Truthiness: An Introduction

           In 2005, satirical news anchor Stephen Colbert introduced his new segment, The Word, with a phrase that would come to define his program:
           Truthiness.
           "Trust your gut," Colbert said. "Did you know you have more nerve endings in your stomach than you have in your head? Look it up. Now, some of you are gonna say, 'I did look it up, and it's not true.' That's because you looked it up in a book. Look it up in your gut. I did, and my gut tells me that's how the nervous system works."
           He later finished the segment by saying, "Anyone can read the news to you. I promise to feel the news at you."
           This philosophy may seem insane, a mere byproduct of the character Colbert has created. But you know what? I think it's the greatest way to report. That's why, in this introduction to what will become your source for opinion on the arts, I'm making Truthiness my mission statement. I will show you what is worthy and what is not, not based on the elitist opinions of A.O. Scott and Anthony Lane, but based purely on my gut--something you, the reader, as a fellow human being, can trust. Join me on my quest for ultimate Truthiness that can be found somewhere in the depths of artistic expression, some nugget of sense that you can understand. A clear decision: yes or no. If you come with me, I will take you to a new dimension of entertainment. You will see it the way I see it, and vice versa. I will explore the public opinion, and I will make it my golem, shaped from the mud to protect all that is good and pure. Embrace Truthiness, and get ready to have some damn good news felt at you.
           It's my duty as your loyal informer.

Signing off for the first of many times,

James Feinberg