Yep. Hiding behind the skirt of entertainment. Stuart Smalley's also a pro at this. It's very cowardly.
Yes, one is always left wondering, was that just funny or just a bit mean? Sometimes 'mean' can be lighthearted and hysterical. But sometimes it's just sad and mean, bitter even, and that's how Stuart comes off. I've never cared for Stuart Smalley, even before I knew Franken was such a DUmmie. ;-)