If you’ve got a business, you didn’t build that. Somebody else made that happen (Page 5)

Jon Stewart is hilarious.

Other than it's his job and he gets paid a ton of money for it, how is the essence of what he does any different than any of us who put forth our own commentaries on the news of the day, whether that be at a family gathering, sitting in a bar, or posting in an online discussion forum? 

Jon Stewart is a sophist.

How so? TDS and Colbert are meant to use humor (and you could certainly dislike the style - mrs gearboy is not a fan of Colbert) to comment on both the political and the media. TDS points out the hypocrisy both sides of the spectrum use; he calls out the ridiculousness of the "news" networks. He brings on guests whose political views he clearly disagrees with, and usually has an intelligent and respectful conversation without resorting to name calling and shouting (though often bringing in jokes). He doesn't just cut conversations short to fit the broadcast - lots of interviews get thrown up onto the website because they go long.

And he brings in authors and scientists - not just talking heads and the latest movie stars shilling for their newest release.

Here is a nice Salon editorial defending the middle ground approach TDS takes.

Does this mean we are off the hook for the apocalypse?

And Gear JS is a comedian who pretends to be a political commentator.  He does not have arguments but a series of jokes often made up of straw men that is meant as a put down as a substitute for a real argument.  At least what I have seen of him, I quit watching anything he has to say for a while now.

yes, balance has been restored to the force.

Then my job here is done. 

From what I see, he comments on the commentary. And in the process is less partisan that either Fox or MSNBC.

I remember, though, when the TDS first started, with Craig Kilborn. THAT show was a waste of airtime, consisting of "jokes" that seemed like rejects from "Weekend Update" on SNL and The Onion.

and he went to a stellar college!  go tribe!

Yeah, and? He's still hilarious.

Or as Socrates put it, "one who makes the stronger argument appear the weaker.". A sophist uses fallacious arguments to make their case hence the devious argumentation.

Watch an episode or two. Or watch the links above. It seems to me that Jon and TDS point out sophistry rather than engage in it.