Saturday, 11 November 2017

Does anyone else watch 'The Young Turks'?

For the last few years I've been getting a lot of my American political input from YouTube - a daily dose of satire and sarcasm from the likes of Stephen Colbert, Seth Meyers and Trevor Noah. But for some months now, for more straight 'objective' (I know some will scoff at the use of the word) reporting I've been increasingly turning to 'The Young Turks'. I'm just curious as to why I don't think I've ever seen TYT mentioned in anyone's blogs. Is there some reason why I ought to be cautious about them? - 'cos from what I see they look pretty darned 'good' as well as entertaining. Is someone about to shatter my positive opinion?  If so, can anyone suggest an even better source available to non-American audiences for news fitting for an ageing, politico-minded progressive?   
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21 comments:

  1. Moving with Mitchell11 November 2017 at 01:45

    Probably the reason The Young Turks is not as talked about as the others is because it is an entirely online show. No TV/cable network backing. My understanding is that the show has a good reputation. For more serious news, Rachel Maddow is brilliant and can sometimes be tongue-in-cheek funny with what she's reporting.

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  2. Raybeard11 November 2017 at 01:56

    Thanks, Mitch. I know the name of Rachel M. only vaguely but I see there are good chunks of her shows on You Tube as well. I'll most definitely follow up your recommendation. Ta!

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  3. Sadie Jay11 November 2017 at 03:37

    Chris Hayes is my favorite for keeping up with things, but even though he's tagged as a comedian, Jon Stewart is still the best! (I'm fond of Colbert, also) I've never heard of The Young Turks--I'll have to check them out.

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    1. Raybeard11 November 2017 at 06:24

      Just had a look at some Chris Hayes clips, Sadie, and it looks like he'll be worth keeping tabs on. Thanks.
      Yes, I was sorry that I only caught Jon Stewart's Late Show shortly before he was due to leave it. But he does keep popping up now and again so not entirely lost.

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  4. Jennifer11 November 2017 at 06:14

    We watch it from time to time, and like it a lot. And you can't go wrong with John Oliver, Stephen Colbert, and Bill Maher. Also, "Vice News" is really good.

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    1. Jennifer11 November 2017 at 06:17

      We have the "HBO Now" app that lets us watch John Oliver and Bill Maher, but some of their stuff can be found on YouTube the day after it airs, for free.

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    2. Raybeard11 November 2017 at 06:31

      I should have added John Oliver to the names I listed above, Jennifer. (Isn't he shortly to leave his current slot?) Bill Maher I've not been so keen on though I do give him an occasional look.
      I'd not heard of 'Vice News' before, but looking at it now it doesn't seem to be quite the light-hearted angle I was looking for. But I will keep a eye on it now and again. Thanks for the pointers.

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  5. Judith11 November 2017 at 12:53

    I'd never heard of this, so thanks for the tip, Ray. I shall investigate. I used to love Jon Stewart's Late Show when it was on. I quite enjoy John Oliver (though he does enjoy having a pop at New Zealand!)

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    1. Raybeard11 November 2017 at 21:51

      It's good for straightforward information, Judith. Definitely leftish liberal-sympathetic, true, but it makes no bones about it, unlike Fox News which pretends it's middle-of-the-road impartial - Hah!
      I too still miss not having a daily helping of Jon Stewart's acerbic wit. There are still others, of course, but he was the tops.

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  6. Kirk11 November 2017 at 14:17

    Never heard of this show. I'll have to seek it out.

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    1. Raybeard11 November 2017 at 21:53

      Less a 'show', more a rolling news on-line channel, Kirk. I like its earnestness and energy. It's my 'go-to' source for what's going on.

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  7. Rozzie11 November 2017 at 21:15

    Yes, I, too, love watching TYT on my tablet. To me the are the voice of reason.
    As are Colbert, Seth Meyers, Trevor Noah and some of the others mentioned.

    Like you I haven't watched Rachel Maddow, but will give her a look now. If my friend Mitch says she's worth watching...

    Gawd, I'm gonna be spending all day with my eyes glued to my tablet. Maybe all night, since I only rarely bother with TV.

    Thanks for bringing up this subject, Ray, since American politics is so fascinating at present.
    Oh, and I do watch HIGNFY and The Last Leg for a bit of British news too.

