Critics love David Letterman. They love him because he’s mean and liberal and does everything they demand: further the leftist agenda through the brutal use of humiliation to target any public figure (or their child) who might derail Leftist causes.
And contrary to conventional wisdom, Letterman’s not edgy. In fact, he’s just the opposite. Doing exactly what those who can criticize you want you to do is not edgy. Kissing the big Manhattan/Los Angeles bi-coastal [rear] of the elite is not edgy. He’s their jester; their puppet. Worse, he’s about as funny as watching your old, half-deaf Uncle intimidate, humiliate and demean your Aunt and then smile at the rest of the family as though he’s just reaffirmed his manhood. Letterman reminds me of the Jason Robards character in “Parenthood” in more ways than you can imagine. In other words, he’s a jerk, but in a sad end-of-his-life kind of way.
Oh, and how the elite critics resented nice ole’ Jay Leno for cleaning Letterman’s ratings’ clock all those years. And now that Jay’s back eating up primetime, they couldn’t wait to jump all over him with sniffing disapproval fed through a filter of wrist-flicking dismissal.
After exactly one show the knives came out:
Story Continues Below Ad ↓L.A. Times: “Sixteen minutes into the new ‘The Jay Leno Show’ it was difficult not to panic. This is the future of television? This wasn’t even a good rendition of television past.”
New York Times: “So much ink has been devoted to describing how Mr. Leno’s new show would depart from his old one that it was startling to see how little difference there was.”
NPR: [N]o one expected Leno to reinvent the wheel. It’s just that after so many years on the job, you’d expect he’d make a better one.
(For those of you unfamiliar with these organizations, the first two once had a reputation for doggedly pursuing news stories and holding the powerful accountable. As far as what they do now, other than perfecting the art of thinning their publications to the edge of not disappearing, no one really knows … as far as NPR, they’ve always sucked.)
Good heavens, the L.A. Times was ready to panic after only sixteen minutes. Panic! And did anyone’s irony-alert go off when NPR criticized someone else for not reinventing the wheel? I’m surprised their review wasn’t interrupted by a twenty-minute pledge drive promising a butt-ugly tote bag and a CD of “Neil Sedaka Goes Cajun” for Premium Members.
Jay Leno scored 18 million viewers yesterday. Letterman draws around 4 million on a good night. If you like your television personalities too cool for school that’s got to be troubling – if you prefer those with a hold on the popular culture five nights a week not parade around with a United States flag (unless it’s on fire), today you’ve got to be a little frustrated. First ACORN, now this... What’s happening to my Amerika?!?!
Even worse, those five hours Jay’s eating up could’ve otherwise been used to trash Christians and Republicans on “Law & Order: God We Love Obama.”
You have to wonder if it will ever happen… If the coastal critics and their ilk will ever figure out that today they are the establishment … they are The Man … and that the only real accomplishment of the cruel little needy Letterman who bounces at the end of their string is tarnishing a long history of sell outs.
You want to be edgy in the entertainment business today? Be polite and keep the politics as across the board as possible. Walk on stage with the “edgy” goal of wanting to entertain and take away from their daily frustrations as many people as possible.
Jay Leno’s the new edgy, the new ballsy…
And that lapel flag makes him a downright iconoclast.
I didn’t see his show, but I’m pulling for him because all the right people are not.
Originally published on September 15, 2009 at Big Hollywood.
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Comments Policy
Maybe it's just me, but I
September 16, 2009 - 16:28 ET by ThisnThatMaybe it's just me, but I quit watching the whole bunch after Johnny Carson retired. He's the best. Classy. Funny. Professional. No one else comes close.
___________________________________
"Tax the rich" is a basically unstable way of governing - The NYT
TnT... Ditto. You
September 16, 2009 - 16:42 ET by bigtimerTnT...
Ditto.
You aren't alone.
'Go Green...Recycle Congress'
Amen
September 16, 2009 - 20:00 ET by Iowa Boy"Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain." Official Motto of the State of Iowa
Leno?
September 16, 2009 - 16:35 ET by slickwillie2001"Be polite and keep the politics as across the board as possible."
You have to be kidding. Leno is still telling Bush/Cheney jokes. When sex and politics is the topic he reaches deep and comes up with –David Vitter, who most folks have long forgotten. Letterman is a zero, but Leno is little better. If you want to sell Leno as edgy, let's hear some Bamster jokes. There's a gold mine of comedy material in the Bamster and his White House and Leno is as terrified to go there as anyone.
