Are we just watching?

Here's a question nobody ever asks.  How much influence do writers of sitcoms having on our morals and mores? We know that they can have positive influence as in such shows as Will and Grace, which have resulted in more tolerance and understand of gays. All in the Family put bigotry in the spotlight. But do some of these entertainment shows affect us negatively? For instance Chuck Lorre is responsible for many hit shows, including Grace Under Fire, Cybill, Dhama and Greg, Two and a Half Men, The Big Bang Theory, Mike and Molly, and Mom. Does this give him a significant sway over the way we think. While I am not familiar with all these shows, the ones I do know are often incredibly vulgar. Mr. Lorre is a person deeply amused with bodily functions and bathroom humor and brings his obsession to these shows. Does that then create a more accepting society of subjects that were once considered too crude to discuss? Does Mr. Lorre imbue us with his view of the world having so much of our time and attention.  In short do we just watch show after show, amused and sometimes enlightened without ever considering that these comedy writers may have just as much effect on our way of thinking as our teachers and news reporters.  Just asking.