Jon Lovett Quotes

Satire is traditionally the weapon of the powerless against the powerful.

Sarcasm all around the world is always against right wing and against people in power. That's the definition of political sarcasm.

I do situations and make fun of authority and life.

When satire is aimed at the powerless, it is not only cruel - it's vulgar.

Comedy often comes at the expense of others, and to do that smartly, you don't want to make fun of vulnerable people. You want to make fun of people in power, and so you need to really understand the dynamics of power.

Satire is fascinating stuff. It's deadly serious, and when politics begin to break down, there is a drift towards satire, because it's the only thing that makes any sense.

From my experience, politicians are much more uncomfortable being made fun of than they are being preached at and screeched at - you know, and the soapbox routine. They're much more uneasy knowing they're a target of ridicule.

I only aim at the powerful. When satire is aimed at the powerless, it is not only cruel - it's vulgar.

What happens when we questions power structures? What are the consequences?

Comedians have to challenge the power. Comedians should be dangerous and devastating - and funny. That's the hardest part.

'Saturday Night Live' has always been, you know, non-partisan - whoever's in power should probably be challenged.

We have to speak truth to power.

It's always important, when we experience injustice in this nation, that people in power understand that we will not take that injustice quietly.

It's supposed to feel good to throw a brick at the right people. There is a long tradition of naming and ridiculing and shaming and calling the villains what they are. Usually it was the artistocracy of the day and satire was the only way to speak truth to power.

The powerful don't make revolutions

The answer to injustice is not to silence the critic but to end the injustice.

My job in my work is not to acquire power; it's to question power.

I had to get a close-hand view of the misery and unhappiness of a man made world, before I reached the point where I could successfully revolt against it.

Anything that you are achieving that undermines and threatens systems of power will meet with oppression. Systems of power don't say 'thank you.' What's important is not to focus all your efforts on the oppression, but to continue the constructive work.

Generally speaking, violence always arises out of impotence. It is the hope of those who have no power.

Satire chooses and knows no objects. It arises by fleeing from them and their forcing themselves upon it.

By the way, I have trouble listening to what [Cheney] says sometimes because of the blood that drips from his teeth while he’s talking, but my response is this: he’s just angry because the president doesn’t shoot old men in the face. But by the way, when he was done speaking, did he just then turn into a bat and fly away?

I've had this look for about a year. I usually grow this beard out around Christmas. I like to go to malls dressed as Jesus, and I like to then walk around the mall and go, 'No! No! This wasn't what it was supposed to be about, people!' Then if there's a Santa at the mall, I walk up to him and say, 'Listen, fat man, you're just a clown at my birthday party.'

Satire is traditionally the weapon of the powerless against the powerful. I only aim at the powerful. When satire is aimed at the powerless, it is not only cruel -- it's vulgar.

Lack of power and opportunity passes off too often for virtue.