Sen. Bernie Sanders likes to kvetch about the corporate media and its “celebrity” approach to covering politics — all drama and no substance.

Well, on Friday night Sanders took his case to Hollywood appearing on “Real Time” with comedian Bill Maher. Vermont’s junior senator was part of an in-studio panel that included actors Martin Short and Ben Affleck.

Sanders’ socialist leanings brought up more than once — Short noting that being from Canada he’s no stranger to socialism. Maher even flat out asked Sanders. “You’re a socialist, how’d you get elected in America?”

To which Sanders replied, “The people of Vermont are pretty smart.”

Sanders talked about, what else, income disparity, corporate-controlled media and the need for progressive policies and one that puts people — not corporations — at its focus. The latter point received the most sustained applause of Sanders’ remarks.

Sanders, and the panel, also took Sen. John McCain to task for recent robo-calls linking Sen. Barack Obama to former Weather Underground member William Ayers.

“I know that this is a comedy show, but you know what? That ain’t funny.  It’s pathetic,” said Sanders. “If Obama wins there are millions of people who will believe there is be a terrorist in the White House. What these guys are doing now is dividing this country — in a horrendous way.” 

To view several show segments, visit this site.

McCain often invokes Sanders’ name in vain — falsely alleging that Obama has a more liberal voting record than Sanders, a “socialist.”

As he appeared on “Real Time” Sanders’ socialist leanings and patriotism were critiqued on “Hardball” with Chris Matthews.

The discussion followed controversial comments of Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN), who told Matthews that the Obamas held “anti-American” views. She then argued that the media should investigate select members of Congress to "find out if they are pro-America or anti-America.”

After Bachmann’s eerie tirade, Matthews brought on Nation editor Katrina vanden Heuvel and conservative pundit Pat Buchanan to parse her claims. Are there anti-American liberals in Congress? Buchanan said no.

“You’ve got a socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders, who is a left-wing individual. He’s not anti-American,” said Buchanan.

From Pat’s mouth to god’s ear, my friends.