Liberal Economics Political Debating Forum

Satire has been a primary mode in which political criticism is delivered.  In the US, political satire can be traced back famous people like Benjamin Franklin. Here are some of the top  political satirists in the US.

Mort Sahl

In his trademark V-neck sweater, with the day’s newspaper tucked beneath his arm, Mort Sahl revolutionized the world of stand-up comedy beginning in the Cold War with a fresh combination of political awareness, fearless criticism of the government, and a willingness to draw on personal experience. His involvement with John F. Kennedy and deep attraction with his assassination nearly cost him his career. But Sahl enjoyed a resurgence during Watergate and continues to make appearances on TV.

Lenny Bruce

Bruce drew national attention in the 1950s and ’60s with his daring style of satire, in which he probed forbidden subjects such as racial fears, sexual fantasies, Jewish-Christian tensions and presidents and used “dirty words.” Being an innovator and defender of free and protected speech made for a difficult life, as he was charged with obscenity multiple times. Nightclubs started to refuse his act to avoid police trouble. Bruce died of a drug overdose in 1966 at age 40.

George Carlin

George Carlin started in the ’60s as something of a traditional stand-up comedian. But around 1970, he swapped his suit and tie for jeans and a T-shirt and let his hair grow. His anti-war, anti-establishment persona did not play well at first, but Carlin quite simply expanded free speech in this country — and not just via the case of the “Seven Dirty Words.” Everything from religion to politics to motherhood to baseball came in for equal ribald treatment.

Smothers Brothers

While going up against “Bonanza,” “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour” (1967-69) became one of the most influential and controversial TV programs of the Vietnam War era, due to being politically left. Material that was critical of the political mainstream and supportive of the counterculture/drug-using life-style led to censorship and ultimately the show’s cancellation by CBS.

Pat Paulsen

Paulsen, a deadpan comedian on the “Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour,” ran for president in 1968, 1972, 1980, 1988, 1992 and 1996. While his candidature was more for comedic than political purposes, he did generate some protest votes. Paulsen died in 1997.

Saturday Night Live

After the Smothers Brothers, and before cable really took off, the cast of “Saturday Night Live” and the show’s fake-news “Weekend Update” segment best filled the satirical void on TV. Fittingly, George Carlin hosted the first show, in 1975. With Tina Fey’s impersonation of Sarah Palin, and Hillary Clinton referencing an “SNL” skit about her debates with Barack Obama, the show enjoyed renewed attention during the 2008 presidential race. Some critics say the show is more parody than satire, though.

Mark Russel

The Washington-based Russell has done comedy specials on PBS since 1975. The shows, with an old-timey feel, are a mix of political stand-up comedy covering current events and musical parodies, in which Russell accompanies himself on the piano.

Bill Maher

Maher gained fame as the host of “Politically Incorrect” from 1994-2002, on Comedy Central and then ABC. Maher is not one to pull punches, and ABC declined to renew his contract after he said that the 9/11 terrorists were not cowards and that U.S. servicepeople were cowards for lobbing bombs from miles away. Since 2003, he has hosted “Real Time with Bill Maher” on HBO. He calls himself as a libertarian but also has been tagged as a liberal. Maher is known as a critic of organized religion and in 2008 wrote and starred in the comedy/documentary “Religulous.”

John Stewart

Since 1999, Stewart has hosted Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show,” which, though touted as a “fake news program,” has gained a reputation as a primary news source among younger people (18-34). In the process, Stewart himself has become one of the most trusted voices in America. Presidential candidates, including Barack Obama, have been among Stewart’s guests, making the show one that viewers and politicians cannot brush off. In 2003, Sen. John Edwards announced his run for the White House on the program, making him the first presidential candidate to launch a campaign on a TV comedy show. The Emmy-winning show also won Peabody Awards for its 2000 and 2004 election coverage. Stewart most recently drew headlines for his criticism of financial network CNBC and TV host Jim Cramer for their coverage before the stock market crash of fall 2008.

Stephen Colbert

Colbert, an alumnus of Jon Stewart’s show, adopts the persona of a blowhard Republican commentator (a la Bill O’Reilly) on his own Comedy Central show, “The Colbert Report.” (The t’s are silent in both words.) His over-the-top act in turn skewers the very conservatives he purports to defend. Colbert is a winner of multiple Peabody Awards.

Lewis Black

“Daily Show” contributor and Comedy Central and HBO performing artist Lewis Black is known for his trademark rants. He once described his humor as “being on the Titanic every single day and being the only person who knows what is going to happen.” His 2006 Carnegie Hall performance CD won the Grammy for best comedy album.

The rich heritage of political satire continues in the US today, thanks to the flourishing popularity of shows like The Daily Show and The Colbert Report.