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Liberals: We Just Can't Tell If David Letterman is Liberal Or Not

No? Really?

You could compare his extremely hostile interviews with Bill O'Reilly and Rush Limbaugh -- in one he snapped, without smiling, that what O'Reilly was saying sounded like pure "bullshit" -- with his fawning, Tell Me More interviews with Rachel Maddow and undisclosed (but obvious) liberals like Brian "Chopper Warrior" Williams and Tom Brokaw.



Tonight is Letterman's last show. And thank God. I'm sicking of reading media types churn out obligatory stories about how great Letterman was, without understanding why he was great.

Or... when he was great, which was approximately from 1982 to 1986 and barely ever since then.

Rush Limbaugh predicted that Letterman would fail at 11:30. He made this prediction even when Letterman was, get this, Number One at 11:30.

He said the people currently watching Letterman were not comedy fans, and did not get or like Letterman's (stale by then) transgressive, undermining comedy. He said they were watching just because the Media Elites had made such a big deal about Letterman being the Hip and Cool talk show host, and wanted to be Hip and Cool themselves.

He said Letterman would lose this audience and start losing to Leno. Again, he said this during the first few months of Letterman's show, when he was not only beating Leno, but beating him handily.

I didn't agree with Limbaugh then because I was a fan of Letterman's and wanted him to succeed.

I mean, I read The Late Shift like five times, and watched the movie ten times, and every time I watched it hoped it would have a different ending, where Dave gets the Tonight Show after all.

I thought Limbaugh was being churlish, perhaps jealous.

But you know what happened, right? Within a few months, Leno went ahead of Letterman and Letterman's ratings dropped to be well behind Leno's, and they would remain there, practically forever. (Very rarely, Letterman would win a week when he had on a big guest and Leno had on repeats.)

It was incredible, how Limbaugh had absolutely nailed that. I was really shocked, and I've always remembered Limbaugh's cynical prescience on that point.

One thing that helped the Limbaugh Prediction come to be: Letterman's disastrous Oscar hosting gig. That's when Letterman had the biggest audience of his life... and cemented the idea that he was Comedy For Other People.

Once Letterman had been humbled by that -- and no longer appeared to be the Hot New Thing -- people started watching Leno.

And he was terrible on the Oscars, even for someone who was still then a fan.

One of the types of comedy Letterman has long been far too enamored with is Time-Wasting Anti-Comedy. In the early days of his show, Letterman got a lot of laughs by doing pointless, time-wasting (and sometimes budget-wasting) stunts.

The best of these were things like Throwing Objects Off a Fifth Floor Roof, or throwing himself, in a suit of Velcro, at a Velcro wall to see if he would stick. (He did, in fact. Science!)

The worst of these was Letterman just wasting time, having pointless chats with Schaeffer (Letterman would probably claim the pointlessness *was* the point, or some stupid meta-comedy conceit like that), or, as Norm MacDonald wickedly parodied him, just repeating the same word over and over, believing that if he said "Ehhhh.... Got some gum?" enough times, it would become funny.

Letterman got away with this in his early days because the show's conceit was that the whole thing was an elaborate prank on the network, that they had no business being on TV, and that they were wasting the network's time and money by staging this deliberately stupid, pointless show.

It made you think -- if you were young, and fan -- like you were in on the joke, and that you were right there alongside Dave wasting precious Network Minutes and Dollars for this lame thing.

Here's what the Oscars did, though, at least for me: Letterman's time-wasting nonsense -- his "Oprah... Uma" introductions (between Winfrey and Thurman) that went on for two minutes and then was repeated later in the show -- finally made me see the light:

Letterman wasn't just wasting The Network's time with this sort of so-unfunny-it's-funny (but actually not) non-material.

He was wasting my time, too.

All long I thought I'd been in on the joke.

Suddenly, I realized: No, I was not in on the joke. I was in on one joke, the superficial one about vengeance against the network, but definitely not in on the deeper joke, the real joke.

The real joke is that while Letterman's show was gleefully slapdash, I was still a prisoner of it five nights a week, and voluntarily so.

The real truth was -- and perhaps Letterman intended us to understand this; and perhaps he should be praised for trying to make us understand this -- was that if you were watching TV, you were wasting your time.

Now I don't want to say that Letterman was never funny. He was -- at least I thought so. He was hugely funny.

But the thing is, all this media praise being directed at Letterman...? All the bits people are talking about -- the Top Ten, Stupid Human Tricks, Throwing Objects Off a Five Story Building, the Velcro Suit, the monstrously funny bits with Chris Elliot --

All of these were from the show's first five or six years of existence.

He's been coasting on his past glories ever since. Shit, the Top Ten hasn't been funny in twenty years. I do not know why they bother doing it still, except that it's a habit and it wastes three minutes of network time.

I can think of one funny gag Letterman has done "lately," and by "lately," I mean like sixteen years ago. That's when he had some odd-looking guy go around saying rude things to people; Letterman would tell him the rude thing to say through his earpiece, and the guy would say the rude thing.

That bit was funny. It was also reminiscent of the Jerky Boys and the Man Show Boy.

And like I say, that was sixteen years ago.

So what has he done, really, for twenty four years?

I'm not just not a fan of Letterman anymore; I actively dislike him. He used to seem amusingly cranky, but over the years, I saw this more as being truly sour, bitter, self-pitying, smug, and contemptuous.

I can't tell you how much it put me off when he was still bitter about not getting the NBC gig, still doing not-funny "jokes" (which were not jokes, but real barbs) about it on his CBS show, two years after it all happened.

Dude, you're getting paid $15 million a year. Get over it, or at least do what the rest of us do with Our Shit, which is hide it so that people don't have to see us airing Our Shit all the time.

And then, of course, the cheating, the intern, the out of wedlock child, the weird marriage (which he all but openly confessed on camera he wasn't that into, as if I, or anyone else, needed to know that), and more and more overt (and contemptuous) expressions of his bitter-hearted leftism.

As Letterman grew older, he decided that there was more to him than just the wiseacre who could crack snide about Hormel hams.

There had to be, right?

And especially after the heart surgery, he felt both freed and yet obligated to share The Real Dave with the world.

Well, I never really wanted to know The Real Dave. Even back when I was a raving fanboy, I was savvy enough to guess that The Real Dave was as prickly a dick as he pretended to be on TV.

And he was. And now I got to hear about his politics, and his open contempt for anyone who thought like me, twice a month.

Although, increasingly, then entirely, I only heard about this contempt second-hand, from sources like Newsbusters, because I had stopped watching him.

Letterman was seriously funny for five or six years. No one who is funny can deny he was funny.

But after that initial burst of creativity -- a burst which owed a great deal to off-kilter comedic minds like that of his onetime girlfriend Merrill Markoe, or the gifted, bizarre homonculous Chris Elliott -- he stopped trying to be fresh and new and just started putting in the hours for a paycheck.

The man has been phoning it in for at least twenty years.

Yeah, he got off to a great start. But then he did nothing for twenty years.

Tonight, Dave Letterman retires.

But he quit a long time ago.


Posted by: Ace at 07:57 PM




Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Ten most assholes?

Posted by: tinfoilbaby at May 20, 2015 07:59 PM (5Vvdr)

2 *taps meter*

Nope, don't care.

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at May 20, 2015 08:02 PM (blHar)

3 There hasn't been anyone WAS on late night since Carson. When I worked second shift if there wasn't a good movie on late night blew chunks.

Posted by: Vic We Have No Party at May 20, 2015 08:02 PM (GpgJl)

4 tomorrow he'll announce his run for the Republican nomination for president

Posted by: navycopjoe at May 20, 2015 08:02 PM (6fWT8)

5 Shorter Ace --

Haaaaaaaaated it.

