The Impact of Late Night Shows on Voter Behavior: A Focus on Political Humor and Its Effectiveness
Political humor, in the form of late-night shows such as Seth Meyers, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, and the satirical The Daily Show with Trevor Noah and Silver Linings Playbook with John Oliver, plays a significant role in shaping voter behavior. Understanding the effectiveness of these shows is crucial for both political strategists and the general public.
Target Audience: Non-Clinton-Envelope-Opening
When examining the impact of these late-night shows, it is important to recognize that their primary audience is not Trump supporters. Rather, the Jon Stewart and John Oliver types—indeed, the non-Trump voters—are the ones who find amusement in the political critiques offered by these shows. As Seth Meyers and Jimmy Kimmel often make light of Trump's antics and policies, they serve to encourage non-Trump voters to engage actively in the electoral process.
Comedy as a Surgical Tool
These late-night shows are not designed to cross the so-called ‘divide’ and convert Trump supporters to another viewpoint. Instead, their primary function is to highlight the perceived absurdity and inadequacy of Trump’s policies and rhetoric through humor. This approach is particularly effective with young and swing voters who are more likely to be influenced by what their peers and influencers say about political issues. For instance, platforms like MTV, Comedy Central, and social media networks such as Twitter and Facebook are powerful in mobilizing the left-leaning youth and swing voters.
Social and Political Context: Beyond the Partisan Divide
The political landscape in the United States is often characterized by a stark divide between opposing parties. This polarization makes it exceedingly difficult to change minds through conventional means. Thus, the only effective strategy for both sides is to maximize their own voter turnout. As comedian Ted Chiang once said, “You don’t need to win every argument. You just need to be right more often than the other side.”
Historical elections demonstrate this point well. While Mitt Romney garnered more votes in 2012 than John McCain, it was Barack Obama who secured a higher turnout, leading to his victory. Similarly, Donald Trump won twice, but Bush only achieved this through a significant voter turnout for the incumbent party. Therefore, the critical factor in determining the outcome of an election is not just the number of converts but the number of actual votes cast.
Effective Strategy: Mobilizing the Base
The late-night shows do not need to convince Trump supporters to switch sides. Rather, their main goal is to convince an adequate number of moderates and those on the fringes to make sure that Trump achieves 269 or fewer electoral votes on election day. Given that Donald Trump supports are a minority of the population, this is a feasible goal. However, as the Republican party learned in recent elections, early and sustained efforts are necessary to effect change in voter behavior.
These late-night comedy programs do not change minds through sheer force of quips and jokes; instead, they mobilize a more engaged electorate. Late-night humor is thus a powerful tool for political strategists looking to increase voter turnout among key demographics. By maintaining a consistent and humorous critique of political figures, these shows ensure that non-Trump voters remain committed to the electoral process.
Ultimately, the effectiveness of these late-night shows lies in their ability to awaken the consciences of young and swing voters, encouraging them to participate actively in politics through humor and witty commentary. In an era where political divides are deepening, late-night comedy serves as a crucial, if not always acknowledged, player in the electoral game.