Jewish comedian Mort Sahl was gifted at offending politicians

(JTA) - Mort Sahl, a Jewish satirist who was credited with making caustic political and social satire popular in stand-up comedy, died Tuesday at 94.

Often walking on stage holding just a rolled up newspaper, Sahl liked to riff on the headlines of the day in extended improvised monologues. At a time when comedians tended to steer clear of politics, Sahl took aim at politicians and was known to end his sets with the line: "Are there any groups I haven't offended?"

Steve Allen, the first host of "The Tonight Show," once introduced Sahl as "probably the only real political philosopher we have in...