Posted by: Antoine Merriweather and Blaine Edwards at May 20, 2015 08:03 PM (dkfG0)

6 Every so I am reminded of what I miss by not watching TV. Not much, evidently.

Posted by: Grey Fox at May 20, 2015 08:04 PM (a42f0)

7 Of only this post was in dactylic pentameter it would be elegiac poetry.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero) at May 20, 2015 08:05 PM (8ZskC)

8 I was a prick's prick.

Posted by: Dave Betterman at May 20, 2015 08:06 PM (Dwehj)

9
The left pulled the same crap with Leno. They didnt want him impartial, they wanted him biased to the left. They even started petitions to get rid of him. Leno said in an interview with Nikki Finke that they usually had about 50-51 jokes and they would divide them equally politically. He was right - I started counting. Then Leno went on a rant about how he was not and has never been a conservative.

Posted by: Bruce But Not Jenner at May 20, 2015 08:06 PM (iQIUe)

10 I think Leno pulled ahead when had Hugh Grant for an interview following Grant's rake scandal .

Posted by: Drpullit at May 20, 2015 08:06 PM (aLoJU)

11 I put the "prick" back in prick.

Posted by: Dave Betterman at May 20, 2015 08:07 PM (Dwehj)

12 Is it just me or has almost everything and everyone become seriously annoying lately?

Posted by: Weasel at May 20, 2015 08:07 PM (e3bId)

13 BREAKING: LETTERMAN TO MODERATE FOX GOP DEBATES

Posted by: Richard McEnroe at May 20, 2015 08:07 PM (XO6WW)

14 A long time ago, when I was just out of college, and still enjoyed Letterman, I got a job as a security guard; being very low on the old totem poll, I got the night shift. So, I taped Letterman to watch it after waking up in the afternoon.

I quickly realized that part of why Letterman was funny is that at midnight I was too tired to realize he wasn't.

Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at May 20, 2015 08:07 PM (J0IP0)

15
I remember him interviewing W Bush, Letterman was a complete asshole.

Posted by: Guy Mohawk at May 20, 2015 08:07 PM (ODxAs)

16 Letterman still with his wife? Always thought that was a strange marriage. Probaby for the kid's sake and he is allowed to bang as many interns as he likes.

Posted by: Bruce But Not Jenner at May 20, 2015 08:07 PM (iQIUe)

17 12 Get off my lawn.

Posted by: Richard McEnroe at May 20, 2015 08:08 PM (XO6WW)

18 Weasel,

It's not just you.

Posted by: SMFH at it all at May 20, 2015 08:08 PM (OsWis)

19 Good riddance to the hateful old bastard. And I hope the door DOES hit him in the ass on the way out.

Posted by: Hobbitopoly at May 20, 2015 08:08 PM (H/s7S)

20 17 That about sums it up.

Posted by: Weasel at May 20, 2015 08:09 PM (e3bId)

21 I chewed on lemons as a child.

Posted by: Dave Betterman at May 20, 2015 08:09 PM (Dwehj)

22 Carson was pretty liberal, I'm led to understand, but he had sense enough to keep it (more or less) behind that curtain. Letterman is no Carson, in any sense.

Posted by: Doomed at May 20, 2015 08:10 PM (bGLSw)

23 An America where you can't bang an intern or two every now and then is an America that I don't want to live in.

Posted by: David Letterman at May 20, 2015 08:10 PM (8ZskC)

24 I think I turned into my Dad.

Posted by: Weasel at May 20, 2015 08:10 PM (e3bId)

25 I remember when Letterman was funny. I think it was in the '80s. Then he just got older and seemed to be more and more bitter. Kind of sad. Oh well. I really don't like talk shows. I really like the non-rushed pace of podcasts.

Posted by: Dang at May 20, 2015 08:11 PM (XWo4d)

26 Well, for all of his years on the tube I thought he was an inflamed asshole, insofar as I wasted any thought on him at all. Same for Leno. Same for every other fatheaded trying-to-be-funny pissant with a late night show. A genre that began and ended with Carson, and he was a fatheaded inflamed asshole, too, but fwiw he did manage to be funny sometimes.

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at May 20, 2015 08:11 PM (S0bOl)

27 Mom potty trained me with a pork chop tied to the end of a stick.

Posted by: Dave Betterman at May 20, 2015 08:12 PM (Dwehj)

28 that what O'Reilly was saying sounded like pure "bullshit"



To be fair, about 80% of what O'Reilly says is pure bullshit.


But yes, Letterman died out about the time I graduated High School. Which was 25 years ago.

Posted by: Country Singer at May 20, 2015 08:12 PM (nL0sw)

29 You know who was funny?

Phil Hartman was funny.

David Letterman was never funny.

Posted by: Kreplach at May 20, 2015 08:13 PM (o0odn)

30 I was way ahead of you, Ace. I thought Letterman was an asshole from the get-go.

Posted by: Jay Guevara at May 20, 2015 08:14 PM (oKE6c)

31 Hey, you guys. That Willow Palin getting raped by Alex Rodriguez.

Funny, amiright?

Posted by: Jane D'oh at May 20, 2015 08:14 PM (FsuaD)

32 I once gave Paul Shaffer a Jelly-Of-The-Month certificate as a Christmas bonus.

Posted by: Dave Betterman at May 20, 2015 08:14 PM (Dwehj)

33 He got even more bitter when he was caught banging interns and staff. And then being force to apologize to Palin and her daughters for his rape jokes.

Posted by: Buzzion at May 20, 2015 08:15 PM (z/Ubi)

34 Thank you, Sport.

I've been listening to people give letterman rimjobs all day and I was hoping you'd give him a proper fisking.

Why no Top 10?

Posted by: Van Morrison at May 20, 2015 08:15 PM (GSTJs)

35 Letterman's first show on NBC was weekday MORNINGS--10 am, I think


very weird; the studio audience average age was 60 or so. That lasted one season

Posted by: Mary Landrieu's warts at May 20, 2015 08:15 PM (8CdUx)

36 I once gave Paul Shaffer a Jelly-Of-The-Month certificate as a Christmas bonus.
Posted by: Dave Betterman

It's the gift that keeps on giving the whole year.

Posted by: Cousin Eddie at May 20, 2015 08:15 PM (wjzWP)

37 He hasn't been funny in forever. Just a nasty, mean, "cool" Manhattanite.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at May 20, 2015 08:15 PM (FsuaD)

38 Letterman was never funny. It's apt that he is being replaced by Stephen Colbert, who was never funny either.

Posted by: Myiq2xu at May 20, 2015 08:16 PM (5fSr7)

39 we're talking 1980 here; nothing was funny in 1980--especially Letterman

Posted by: Mary Landrieu's warts at May 20, 2015 08:16 PM (8CdUx)

40 Speaking of Limbaugh, the Left is celebrating his low ratings, speculating he might be finished. Any truth to their speculation?

Posted by: Mike at May 20, 2015 08:16 PM (cZOlo)

41 It's only fitting that his wife makes Hillary! look like a super model.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at May 20, 2015 08:17 PM (FsuaD)

42 I did like watching him throw stuff off the roof. Would work for hopeful GOPe losers too.

Posted by: tinfoilbaby at May 20, 2015 08:17 PM (5Vvdr)

43
I did like when he donned an alka selzter suit and was lowered into water. I think it almost killed him -- no air, just gas.

Then there was the time he was in a velcro suit and was catapulted against the sticky part. It worked.

Posted by: Bruce But Not Jenner at May 20, 2015 08:17 PM (iQIUe)

44 Letterman's wife has more facial hair than he does.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at May 20, 2015 08:17 PM (FsuaD)

45 Would this be surprising? The MFM (liberals) are in lockstep with Marx so from that position almost everything 'looks' right. Think Doppler effect.

