Quote Originally Posted by Evil_Maniac From Mars View Post
The problem is when people take comedy seriously as their source of opinion on politics.
Using it as a primary source is perhaps a bit off, but comedy has always been one of the leading methods for criticizing those in power, particularly in the area of politics. This is well-recorded going all the way back to ancient Rome and Greece and I personally suspect that it's as old as language itself. Mockery and exaggeration are excellent methods to make undermine someone's position and credibility. Nothing is more degrading to a position than public humiliation. That's why Mel Brooks thinks that the best revenge on Hitler is to simply laugh at him and make him a joke. That's why the history books are replete with hapless 'satirists' being executed for making a dig at the local regent. It's no coincidence that court jesters gained a reputation for being some of the few people who could openly criticize the King.

TDS is just a modern version of this old tried and true system. Yes, it is comedy, but it is also serious political commentary. The two are not mutually exclusive.