I doubt that Terre Haute’s mention on the Daily Show left a lasting impression on many folks outside of Indiana, but as a “Hautean” I’m always thrilled when I hear our town mentioned (and pronounced correctly!) by the national media. And there is some truth to the saying, “Any publicity is good publicity.” Besides, I think the spoof was more about local news and weather forecasters in general (Terre Haute just happened to offer a perfect example!).
I did think the commercial was a bit silly and overly dramatic, but I wouldn’t have expected the Daily Show to point it out (after all, there are crazier things going on in the world today). I wonder how the footage ever made it to Jon Stewart in the first place.
— Barbara Adderley
Indianapolis
Here in Wichita, I haven’t heard any locals speaking about the Jon Stewart show. In Wichita, Terre Haute’s image is mostly defined by ISU’s athletic teams. “Terre Haute” regularly shows up in the Wichita Eagle’s datelines when the WSU Shockers are playing ISU at home. ISU’s conference win at the WSU track got some coverage as well. The Sycamore athletes are great ambassadors for Terre Haute.
— Mickey Hines
Wichita, Kan.
Residents of Terre Haute should be proud that it is drawing attention for such a benign incident. In fact, with all of the crime and craziness that is going on in the world, Hauteans (current and former) should be pleased that our hometown can bring amusement to others. As far as I’m concerned, In fact, it is refreshing to have people outside Terre Haute talking about something other than “the smell.”
Since moving to Indianapolis a few years ago, I’ve missed the local stories and the neighborly feel of the news. When Jon Stewart made comments about the weather commercial on “The Daily Show,” I was not only amused but pleased that my hometown could laugh at itself for something that really is quite funny. There are so many worse things that could draw attention to a city, I think we were just called out on a little bit of a dramatic weather commercial and we should just appreciate the humor in it.
(I graduated from Terre Haute South in 2000 and my family recently moved out of Terre Haute for my father’s job.)
— Kerry Stakeman
Indianapolis
I was HAPPY to see the segment about the competing weather teams on “The Daily Show” because, living so far away from Indiana, I never hear anything about Terre Haute at all. I didn’t even care that he was making fun of our news channel. I was just happy to see Terre Haute on the national news for something other than Timothy McVeigh’s execution. Come on: weather teams slandering each other is really funny!
— Kristine Langley,
Omaha, Neb.
Enjoy the publicity generated by Jon Stewart on “The Daily Show.” At least the publicity is not as bad as the [Saturday Evening Post] article in [1961] about “Sin City.” Later, Steve Martin made fun of Terre Haute. The city took advantage of the notoriety and invited Steve to visit. Perhaps, you should invite Jon Stewart to come to Terre Haute and learn of its correct pronunciation — not Terre “Hut.”
— Gary Keegan
(1962 Wiley High School grad)
Sun City Center, Fla.
I thought that both Jon Stewart segments were completely hilarious (especially the second one)! A weather attack ad? That’s just so absurd. Duane Lammers should’ve thought twice before spouting off about Stewart, considering he did basically ruin Tucker Carlson’s career a while back! You have to give credit to the show’s research staff for discovering that ad.
It was really nice to hear about my hometown all the way out here in Arizona.
— Ryan Ralston
Tucson, Ariz.
I think it was a good story on his show. It shows that Terre Haute really has nothing to talk about but small, petty concerns. I have spoke to the [Tribune-Star] before about my thoughts on the city’s operation. The city is ran by a few select families, and they control what happens or doesn’t happen. The select families have the close-knit group of people that bow to their every need.
It is sad to say this story on the Jon Stewart show really allowed everyone to see what the city really shows of itself. The [WTWO] commercial was allowed to be aired and seen by residents, and I am sure other Terre Haute folks feel not only the commercial was lame, but the Jon Stewart story was amusing. I am glad that Terre Haute made a story; it brings out the dirt the city needs.
Does the TV station really feel that 15 years extra experience made that much of a difference, especially to run a commercial ad? I have no negative feelings towards Jon Stewart for running this bit. It was quite funny, and honestly if the manager at WTWO feels that bad to say what he did, too bad. Discard and move on. … I am sure more stories from the town of Terre Haute will make news in the future that show just how simple life is there.