Posted by: dogfish at May 20, 2015 08:18 PM (jWtyG)

46 Then Leno went on a rant about how he was not and has never been a conservative.

He isn't. Awhile back, I read an interview of him in one of those "alt-weekly" rags and he is, indeed, quite liberal.

Posted by: OregonMuse at May 20, 2015 08:18 PM (I8YZX)

47 Letterman's strength was "homespun quirky," which was novel at the time. Some of the absurd stuff was truly funny but that all petered out before LATE NIGHT did. I'd quit watching him before that point.

Posted by: Doomed at May 20, 2015 08:19 PM (bGLSw)

48 "Tonight, Dave Letterman retires"

We don't want him back.

Posted by: Hoosiers. at May 20, 2015 08:19 PM (OpDDu)

49 I never really liked Letterman. Leno was ok for the monologue and the ask the stupid people in the street questions that they should know the answer to and watch them really phuck it up thingy that he did. I liked that because it really highlighted how stupid we've become as a country. Funny and sad at the same time. Yeah, Jaywalking. That segment.

Posted by: Old Blue at May 20, 2015 08:20 PM (9iR5/)

50 As a college kid in the 1980s, I enjoyed Letterman. His monologues and bits were usually entertaining, even if elements of his comedy never hit my funny bone.

Sometimes, he would be just plain mean to a guest during an interview. That's what sticks in my mind about the guy.

Posted by: FireHorse at May 20, 2015 08:20 PM (r5Qcm)

51 So I was driving back home from Miami and I had to listen to Mike and Mike, who I love to listen to, suck this old pricks dick all freakig morning. All I could think is why; it became clear because Mike and Mike to some degree believe that being on his show helped them with their success. It sucked listening to them praise this ass.

Posted by: stourma at May 20, 2015 08:20 PM (aKW7k)

52 That little Palin whore, what's her name? Willow? How funny if Alex Rodriguez raped her?

LOL!

-- shit Letterman kinda said

Posted by: Jane D'oh at May 20, 2015 08:20 PM (FsuaD)

53
Andrea Tarantula is on with O'Butthead, and her hooter's are truly magnificent.

Posted by: Doctor Fish at May 20, 2015 08:20 PM (P330y)

54 I haven't watched him in years. I watch Conan periodically, or sometimes Fallon or Kimmel if my wife wants to watch one of them, but many of their repetitive bits have long since lost any fresh interest I once had for them.

It's weird- I think there's plenty of great work being done on TV but I can't think of anyone I see that is consistently funny, or even just clever.

Posted by: MTF at May 20, 2015 08:20 PM (TcePY)

55 Letterman seems mean.

Posted by: @votermom at May 20, 2015 08:20 PM (cbfNE)

56 VanSockOFF

Posted by: Garrett at May 20, 2015 08:20 PM (GSTJs)

57 To be fair, about 80% of what O'Reilly says is pure bullshit.

Posted by: Country Singer at May 20, 2015 08:12 PM (nL0sw


Hold on hold on.

So I CAN'T get an operable howitzer at a gun show?

Posted by: RWC - Team BOHICA at May 20, 2015 08:20 PM (XAFOu)

58 Craig Ferguson.

He would have elevated it to a level it hasn't been since Carson was on. I might even have watched it!

Late Night was doomed ever since Joan Rivers took the gig on Fox instead of waiting for Johnny to retire.

Posted by: Mordineus at May 20, 2015 08:21 PM (eR69N)

59 53

Andrea Tarantula is on with O'Butthead, and her hooter's are truly magnificent.



I hope she slaps him across his wife-abusing face with one of them.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at May 20, 2015 08:22 PM (FsuaD)

60 Rush is almost always right.
I liked Letterman when he was on after Carson. I stopped watching when Carson retired.

Posted by: Carol at May 20, 2015 08:22 PM (sj3Ax)

61 Just a has-been who held onto job worth millions by kissing the right asses, and nothing more.

Posted by: Cato the Rebel Without a Party at May 20, 2015 08:22 PM (HalrA)

62 Where the black & blue women at?

Posted by: Bill O'Reilly at May 20, 2015 08:22 PM (wjzWP)

63 47 Letterman's strength was "homespun quirky," which was novel at the time. Some of the absurd stuff was truly funny but that all petered out before LATE NIGHT did. I'd quit watching him before that point.
Posted by: Doomed at May 20, 2015 08:19 PM (bGLSw)


Fernwood 2Nite and Fred Willard had been doing that stuff for years before Letterman.
And it's held up better, years later, than Letterman.

Posted by: BuddyPC at May 20, 2015 08:23 PM (jfUIE)

64 I think the last time I saw it was when Peyton Manning was on, after winning Super Bowl XLI. The only really memorable moment I have was when he had Mike Vanderjagt on to kick a field goal down 43rd St after he lost a playoff game.

But I've been spending my late nights on the internets since 1993, instead of in front of the teevee.

Posted by: HR finally drinking a beer at May 20, 2015 08:23 PM (rHXGG)

65 You know who was funny in the 80s? Seinfeld.
And possibly Regis.

Posted by: @votermom at May 20, 2015 08:23 PM (cbfNE)

66 So I was driving back home from Miami and I had to listen to Mike and Mike, who I love to listen to, suck this old pricks dick all freakig morning. All I could think is why; it became clear because Mike and Mike to some degree believe that being on his show helped them with their success. It sucked listening to them praise this ass.

Posted by: stourma

Mike and Mike do that to everyone. They should rename their show "The Sporting Sycophants".

Posted by: Hobbitopoly at May 20, 2015 08:23 PM (H/s7S)

67 There's nothing worse than some asshole mugging for applause.

Posted by: Jon Stewart at May 20, 2015 08:23 PM (ty633)

68 Bill "master of the Pimp Slap" O'Reilly

Posted by: Jane D'oh at May 20, 2015 08:23 PM (FsuaD)

69 So I CAN'T get an operable howitzer at a gun show?
------
Wait, whut? That is just so wrong. I was going to get one if I ever get my income tax return back.
Damn, now I haz a sad. I was soooo looking forward to shelling that stupid prick across the street.

Posted by: Old Blue at May 20, 2015 08:24 PM (9iR5/)

70 Letterman. That guy never gave me a chance.

Posted by: The Masturbating Bear at May 20, 2015 08:24 PM (UtthR)

71
I cant believe Kim Kartrashian is always on some of these shows. They must be desperate for guests.

Posted by: Bruce But Not Jenner at May 20, 2015 08:24 PM (iQIUe)

72 Wait- I never heard this! O'Reilly is an abuser?! Yikes.

Posted by: MTF at May 20, 2015 08:25 PM (TcePY)

73 I used to watch late night shows for the guests, they used to try to be entertaining/funny. When was the last time there was any buzz about any guest on any of these shows? Maybe for something Bruce Willis did but that was years ago.

Posted by: lowandslow at May 20, 2015 08:25 PM (dItuC)

74 I remember watching his MORNING SHOW, for pity's sake.

That was some great stuff back in the early 80s.

But I was in high school then, now I could be a grandfather.

It's like Bob Hope's last dozen NBC specials. It's the same paint-by-numbers, but it's some old fart just following the arrows on the floor. It's sad, it's depressing, and the old fart is a trial to watch.

Posted by: Pappy O'Daniel at May 20, 2015 08:25 PM (oVJmc)

75 I just want to personally thank all you assholes for keeping the spiders at bay.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at May 20, 2015 08:25 PM (FsuaD)

76 I watched the late shift a bunch of times too. I never got into jay Leno but he seems like a nice guy.

Other than that don't care. I haven't watched one of these late night programs in ages but I think whatshisface on NBC has been doing a serviceable job because he's doing the kind of comedy that is inclusive and fun instead of bitter and angry. I can live with that and catch clips on you tube later...

Posted by: Lea at May 20, 2015 08:25 PM (vmMMi)

77 When I'd have a particularly vile conservative guest scheduled, I'd shove a Carolina Reaper or two up my sphincter before the monologue.

