Basically it's just like how when I'm programming I do a lot of flailing about in the air with my hands and laughing maniacally, because I saw it once in a movie.
Sort of? It reads more about how television reflects (on) Politics when Politicians are involved in the making of it.
I don't think they are suggesting anything on the other direction of travel.
Are the editors becoming aware of how today's liberals are anything but leftists? Probably not. They're actually talking about director Robert Altman's and writer Garry Trudeau's characters as played decades ago. Because that's what both of them wanted then. And it's safe. And not because that's a useful analogy, but because it's news filler.
Aside: I really do miss Bob Dole, mentioned in the article. And I wasn't generally a Dole supporter. He was sarcastic as all heck - very funny. Only outdone more recently by Al Franken.