— Kevin Hudson
Indianapolis
I’m not only a former Terre Hautean, I also worked at WTHI-TV. The Daily Show didn’t make the city look stupid, it made WTWO look ridiculous. Just because their weather team has more combined years of experience, it doesn’t actually make them BETTER. The promotions department should come up with a stronger argument before they start blowing their own horn. And those promos were so over-the-top dramatic, no wonder someone mocked them. After reading Duane Lammers response, I think maybe WTWO management is in the dreaded Doppler dead zone.
— Kay Cesinger
Highland
Jon was the only person on TV that has pronounced “Terre Haute” correctly in 36 years!
— John E. Loehmann
Houston, Texas
Does the term, “Much Ado About Nothing” mean anything to you, the ad that WTWO did was a ridiculous ad (I hope done tongue in cheek) The people, who put the ad together and allowed the ad to air, had to do that as a joke — who would think that an ad like that would be serious? “The Daily Show” didn’t think it serious. The whole thing reminded me of the Steve Martin spoof for the movie, “The Jerk.”
As a former member of the Terre Haute Media (WTHI-TV, Channel 10 Weatherman and host of The Early Show) and in viewing the Daily Show. I just went to myself, “Well, here we go again” — something so trivial blown out of proportion. WTWO made a dumb ad which should not have aired in the first place. In the world of broadcast professionals, the ad was juvenile, thus fair and open game for “The Daily Show” — a program that deals in sarcasm. (I personally would never watch someone who tears down a competitor if it were to just build themselves up — poor thinking on WTWO’s part.) I did not think less of Terre Haute, nor did I think more of Terre Haute. I just went, “Well, that’s Terre Haute!”
I have lived in a community, Jackson, Tenn., which takes pride in its heritage and progress. Some from Terre Haute have moved here to Jackson and agree that it is a community worth residing and enjoying a progressive life. The 20 years I lived, went to college and worked in Terre Haute, the community was noted for its apathy, its ability to shoot down progress, and its negative approach to itself. What Terre Haute needs is a community of people who will support progressive leadership, or as we say down here, “Stop supporting ‘the good old boys.’” All Terre Haute appears to do well is agree to disagree and never move forward. Wake up folks, if you are standing still, you are moving backwards! My advice to the people and “leaders” of Terre Haute — either “lead, follow or get out of the way!” If there is a problem (modern language calls it an “issue”), find a solution. Then, apply the principle, lead, follow or get out of the way. So what if a mistake is made? Doing nothing, Terre Haute, is your greatest mistake.
(P.S. I would hope you reprint this whole letter as Terre Haute needs to get over itself and move forward.)
— Bud Borchert
Jackson, Tenn.
I grew up in Clinton, lived in Louisville, Ky., for about 6 years and now live in Charleston, W.Va. I’ve seen these types of ads before. I think what made this one stand out was that it was over-the-top dramatic. It made it look like a political advertisement or something. The only thing missing was a disclaimer stating, “Paid for by the friends for WTWO” or something. They were kinda asking for someone to poke fun at it. I thought it was hilarious! I emailed the Comedy Central link to all my Hoosier friends.
— Hallie Swift
Cabin Creek, W.Va.
I grew up in Terre Haute for quite a few years. I attended Meadows Elementary, Ouabache Elementary, Woodrow Wilson and Terre Haute North before moving during my sophmore year in high school to South Bend. I was also in the Indiana Air National Guard in Terre Haute for six years. I did see “The Daily Show” insult Terre Haute’s weather folks and was quite amused. My opinion is that Terre Haute media has always been kind of a joke. I remember talking with my dad about the news guys frequently and also how the politics in Terre Haute are. The reason why the town never grows or attracts big business is because of the things like this happening.
It sucks, it is too bad, but it is reality. The media in the Haute needs to do the right thing — stop trying to be something that they are not. Report stories, don’t try to beat each other up. I live in Gurnee, Ill., now and am pretty sure that the Chicago media would not behave like the Terre Haute media did, even in the name of competition.
— Robert Dees
Gurnee, Ill.
I have always laughed at the rivalry between the two Terre Haute stations. As each station trumpeted their accomplishments I envisioned school kids bragging about how “rich” their parents were … only to find when they grew up that they all lived in the same dingy houses and drove the same ol’ trucks. This latest episode was just the latest example and one that was exposed to a larger audience. Did it change Terre Haute’s image? Hardly. Reinforce it? Probably, but only amongst those that actually know that Terre Haute has an image. I guess the missing question is, “What is Terre Haute’s image?”
— Craig Williams
Naperville, Ill.
It brought back memories of Steve Martin. I saw “Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid” the other night on AMC and got to see Terre Haute destroyed again.
