New research shows that there is still broad audience appeal for gentler political television comedy.

In today’s politically polarized environment, late night political comedy is often caustic and personal when aimed at elected officials. But do older and more gentle forms of political comedy still appeal to modern audiences? With this question in mind, Brian Calfano and Lori Han tested a series of political jokes with survey audiences. Those surveyed responded most favorably to Johnny Carson’s style of political humor of the 1970s, compared to modern day ‘Late Night’ humor.