The only thing he has that Letterman lacks is some personality.
I give Leno's show eight weeks.
Agree Leno slams on Bush mean
September 17, 2009 - 12:19 ET by MaximusBraveheartLeno was very mean spirited to Bush. You could see he really thinks Bush is truely dumb as a rock. They believe their own MSM & TV show smears. When he made fun of Clinton it was a wink, wink we love you go abuse someone else. Bush's grades were 1 pt. better than Kerry's at Yale. Media & Leno portrayed Gore as a Goracle. Snip below show him not so divine at Vanderbilt.
M-B
snip - http://www.larryelde...
-Gore's undergraduate
transcript from Harvard is riddled with C's, including a C-minus in
introductory economics, a D in one science course, and a C-plus in
another. "In his sophomore year at Harvard," the Post reported,
"Gore's grades were lower than any semester recorded on Bush's
transcript from Yale." Moreover, Gore's graduate school record
- consistently glossed over by the press - is nothing short of shameful.
In 1971, Gore enrolled in Vanderbilt Divinity School where, according
to Bill Turque, author of "Inventing Al Gore," he received
F's in five of the eight classes he took over the course of three
semesters. Not surprisingly, Gore did not receive a degree from the
divinity school. Nor did Gore graduate from Vanderbilt Law School,
where he enrolled for a brief time and received his fair share of
C's. (Bush went on to earn an MBA from Harvard).
Where's waldo?
September 18, 2009 - 23:08 ET by LindamaeAnd Obama's grades for any of the 3 colleges he attended were....? That's right. He refused to share them even though others shared theirs. He also refused to submit his health records - even McCain did that. We don't know if he was better than Bush or worse than Gore.
Better Wheel?
September 16, 2009 - 16:38 ET by Anneke9Jay's gotta get some better guests. Kanye West and Michael Moore? Phat Jackass and Fat Jackass.
Camouflage conservative in Baghdad-by-the-Bay
NPR
September 16, 2009 - 16:40 ET by VengeanceIsMineWho is NPR to criticize anyone? Their programming is a better treatment for insomnia than Diprivan. If Jacko had known that, he would still be alive. Another GSE like Fanny Mae and Freddie Mac. Doesn't matter how bad they suck, they will still get their federal stream of money if Mark Lloyd gets his way.
"You cannot spend your way out of recession or borrow your way out of debt." Daniel Hannan
VIM... You've got me
September 16, 2009 - 16:45 ET by bigtimerVIM...
You've got me laughing here...love your post.
Btw...I agree with the seriousnes of it as well.
'Go Green...Recycle Congress'
John - from your article
September 16, 2009 - 16:56 ET by LeondeuxJohn - as you state in your article, you haven't even watched the show. Hence, your article has zero credibility. Why would you even tackle this topic?
I DID watch the show and I can tell you, it's painfully mind-numbing and boring. Who cares if he talks about politics or not when you can't even stay awake for a whole show.
Case in point: His interview with Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz was arguably the most boring thing I've ever seen in my life.
PS what is with these Newsbusters writers that insist on writing about things they've never seen? If you want to write about Jay Leno, how about you watch the show? It's a pretty simple process.
Is it more mind-numbing than
September 16, 2009 - 17:01 ET by KJ_sezIs it more mind-numbing than your posts, Leon?
→ Leon
September 16, 2009 - 17:04 ET by Cool ArrowIt's not as if there weren't other channels to watch is it?
LYDSEXICS UNTIE!
Of course, which is why I
September 17, 2009 - 10:37 ET by LeondeuxOf course, which is why I changed the channel. Since I've been blasted with Leno advertising for the entire summer, I figured I'd check it out.
OK, Leon hates Leno
September 16, 2009 - 17:12 ET by SickofLibsQuick pop quiz... This post was intended to be:
a) a review of the Jay Leno Show
b) a compilation of lib media's reaction to it
c) a cleverly disguised recipe for lemon meringue pie
You're simply not fair, SoL
September 16, 2009 - 18:06 ET by ThisnThatIf you're asking your question to one of our trolls, SoL, the answer's gotta be c) a cleverly disguised recipe for lemon meringue pie. The irresistable urge to completely change the topic, regardless of what it is, can't be overcome by liberal trolls.
You're not playing fair. It's like shining a light and expecting no moths to show up.
___________________________________
"Tax the rich" is a basically unstable way of governing - The NYT
To Sickcoflibs: I did not get the post BUT
September 16, 2009 - 21:05 ET by PoljunkI love your handle name - SICKOFLIBS...........Wish I would have thought of it myself!
