Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/scandals-gaffes-and-smear-ads-provide-humor-despite-serious-election-stakes Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Transcript Although parties have eyed this year's midterm elections with increasing sobriety, comedians and entertainers have found plenty to laugh at through the scandals, Sen. John Kerry's "botched joke" and the smear ads. Jeffrey Brown reports on the lighter side of the election. Read the Full Transcript Notice: Transcripts are machine and human generated and lightly edited for accuracy. They may contain errors. JEFFREY BROWN: Well, "next Tuesday" is finally upon us, the close of an election season that's seen more than its fair share of mudslinging, name- calling, and negative campaigning. “CAPITOL STEPS” PERFORMER: … got to get set for the fall elections. Will we change course? Will we stay the same? JEFFREY BROWN: But for the nation's comedy writers on stage and screen, all the negatives added up to a net positive. “CAPITOL STEPS” PERFORMER: Democrats wish they had some direction; Republicans hope they can spread the blame. JEFFREY BROWN: The Washington-based "Capitol Steps" satirical revue has spent the last 25 years mining the political mud for comedic gold. “CAPITOL STEPS” PERFORMER: He is George Allen. He's from Virginia. Though he has California roots, he likes wearing cowboy boots. “CAPITOL STEPS” PERFORMER: To my shock-a, I said "macaca," and now I have stepped in some ca-ca.