Is Modi the next Reagan, or a cliche? US TV shows debate

The piece starts by calling him America's Next Top Modi and gives a snapshot of the show at Madison Square Garden.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeting NRIs on his arrival in Washington DC. (Source: PTI)

American political satirist and popular television host Jon Stewart seems to have been suitably impressed by the show put up by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his team in New York over the past few days.

The latest episode of his widely watched The Daily Show dedicated a substantial three minute to the visiting Indian premier, even trying to draw parallels between him and President Ronald Reagan. Of course, there was more than a pinch of salt in the entire piece.

The piece starts by calling him America’s Next Top Modi and gives a snapshot of the show at Madison Square Garden. “How did you do that,” he asks, impressed that everyone from Hugh Jackman to President Barack Obama were meeting the new leader.

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But not everyone is that impressed. John Oliver too thought Modi’s being in New York was good enough to deserve a slot on his Last Week Tonight show. However, the tone was much more sarcastic.

He called Modi a cliche, calling his Madison Square Garden gig a “classic out of towner move.” Classic, John Oliver that.

Take that! @PMOIndia visit to DC makes it to the front page of @WSJ . pic.twitter.com/Dd59A4Lnrh

— Arvind Gupta (@buzzindelhi) October 1, 2014

If US newspapers did not give Modi a lot of space on the front page, it seems the PM has found himself some respectable prime time space on television.

Nandagopal Rajan

Nandagopal Rajan writes on technology, gadgets and everything related. He has worked with the India Today Group and Hindustan Times. He is an alumnus of Calicut University and Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Dhenkanal. ... Read More

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