TV Comedy Shows Gaining Political Influence

More than 20 percent of 18-29 year olds say they get their campaign news from comedy shows like "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" and "Saturday Night Live," according to a new Pew survey. The study also found that fewer Americans are relying on traditional news sources such as broadcast news shows and daily newspapers for election coverage, and instead are turning to the Internet, cable television, and late-night comedy programs.

The result is a more entertained, but ultimately less informed electorate; only a small percentage of people who say they regularly learn about the campaign from entertainment programs, for example, were able to correctly identify Wesley Clark as the candidate who served as an Army general and Richard Gephardt as the candidate who had been House majority leader.
• Related: Late-Night Comedy, Election 2004, Quirky News