This study offered a closer look at the themes of these jokes, revealing numerous specific barbs against candidate image and issues as well as mockery of the debates themselves.

Josh Compton

Late night television comedy—including Jay Leno’s The Tonight Show, The Late Show with David Letterman, and Late Night with Conan O’Brien—has become increasingly political and potentially influential. Following notable speeches or campaign events, including the presidential debates, late night comics engage in a unique form of political punditry that may affect how viewers conceptualize politics, candidates, and campaign events. This project offers a textual analysis of 159 monologue jokes about the 2004 presidential and vice-presidential debates told by Jay Leno, David Letterman and Conan O’Brien from September 13, 2004 through November 2, 2004, highlighting themes and exploring implications on viewers’ perceptions. Finally, implications for humorous treatment of political candidates and activities are offered.

Compton, J. (2005, April). Political punditry in punchlines: Late night comics’ treatments of presidential debates [paper presentation]. Midwest Political Science Association, Chicago, IL, United States.