Posted by: Dave Betterman at May 20, 2015 08:26 PM (Dwehj)

78 Combat Meido Alice is now past 3,800 words. Almost finished with the pistol range scene. Then back to the main action.

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at May 20, 2015 08:26 PM (blHar)

79
The only thing funny about Letterman was his introduction to America of Mujibar and Sarijul, two vendors who sold miniature Statues of Liberty and other tourist memorabilia a few doors down from the studio. They are probably rag heads.

Posted by: Doctor Fish at May 20, 2015 08:26 PM (P330y)

80
Letterman was seriously funny for five or six years. No one who is funny can deny he was funny.

Letterman is as "funny" as he ever was. The difference is You changed.

We thought Letterman was a stitch when we were young and dumb.

Posted by: Soothsayer at May 20, 2015 08:27 PM (6R/ns)

81 72
Wait- I never heard this! O'Reilly is an abuser?! Yikes.

Posted by: MTF at May 20, 2015 08:25 PM (TcePY)


Yes. We discussed it last night (in between spider horror stories). His sixteen y.o daughter watched him drag her mother down the stairs by her neck.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at May 20, 2015 08:27 PM (FsuaD)

82 70 The Masturbating Bear at May 20, 2015 08:24 PM (UtthR)

didn't you become the Cub's mascot?

Posted by: navycopjoe at May 20, 2015 08:27 PM (6fWT8)

83
What people liked about Letterman is actually what they liked about the work of
Merrill Markoe, Steve O'Donnell and others.

Letterman was a vessel that some very talented writers filled --- at NBC.

Posted by: Laurie David's Cervix at May 20, 2015 08:27 PM (kdS6q)

84 Never thought he was funny.

Posted by: ScoggDog at May 20, 2015 08:27 PM (qy1p+)

85 I've always thought Letterman was a dick. Carson's interviews always managed to bring out the person he was interviewing, so we could get an idea of what he (or she) was like. I like that neutral style.

Letterman, on the other hand, from the very beginning, was never neutral, but simply used his guests as an excuse to crack wise and draw attention away from them and to himself. I got tired of that real quick.

Posted by: OregonMuse at May 20, 2015 08:28 PM (I8YZX)

86 You know who was a huge prick and liberal as hell?

Carson.

But you never saw it. You might've suspected it. The multiple divorces pointed to it, but Johnny kept that shit away from the camera (aside from the cracks about the marriages).

He knew one, immutable fact: don't piss off your audience.

Posted by: Dack Thrombosis at May 20, 2015 08:28 PM (oFCZn)

87 85
I've always thought Letterman was a dick. Carson's interviews always
managed to bring out the person he was interviewing, so we could get an
idea of what he (or she) was like. I like that neutral style.

Letterman,
on the other hand, from the very beginning, was never neutral, but
simply used his guests as an excuse to crack wise and draw attention
away from them and to himself. I got tired of that real quick.


Posted by: OregonMuse at May 20, 2015 08:28 PM (I8YZX)


THIS

Posted by: Jane D'oh at May 20, 2015 08:28 PM (FsuaD)

88 81 His sixteen y.o daughter watched him drag her mother down the stairs by her neck.

don't they call that foreplay down south?

Posted by: navycopjoe at May 20, 2015 08:28 PM (6fWT8)

89 72 Wait- I never heard this! O'Reilly is an abuser?! Yikes.
Posted by: MTF at May 20, 2015 08:25 PM (TcePY)

========
Eh. Divorce always brings the worse out of people, plus this happened years ago.

Posted by: Bruce But Not Jenner at May 20, 2015 08:29 PM (iQIUe)

90 Great post, ace. I agree. I was a fan during the 80s, but drifted away. I haven't watched him in ages.

Yes, the Velcro suit was a classic. But there isn't all that much I remember from back then.

Posted by: rickl at May 20, 2015 08:29 PM (sdi6R)

91 88
81 His sixteen y.o daughter watched him drag her mother down the stairs by her neck.



don't they call that foreplay down south?

Posted by: navycopjoe at May 20, 2015 08:28 PM (6fWT


Bless your heart. *boxes up emus*

Posted by: Jane D'oh at May 20, 2015 08:29 PM (FsuaD)

92 Good Lord, this reminds me of the last time I watched Letterman; just threw it on to see what was happening on the show. This was long enough ago that I was watching a CRT, and I got my first flat screen plasma in 2001; so, 15, 20 years ago?

Anyway, Dave was walking around holding a coffee mug and sipping from it, saying things like, 'Ah, a nice beverage!". Over and over again with the 'Ah, nice beverage!'. His idiot side kick Shaefer is wetting himself laughing, and Dave is smirking up a storm; oh, gee, maybe there's something other than coffee in the mug! Like booze! Wow! That's just a darn laff riot, sipping booze out of a coffee mug on TV! Who else would be such a daring, edgy guy on national TV? Booze in a coffee mug! 'A nice beverage!'

This went on for about five minutes. After that, I decided I'd get a video of paint drying to watch the next time; you know, something punchier.

Good lord, it was lame. And the idiots in the audience had this whole 'we're laughing because we know something funny's happening somewhere here! We don't want to look dumb or anything!'

So, last time I tuned in ol' Dave.

Posted by: Sort-of-Mad Max at May 20, 2015 08:30 PM (DLu2s)

93 and have to leave to get the better half
don't trash the place

oh...
THE SOUTH LOST...DEAL WITH IT!!

Posted by: navycopjoe at May 20, 2015 08:30 PM (6fWT8)

94 THE SOUTH LOST...DEAL WITH IT!!

Posted by: navycopjoe at May 20, 2015 08:30 PM (6fWT


*_0

Posted by: Jane D'oh at May 20, 2015 08:31 PM (FsuaD)

95 So who is gonna replace him? Another SNL loser? Can't wait.

Posted by: tinfoilbaby at May 20, 2015 08:32 PM (5Vvdr)

96 Last time watched Letterman?

Hard to remember. 80's, sometime. Might have inadvertently watched at a friends in the 90's. Don't remember.

Posted by: 98ZJUSMC Suntanning in Bizzaro World at May 20, 2015 08:32 PM (mmlFU)

97 *logs into FedEx and upgrades Jane's order to a three pack of Raptors for NavyCopJoe*

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at May 20, 2015 08:32 PM (blHar)

98 I never saw that much humor in either of them. Though Leno was more an old time standup comedian than Dave. He was just as biased and going for the softballs to please the audience of liberals as Dave is.

Never got Letterman's humor. It was nasty and abusive most of the time and his audience was another bunch of paid barking seals would were cheaper than canned laughter.

Posted by: Bitter Clinger and All That at May 20, 2015 08:33 PM (zRby/)

99
Stephen Cocksucker Colbert is his replacement.

Posted by: Soothsayer at May 20, 2015 08:33 PM (6R/ns)

100 Letterman's first show post-9/11 was heartfelt.
-
That said, he's a douche.

Posted by: BumperStickerist at May 20, 2015 08:33 PM (0MJOU)

101 Letterman's first show post-9/11 was heartfelt.
-
That said, he's a douche.

Posted by: BumperStickerist at May 20, 2015 08:33 PM (0MJOU)

102 I remember the 'Catch Phrase' contest.

'It's so Hot, It's so Hot, It's so Hot!'

'They pelted us with rocks and garbage!'

'I do and do and do for you kids, and this is the thanks I get.'

It was out-there stuff comedy-wise in those days. Eventually, he got passed by.

Posted by: Pappy O'Daniel at May 20, 2015 08:33 PM (oVJmc)

103 Yeah, I thought Letterman was hilarious when I first discovered him. Sometime in middle school, I think.
I won't deny he *was* very funny. At one point. A long time ago.

