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Comedy Shows No Joke for Prez Candidates

110 appearances 4 times higher than candidates last election

By Ambreen Ali,  Newser User

Posted Dec 29, 2008 5:04 AM CST

(Newser) – This year's presidential candidates made a record 110 late-night comedy show appearances, underlying the programs' importance in the race, AP reports. Half of the appearances occurred during the primaries, when the pack of candidates were vying for precious face-time with voters. Candidates came to prefer the banter—the best of which won endless repeats online—to grueling press corps questions, and savored the chance to woo the late-night demographic.

"It's a lot more risky, as Sarah Palin will attest, to interview with Katie Couric than it is with Jay Leno," a campaign strategist pointed out. John McCain led the pack with 17 appearances, but his most famous interview was the one he didn't give. At a crucial time, David Letterman harped about McCain's last-minute cancellation and reminded voters of his embarrassing campaign suspension. "The road to the White House runs through me," he warned.

Tina Fey plays Governor Sarah Palin, and Amy Poehler plays Senator Hillary Clinton on Saturday Night Live in September.
Tina Fey plays Governor Sarah Palin, and Amy Poehler plays Senator Hillary Clinton on "Saturday Night Live" in September.   (AP Photo/Dana Edelson, NBCU Photo Bank)
John McCain finally quieted Letterman by appearing on his show Oct. 16, but Letterman had already done significant damage to the Republican ticket.
John McCain finally quieted Letterman by appearing on his show Oct. 16, but Letterman had already done significant damage to the Republican ticket.   (AP Photo/CBS, J.P. Filo)
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Sarah Palin went on "Saturday Night Live" after being the butt of many of the show's jokes.   (hulu.com)

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