...and it's bad for democracy, says professor

Professor Russell Peterson, himself a former stand-up, said the monologues of late-night talk show hosts such as David Letterman or Jay Leno trivialises the importance of American politicians.

The shorthand the comics use to get quick laughs at the expense of public figures, plus the need not to be seen as partisan – which means tarring all politicians with the same brush – have fostered an unhealthy spirit of cynicism among viewers, according to the University of Iowa professor.

In his new book, Strange Bedfellows: How Late-Night Comedy Turns Democracy Into a Joke, he said: ‘The jokes play into the public perception of politics — that every candidate in every party is, has been, and always will be the same: corrupt, inadequate or self-interested.

‘They turn political engagement into a joke by implying that it’s futile. The take-home message is that politics is just a silly game, and if you care too much, you’re silly, too. In fact, we Americans should take our politics seriously because it’s extremely important who gets elected and what decisions they make.

‘The media is criticised for concentrating on politicians’ individual quirks, but traditional late-night humor as practiced by Leno and Letterman has encouraged that tendency.

‘The jokes paint Hillary Clinton’s character as cold and calculating; George W. Bush’s character as stupid, lazy and unable to say big words; Bill Clinton is defined as a full-time philanderer and so on. These portrayals leave out any conversation of substantive differences in their political beliefs, governing philosophies or competence to hold office.’

Published: 16 Mar 2008