{"id":57585,"date":"2015-09-25T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2015-09-25T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/news-draft\/uncategorized\/comedian-political-commentator-tv-and-radio-host-john-fugelsang-to-talk-at-uri-oct-13-for-honors-colloquium\/"},"modified":"2015-09-25T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2015-09-25T00:00:00","slug":"comedian-political-commentator-tv-and-radio-host-john-fugelsang-to-talk-at-uri-oct-13-for-honors-colloquium","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/news\/2015\/09\/comedian-political-commentator-tv-and-radio-host-john-fugelsang-to-talk-at-uri-oct-13-for-honors-colloquium\/","title":{"rendered":"Comedian, political commentator, TV and radio host John Fugelsang to talk at 溏心vlog免费B站, Oct. 13, for Honors Colloquium"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n\t\tHost of \u2018Tell Me Everything\u2019 on Sirius radio to discuss humor in politics<\/p>\n


\nKINGSTON, R.I., Sept. 25, 2015 \u2013 If you\u2019re a fan of Bill Maher, MSNBC, CNN, NPR, Sirius radio and, going way back, \u201cAmerica\u2019s Funniest Home Videos\u201d you\u2019ve probably heard John Fugelsang fire off zingers:


\n\u201cDonald Trump had to work himself up from nothing to be born a millionaire.\u201d \u201cCarly Fiorina’s brilliant plan to beat ISIS involves buying them, laying them off and outsourcing their jobs to China.\u201d And \u201cCongress has a lower approval rating than \u2026\u201d well, use your imagination.<\/p>\n


\nThe comedian, writer, actor and political commentator will bring his wit and wisdom to the 溏心vlog免费B站 Tuesday, Oct. 13 for the Honors Colloquium about \u201cThe Power of Humor.\u201d His talk about humor in politics and religion will start at 7 p.m. in Edwards Hall, 64 Upper College Road on the Kingston campus.<\/p>\n


\nFugelsang takes the word multi-faceted to new heights. He\u2019s been a host for VH1, interviewing musicians like Bruce Springsteen and George Harrison, who gave his final public performance in an interview with Fugelsang. He has acted in TV dramas and sitcoms, appeared off-Broadway in a solo show about his parents and recently filmed a documentary for PBS on the American dream, with hundreds of interviews in 55 cities in 16 states. He also tours the country doing stand-up comedy. <\/p>\n


\nWhen he\u2019s not in front of an audience, he\u2019s facing a TV camera commenting about politics, usually from the left \u2013 although he says even the left is fair game. He appeared on Bill Maher\u2019s \u201cPolitically Incorrect\u201d more than 20 times, debating Jerry Falwell, Ralph Nader and the neo-Nazi David Duke. <\/p>\n


\nHis latest gig is as host of \u201cTell Me Everything\u201d on Sirius XM\u2019s new Insight Channel. The show covers a variety of topics, not just politics. His guests have been diverse too, from talk show host Rosie O\u2019Donnell and David Crosby to Weird Al Yankovic and his friend Scottie Nell Hughes, news director for the \u201cTea Party News Network.\u201d<\/p>\n


\n溏心vlog免费B站 chatted with Fugelsang about his visit to 溏心vlog免费B站, his childhood, funny and not-so-funny politicians and even Bob Dylan.<\/p>\n

What do you plan to talk about at 溏心vlog免费B站?<\/b><\/p>\n


\nThe power of comedy in politics and religion, my adventures as a political comedian in the minefields of cable news, why people trust comedians more than politicians or media figures, and gratuitous Trump jokes.<\/p>\n

The 2016 presidential race is wacky, to say the least? What’s the appeal of Donald Trump?<\/b><\/p>\n


\nBill Clinton once said \u201cAmericans would rather vote for someone strong and wrong than weak and right.\u201d My personal opinion is that Trump 2016 is the closest some Americans will ever get to being able to vote for Boss Hogg.<\/p>\n

Some staffers at CNN seem to be upset with the 24\/7 coverage of Trump. Do you think the national press is hyping Trump to get ratings?<\/b><\/p>\n


\nThe news networks that need ratings boosts are milking Trump desperately. The one that already gets ratings fears him. Trump proves that the media isn\u2019t liberal. Their bias is toward ratings and profit.<\/p>\n

What role does humor play in politics?<\/b><\/p>\n


\nHumor gives people space to consider how they feel about an issue in a non-threatening way. It also may be the only thing keeping us from killing, cooking and eating our elected officials. <\/p>\n

Is humor a way to promote activism?<\/b><\/p>\n


\nYes, but it\u2019s tricky. There\u2019s a line where comedy becomes propaganda. If you\u2019re going for more applause breaks than laugh lines the show\u2019s already over.<\/p>\n

