Collision of comedy and politics -- -- Newsday.com

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<i>By Patrick Day and Deborah Netburn</i><br>
<br>
<i>Los Angeles Times Staff Writers</i><br>
<br>
The recent debate on "Saturday Night Live's" perceived influence on both the media's coverage of the campaign and the primary outcomes in Texas and Ohio is not surprising in a world where a growing number of people turn to Comedy Central's satirical "Daily Show" to get their news. But this collision between comedy and politics isn't even a recent development in our media-saturated 24-hour news cycle. In the last half-century alone, it's happened over and over again, as comedians found ways to push the boundaries of what was acceptable to laugh at in public.

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By Patrick Day and Deborah Netburn

Los Angeles Times Staff Writers

The recent debate on "Saturday Night Live's" perceived influence on both the media's coverage of the campaign and the primary outcomes in Texas and Ohio is not surprising in a world where a growing number of people turn to Comedy Central's satirical "Daily Show" to get their news. But this collision between comedy and politics isn't even a recent development in our media-saturated 24-hour news cycle. In the last half-century alone, it's happened over and over again, as comedians found ways to push the boundaries of what was acceptable to laugh at in public. (Dana Edelson / NBC)

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