— Paul Bindley
Melbourne Beach, Fla.
Mark Bennett B-Sides
Complete responses to Daily Show segments
- Mark Bennett B-Sides
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MARK BENNETT: Proposed trail would give river development momentum, reacquaint community with Wabash
Terre Haute and the Wabash River were like strangers living next door to each other.
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MARK BENNETT: Super Bowl luck? His is mostly bad
I’ve learned to take a Seinfeld approach to Super Bowls.
In a flash of clairvoyance, Jerry excitedly reminded buddy George Costanza that “if every instinct you have is wrong, then the opposite would have to be right.” -
MARK BENNETT: Not-so-casual observers
In the minds of many adults, the most upstanding generation of young people was, ironically, their own.
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MARK BENNETT: On the banks of the Wabash, a sculpture
Paul Dresser remembered his hometown at its best. Terre Haute should remember him the same way.
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MARK BENNETT: A reminder for electorate: You get what you vote for
In the rear-view mirror of our lives, some days loom larger than we expected.
For many Hoosiers, the date Nov. 2, 2010, probably fits that category. -
MARK BENNETT: Keys to the future
Steve Witt fielded a jarring phone call in October 2007.
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MARK BENNETT: Hall-of-Famer Larkin delivered more than clutch hits
A logjam of kids swelled behind the first-base dugout in Riverfront Stadium.
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MARK BENNETT: Polian, Colts and Terre Haute were good for one another
Sentimentality seems alien in a discussion of Bill Polian.
That emotion rarely influenced his decisions in 14 seasons as the day-to-day boss of the Indianapolis Colts. He surely felt it, but seldom submitted to it. The NFL is a business, after all, with winning as its bottom line. Polian knew how to make that happen, and did. Anyone or anything threatening to divert the Colts from title contention could not linger. When it came to that mission, Polian functioned with all of the sentimentality of Joe Friday. -
MARK BENNETT: In this day and age, pure quiet is hard to find
It’s hard to emulate JFK — this JFK, at least.
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MARK BENNETT: Rose professor’s bit part in classic holiday movie leaves a major memory
Most of us see a bit of ourselves in “A Christmas Story.” Mike Kukral does so, literally. The 1983 movie grew into a holiday classic because so many of its poignant, awkward and hilarious moments seem to have been pulled straight from our childhood memories.
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MARK BENNETT: Ferrell’s love of Old Milwaukee shines light on Old Terre Haute
Will Ferrell didn’t walk through traffic at Seventh and Wabash for nothing.
Well, actually it might have been for nothing. Apparently, the comedian just likes Old Milwaukee so much that he came to Terre Haute, unannounced, one morning last September to film wacky commercials for the beer. -
MARK BENNETT: Holiday season makes going to the mailbox fun again
Ants decided to set up a colony in our family’s mailbox last summer.
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MARK BENNETT: First impressions: City benefits from hearing visitors’ views of community
The town should blush.
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MARK BENNETT: When it comes to retail, Thursday is the new Friday
The new Thanksgiving dinner tradition?
Turkey, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie served at a family tailgating party in a big-box store parking lot on Black Thursday. -
MARK BENNETT: 'The Way We Worked' exhibit explains how work became a cornerstone of Americana
Young steelworkers, like Robert Bruno’s dad, often took dates to the railroad yards, watching train cars rumble past in blue-collar Youngstown, Ohio.
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MARK BENNETT: He told tales of great-uncle Mortecai Brown, but Fred Massey's story is worth hearing
Fred Massey loved to talk about his family.
His wife and daughters, his parents, his brothers and sisters. And, his great-uncle, Mort. Mordecai “Three Finger” Brown, that is, the Hall of Fame pitcher who led the Chicago Cubs to their last World Series title in 1908 with an amazing curveball and without an index finger. -
MARK BENNETT: Guess where the newest THPD headquarters is?
The city election involved lots of debate over a new headquarters for the Terre Haute Police Department.
But is Raleigh, N.C., really a fitting location? The 750-mile commute for the cops would be dreadful.
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MARK BENNETT: Mayor’s progressive vision today has ties to leader long ago
Going backward rarely works as a leadership strategy.
Political groups often insist they’re primed to “take back America.” While their intent is to reclaim lost turf, the ultimate goal is to go backward — to a different time. Life isn’t “Back to the Future” or any other movie, though. The best policy for worthwhile living is to do things right today that make tomorrow better. -
MARK BENNETT: ‘It’s giving with care, and without judgment’
Let’s avoid the P-word today.
