Satire is no laughing matter

Controversy erupted this week over a satirical New Yorker magazine cover depicting Barack Obama and his wife dressed as terrorists.

But questions about satire and politics have played Minnesota for months, as the humorous writings of U.S. Senate candidate Al Franken have been put under the microscope.

MPR's Cathy Wurzer talked with Morning Edition arts commentator and St. Paul Pioneer Press theater critic Dominic Papatola about what satire is, and when it goes too far.

Broadcast Dates

• Morning Edition, 07/17/2008, 8:24 a.m.