C. I tried it, 'twas
September 16, 2009 - 21:47 ET by Lord ElicaniC. I tried it, 'twas good.
...what?
"So this is how liberty dies... with thunderous applause."
Padmé Amidala, Revenge of the Sith
B. Unfortunately, you
September 17, 2009 - 10:38 ET by LeondeuxB. Unfortunately, you can't write an article about B without first performing A.
What good is one's analysis of criticism if they haven't seen the topic of said criticism?
It's absurd.
Your answer of B was indeed correct
September 17, 2009 - 10:49 ET by SickofLibsIf you had simply left it at that, you would have received full credit for a correct answer.
Explain.
September 17, 2009 - 10:54 ET by LeondeuxExplain.
If you want to comment on a
September 16, 2009 - 17:28 ET by HockeyKidIf you want to comment on a post, how about you get the point? It's a pretty simple process.
"Beauty is only skin deep, but liberal's to the bone." - me
I did get to the point in
September 17, 2009 - 10:40 ET by LeondeuxI did get to the point in my first sentence.
Author didn't watch the show, so his post is worthless.
This is a trend on Newsbusters. People writing critical reviews of shows and movies they've never seen. Bizarre journalistic practice.
Freedom of choice
September 16, 2009 - 18:16 ET by LindamaeSo, aren't you lucky that you don't have to watch what you don't want to watch? Those with Chavez as their loving dictator don't have that choice and had to watch him as long as he wanted to be on TV. Aren't you lucky to have your definition of what makes one humorous? We may agree on some issues but it doesn't matter since in American we have freedom of choice - so far. I think there are several in the government who plan to take this freedom away from us (their actions suggest this) but until then, use the power of the remote to your heart's content. You may be right in your evaluation of Leno - but then you may be all wrong, as well. It really doesn't matter to me or to the rest of those who wish to watch his show. Go read a book. I suggest The Shadow Party by Horowitz so you can see how our country will be under George Soros.
What does your post have to
September 17, 2009 - 10:41 ET by LeondeuxWhat does your post have to do with anything? Seriously, what are you talking about?
Letterman past his
September 16, 2009 - 17:19 ET by msh1973Letterman past his expiration date a long time ago, in my humble opinion.
Agreed, msh
September 16, 2009 - 17:21 ET by BlondeHe ceased being funny in about 1980.
I hope he fails, too.
"Jay Leno scored 18 million
September 16, 2009 - 17:22 ET by JesseJacksonIV"Jay Leno scored 18 million viewers yesterday. Letterman draws around 4 million on a good night"
There's a differnce between primetime and Late night. Tuesday Leno's audience dropped to 10 million. Apparently 8 million didn't like the "edgy" Leno.
People are still so angry at Dave for that Palin joke. Guess they forgot or didn't know know that Leno did a joke about John Edwards having sex with then 17 year old Bristol Palin. Leno does it, it's edgy, Letterman does it, he's a pervert.
Your confused about the ass kissing, if anything Leno does the ass kissing. Guests feel safe on his show. Many big stars still won't do Letterman's show because they don't want to be made fun of.
Shouldn't you actually watch his show before calling him the new edgy? Based on what I saw, it's just the Leno Tonight Show on earlier and with a diferent set. Same guests, same wacky skits. Nothing really diferent.
That whooshing sound was
September 16, 2009 - 17:31 ET by HockeyKidThat whooshing sound was the point of the post going right over your head, with Leon right beside you. Sheesh, people, READ!
"Beauty is only skin deep, but liberal's to the bone." - me
→ Jessie
September 16, 2009 - 17:44 ET by Cool ArrowClose but no cigar.
You obviously see no difference between "sex with a child" and "legally consensual sex"
But given the news from ACORN lately, that's not surprising. You liberals are disgusting with your beliefs about child rape.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE!
When Leno did his joke,
September 16, 2009 - 17:58 ET by JesseJacksonIVWhen Leno did his joke, Bristol was 17. She was 18 when Dave did his
→ JJ IV
September 16, 2009 - 18:06 ET by Cool ArrowWe've been through this. Letterman made a joke about Palin's 14yr. old daughter who was at the game. Bristol was not at the game Letterman joked about.
You're just protecting your friends at ACORN who promote Child Sex Slavery.
Now stop it, before we have this fun all over again.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE!
Jesse
September 16, 2009 - 18:15 ET by RESTLESS 1Why are you defending jokes about child rape? Are you skulking around the boys showers at your local middle school or something?
