1. [Update: Some have cast doubts on the Judicial Watch story summarized below. Reason magazine has a summary of the controversy and a report of their own interview of Laugh Factory owner Jamie Masada, who stands by his claim about receiving the call described below, but some details differ from what was described in the Judicial Watch report.]*

Hillary Clinton and her campaign may* have done something they may very well regret. According to a report from Judicial Watch, they tried to force the fabled Laugh Factory comedy club in Los Angeles to take down a video from their website that pokes fun at her and her husband’s assorted scandals. The campaign even demanded owner Jamie Masada turn over the contact information of the comedians involved in the montage. Masada refused.

“They threatened me,” Masada told Judicial Watch, “I have received complaints before, but never a call like this, threatening to put me out of business if I don’t cut the video.” Ironically, the video is called “Hillary Clinton vs. The First Amendment.” You can read the full story, and see the routines in question here: (Warning: The video contains inappropriate language and situations.)

In addition to the potential damage it can pose to her campaign to be seen as a thin-skinned opponent of free speech willing to shut down businesses that don’t do her bidding, the move could create another problem for Clinton: She went after comedians, the Mecca of comedy, and a beloved entertainment kingmaker. Masada and the Laugh Factory hosted and helped many of Hollywood’s giants in their hungry days: names like Leno, Seinfeld, Ellen, Roseanne and countless more. Is her Tinseltown fundraising going to take a hit? Larry David is already playing Bernie Sanders on SNL. Will his high-income peers start sending checks the Senator’s way?

Even more interesting to see will be the reaction from the tight-knit comedy community. As news director for All Comedy Radio in West Hollywood, straight down Sunset Blvd from the Laugh Factory, I worked with and witnessed stand-ups and comedy writers on a daily basis. I know the reverence held for Jamie Masada and, for better or worse, I share the unique comedy mindset. I can attest: Stand-up comedians are bound to react in a manner Hillary won’t like.

Whether one calls it a healthy desire to speak truth to power or a juvenile reaction to authority, they may well declare open season on Hillary, regardless of political leanings. “You thought that routine was bad, check out this!” “You don’t like being made fun of? Guess I’ll have to make fun of you in my set.” “You’re going after those comedians? You’re going have to go through me too!”

For the Clinton campaign, the possibility of the nation’s comedians taking aim at her because they are convinced* she took aim at one of their leaders is no laughing matter.

* Note: Updated material/revised language in italics preceding asterisks.