke. My girlfriend got me into Heroes (before it stopped being any good right around last month), and we both got quite the kick out of this.

And it was long enough that I was able to go for quite a long time before the sense of "Ohhh how I miss this site!" set in.