Why does coverage of politics always have to be so serious? Politicians aren't serious 100% of the time. Nobody is. I'm pretty sure minds would be lost of anybody tried to be that way. Not only lost temporarily, but gone forever. I'm talking "The Shining" type of lost here. But does it have to be that way?
The short answer is "No". The long answer is "Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo"! If the rise of shows like "The Daily Show", "The Colbert Report" and John Oliver's new show "Last Week Tonight" tell us anything, it's that serious topics are better discussed with comedy. Not because funny is better, but because comedy helps to show the absolute insanity that sometimes accompanies politics (or any news story).
Coverage of politics outside of the shows I mentioned above is generally serious and without humor (unless it's unintended laughing at stupidity of some comments made, actions taken, etc). Everything is the biggest scandal or biggest whatever the topic of the day is. Where does all of lack of humor come from when covering politics? Well, for starters, it comes from politicians, their campaigns and the way they approach the press.
Comedy in politics, specifically political campaigns, is nearly non-existent in public. Inside of the campaigns, there are jokes, nicknames and laughter all of the time and a general good time had by most. It's why most people who get a taste of campaign life continue to return cycle after cycle even though its not exactly the most stable career path. The public perception of political campaigns is one of politics being serious business 24/7. It couldn't be further from the truth!
So, what can we do? What can be done to make politics more palatable to the majority of people who, when faced with the dreary prospect of another dry, humorless, fact-filled article, simply decide that they would rather go back to Facebook, Reddit or Youtube?
STOP BEING BORING!
I know, I know. Easier said that done. Well, let's get doing!