Posted by: Costanza Defense at May 20, 2015 08:33 PM (ZPrif)

104 97
*logs into FedEx and upgrades Jane's order to a three pack of Raptors for NavyCopJoe*


Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at May 20, 2015 08:32 PM (blHar)


Thnx. Do you think the Empress will mind?

Posted by: Jane D'oh at May 20, 2015 08:33 PM (FsuaD)

105 81 72
Wait- I never heard this! O'Reilly is an abuser?! Yikes.

Posted by: MTF at May 20, 2015 08:25 PM (TcePY)

Yes. We discussed it last night (in between spider horror stories). His sixteen y.o daughter watched him drag her mother down the stairs by her neck.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at May 20, 2015 08:27 PM (FsuaD)

Damn. Of course I never liked him. And I don't have cable anyway..

Posted by: Lea at May 20, 2015 08:33 PM (vmMMi)

106
Bud Melman was funny in a sad pathetic way, as was Chris Elliot.

Posted by: Soothsayer at May 20, 2015 08:34 PM (6R/ns)

107 "Fernwood 2Nite and Fred Willard had been doing that stuff for years before Letterman.
And it's held up better, years later, than Letterman."

Absolutely right, I'd forgotten.

Letterman's mean streak was there the whole time, even from the start...using Chris Elliott, Paul and that little bald guy with glasses as constant foils to make himself look good. Yeah, Jack Benny had Don Wilson, and Carson often made fun of Ed and Doc, but Letterman always had an undercurrent of mean-spiritedness designed to make him look better. He let himself look ridiculous (velcro, Alka-Seltzer, etc) but never foolish or self-deprecating, that I can recall. He was always "better" than whoever he made fun of.

I also think his chair is jacked up to make him appear taller than the tallest guests, but he's probably not alone in that.

Posted by: Doomed at May 20, 2015 08:34 PM (bGLSw)

108 You know who was a huge prick and liberal as hell? Carson

How do we know this? I'm not being a dick, I really want to know. I've never read or heard anything definitive about Carson's political views.

Posted by: OregonMuse at May 20, 2015 08:35 PM (I8YZX)

109 I know the possibility of Bill Bo being hot-tempered and possibly violent is a shocker.


Posted by: Jane D'oh at May 20, 2015 08:35 PM (FsuaD)

110 I remember when Cruise dumped Kidman and she was on Letterman and he was so rude to her about it. I cant believe she didnt just walk out.

Posted by: Bruce But Not Jenner at May 20, 2015 08:35 PM (iQIUe)

111 So, is ace blogging from the Letterman audience? LOL

Posted by: Bruce But Not Jenner at May 20, 2015 08:36 PM (iQIUe)

112
A lotta shit is funny when you're under 35.

Posted by: Soothsayer at May 20, 2015 08:36 PM (6R/ns)

113 Jane, better to ask forgiveness than permission. Besides its NavyCopJoe.

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at May 20, 2015 08:36 PM (blHar)

114 Wait a minute.....Letterman was funny? When the fuck was that?

Posted by: BCochran1981 - Team Bannion at May 20, 2015 08:36 PM (GEICT)

115 Colbert? great. One phony replaces another.

Posted by: tinfoilbaby at May 20, 2015 08:36 PM (5Vvdr)

116 Or... when he was great, which was approximately from 1982 to 1986 and barely ever since then.

I have been saying this for decades. He went flat right after the writer's strike and never recovered. It was like a switch.

Posted by: deadman at May 20, 2015 08:37 PM (bNnI1)

117 Can't be repeated enough: Willow Palin being raped by Alex Rodriguez. Hilarious!

Fuck Letterman. I can't believe he produced a hell spawn.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at May 20, 2015 08:37 PM (FsuaD)

118 Why is everyone so surprised they turned into their parents?

DUH. G E N E T I C S

Learn it. Love it. Obey it.

The only thing to do is try to be accepting.

And telling your children they'll regret it when they grow up.

Posted by: Bitter Clinger and All That at May 20, 2015 08:37 PM (zRby/)

119
Anyone remember the late night wars tv movie about Leno and Letterman after Carson retired?

It was then I realized Letterman was a LOSER in real life. What's funny is how pissed off Letterman was at how he was portrayed -- he insisted it was nothing like him.

Posted by: Soothsayer at May 20, 2015 08:38 PM (6R/ns)

120 I liked Steve Allen and Jack Paar.

Posted by: Ronster at May 20, 2015 08:38 PM (r124R)

121 So, how rich is Letterman?

Posted by: Bruce But Not Jenner at May 20, 2015 08:38 PM (iQIUe)

122 113
Jane, better to ask forgiveness than permission. Besides its NavyCopJoe.


Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at May 20, 2015 08:36 PM (blHar)


Heh. Yeah, I "love" the fucker.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at May 20, 2015 08:38 PM (FsuaD)

123
Tonight is Letterman's last show. And thank God. I'm sicking of reading media types churn out obligatory stories about how great Letterman was, without understanding why he was great.

Good God that guy is so past his sell by date.

I thought he was going to hang on into Al Davis Time.

Posted by: eleven at May 20, 2015 08:39 PM (MDgS8)

124
112
A lotta shit is funny when you're under 35.
Posted by: Soothsayer at May 20, 2015 08:36 PM (6R/ns)

Correct

Posted by: Ira Smith at May 20, 2015 08:39 PM (iLVH9)

125 I think I sat through his show twice...never liked him and he won't be missed.

Posted by: CanaDave at May 20, 2015 08:39 PM (OO/2t)

126 Letterman. Enough. Ugh.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at May 20, 2015 08:39 PM (FsuaD)

127 Shit! He's worth $400 million bucks!

Posted by: Bruce But Not Jenner at May 20, 2015 08:40 PM (iQIUe)

128 That pic at the top of the thread? Laughing JEF?

Kill me now. Thanks, Ace.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at May 20, 2015 08:40 PM (FsuaD)

129 126 Letterman. Enough. Ugh.
Posted by: Jane D'oh at May 20, 2015 08:39 PM (FsuaD)


Mrs D'Oh! How's D'OhBoy?

Posted by: BCochran1981 - Team Bannion at May 20, 2015 08:40 PM (GEICT)

130 Mrs D'Oh! How's D'OhBoy?

Posted by: BCochran1981 - Team Bannion at May 20, 2015 08:40 PM (GEICT)


He's okay. I'll send you an update via e-mail.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at May 20, 2015 08:41 PM (FsuaD)

131 He's okay. I'll send you an update via e-mail.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at May 20, 2015 08:41 PM (FsuaD)



*stares at email*

Posted by: BCochran1981 - Team Bannion at May 20, 2015 08:42 PM (GEICT)

132 >>> I remember the 'Catch Phrase' contest.

'It's so Hot, It's so Hot, It's so Hot!'

'They pelted us with rocks and garbage!'

'I do and do and do for you kids, and this is the thanks I get.'

It was out-there stuff comedy-wise in those days. Eventually, he got passed by.

....

I don't remember this, but it definitely sounds like that era of jokes.

Sounds funny.

Posted by: ace at May 20, 2015 08:43 PM (PA7DS)

133 A lotta shit is funny when you're under 35.

Weed, dude. Weed makes almost anything funny.

Posted by: boulder terlit hobo at May 20, 2015 08:43 PM (AVEe1)

134 "He used to seem amusingly cranky, but over the years, I saw this more as
being truly sour, bitter, self-pitying, smug, and contemptuous."

You say that like it's a *bad* thing.

Posted by: Chevy Chase at May 20, 2015 08:43 PM (amQXf)

135 108 You know who was a huge prick and liberal as hell? Carson

How do we know this? I'm not being a dick, I really want to know. I've never read or heard anything definitive about Carson's political views.

