Free Republic

LOS ANGELES – They earn their living by making the masses laugh, but experts say comedians are all too often masking intense sadness behind those smiles.

President Obama may not know it, but he has a nice advantage in the world of late-night TV. A new study by The Center for Media and Public Affairs at George Mason University says that in 2011, late-night comedians mocked Republicans three times more than they did Democrats. The biggest ideological difference was between David Letterman and Jay Leno. Letterman told 77 jokes at the expense of Obama, while Leno told 156 -- about 100 percent more. The Republican presidential candidates got whacked across the board in late-night precincts. Herman Cain was mocked 191 times, Rick Perry 186, Michele Bachmann...

Earlier this political season, many comedians lamented the absence of former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin in the 2012 presidential race, fearing they would never be able to tap an equally rich source of humor in the stable of button-down Republican candidates. Oh, ye of little faith. Perhaps, after Rick Perry's already infamous debate gaffe of absent-mindedness, "The Daily Show's" Jon Stewart put it best this week: "Many Republican faithful thought Perry would be the answer to their prayers. Turns out, he was the answer to ours."

Once upon a time there was widespread concern that America’s late-night TV comedians, who fuel and reflect so much of popular culture’s chatter, would shy away from making fun of the Smoker-in-Chief because, well, you know. As someone who collects these passing smiles, we can report that is not the case. Here are a few recent offerings: Letterman: Vice President Joe Bidens birthday party was over the weekend. President Obama was so excited he asked Biden to attend in his place. Leno: Happy Birthday to Joe Biden. President Obama got him a gag gift. No, not a funny gift. A...

SARASOTA - Dick Smothers may be renowned for his humor, but there is nothing funny about his current financial situation. The 71-year-old comedic actor filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in Tampa earlier this month, listing $2 million in assets and $2.8 million in debts on homes he and his ex-wife, Denby Smothers, own on Bird Key and Golden Gate Point. Smothers is the younger brother in a two-man comedy team. The brothers hosted the "Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour" on CBS in the 1960s, and still perform together in concert halls across the country. Dick Smothers could not be reached...

Larry David found comedy fodder in piety on the latest episode of his series, “Curb Your Enthusiasm.’ On the show’s most recent installment, which aired Sunday, David urinates on a painting of Jesus Christ, causing a woman to believe the painting depicts Jesus crying. … During Sunday’s episode, David, who created, wrote and produced “Seinfeld,” visits a bathroom in his assistant’s home and splatters urine on a picture of Jesus. Instead of wiping it off, David leaves the restroom. Minutes later, David’s assistant enters the bathroom and concludes that Jesus is crying. She then summons her mother to the bathroom,...

Here is video from "Fox News Watch" showing some clips of the late night comedians taking a few shots at Obama's vacation. (Watch Video)

Ron Morey gets into character for part of his routine during a comedy show put on by Steve Kennedy's Comics Ready to Entertain at the Combined Activities Center on Forward Operating Base Marez, Aug. 8. Photo by Christopher Kozloski, 3rd Brigade Combat Team. MOSUL — The Combined Activities Center on Forward Operating Base Marez turned into a comedy house when comedians brought the laughs to U.S. Soldiers here, Aug. 8. Scott Kennedy, founder of Scott Kennedy's Comics Ready to Entertain, brought Doug Warren, from the Bob and Tom comedy show, and Ron Morey, from the "Late, Late Show," with him...

There are undoubtedly people who have a more vivid memory of Will Farrell’s "Saturday Night Live" version of the "Axis of Evil" — the one in which Farrell, as President George W. Bush, denounced Iran, Iraq and "one of those Koreas" — than of the real thing from Bush's 2002 State of the Union address. A lot of comedians made a lot of fun of the "Axis of Evil" concept. But now, more than seven years later, it's looking pretty solid. This is what Bush said on the subject of Iran, Iraq and North Korea: States like these, and their...

Video at the link. Check out the latest Saturday Night Live skit: It seems as if comedians are still unable to find anything funny about President Obama, as apparently Obama's flaws are not yet clear. The main jokes feature Obama ripping Americans and President Bush. And, of course, Joe Biden. But seriously, what isn't funny about Joe Biden. Except the fact that he is somehow Vice President of the United States...

Punches were pulled during the campaign. Obama was the butt of only 58 jokes on five major late-night comedy shows - all of which are hosted by white men - in September, according to the latest figures compiled by the nonpartisan Center for Media and Culture. GOP vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin was the punch line 283 times, GOP presidential pick Sen. John McCain clocked in at 245, and even President Bush took 141 comedic blows. "Most people in entertainment tend to be more liberal or more Democratic-leaning. So of course, all the blows will be landing on the right,"...

