Is punning with homophonic kanji common?

Question

I recently discovered that the mascot for テレビ[塔]{とう} is テレビ[父]{とう}さん.

Answering whether this was a deliberate pun is probably impossible, but I'd like to know, in general, is it common to replace one kanji with a homophonic kanji for the purposes of punning?

Answer 1

I think it's pretty common, although not necessarily punning so much as just a play-on-words. I can't remember but a couple right now. I'll edit in more later if I remember them.

• 委員会【いいんかい】の許可を得た。びっくりして「いいんかい？」と答えた。　→　I got the committee's permission. Surprised, I responded "(Is it) Really (OK)?".
• A major station I used to frequent had a nearby building called "Sun Plaza" written as さんぷら座, as seen here on Google street view: 京阪線枚方市駅