Posted by: OregonMuse at May 20, 2015 08:35 PM (I8YZX)


See that's the thing. You don't know because Carson kept that stuff to himself.

I've seen interviews with people who knew him as well as anyone could know the guy (he was famously introverted off camera), and they said he held liberal views about things such as divorce laws (ha). A different time perhaps but still liberal.

Nice thing about Carson is he didn't care who was in the White House. He hit them all hard.

Posted by: Dack Thrombosis at May 20, 2015 08:43 PM (oFCZn)

136 As a Sigma Chi, I apologize for what Brother Dave became. (He has, apparently, darn near rebuilt Ball State U., FWIW.)


We still claim John Wayne and Tom Selleck, though.

Posted by: Bob's House of Flannel Shirts and Wallet Chains at May 20, 2015 08:43 PM (yxw0r)

137 *stares at email*

Posted by: BCochran1981 - Team Bannion at May 20, 2015 08:42 PM (GEICT)


Soon. (Now)

Posted by: Jane D'oh at May 20, 2015 08:44 PM (FsuaD)

138 To tell the truth, Carson was past his sell-by date when he finally went, too.

Posted by: Pappy O'Daniel at May 20, 2015 08:44 PM (oVJmc)

139 94
THE SOUTH LOST...DEAL WITH IT!!



Posted by: navycopjoe at May 20, 2015 08:30 PM




States rights lost, and we're still dealing with it.


yeah, yeah I know "but SLAVERY".


"but ABORTION "

"but Women's Suffrage"

"but RACISM"

"but Gay Marriage"


the clarion call of the SJW...

Posted by: some random meathead at May 20, 2015 08:46 PM (NUCTk)

140 138 To tell the truth, Carson was past his sell-by date when he finally went, too.

Posted by: Pappy O'Daniel at May 20, 2015 08:44 PM (oVJmc)


I think he had been ready for years. He was gone all the time on vacations, so much so that he seemed off the air more than he was on.

Posted by: Dack Thrombosis at May 20, 2015 08:46 PM (oFCZn)

141 Whew, SCOAMF Tweeted a pic of himself memorializing something.

Thought he might have been slipping.

Posted by: zombie Kennedy, Mandela, Neil Armstrong, etc etc etc at May 20, 2015 08:46 PM (dkfG0)

142 I can't hate the guy. I was his and Schaeffers escort on their first visit to troops in Iraq. They were both gracious, spent tons of quality time with troops, and generally were not the PITA most celebs that visited were.

And you could tell it was genuine. No stage shows- just being around and shaking hands and being unobtrusive.

And not being media hounds about it. For his visits and class then I'll give props.

But funny? Not since about 1987.

Posted by: Mr Wolf at May 20, 2015 08:46 PM (mIuEG)

143
I'm long past putting anyone up on a pedestal. Celebrities, politicians, they're ALL rotten cocksuckers.

Posted by: Soothsayer at May 20, 2015 08:46 PM (6R/ns)

144 ...we don't like Letterman, either.

Posted by: The Palins at May 20, 2015 08:47 PM (OpDDu)

145 I only watched Letterman a bit.

Seemed like he was depressed- maybe that can happen after open heart surgery.

He seemed to have that special kind of arrogance that comes from not being smart enough to realize that you do not know everything.

Posted by: River Guide at May 20, 2015 08:47 PM (RJMhd)

146 'stupid pet tricks' was funny once.


Once.

Posted by: some random meathead at May 20, 2015 08:48 PM (NUCTk)

147 bizarre homonculous Chris Elliott

homonculous is a homo word.

Posted by: wooga at May 20, 2015 08:48 PM (XK0dn)

148 144
...we don't like Letterman, either.

Posted by: The Palins at May 20, 2015 08:47 PM (OpDDu)


I won't forget that. Todd is a more restrained man than I.

Posted by: Bob's House of Flannel Shirts and Wallet Chains at May 20, 2015 08:48 PM (yxw0r)

149 Door, meet Letterman's ass.

Next!

Posted by: boulder terlit hobo at May 20, 2015 08:48 PM (AVEe1)

150 The man has been phoning it in for at least twenty years.
Yeah, he got off to a great start. But then he did nothing for twenty years.
Tonight, Dave Letterman retires.
But he quit a long time ago.




This.
And he loathes his audience.

Posted by: eleven at May 20, 2015 08:48 PM (MDgS8)

151 @39: "nothing was funny in 1980"

Your President Carter was funny....

Posted by: The Soviets and the Iranians at May 20, 2015 08:49 PM (amQXf)

152 The top ten reasons hate Dave. 1.. He should stick those pencils up his--------

Posted by: tinfoilbaby at May 20, 2015 08:49 PM (5Vvdr)

153 So which douchetastic douche is taking over for Letterman? While Craig Ferguson still is on the sideline...

Posted by: BCochran1981 - Team Bannion at May 20, 2015 08:50 PM (GEICT)

154
Colbert, now there's an unfunny dickhead.

This asshole does cartoon voice overs, too. Harvey Birdman, I think. So stupid.

He was not funny at all in Strangers With Candy, just a weirdo like the rest of the cast.

Posted by: Soothsayer at May 20, 2015 08:51 PM (6R/ns)

155 spot on. All of it.

I was a fan when he was campaigning against hillary (the "carpetbagger") for Senate in NY, and keeping a countdown of her refusal to appear on his show.

Even then though, my interest in him was waning.

Then, although i had mostly stopped watching, when she won and he said something like how she was a real new yorker since all new yorkers are carpet baggers anyway. He was fawning like someone threatened his career over it.
I was gone.

Posted by: Gentlemen, this is democracy manifest at May 20, 2015 08:51 PM (LWu6U)

156 So which douchetastic douche is taking over for Letterman? While Craig Ferguson still is on the sideline...

Louis CK of course.

The butthurt from *some* of the morons would be epic.

Posted by: boulder terlit hobo at May 20, 2015 08:51 PM (AVEe1)

157 Louis CK of course.

The butthurt from *some* of the morons would be epic.

Posted by: boulder terlit hobo at May 20, 2015 08:51 PM (AVEe1)



Ah, late night child rape jokes. A ratings winner for sure.

Posted by: BCochran1981 - Team Bannion at May 20, 2015 08:52 PM (GEICT)

158 Is Paul Schaefer retiring too?

Posted by: Count de Monet at May 20, 2015 08:53 PM (JO9+V)

159
Louis CK had a show on HBO that was awful.

His humor has no legs beyond stand-up.

Plus he's cynical to the point of depression.

Posted by: eleven at May 20, 2015 08:53 PM (MDgS8)

160 Hey, BCochran, I sent you the e-mail.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at May 20, 2015 08:53 PM (FsuaD)

161 Is it just me or is old green face moving up the side bar? I suspect Ace has a bit of a cruel streak in him, and not much could be cruller than keeping a seasick Lindsay around.

Posted by: An Observation at May 20, 2015 08:54 PM (if5HX)

162 I'm long past putting anyone up on a pedestal. Celebrities, politicians, they're ALL rotten cocksuckers.

I'm with you...I haven't been anybody's 'fan' since the 90's.

Posted by: CanaDave at May 20, 2015 08:54 PM (OO/2t)

163
Is Paul Schaefer retiring too?

Who?

Posted by: eleven at May 20, 2015 08:54 PM (MDgS8)

164 Maybe (fan-based) audiences eventually grow up while the comedian stays with the same schtick. What's funny when you are 30 may not be funny when you are 40 or 45. To an extent, the audience makes the performer. Maybe David Letterman just ran out of audience.

Posted by: Muldoon, a solid man at May 20, 2015 08:55 PM (NeFrd)

165 I agree with the butt-hate for current Letterman (though 1982-1985 when I was in college was damn funny) but even in his later years there were still gems like Warren Zevon's last ride. Can't watch that last "Roland" without finding extra dust in the room.