In a Funny Way, Satirical Takes Can Color Perceptions of the Presidential Contenders The Onion newspaper jokingly dissects how Barack Obama calculates his every facial expression to convey the countenance of Inspirational Leadership. Jon Stewart jests that Obama strikes poses so evocative of the forefathers on our currency, he's not campaigning merely for president but rather is "running for coin." And comic Lewis Black kvetches during a recent Washington performance that Obama exudes such off-the-charts optimism in these trying times, "even his nipples are filled with hope!" Yes, nation, our sharpest satirists are ramping up. As they chip-chip-chip away at...

Jay Leno and David Letterman never run out of material when they are making fun of politicians, especially when it involves sex and hypocrisy. After years of beating up on Bill Clinton for his sexual indiscretions, the late-night comedians are spending equal time chortling about Republicans who have been caught with their pants down. Their latest target is Sen. David Vitter, a Louisiana Republican. Vitter is an easy target for those looking to play "pin the hypocrite tail on the elephant." He's a lector in his local Catholic Church and he has been associated with the Family Research Council, the...

…So, what should happen to someone who jokes about islam? The question was simple, the answer, direct: You joke about Islam, we will kill you. When asked, Jon Stewart had no comment. Bill Maher, who frequently ridicules Christianity, would not even acknowledge the question. What is the matter with these people? Are they frightened for their safety? Reluctant to offend? When did comedy begin shrinking from the offensive? Have we done this before with any other group? Are even the funny men succumbing to dhimmitude – submission to Muslim law in exchange for security and peace? So it would seem....

THERE’S NOTHING I like more than a Jewish joke. It’s the anti-Jewish ones I’m not so keen on. Wandering through the streets of Edinburgh during the world’s largest arts festival, you never know what sight or sound you will be bombarded with next. Half-naked men on 6ft stilts meander by, half-naked girls rush to sell you their show, troops of Japanese acrobats tumble past. But I wasn’t prepared for the verbal assault I got when I wandered into a comedy gig this week. There have always been anti- Semitic jokes. But you know times are changing when you go along...

Comedians Stop at Camp Speicher 101st Airborne Division soldiers enjoy two-hour show. By U.S. Army Spc. Cassandra Groce133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment TIKRIT, Iraq, July 31, 2006 -- When soldiers walk around with pistols attached to lanyards, they see a practical piece of equipment. For others though it is a comedic opportunity. “Is that a phone cord attached to your pistol? I mean, are you outside the wire in a firefight saying ‘Wait a minute, I lost signal,” asks stand-up comedian Dave Mishevitz. Mishevitz was one of five comedians to entertain 101st Airborne Division troops on the Comics on...

For some people, who they play golf with is more important than the morale of the U.S. troops who are trying to defend us from Arab terrorism. Opps - I’m sorry . . . We are not allowed to say “Arab” terrorism. In fact, even the term Islamic terrorism is a no-no with some. I mean, the Nazis, there weren’t just Germans. There were Arabs for example, who were Nazis. Kosovars who were Nazis, and such. And today, Iranians aren’t Arabs, but many are Islamic terrorists. And so, just as it would have been wrong to call it a war...

Reuters-Comedian Sasha Baron Cohen has escaped a near-riot at an American rodeo while filming his satirical Da Ali G Show.According to a report in the Roanoke (Virginia) Times, a man who was introduced as Boraq Sagdiyev from Kazakhstan-in reality a Cohen character named Borat-appeared at the rodeo over the weekend after organizers agreed to have him sing the national anthem.

How many Republicans does it take to fill up a comedy club? Twelve: One to concentrate on the show and 11 to fend off all the reporters asking them how it feels to be a Republican with a sense of humor. At least, that's what it looked like Monday night at the Laugh Factory in Times Square, where three conservative comics were promising an evening of GOP comedy. This sounded every bit as appealing as an evening of lefty comics promising an evening of Abu Ghraib thigh-slappers. Which perhaps explains the low turnout. But humor is - by definition -...

<p>Comedian Rodney Dangerfield was moved from a hospital's intensive care unit to a private room Friday as part of his continued recovery from brain surgery last week.</p> <p>His publicist, Kevin Sasaki, characterized the move as an indication that the 81-year-old star of "Easy Money" and "Back to School" was "out of the woods."</p>