If you are a Donald Trump supporter who suspects your guy is being picked on, you are right.
At least he's getting lambasted three times as much as Hillary Clinton in the late-night comedy arena, according to the Center for Media and Public Affairs at George Mason University.
The Associated Press reports that the center counted the punch lines and "in every election year since 1992, the Republican candidate was mocked more by comedians than the Democrat."
And Republicans maintained that laughable status even though Bill Clinton was the No. 1 butt of political jokes during the past 24 years.
For the Donald vs. Hillary tally, the center looked at the repertoire of late night comedians Trevor Noah (The Daily Show, Comedy Central); Jimmy Fallon (The Tonight Show, NBC); Jimmy Kimmel (Jimmy Kimmel Live!, ABC); and Stephen Colbert (The Late Show, CBS).
AP TV writer David Bauder asked Noah about the facile tendency to jump on Trump.
"Comedians are generally progressive," Noah said. "It is very rare that you will find it skewing the other way."
He added that conservatives "are the easiest people to poke fun at because they are essentially really steadfast in their ways, and even if their ways seem ridiculous, they're going to stand by them."
Conservatives are quick to point out what they perceive as a liberal bias in the media, and that extends to late night and the joke writers in the back room.
In its tally between 1992 and 2012, the center found Republicans were zinged in 5,944 late-night jokes and Democrats 3,298.
Center director Robert Lichter noted the margin was sure to widen this year. From September through April, Trump took it on the chin 1,105 times, while Clinton had only 315 jokes directed at her.
The 1996 campaign between Bob Dole and Bill Clinton was the closest in the joke department. A total of 839 jokes were heaped on Dole; Clinton had 657.
Who has gotten off the lightest? Lichter said, "Obama had by far the best treatment by late-night comics of any presidential candidate we've examined going back to 1992 -- and that's quantifiable."
Lichter is the co-author of a book on political humor. Politics Is a Joke!: How TV Comedians Are Remaking Political Life looks at whether late-night comics have the ability to influence the way we think about politics and politicians.
The book concludes that late night comedy plays "a crucial role in our political universe." I'm not certain how "crucial" the role is, but it certainly is usually entertaining, but frequently silly.
Sample Fallon humor:
"A Donald Trump rally was delayed for nearly two hours yesterday due to fog. At one point the fog was so thick, Trump supporters couldn't even see who they were punching."
"The Democratic Convention began last night. There were several big moments, and by the end, everyone was chanting 'I'm With Her!' Unfortunately for Hillary, they were talking about Michelle Obama."
"It was so hot, Hillary met with some Bernie supporters just for the chilly reception."
"Hillary was actually campaigning in Las Vegas today. Which is crazy, 'cuz usually when Hillary gambles, it involves national security."
"Donald Trump's campaign manager Paul Manafort said today that Melania's speech was similar to Michelle Obama's because they must feel the same way about their families. Then Melania said, 'Yes, especially my daughters, Sasha and Malia.'"
"The only thing more confusing than Pokemon Go is the Republican National Convention, which is underway in Cleveland. They say there haven't been this many white people at the Quicken Loans Arena since the night they double-booked Jimmy Buffett and Kenny G."
"The L.A. Times just revealed that Bill Clinton has demanded private jets to get to speaking engagements. In their defense, Bill and Hillary need private jets 'cuz they're the only planes that can fit ALL of their baggage."
"Hillary gave this speech about Trump yesterday and said, quote, 'He's written a lot of books about business, but they all seem to end at Chapter 11.'"
"Congrats to Chelsea Clinton, who welcomed her second child over the weekend. After the birth, Bill brought flowers, while Hillary brought a focus group to help name the baby."
Those jokes are hit or miss. Sadly, the real genius at this genre, Jon Stewart, has retired from the nightly fray.
The TV Column appears Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. Email:
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Style on 08/09/2016