Posted by: Captain Ned at May 20, 2015 08:55 PM (WI6nT)

166 When I was a kid I was on vacation and we stayed up later than we were used to and saw a clip of the baby bat eating a mouse. I could never get enough of that. Later I survived a very rough freshmen year of high school and got into the show. I loved it, but only up until the first guest arrived. I never gave a damn about the interviews. I think the staff must have understood this because as the show went on it seemed like he held onto the Top Ten longer.

I got out of habit watching the show when I started college. The last time I watched it was about the time of the 2004 election. His gimmick was to have a clip of a Bush speech (basically doing what the Daily Show was doing), and purposely editing Kerry speeches. The joke was obvious: One is funny by itself because DUMB, one had to be made funny because it's makes so much sense! At the time I was OK with either winning but I hate it when you can tell a comedian is pulling his punches while making jokes about "both sides."

Oh, and I almost forgot in 2000 (same time he joked that Bush was going to sleep through the presidency) when Hillary did a Top Ten list, and media fanboys pretended it was anything but a stunt. I mean, come on, she "brought" her own list and he didn't tell her to screw off?

Posted by: Shoot Me at May 20, 2015 08:55 PM (EQcfE)

167 Tanned, rested and ready.

Posted by: Margaret Cho at May 20, 2015 08:56 PM (NUCTk)

168 Last time I thought Letterman was funny, I had just declined to vote for Clinton over Bush. I would have voted for Clinton, but it was raining pretty hard. 6 months later, I graduated college and went to work. So thanks to the rain, I never voted for a F*cking dem!

Posted by: Chris M at May 20, 2015 08:56 PM (6RZos)

169
David Letterman and Garry Trudeau are two sides of the same Coin of Unfunny. And both sides are "Tails".

Hasta la bye-bye, jackwad.

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars(TM) at May 20, 2015 08:56 PM (VLTL9)

170
RIP Letterman.

The bitch that bore him is in heat again.

Posted by: eleven at May 20, 2015 08:56 PM (MDgS8)

171 First of all, I don't give a flying fuck about late-night TV.

Ever since my little sister and I snuck out of our beds to watch Johnny Carson on Friday night, I haven't given a damn.

*looks sideways for spiders sneaked in by evil morons*

Posted by: Jane D'oh at May 20, 2015 08:56 PM (FsuaD)

172 Hey everybody. It's probably too late and I'll have to repost this in the OOT, but...

*Top Five Things I'll Enjoy Most Now That Letterman's Gone*

5. Not having to hear anymore about what how brilliant and wonderful Letterman is/was.

4. Watching Keith Olbermann desperately search for some other talk show where he can pretend to still be anywhere near famous/admired.

3. The schaudenfreude of seeing CBS's ratings sink and sink while Stephen Colbert systematically alienates everyone in middle America.

2. The tell-all books by ex-Letterman staffers exposing in detail what a wretched, sexist, spoiled, harassing boss Dave is and was.

1. Watching a formerly talented, now bitter old partisan hack get dragged into the mists of obscurity where he belongs.

Posted by: qdpsteve at May 20, 2015 08:57 PM (elbY7)

173 *keeps writing*

With clockwork precision, Sung keeps firing in lane four. Her attention is focused on servicing her own paper target and thus does not hear Alice go rapid fire. And like Alice's Pico, the HK45C's slide soon locks back on an empty magazine as a wisp of smoke curls slowly away from the front of the barrel.

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at May 20, 2015 08:57 PM (blHar)

174 @93: "THE SOUTH LOST...DEAL WITH IT!!"

*looks around this wreck of a country*

Yeah, that's worked out well for all concerned, hasn't it?

Posted by: The South at May 20, 2015 08:57 PM (amQXf)

175
Can't watch that last "Roland" without finding extra dust in the room.
Posted by: Captain Ned at May 20, 2015 08:55 PM (WI6nT)

Oui

Posted by: Penguin Smith at May 20, 2015 08:58 PM (iLVH9)

176 Paul whatever. The bald dude who plays piano like he's some sort of keyboard god.

Posted by: Count de Monet at May 20, 2015 08:58 PM (JO9+V)

177 173
*keeps writing*

With clockwork precision, Sung keeps firing in
lane four. Her attention is focused on servicing her own paper target
and thus does not hear Alice go rapid fire. And like Alice's Pico, the
HK45C's slide soon locks back on an empty magazine as a wisp of smoke
curls slowly away from the front of the barrel.


Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at May 20, 2015 08:57 PM (blHar)


Dayum.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at May 20, 2015 08:58 PM (FsuaD)

178 This is what is so odd to me.

There is so much good stuff out there. Growing up there were three channels, no internet, no vcr, no dvds. You watched what was on and the only consolation was that EVERYONE was watching fonz jump the shark, so you had something to talk about the next day.

Today though, there is so much good stuff to watch, why waste time with stuff like snl or late night talk when even if it was funny, it is 90% commercial breaks anyway?

Posted by: Gentlemen, this is democracy manifest at May 20, 2015 08:58 PM (LWu6U)

179
Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at May 20, 2015 08:57 PM (blHar)

Such a dirty girl!

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars(TM) at May 20, 2015 09:00 PM (VLTL9)

180 167
Tanned, rested and ready.


Posted by: Margaret Cho at May 20, 2015 08:56 PM (NUCTk)


Saints preserve us.

Posted by: Bob's House of Flannel Shirts and Wallet Chains at May 20, 2015 09:00 PM (yxw0r)

181 You know who used to be hilarious with him? Leno. Check them out on You Tube.

Posted by: tu3031 at May 20, 2015 09:00 PM (EDYaR)

182
funny, it is 90% commercial breaks anyway?
Posted by: Gentlemen, this is democracy manifest at May 20, 2015 08:58 PM (LWu6U)

+1

Posted by: Penguin Smith at May 20, 2015 09:00 PM (iLVH9)

183
Leno is so damn Corporate with a capital C.

He can be funny. It's a shame.

Posted by: eleven at May 20, 2015 09:02 PM (MDgS8)

184 My prediction? Leno will have at least *two* major comebacks as a star before he's through.

Letterman OTOH will be absolutely impossible to deal with and never find another project that give him enough "artistic freedom" (or pay him enough).

Posted by: qdpsteve at May 20, 2015 09:02 PM (elbY7)

185 I had some family that could be called swing voters.

Between David Letterman and Chris Matthews they became rabid haters. And --there was nothing you could do to combat the "rational " of their TV heroes.




Posted by: River Guide at May 20, 2015 09:03 PM (RJMhd)

186 After his heart attack, Dave just threw away the veil. Much like George Carlin in his later years, Dave just comes across as a smug liberal (unfunny) asshole.

Posted by: Chuck at May 20, 2015 09:04 PM (dSkY8)

187 Letterman made ~ 150 million being a pro asshole with a leftist slant....

his "humor" back when it existed was a LOT cheaper to buy.

Posted by: Sven S Blade a.k.a. El Assassin@sven10077 at May 20, 2015 09:04 PM (/4AZU)

188 Y'know, if Barry was a true friend, he'd loan Letterman his Greek Columns for the night.

I mean, it's not like Barry needs 'em anymore.

Posted by: dissent555 at May 20, 2015 09:05 PM (yR6A1)

189
Letterman's fans were way way way too loyal.

He didn't deserve it.

Posted by: eleven at May 20, 2015 09:06 PM (MDgS8)

190 Dave Letterman was never funny until President Barack Obama graced him with his presence.

See? Barry is laughing.

Posted by: Fritz at May 20, 2015 09:06 PM (ty633)

191
I never really liked Letterman. Leno was ok for the monologue and the
ask the stupid people in the street questions that they should know the
answer to and watch them really phuck it up thingy that he did. I liked
that because it really highlighted how stupid we've become as a country.
Funny and sad at the same time. Yeah, Jaywalking. That segment.


