Stephen Colbert, 48, is like Mary Poppins with that spoonful of sugar, mixing lessons about American politics with nonstop jokes. During the election, the faux-conservative host of The Colbert Report orchestrated a relentless send-up of super PACs, forming his own to illustrate the dangers of funneling unlimited anonymous funds into elections. It’s a prime example of how Colbert uses his wit and magnetism to bring dry but important information to the masses. With his show appearing in living rooms nightly, Colbert uses satire to more effect than perhaps any other American.