One of the hardest things to appreciate is how daring Laugh-In was. The were pushing the envelope of what was politically acceptable pretty hard for their time. Which in a way shows how come things haven't changed, since the most cutting and intelligent political commentary on TV today is on Comedy Central. 

That seems to me like a push/pull situation that will never be gone. In some ways we are very open in broadcast discussion nowadays, but in other ways... Shees!
People are still so sensitive in the most ridiculous ways. Just look at all the silly ways people are offended nowadays.

'Twas ever thus.

"There is a lot of money tied up in this film and people expect to hear a boom when something blows up, so I'll give them a boom."

George Lucas as quoted by Harlan Ellison's WATCHING