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I sure did. I'm from Massachusetts, just like him. He was very funny, and a nice guy. My husband is an auto tech, too, and we actually run an auto repair shop.
I didn't bash Leno. He seemed to come off as "forced" once he took over the "Tonight" show, though. And I still think Letterman is the best.
My beef is the thread was predicated on a non-issue. Letterman is not nuts although he said he was. It's called comedy. If you don't get it, I understand. Really. I do.
Thanks for the song, though. There is never too much Billy Joel.
I was thinking about the opinion piece that hilgi put up. I think this sums up where Leno went wrong.
According to Bill Carter’s wonderful “The Late Shift,” which chronicled NBC’s decision to replace Johnny Carson with Leno instead of Letterman, when Leno became the regular guest host of “Tonight,” he essential started a multi-year campaign to keep the seat his whenever Carson decided to finally step down. There wasn’t an up-front meeting, affiliate luncheon or car dealership opening that Leno wasn’t happy to make an appearance at. Whatever NBC needed from him, he did.
Hey, I don’t begrudge the man trying to win the most coveted job in the comedy world. What really bothered me during this period is the way his comedy changed.
What made these guys so funny was their comedic edge.
The first time I saw Letterman it was 1980 and I was home with horrendous morning sickness. It was morning television but his crazy guy was actually calling a New York judge. I was in tears. I had never seen anyone do something like that and it was hilarious.
Letterman never kow-towed to anyone. Whoever signed his paycheck instantly became his target and as uncomfortable as that made management, there was nothing that could be done because the more he poked fun at them, the more money he was making them.
And that's why Matt Greenburg's piece is so dead-on.
By the time he took over “Tonight” in 1992, Leno was the “everyman,” comedian of the little guy, always on the side of Larry Lunchbucket, where ever Larry Lunchbucket happened to be, even if Larry Lunchbucket’s stance made no sense. You never know where Leno stands now, because he stands everywhere: Republican, Democrat, black, white, establishment or outsider — whoever you are, Leno agrees with you that the other guy is crazy. He tries so hard to be ingratiating, that it just ends up grating.
We, as a nation, easily bend whichever way someone blows. This thread is a perfect example of that.
Thanks, hic. I heard some discjockey say that it was Letterman one time, so I thought it was true. Duh, I've been telling people that for quite some time now. LOL Time for me to keep my mouth shut!
Thanks for the song, though. There is never too much Billy Joel.
I was thinking about the opinion piece that hilgi put up. I think this sums up where Leno went wrong.
According to Bill Carter’s wonderful “The Late Shift,” which chronicled NBC’s decision to replace Johnny Carson with Leno instead of Letterman, when Leno became the regular guest host of “Tonight,” he essential started a multi-year campaign to keep the seat his whenever Carson decided to finally step down. There wasn’t an up-front meeting, affiliate luncheon or car dealership opening that Leno wasn’t happy to make an appearance at. Whatever NBC needed from him, he did.
Hey, I don’t begrudge the man trying to win the most coveted job in the comedy world. What really bothered me during this period is the way his comedy changed.
What made these guys so funny was their comedic edge.
The first time I saw Letterman it was 1980 and I was home with horrendous morning sickness. It was morning television but his crazy guy was actually calling a New York judge. I was in tears. I had never seen anyone do something like that and it was hilarious.
Letterman never kow-towed to anyone. Whoever signed his paycheck instantly became his target and as uncomfortable as that made management, there was nothing that could be done because the more he poked fun at them, the more money he was making them.
And that's why Matt Greenburg's piece is so dead-on.
By the time he took over “Tonight” in 1992, Leno was the “everyman,” comedian of the little guy, always on the side of Larry Lunchbucket, where ever Larry Lunchbucket happened to be, even if Larry Lunchbucket’s stance made no sense. You never know where Leno stands now, because he stands everywhere: Republican, Democrat, black, white, establishment or outsider — whoever you are, Leno agrees with you that the other guy is crazy. He tries so hard to be ingratiating, that it just ends up grating.
We, as a nation, easily bend whichever way someone blows. This thread is a perfect example of that.
The funny thing about Leno is his bit about asking people basic questions, is basically showing his audience. I don't want to sound elitist but his humor is pretty lowbrow to me.
The funny thing about Leno is his bit about asking people basic questions, is basically showing his audience. I don't want to sound elitist but his humor is pretty lowbrow to me.
It's not the first time someone or a show has pandered to the largest common denominator, either. "Married With Children," "Happy Days," Montel Williams, Jerry Springer and Maury Povich I am looking at you.
I didn't see him with Rachel Ray, but when Jamie Oliver was on talking about bad eating habits, trying to do a cooking demo, Letterman was being so obnoxious, it was really very sad.
I think it's pretty funny when one day he can have Bill Clinton on, have a deep, intelligent conversation and the very next day have to do an interview with SNOOKIE!!!
I think it's pretty funny when one day he can have Bill Clinton on, have a deep, intelligent conversation and the very next day have to do an interview with SNOOKIE!!!
If he would bring back the old lady who used to get up in the audience and swear at him like in the old NBC show, I might watch. She knew how to talk to him the way he deserves to be talked to. He's just too mean anymore.
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LOL Time for me to keep my mouth shut! 
