Rally to Restore Sanity irks commentators but draws large crowds

The hotly anticipated "Rally to Restore Sanity" kicked off Saturday on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The event, the "Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear," was eagerly awaited and crowds were estimated at over 200,000. The proceedings from Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert had interludes from guest speakers and musical numbers. The rally centered on a theme of not taking sensationalist media seriously and introducing more rationality into the national discourse.

‘Rally to Restore Sanity’ began` with a benediction

First there were introductions for Stewart and Stephen Colbert for the “Rally to Restore Sanity." Then Father Guido Sarducci, Don Novello who plays a priest on Saturday Night Live, gave a benediction. After that, the rally had been in full swing with musical interludes from a variety of acts between typical Stewart and Colbert banter. An evil Kinevil suit had been what Colbert sported at the beginning. Of course, American Flag pullovers were worn by both of them at one point. Musical guests incorporated Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow, The Roots and Tony Bennett, however the large number had been a bit of a contrast. Stewart brought Yusuf Islam, formerly Cat Stevens, on stage to perform “Peace Train.”. Not to be outdone, Colbert brought Ozzy Osbourne out to play “C! razy Train,” and the number finished with the O’Jays singing “Love Train.”.

Listening from the media

Taking shots at some media had been a large portion of why the rally had been done. Clipps of those like Glenn Beck and Keith Olbermann played while making fun of them between musical numbers and appearance from Kareem Abdul Jabbar. Stewart "jumped the shark" based on Olbermann's Twitter remark, Politico posted. The rally had been talked about by other commentators. They dismissed it without consideration. The estimated Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart rally attendance was more than 200,000.

Unexpected end

Pegg explained on Twitter he had nothing to do with the Simon Pegg film "Hot Fuzz" being broadcast at the end of the rally by Comedy Central all the sudden.

Articles cited

The Guardian

guardian.co.uk/world/2010/oct/30/jon-stewart-rally-restore-sanity

politico.com/news/stories/1110/44477.html