TV Shows and Politics

In this course, we often talk about how the media- journalism, radio and TV news - affect politics and politicians. However, what about TV Shows, that is, fictional stories. Do these affect politics? When Obama was elected, I had this sneaking suspicion (and I'm sure I'm not that only one) that the show '24,' had something to do with it. For it's first 3(?) seasons, '24' featured a black president (who, by the way, would make a great president in the real world). How much do you think shows like '24' and 'The West Wing' affect the people who watch them? Do you think it alters their opinions on social and governmental issues? How much do you think it affects their views on real-life politics?