Just for some clarity, we’ll offer its dictionary definition: “The state or condition of having little or no money, goods, or means of support; condition of being poor.” -
MARK BENNETT: Pull up a telescope and see a show at Rose-Hulman observatory
Once in a lifetime. The phrase gets uttered often. Sometimes, it’s an assumption, as in traveling to Europe or getting tickets to see the Cubs play in the World Series. Occasionally, it’s definite.
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MARK BENNETT: Year of the River inspiring new ideas
The Wabash River inspired the state song. That’s impressive.
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MARK BENNETT: The significance of writing: T-S columnist Mike Lunsford pens third book
Our nerves buzz with anxiety for different reasons.
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MARK BENNETT: Movie’s portrayal of fatherhood’s issues lives up to its name
For three summers, I had the good fortune to watch and listen to Tony Dungy day after day.
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MARK BENNETT: Could a new champion for public schools be emerging?
Deep down, millions of Hoosiers would wear the label “advocate for public schools.”
Yes, many have their complaints, criticisms and a few “you-know-what-they-really-need-is” suggestions. But, in their heart of hearts, they want to see their alma maters and hometown public schools succeed and progress. -
MARK BENNETT: In Prairieton, renovation gives new life to old park
There wasn’t much leg room in that Radio Flyer wagon.
Our sons — two years apart but squashed together inside its fading wooden rails — always fidgeted until the black wheels started rumbling over the uneven WPA-era sidewalks running through Prairieton. -
Rekindling a dream on the river
Mark Twain probably would grin at the sight of John Cornell, Jim Foster, Dan Remaly and their raft.
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MARK BENNETT: Just another Terre Haute celebrity sighting
At some point, this stuff becomes routine.
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MARK BENNETT: Everyone has a role in this American story (see VIDEO)
We stood atop a hill in rural southwestern Pennsylvania, and I do mean rural. Cars, trucks, SUVs and RVs kept pulling into the parking area. Groups of people climbed out of their vehicles and into the suffocating July heat. Then, they too stood on the hilltop, staring down at a grassy clearing in front of a woods.
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MARK BENNETT: It’s time for us to rekindle our volunteer spirit
Hoosiers exhibit generosity.
Terre Hauteans, in particular, displayed that virtue after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and the local flooding in 2008. They donated blood, money, food, clothes and — most significantly — their own sweat and time. -
MARK BENNETT: What would Debs think?
Pretend it’s the year 2111.
- More Mark Bennett B-Sides Headlines
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Nordic Festival Puts North Korea in Spotlight
Greece Passes New Austerity Deal Amid Rioting
'Rumor Has It' Adele's Rolling in the Grammys
Coroner: Houston Autopsy Results Weeks Away
Raw Video: Whitney Houston's Last Performance
Grohl, Grammy Nominees Cut Up on the Red Carpet
Raw Video: Greek Rioting Ahead of Austerity Vote
Raw Video: Child Rescued After Kosovo Avalanche
Reaction to Houston's Death at Clive Davis Party
Pop Music Superstar Whitney Houston Dies at 48
Fuel Removal Under Way on Capsized Italian Ship
Severe Cold Wreaks Havoc in China
Whitney Houston's Church Mourns Her Passing
79 Turtles Seized at Shanghai Airport
Police: Houston Found Dead in Her Hotel Room
Fans 'Speechless' Over Houston's Death
Today in History for Tuesday, February 12th
And the Winner for Best Super Bowl Ad Is...
Stocks Fall Sharply As Greek Deal Is Held Up
Arab League Wants U.N. Help in Syria
Sandusky Can See Grandkids, Have Local Jury
'Bachelor' Free Falls into the Ocean
Apple of their eye at $500 a share
Adele's revealing "60 Minutes" interview
Rosenthal: A's sign Cespedes
Bobby Brown on Houston's Death
Turkey's first face transplant
Exclusive Video: Bobbi Kristina Leaving Hospital
Obama Unveils $3.8 Trillion Budget
Kelly Ripa's Fashion Faux Pas
Lusetich: AT&T Recap
Raw Video: Aurora Borealis As Seen From Space
Grammys 2012: Highlights
2.12: Pebble Beach Pro-Am -- Phil Mickelson
2012 Grammys: Rihanna
2012 Grammys: Taylor Swift
Exclusive Video - Whitney's Bodybag
FUEL TV: Punk Payback Gym tips
