Republican Sex Perverts (Sen. Larry Craig, part 4)

Okay, here's more on the Larry Criag scandal from the satirists who work the late-night stand-up realm. Satire needs a target for its derision, and the mocking is intended, then, to have a bit of meanness to it.

The coverage here quickly sets aside any attempt at tragedy, and instead reinforces some genralized tension around the issue of gay sex anywhere. Thus, it contributes to a certain cultural imposition of ideology.

In critical thought, "hegemony" is a useful term for understanding and defining the way ideological boundaries around sexuality and acceptable behavior are inscribed by the ruling classes through culture and media.

Interestingly, this montage, which largely could be taken as lighthearted entertainment, ends with commentary on how the scandal affects the Republican "brand," a very pragmatic and serious political concern. Thus, the derisive satirical laughter in the cultural milleau has more than lighthearted significance. - MF