David Brooks in The New York Times:

"I’m totally confused about what the political impact of Stewart-stock and Colbert-palooza will be. On the one hand, watching their shows I get the impression they are generally mainstream liberals. On the other hand I do think their shows are unintentionally conservative. Just as the show '60 Minutes' sends the collective message that political institutions are corrupt, so the Comedy Central shows send the message that politicians are buffoons. Both messages undermine faith in political action and public sector endeavor and so cut right against the intentions of their founders."

The only time I've admired either of these guys was during Colbert's speech at the White House correspondent's dinner... but even then, it's hard to accept that some political project exists behind the irony.