The huge buzz around Ledger's performance as the Joker last year stemmed from his update ofthe iconic character played by camp comedian Cesar Romero and as a hateful clown by Jack Nicholson.
Murphy was supposed to host the Oscars last year and it might have marked something of a comeback for thecomedian but he backed out at close to the last minute giving Bill Crystal his 9th opportunity to host the show.
Several ofthe super PAC knockoffs were inspired by comedian Stephen Colbert, who created a buzz last year when he founded the Americans for a Better Tomorrow, Tomorrow super PAC to mock the Supreme Court's decision and what Mr. Colbert contends is its invitation for big money to play an even bigger role in politics.
Known as the "clown prince" of Italian politics, Beppe Grillo is a 64-year-old comedian turned politician whose Five Star Movement (M5S) is winning the hearts and minds of Italians fed up with mainstream parties.