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    1. Raybeard11 November 2017 at 22:01

      Yes, Rozzie, These American programmes get very addictive - and there are so many of them.
      American politics has always interested me deeply, in fact right back to Eisenhower's days. I never know whether to envy it for its upfronted-ness and freshness, or think "Thank heavens for our British system, with all its flaws." (The latter is certainly showing signs of creakiness, but when hasn't it?)
      I have to say that the increasing split of the American public into two extremes (well, just one extreme and one rational) is becoming evermore alarming.

      HIGNY has been a 'must' for me since about when it started. Never seen 'The Last Leg' though was aware of it. It's always on telly way past my bedtime but now you've mentioned it I ought to try it out on catchup. Thanks.

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  8. Elle Clancy12 November 2017 at 04:16

    I never heard of The Young Turks...just watched some on youtube. Interesting. I have always been a news "junkie," although these days the news is so unbelievably depressing with Trump and his minions. I am a big fan of Oliver and Colbert; also a fan of Ari Melber. He has a show on MSNBC that is very interesting; he's a lawyer but the show isn't remotely stiff. Good stuff.

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    1. Raybeard12 November 2017 at 05:16

      I thought I didn't know the name of Ari Melber, Elle C., but looking him up on YouTube it's a face I've seen several times before. I'll give him more attention from now on in the light of what you say.

      As another news-junkie who still takes a Walkman (remember them?) out with him for travelling, walking, or waiting in the cinema for a film to begin, playing the news over the adverts, I just feel I've missed out if I don't keep up with what's going on. But you're right, the nature of today's news gets very depressing - though not appreciably more than at most other times in the past.

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  9. Ron12 November 2017 at 09:31

    I too can highly recommend Rachel Maddow. I watch here every night. Also "Last Word" by Lawrence O'Donnell which is on after Rachel's show. Cenk Uygur used to have his own show on MSNBC, the same station as Rachel's and Lawrence O'Donnell's. But they pulled him off after he offended too many sensibilities. Also another good show on MSNBC is Chris Hayes. In fact MSNBC is the channel to watch for the truth. Fox is definitely not the channel. Another new favorite of mine on MSNBC is "Deadline-White House" with the former press secretary for George W. Bush, Nicolle Wallace. She's a Republican but is very critical of Trump. She's one of those Republicans that isn't brainwashed into looking the other way while Trump makes a fool out of himself. Oh, one more, "Morning Joe" with Joe Scarborough, also a former Republican (he left the party) who is all over Trump. All these shows are on MSNBC. See if you can get them over there in your beautiful isles. By the way, did you respond to my question about "Game of Thrones?"
    Ron

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    1. Raybeard12 November 2017 at 11:58

      Wow! Such a lot of useful pointers here, Ron. I'm quite overwhelmed and will follow them all up over time. Thanks so much.

      'Game of Thrones'? Must be so long ago that I don't recall your question. But I can tell you or repeat now that although I'm aware of it and how much praise it's got I've never seen it and almost certainly shan't as I'm just not a great TV watcher. I trust that this answers your question whatever it was. :-)

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    2. Ron18 November 2017 at 08:49

      Ray,
      You can rent DVD discs of "Game of Thrones". I highly recommend this series. One of the best I've seen in my life. Not only great characters and casting but fabulous cinema photography and story line. And I especially enjoyed the confluence with real English history (War of the Roses). Do yo have a DVD player? This series is well worth a purchase of the same.
      Ron

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    3. Raybeard18 November 2017 at 09:24

      Trying to work up enthusiasm, Ron, but it's not working - yet.
      This laptop has a DVD player incorporated but I've never got it to work properly. I've got a number of films on DVD - all given with mags as freebies - but I've never purchased one myself as I can't come to terms with watching films on this small intimate screen. Watching a film snippet from YouTube is hard enough work for me.
      But as you're so keen on GoT I'll give it serious thought. I'm very aware of how highly it's been thought of so I'm clearly missing out on something worth seeing. Thanks.

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  10. Sol12 November 2017 at 10:09

    I have never seen it or heard of it Ray. I will have to look it up. I am very much enjoying The Good Doctor.

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    1. Raybeard12 November 2017 at 12:00

      May not be your cup 'o tea, Sol, but do have a look. You never know.

      I've not heard of 'The Good Doctor' which, I assume, is a TV prog? As I've said to Ron above, I'm just not a great fan of watching TV.

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