I would think that after dave's tasteless joke about a minor, and the vids of your pals at acorn, you would steer clear of this subject.
"If the man, with the power, can't keep it under control...some heads are gonna roll." -Judas Priest
lets clarify
September 16, 2009 - 17:59 ET by cajun2In heavy rain and mud, my friend Bernie and I compare our rubber boots. She says hers are more successful at their intended function than mine. I reply, yes, but mine are more "edgy".
Check the ages
September 16, 2009 - 18:10 ET by LindamaeLetterman made his two jokes about 14 year old Willow Palin since she was the one who went to the Founders' Day parade with her mom and dad and rode in the parade. I saw coverage of the activity that afternoon. For Dave to say that he did not know which daughter was with Palin (not that it mattered, both were out of bounds just like Obama's daughters are) means he and his staff are either very ignorant or he is lieing through his teeth. I find it not funny to accuse older men (A*Rod and Spitzer) for trying to have sex with a child. It has been amazing to read liberal reaction trying to excuse Letterman's comments.
I noted that the quick reaction to Leno's first show was negative and could not understand why. Then I realized that Leno makes jokes about Obama. Letterman makes jokes about Palin. (He's told more than 95 Palin jokes since she was chosen) Leno has broken the pact of the liberals by treating Obama with the same comedic brush as any other politician. This is taboo so he is to be "shamed" and therefore the negative reaction. Good for Jay and I hope he continues to poke fun at Obama, Pelosi, Reid, and any Republican who he can find humor in their behaviors. Letterman was a hoot with his great moments in Presidential history - and stopped when Obama was elected. Why? Obama has made Bush sound more articulate than ever. I did note that the press has ignored or put a muzzle on any coverage of Obama's gaffes. The latest one about West was priceless. Yet, it was soon taken off and apologized for. Why? We are racists if we elect not to poke fun of our President because he is black (plus part white) just as we are racists if we poke fun of someone because of his color. I have only heard jokes about the actions, attitudes and comments made by Obama et al - not about color, ethnicity, or religion. There is nothing wrong in that.
So you have no problem with
September 16, 2009 - 19:01 ET by JesseJacksonIVSo you have no problem with Leno doing his joke about John Edwards having sex with Bristol Palin?
About the original article. Critics have for most part, like Daves show since 1982. It's not something that happenied when Leno took over the Tonight Show. Go find reviews of Dave's show 25 years ago and the critics loved him more then than they do now. Has nothing to do with him being liberal and fellow liberals liking him.
→ Sure JJ IV
September 16, 2009 - 19:06 ET by Cool ArrowIt bothers me because she was a child of a political figure.
I've got a bigger problem with you defending child molestation, though.
But I guess it's better I know about it than have you hide it.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE!
Exactly how am I defending
September 16, 2009 - 19:58 ET by JesseJacksonIVExactly how am I defending child molesting? I don't think Lettermans Palin joke was about the 14 year old, that's my opinion. Others have their own opinion. So if that's what you are referring to, I'm in no way defending child molesting.
Have to call ya on this JJ4
September 16, 2009 - 20:04 ET by bolivarLetterman used to be funny - note used to be, Leno was funny and still is. Letterman appears to be a nasty, bitter old man who is mad at the world and just wants to make us miserable too. Doesn't work on me - I have not watched him for years and only briefly pop thru his monologue or when there is nothing else to fall asleep to. Jay on the other hand is Jay - you get what you always got - a standup comedian who can (and always could) make many people laugh.
I have no use for liberal thinking - it is just so......passe.
Letterman has been mean and
September 16, 2009 - 20:31 ET by JesseJacksonIVLetterman has been mean and nasty since he started, that's why many stars still won't do his show. Jay's a nice guy, who'll suck up to the guest to help promote whatever they're selling.
In 1984 the first time Cher was on, Dave asked her why she hadn't done his show up until then. Cher said because she thought Dave was an a**hole. Some celebs can't take it when they're made fun of, some can. Those who can, do the show and enjoy it.
The hilarious Jim Norton (I
September 16, 2009 - 18:11 ET by Jack BauerThe hilarious Jim Norton (I HATE YOUR GUTS )is on the show .. worth watching it for the scatalogical weird laddie himself.
Leno is NOT funny on his
September 17, 2009 - 09:43 ET by balboaLeno is NOT funny on his show. His jokes are lame, obvious, and from the lowest common denominator. His show is boring.
