I have noticed that shows I watch (I'm 15) make comments on both political sides. I have wondered what is the true bias of each one.

For each show, tell whether it is right, left, or center, and prove why. This can mean showing that the writers are one of these, evidence that the shows make more jokes against one side or the other, or they make especially attacking jokes. If you don't watch the show, you don't have to answer the question.

Also, if there is another popular show you want to bring up, you may (I don't know if this is against the Rules or something , whatever).

Questions:
What is the political bias of The Simpsons?

What is the political bias of Seinfeld?

What is the political bias of Family Guy?

Extra:
What is the political bias of MAD magazine? (I know this isn't a show...)

I hope this won't get closed...

I haven't see a single second of the three television shows you list, so I can't comment. However, I was a fanatical reader of Mad for many years. (In fact, I own a set of CD ROM's that has every issue of Mad from the very first one, back when it was still a comic book in the 1950's, up to the late 1990's. I have read every single page of it, so I can speak with some authority -- if being an expert in trash makes me an authority. )

Totally MAD CD ROM Set

Anyway, it's fairly clear that the Usual Gang of Idiots was willing to make fun of anybody. I can remember when they ran two great articles with titles something like "MAD Interviews the Conservative of the Year" and "MAD Interviews the Liberal of the Year." Both sides were mercilessly mocked. Of course, much of Mad had nothing to do with politics, from the insane slapstick of Don Martin to the spoofs of popular movies and TV shows. Overall, I would have to say that the political philosophy of Mad was strongly libertarian and moderately liberal. Certainly they were anti-Communist ("Spy Vs. Spy" creator Antonio Prohias having escaped Castro's Cuba.) Socially, they were pretty moderate, being somewhat iffy on feminism and gay rights, and strongly against drug abuse and smoking.

Here's an interesting article from a Christian point of view:

The MAD Morality

Great link to the MAD article, Victoria. How interesting and even more so, since the piece was written in 1967. It is fun to have a peek into how some christians viewed the "hippies" and all the 1960s turmoil.

The only show that I am familiar with in the list would be Simpsons, and to be honest, I couldn't say what kind of a bias it has. It is just plain funny. I agree with Victoria's assessment of MAD's bias.

One show that I would throw out there is the DEAD ZONE. I love that show, but it does have a decidedly liberal bias. It portrays the moral majority (with Rev. Purdy at the helm) as pretty bad and in line with this Congressman (forget his name) who Johnny foresees as starting the apocalypse.

Another show that I would throw out there would be Touched by an Angel. Ostensibly it is very pro religion (angels fix things in people's lives)-- but many fundamentalist christians reject the show as being based in the universalist church which believes that there are many paths to God.

I would say family guy and the Simpsons, and also, Futurama are pretty much equal opportunity satirists- but as with all claims of "bias"- you have to see what (or who) is in power at the time of the show- Bill Clinton was skewered as much as any other president on SNL- and was funny at the time- Will Farrel did the best GW I have seen, and is truly hilarious- and Dana Carvey is reknowned for his GH impression. Each were on TV while that person was in power.

We have had 2 decades plus change of conservative ideological rule in this country- so we have 2 decades of writing about those in power- which happens to be conservative idealists at this time. If it were liberal ideologists in power at the zenith of these shows - then the target would be those in power.

To me- this is the inherint weakness of the "bias" argument- you are biased to report, make fun of, whatever, those that currently hold the upper hand- so my answer would be "they are biased against whomever is in the seat of power at this time".

I'll start with the programs mentioned in the first post:

What is the political bias of The Simpsons? I would say that, overall, it's equal opportunity satire, though it does seem to have a slight liberal bias on a lot of issues.

What is the political bias of Seinfeld? I probably haven't seen enough of this show to really judge, but the few episodes I have seen glorified a bunch of self-involved characters who didn't seem to care much about anyone or anything that extended beyond their own immediate gratification. So, I'd say... conservative bias.

What is the political bias of Family Guy? There's a bit of bashing of both sides, but in general it has a distinct liberal bent.


Then the couple that have been added:

What is the political bias of Dead Zone? I've never seen it.

What is the political bias of Touched By an Angel? It has a Christian religious bias, which is neither conservative nor liberal.

What is the political bias of Futurama? I would say that, overall, it's equal opportunity satire, though it does seem to have a slight conservative bias on some issues.

What is the political bias of Saturday Night Live? This show has an anti-humor bias.


And I'll add one of my own:

What is the political bias of American Dad?

What is the political bias of Seinfeld? Sienfeld is middle of the road

adding a few
What is the political bias of NCIS? hard to the right
What is the political bias of COPS? hard to the right
What is the political bias of JAG? hard to the right
What is the political bias of CSI? hard to the right
What is the political bias of Alias? to the right
What is the political bias of 24? extra hard to the right
What is the political bias of trump? mild to the right
What is the political bias of Americasa most wanted? hard to the right
What is the political bias of 60 minutes? parts to the far left

I thought sienfeld took a good look at self absorbtion- so definately conservative- except the episode with Goerge and Jerry being "outed"-

"hey, I am not gay- not that there is anything wrong with it" LOL

Kind of a soft left statement- not that there is anything wrong with that though

I also thought that "The Practice" was quite a bit left. Then again, it would not be realistic to have a show about a bunch of defense attorneys that promoted conservatism.

Antiques Roadshow on PBS, can you get any more conservative? Sorry, couldn't resist.

The original shows listed I really couldn't find a bias. Here's a few that I watch.

King of Queens - Arguably left, blue collar focus and whatnot.
Frasier - A little of both actually.
Alias - Right, definitely
Jon Stewart - Left, but irreverent to all politicos
Bill Maher - Left, duh

The Simpsons is definately has equal opportunity humor. One of my favorite episodes is the parody of the USA Patriot Act. "The Ronald Reagan Re-education Center" and "Elmo went to wrong funraiser"...classic. And they get on Bill Clinton an awful lot as well. Another great scene was an episode after the 04 Election where Kent Brockman was presenting all the other news channels...Here comes Foxnews (A huge bus with a Bush/Cheney 04 banner rolls in blasting "We are the Champions" by Queen)

Family Guy doesn't do much political humor but when it does...it's mostly of those in power. Clinton, Gore, And GW Bush get a lot of great gags.

Seinfeld doesnt have a bias in my opinion. Its just a show...a show about nothing.

I would say left.
Two reasons:
1. Seth McFarlane (I probably spelled it wrong) created it and Family Guy, which you said is left, so I'm guessing American Dad is left as well.

2. It seems to show a very crisp, very conservative person, and they make fun of him.