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CBS News wakes up briefly

A short piece on that network’s Sunday Morning Show talked about how comedy is big business.

They talked to Denis Leary, Kathy Griffin, Stu Smiley and Doug Herzog. Herzog takes the Straight Face prize (as in “Did he actually say that with a Straight Face?”):

The success of Comedy Central all comes from point of view. Jon Stewart has a very particular distinctive point of view. Stephen Colbert does, Carlos Mencia does, Dave Chappelle does. We think that’s what succeeds. We’re not looking for the guy who appeals to everybody. (Emphasis ours)

Say wha?! It’s television. He who is not looking for someone who appeals to everybody (or closely approximates same) will find himself out of a job.

(Note to Doug Herzog: Substitute “guy” for gender neutral terms like “person” or “performer” or “comedian.” Never thought we’d hafta give the president of Comedy Central sensitivity training.)