-
-
The joke's on McCain: Late-night comedians lay off Obama
A hilarious new study of late-night political jokes, due to be released later today, finds the network comedians clearly avoiding humor about Democratic candidate Barack Obama, while piling the jokes on President Bush and Sens. John McCain and Hillary Clinton.
The study by the Center for Media and Public Affairs finds that only cable's Comedy Central, whose primary comedians, Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert, more closely follow the day's headlines -- which have been dominated by Obama -- has slightly more jokes about the freshman Illinois senator.
The center found that the network shows broadcast only 169 jokes about Obama, compared to 428 about Bush. McCain drew 328 jokes. Hillary Clinton, who dropped out of the presidential race and much political news in early June, still drew more than twice as many attempted yuk lines (382) as Obama.
On Comedy Central, Obama and McCain were close, with 207 and 201 respectively, while Clinton and Bush nearly tied at 179 and 177 respectively.
Combining the laugh lines from all five shows, Bush was the....
:...most mocked, with 605; Clinton had 562; McCain got 549; and Obama trailed, with 382.
Letterman had the most fun at Clinton's expense, with 146 jokes about her and only 46 about Obama. Leno had the most Bush jokes (208), with Clinton right behind at 204.
Colbert worked McCain over the most, with 129 jokes, compared to 91 for Obama and 79 on Clinton. An example: "It's time the media started trumpeting McCain's exciting story. He's old, and no one likes him."
The study did not explore why Obama got off so lightly on the network shows from New York and Burbank. So we'll all just have to guess: Probably out of simple respect for Obama's long public service. A hilarious new study of late-night political jokes, due to be released later today, finds the network comedians clearly avoiding humo... more -
'Live, From New York,' It's... Hillary?
I was surprised too. First SNL was making fun of her, then she was making fun of herself. SNL was all about making fun of Hillary and Barack last night. Oh and Rudy Giuliani was there last night too.
Check it out:
This weekend's episode opened with a similar sketch recreating Tuesday's debate. It portrayed NBC anchors Brian Williams and Tim Russert asking Clinton, played by Amy Poehler, tough questions while serving softballs to Obama.
Then the real Clinton appeared onscreen with an "editorial response."
The sketch, she said, "wasn't an endorsement of one candidate over another. I can say this confidently because when I asked if I could take it as an endorsement, I was told, 'Absolutely not.' But I still enjoyed that sketch a great deal because I simply adore Amy's impression of me."
More after the jump :) I was surprised too. First SNL was making fun of her, then she was making fun of herself. SNL was all about making fun of Hillary and... more -
Jay Leno is in T-R-O-U-B-L-E
Mr. Leno could face disciplinary action from the WGA for writing his monologue.
Leno met with WGA West President Patric Verrone to discuss his decision to write his own monologue. During the meeting Leno was told that writing the monologue constituted a violation of WGA strike rules.
Did the other hosts "write" or just talk? I mean what do they mean by "write"? They all came back on air. If you just made it up in your head would that have been okay, or, is it the preparation that is most important. I am sure they all didn't just go on their shows and not say anything funny, or anything at all. Mr. Leno could face disciplinary action from the WGA for writing his monologue. ... more -
O'Brien to pay nonstriking staffers
I knew I like Conan better then Ellen!
-
Is Carson Daly serious?!
Really? Networks feel that the Carson Daly show (cough, cough) provides such entertainment that they need to be the first ones to resume production? Wow. I don't think I know anyone who evens watches that show... Really? Networks feel that the Carson Daly show (cough, cough) provides such entertainment that they need to be the first ones to res... more
-
FOUND Magazine on The Late Show with David Letterman!
Davy Rothbart on the David Letterman Show, April 27, 2004.
-
related topics
Late Night Television
Contributors (24)
Late Night Television