Leno - too much sex talk w/o being funny
September 17, 2009 - 12:34 ET by MaximusBraveheartMy 11 yr. likes to watch Leno and last night it was non-stop sex joke for a while. They go over-head for the most part, but I thought it was a family show? He needs some NEW writers! I did not like Conan prior but now that he moved into Leno's slot his show seems a lot funnier. Funnier than Leno so far. That surprises me.
M-B
What an incredibly bizarre
September 17, 2009 - 10:14 ET by JasonCWhat an incredibly bizarre article. The author imputes anti-patriotic sentiment as the cause of a couple unimpressed reviews of Leno's new show...because Leno wears a flag lapel pin? Terribly sorry, but that sad, tenuous connection holds exactly as much water as calling someone who disagress with Obama's healthcare plan racist. Note that all of the theatrical accusations in Mr. Nolte's article - such as these critics only liking TV hosts who carry the flag when said flag is on fire (way to break out the flag-burning meme, by the way, that was a fresh way of broad-brushing liberals in what, 1993?) - are pure fabrication, the result of authorial projection.
Meanwhile, the only quoted material Nolte can offer is 100% apolitical, garden-variety TV criticism. But it simply must be because they hate his flag-lapel patriotism. Yeah, that's the ticket.
Congratulations, you have just engaged in the same ad hominem behavior for which conservatives across the country are now vilifying liberals.
And people are against this
September 17, 2009 - 10:39 ET by balboaAnd people are against this show succeeding because NBC has basically thrown in the towel as a source of original TV dramas.
→ Writers Strike
September 17, 2009 - 10:59 ET by Cool ArrowThat danged writers strike prompted tons of reality shows that the public got interested in. (don't ask me why)
Leno taking up one of those slots makes sense. It's certainly a cheaper production than even one weekly episode of "Friends"
So the writers got what they asked for, the better actors stayed on, and the lesser actors can't find work. That's what happens when Unions throw their weight around.
I'd continue, but I DVRd "Parking Wars" and I have to see if they really towed that vintage Porsche.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE!
It makes sense financially,
September 17, 2009 - 11:09 ET by balboaIt makes sense financially, sure. But they're basically not trying, five hours a week.
Ignore Binky Braveheart aka JasonC.
September 17, 2009 - 20:48 ET by JWFBinky hates the flag, America, conservatives, Jay Leno, flag pins, patriotism, fire, projection TV's, gardens, and you for expressing an opinion that did not come out of Media Matters.
Sincerely,
a Veteran of a 1000 psychic wars.
Apparently my defense of
September 18, 2009 - 14:29 ET by JasonCApparently my defense of Leno's critics against Nolte's hysterics was the last straw for Sporty. He's started an unprecedented THIRD forum topic devoted to lil ol' me.
To be fair, his forum post contains a moving story which, surprisingly, demonstrates that he is a much more articulate writer than his usual posts would lead one to believe.
Unfortunately, that moving story is there in the extremely disingenuous service of attacking my post from this thread.
At any rate, Sporty, I have given you my reply on your brilliantly-named forum.
Good weekend to you.
Nolte is a bit precious
September 20, 2009 - 22:41 ET by fitzfongNolte is a bit precious here, isn't he? The criticism could not at all be motivated by the fact that the new show isn't very good (yet, anyway). After all the publicity NBC has done promoting this program, it's fair to reveal disappointment in what it has delivered thus far. Besides, even if the above reviewers were hiding in the critical tall grass waiting to set upon Leno because he's not overtly liberal like Letterman, wouldn't those same reviewers have reason to give an overly-positive review to the program if only because it's shown on Jeff Immelt's light bulb slush fund network? Entertainment critics are paid to dispense their opinions of television shows...but they're simply opinions. And if you must wait to hear from a critic before deciding whether or not to watch a TV show, there isn't much about you, is there? Sometimes a bad show is just a bad show and the critic will call it as he sees it.
"I spent a lot of money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I just squandered." -George Best
Leno's awesome, I will
September 18, 2009 - 09:55 ET by wiwfLeno's awesome, I will continue to watch his new show!
The Rocky Mountain Collegian: Illustrating Idiocy
Are you serious? You think
September 28, 2009 - 02:16 ET by tarunkjuyalAre you serious? You think Jay Leno is a real conservative because the liberal media doesn't like him? That's ridiculous. Jay Leno is simply another Hollywood Liberal. Furthermore, Law and Order is about the most conservative show on NBC (owners of ultra-leftist MSNBC).