The Center for Media and Public Affairs

What We Do: CMPA's goal is to provide an empirical basis for ongoing debates over media coverage and impact through well-documented, timely, and readable studies. Our scientific approach sets us apart from self-appointed media "watchdog" groups, while our timeliness and outreach distinguishes us from traditional academic researchers.

Politics is a joke! : How TV Comedians Are Remaking Political Life

By S. Robert Lichter, Jody C Baumgartner, and Jonathan S. Morris

Does late night political humor matter? Are late night comedians merely entertaining, or do they have the power to influence the way we think about politics and politicians? Politics is a Joke! demonstrates how the public turns to late night comedy for political information and is in turn affected by it.Using exclusive data from the Center for Media and Public Affairs, the authors conduct a detailed and exhaustive analysis of political jokes on late night shows dating back to 1992.

Drawing on examples from comedians like Jay Leno, Jon Stewart, and Stephen Colbert, the authors pinpoint the main targets and themes of late night comedy and examine its impact on political institutions and politicians. Politics is a Joke! is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the crucial role late night comedy plays in our political universe—and for anyone who enjoys a good laugh. Read More

Featured Study

EXPERT OPINION ON REGULATORY RISK ASSESSMENT
A Survey by the Center for Media and Public Affairs (CMPA) and Center for Health and Risk Communication (CHRC) at George Mason University Read More (PDF)