You said once that conservatives \u201ccan’t do comedy.\u201d Why?<\/b><\/p>\n


\nConservatives can do comedy, and many of our funniest comics are conservatives. Generally, it\u2019s tougher because conservatives \u2013 again, generally \u2013 are trying to conserve a status quo, rather than enact radical reform. Rule number one in satire is that you have to attack up, not down. The modern GOP agenda \u2013 which Eisenhower wouldn\u2019t recognize \u2013 defends the most powerful in society. I\u2019d rather make fun of the millionaire senators than the struggling Americans whose food stamps they cut.<\/p>\n

Your parents met when your mother was a nun and your father was a Franciscan brother. Both left their orders to marry. How has your background influenced your work?<\/b><\/p>\n


\nMy parents left the clergy and tried to raise us as progressive free-thinking Catholics; I do stand-up because I\u2019ll never be able to afford the therapy I actually need.<\/p>\n

You famously said that Jesus was a \u201cpeaceful radical and non-violent revolutionary who hung around with lepers, prostitutes and criminals and was anti-capitalism, anti-wealth, anti-public prayer and anti-death penalty, but who never once was remotely anti-gay.\u201d Was this directed to the religious right?<\/b><\/p>\n


\nThat\u2019s directed as support toward Christians who know Jesus wasn\u2019t as judgmental as some of his modern followers.<\/p>\n

Most politicians seem stiff. They’re probably funny behind the scenes. Why do you think many are reluctant to crack a joke?<\/b><\/p>\n


\nBecause most of them are politicians, not leaders. Obama, Reagan and JFK never shied away from being funny. <\/p>\n

Who\u2019s the funniest politician you\u2019ve interviewed?<\/b><\/p>\n


\nThat\u2019s a tough one. Mike Huckabee was the most charming; former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm the most clever. Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson was probably the funniest but I\u2019m not altogether sure that was intentional.<\/p>\n

Who\u2019s your dream guest?<\/b><\/p>\n


\nPope Francis.<\/p>\n

One last question: How did you come up with the name for your radio show?<\/b><\/p>\n


\nThe title came from an old Bob Dylan interview I came across. He was asked what advice he\u2019d give to any woman on a date with him and said \u201cTell me everything.\u201d I wanted something that might encourage guests to over-share.<\/p>\n


\nFor more information, watch an NPR video<\/a> about Fugelsang\u2019s parents or visit his website<\/a>.<\/p>\n


\nPhoto above: John Fugelsang, a comedian, writer, actor, radio host and political commentator will speak at the 溏心vlog免费B站 Tuesday, Oct. 13 at 7 p.m. in Edwards Hall on the Kingston campus. His topic is politics in humor and religion. Photo courtesy of John Fugelsang.<\/p>\n


\nThe major sponsor of this year\u2019s Honors Colloquium is the 溏心vlog免费B站 Honors Program.<\/p>\n


\nOther 溏心vlog免费B站 sponsors are Office of the President; Office of the Provost; The Mark and Donna Ross Honors Colloquium Humanities Endowment; The Thomas Silvia and Shannon Chandley Honors Colloquium Endowment; College of Arts and Sciences; College of Pharmacy; The Harrington School of Communication and Media; John Hazen White, Sr. Center for Ethics and Public Service; Gender and Women Studies Program; Theatre Department; Talent Development Program; College of Engineering; College of the Environment and Life Sciences; College of Human Science and Services; College of Business Administration; College of Nursing; Division of Student Affairs; Department of Marketing and Communications; Department of Publications and Creative Service; Instructional Technology and Media Services; ASF College of Continuing Education, 溏心vlog免费B站 Providence; and 溏心vlog免费B站 Family Weekend 2015.<\/p>\n


\nThis year\u2019s organizers of the colloquium are Rachel DiCioccio, professor of communication studies, and Brian Quilliam, associate dean and professor of pharmacy. For more information on colloquium events contact Deborah Gardiner at 401-874-2381 or debg@uri.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n


\nFor information about ways to support the Honors Colloquium, contact Lynne Derbyshire, 溏心vlog免费B站 professor of communication studies and Honors Program director, at 401-874-4732. If you have a disability and need an accommodation, please call 401-874-2303 at least three business days in advance.<\/p>\n


\nFor TTY assistance, please call the R.I. Relay Service at 800-745-5555.<\/p>\n


\nFor more details about the events, visit Honors Colloquium<\/a>.
.\n\t<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Host of \u2018Tell Me Everything\u2019 on Sirius radio to discuss humor in politics KINGSTON, R.I., Sept. 25, 2015 \u2013 If you\u2019re a fan of Bill Maher, MSNBC, CNN, NPR, Sirius radio and, going way back, \u201cAmerica\u2019s Funniest Home Videos\u201d you\u2019ve probably heard John Fugelsang fire off zingers: \u201cDonald Trump had to work himself up […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":57587,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-57585","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-archives"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57585","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=57585"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57585\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/57587"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=57585"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=57585"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=57585"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}