On the Media: The Experiment – Who Would Jesus Mock?

Podcast: On the Media
Host/Author: WNYC Studios
Episode: OTM presents The Experiment: Who Would Jesus Mock?
Release Date: November 10, 2021

Introduction

In this episode of On the Media, co-host Brooke Gladstone introduces an intriguing segment from The Experiment, a collaborative show produced by WNYC and The Atlantic. The featured episode delves into the Christian satire website, The Babylon Bee, exploring its role in modern media, its impact on political discourse, and the fine line between humor and misinformation.

The Genesis of The Babylon Bee

Julia Longoria, the host of The Experiment, sets the stage by discussing the origins of The Babylon Bee.

• [00:51] Emma Greene, an Atlantic staff writer, recalls presenting a joke from The Babylon Bee:
  "Holy Spirit Unable to Move Through Congregation as Fog Machine Breaks"
  This joke satirizes the contemporary mega-church atmosphere, blending religious fervor with the spectacle of rock concert-like environments.

Kyle Mann, the editor-in-chief of The Babylon Bee, elaborates on the site’s early focus:

• [01:00] He explains, “We’re here to be reached by the Holy Spirit. But the fog machine kept us from doing that because we got distracted thinking that the fog machine was the point” (01:00).

This foundational humor targets the commercialization and performative aspects of certain evangelical practices.

Expanding the Satirical Scope

Initially perceived as an evangelical counterpart to The Onion, The Babylon Bee quickly broadened its satirical targets beyond megachurches.

• [02:30] Julia Longoria notes, “The Babylon Bee has always had a political streak to it,” with satirical headlines such as:
  • “Trump Announces Illegal Immigrant Gladiator Games”
  • “Hillary Turns to Husband for Advice on Attracting Young, Impressionable Female Voters”

These political satires have garnered significant attention, leading to debates over whether they cross into the realm of misinformation.

Satire vs. Misinformation: The Debate

As The Babylon Bee’s political posts gain virality, criticism mounts regarding their potential to misinform.

• [03:03] A prominent critique: “The New York Times recently denounced the Babylon Bee as 'A far right misinformation site that, sometimes traffics in misinformation under the guise of satire.'”
  This highlights the tension between comedic intent and public perception.

Julia Longoria seeks direct insight from Kyle Mann on the site's intentions and the fine line between humor and misinformation.

Understanding the Audience and Intent

[04:28] Emma Greene sits down with Kyle Mann to discuss the intersection of Christianity and comedy. Mann emphasizes the necessity of cleverness in conservative comedy to resonate with their audience:

• Kyle Mann: “There's this idea that conservative comedy can just say something and everybody will laugh because they agree with it. If it just comes off as angry, it's not going to hit that mark. Like, it has to be clever” (04:28).

This approach aims to engage rather than alienate, balancing humor with ideological messaging.

Navigating Misinterpretations

The episode examines how different political spectra misinterpret The Babylon Bee’s satire.

• [08:16] Mann explains a controversial headline: “Democrats Call for Flags to Be Flown at Half Mast to Grieve the Death of Soleimani.”
  The joke hinges on the ironic portrayal of Democrats mourning the death of a U.S. military figure, which some misconstrue as factual rather than satirical.

• [11:03] Julia Longoria highlights the ethical dilemma: “Do you worry about that?” regarding readers mistaking satire for news.

• [11:51] Mann responds by comparing The Babylon Bee’s situation to other satirical outlets like SNL or The Onion:
  “Does SNL bear responsibility? [...] Stephen Colbert, people always thought was being serious.” (11:51)

Despite these comparisons, Mann acknowledges that The Babylon Bee faces more intense scrutiny due to its conservative bent.

Ethical Responsibilities in Satire

A critical discussion unfolds around the ethical implications of satire in a polarized environment.

• [13:00] Julia Longoria probes whether The Babylon Bee maintains boundaries in its humor:
  “Fat jokes, jokes about black people, jokes about gay people. And I wanted to know, is there a line for them that they wouldn't cross in their pursuit of standing against the liberal media elite?”

• [13:25] An anonymous speaker references a controversial cartoon from The Babylon Bee’s new book, questioning its portrayal of race: “There's a little stick figure that's like, peach colored that says bad. And then gray that says better. And black that says best.”

Kyle Mann deflects, stating the intent behind such jokes is to mock progressive hierarchies, not to genuinely belittle any group.

• [14:35] Mann asserts, “...we're taking this ridiculous position in order to mock it a little bit” (14:35).

However, this approach has been met with backlash, highlighting the challenges of balancing satire with sensitivity.

The Role of Comedy in a Divided America

The conversation pivots to the broader role of humor in bridging political divides.

• [17:44] Matt Bellamy’s comment encapsulates the struggle:
  “There's something about humor that I think is designed to help us negotiate the margins of culture and what's acceptable.”
  Mann adds, “It's critiquing or calling out by name something that other people have found to be taboo or too sacred.” (20:04)

Yet, Emma Greene reflects on the difficulty of finding common comedic ground in today’s polarized society.

• [22:04] Greene states, “You have to have some common ground, right? You have to kind of have some shared narrative that you can both laugh at.”

Mann laments the loss of universal humor, emphasizing the rarity of jokes that both sides can appreciate.

Conclusion

The episode of The Experiment offers a deep dive into The Babylon Bee’s satirical approach within the evangelical and broader political landscape. Through candid discussions with Kyle Mann, the show highlights the complexities of humor in a divided America, the ethical boundaries of satire, and the challenges of maintaining comedic integrity without perpetuating misinformation. As political and cultural tensions escalate, the role of satire as both a mirror and a molder of public perception remains a contentious and evolving frontier.

Notable Quotes:

• Kyle Mann: “There's this idea that conservative comedy can just say something and everybody will laugh because they agree with it. If it just comes off as angry, it's not going to hit that mark. Like, it has to be clever.” (04:28)

• Kyle Mann: “The great thing about this headline is we're making fun of stupid boomer jokes about AOC because at the time, there's just constant memes about AOC being dumb or whatever.” (08:16)

• Kyle Mann: “Does SNL bear responsibility? Because people still think that Sarah Palin said that she could see Russia from her house. The onions had been shared by politicians who thought it was real.” (11:51)

• Kyle Mann: “I think Jesus would make fun of the most powerful man in the world, the President of the United States.” (17:44)

• Emma Greene: “You have to have some common ground, right? You have to kind of have some shared narrative that you can both laugh at.” (22:04)

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and conclusions from the podcast episode, providing a clear and detailed overview for those who haven't listened to the original content.