The Jaywalking stunt is a trick: people can't think when they are adrenalated. Don't believe me? Try doing algebra problems with a hungry leopard in the chair next to you and tell me how many correct answers you got. Jay would get people to have an adrenalin surge and then ask them questions they couldn't answer in that condition. Lawyers do this to witnesses all the time - it is just a trick for making people look stupid.


Posted by: An Observation at May 20, 2015 09:06 PM (if5HX)

192 Totally unrelated to anything ...


... I came within 15 seconds today of walking off my job. I'm 42. I do not have another 25 years of this in me.

Posted by: ScoggDog at May 20, 2015 09:06 PM (qy1p+)

193 Okay, Horde. Try not to be too jealous.

This is the woman Letterman is married to:

http://tinyurl.com/lg98oam

Posted by: Jane D'oh at May 20, 2015 09:07 PM (FsuaD)

194
Totally unrelated to anything ...


... I came within 15 seconds today of walking off my job. I'm 42. I do not have another 25 years of this in me.


I know the feeling. Trust me.

Posted by: eleven at May 20, 2015 09:08 PM (MDgS8)

195 @192

Keep at it. Time passes faster as you get older.

Posted by: dissent555 at May 20, 2015 09:08 PM (yR6A1)

196 Letterman stopped being funny after Chris Elliot left the writing team.

Posted by: OCBill at May 20, 2015 09:08 PM (VCCXE)

197 14 Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at May 20, 2015 08:07 PM (J0IP0)

There's a reason they interrogate POWs at weird hours my friend.

Posted by: Sven S Blade a.k.a. El Assassin@sven10077 at May 20, 2015 09:09 PM (/4AZU)

198 David Letterman is the Garrison Keilor of the not-Midwest

Posted by: Retard Strength Trumps Smart Power at May 20, 2015 09:10 PM (n/vq+)

199 Letterman...

Dear God, someone make that senile nasty fucker go away.

Posted by: Gmac- Pulling in feelers in preperation... at May 20, 2015 09:10 PM (4CRfK)

200 This is one of those times that I hate my life even though everything is going great for me personally. I hate it bc I'm so busy that I barely have time to read Ace or his posts and have to stay away from comments. I didn't even have time to read this whole post but read enough to know that Ace is so great.

I wish I could comment on Letterman bc I have so many similar thoughts to the part of the post I read. I just want to take the five minutes I have to spare right now, to say Thank You, Ace and all the cobs for showing up everyday and keeping this place up and running and barely asking anything of your readers in return. It feels like Christmas Day here so many days.

Hey, Ace, you should take tomorrow off. You deserve it. All the cobs too. Day off. Rdbrewer should just do all the posts on his colonoscopy and then get the next day off.

Posted by: L, Elle at May 20, 2015 09:10 PM (gPTe0)

201 Jane and Krebs, thank you for the positive feedback.

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at May 20, 2015 09:10 PM (blHar)

202
... I came within 15 seconds today of walking off my job. I'm 42. I do not have another 25 years of this in me.

Posted by: ScoggDog at May 20, 2015 09:06 PM (qy1p+)


Please hang in there. Things will get better.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at May 20, 2015 09:10 PM (FsuaD)

203 Keep at it. Time passes faster as you get older.

You got that right...2015 is almost half over already...seems like Christmas was last week.

Posted by: CanaDave at May 20, 2015 09:11 PM (OO/2t)

204 "TV won't be the same without Dave." - Barack Obama


"America won't be the same without Barack Obama." - Me.


And good job, too, on both counts.

Posted by: Jay Guevara at May 20, 2015 09:11 PM (oKE6c)

205 201
Jane and Krebs, thank you for the positive feedback.


Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at May 20, 2015 09:10 PM (blHar)


You got it, darlin'.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at May 20, 2015 09:11 PM (FsuaD)

206 My cousin got Letterman tickets once and I went to a taping.Saw a friend and his girlfriend outside,he had tickets but sold them(they are free) to some rube from out of town for $200 (I forget,may have been more).Anyway,that lucky bastard got the better deal by far.The guests were Elaine Boosler and Shelley Long.

Posted by: steevy at May 20, 2015 09:11 PM (mGBKM)

207


... I came within 15 seconds today of walking off my job. I'm 42. I do not have another 25 years of this in me.

Posted by: ScoggDog at May 20, 2015 09:06 PM (qy1p+)


"I came within 15 seconds..." Ah, college days.

Seriously though, good on ya for taking a breath. I got laid off at 42. Forty-six now, and haven't recovered.

Posted by: Bob's House of Flannel Shirts and Wallet Chains at May 20, 2015 09:12 PM (yxw0r)

208 200
Hey, Ace, you should take tomorrow off. You deserve it. All the cobs too. Day off. Rdbrewer should just do all the posts on his colonoscopy and then get the next day off.

Posted by: L, Elle at May 20, 2015 09:10 PM (gPTe0)



Um, I vote for a whole day of open threads.

Posted by: rickl at May 20, 2015 09:12 PM (sdi6R)

209 Keillor is another bitter old lefty who hates his audience

Posted by: Feh at May 20, 2015 09:13 PM (Uk9e2)

210 Nice piece on Brietbart about the bitterness of Letterman with losing to Leno. It cost him his Indiana soul.

Posted by: redenzo at May 20, 2015 09:13 PM (WCnJW)

211 Um, I vote for a whole day of open threads.

Posted by: rickl at May 20, 2015 09:12 PM (sdi6R)



Sooooo.....the standard Wednesday then?

Posted by: BCochran1981 - Team Bannion at May 20, 2015 09:13 PM (GEICT)

212 A whole day of boob/bewb threads!

Posted by: Weasel at May 20, 2015 09:13 PM (e3bId)

213 198

Letterman's from Indiana, originally.

Posted by: Doomed at May 20, 2015 09:14 PM (bGLSw)

214 >>>Hey, Ace, you should take tomorrow off. You
deserve it. All the cobs too. Day off. Rdbrewer should just do all the
posts on his colonoscopy and then get the next day off.

Posted by: L, Elle at May 20, 2015 09:10 PM (gPTe0)





Um, I vote for a whole day of open threads.
Posted by: rickl at May 20, 2015 09:12 PM (sdi6R)<<<



Space to destroy.

Posted by: Mayor of Baltimore at May 20, 2015 09:14 PM (dkfG0)

215 Hating your audience is some kind of uber sophistication I guess.

Posted by: eleven at May 20, 2015 09:14 PM (MDgS8)

216 213th!

Posted by: Weasel at May 20, 2015 09:14 PM (e3bId)

217 Damnit!

Posted by: Weasel at May 20, 2015 09:14 PM (e3bId)

218 Well, I'm heading off to bed. One more day to search for a formal gown in this idiot town in a petite.

Kill.Me.Now.

I hate formal weddings.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at May 20, 2015 09:14 PM (FsuaD)

219 I never liked Letterman. I think I watched his show maybe 10 times ever over the last 20 years.

He is full of himself, and I don't think he is funny. I won't watch his replacement either because I don't watch TV any longer because of people like Letterman.

Posted by: WarEagle82 at May 20, 2015 09:15 PM (wV2Kr)

220
George Carlin was genuinely funny until he became a bitter old man.

Sort of a shame.

Posted by: irongrampa at May 20, 2015 09:15 PM (jeCnD)

221 Um, I vote for a whole day of open threads.

We're gonna need more art.

Posted by: AoSHQ Classy Pic Repository at May 20, 2015 09:15 PM (lubY2)

222 Things don't really HAVE to get better. As I see it, there's no reason at all why things can't continue to spiral down a big swirl of shit.


I wonder if I can talk my employer into giving me a lay-off.

Posted by: ScoggDog at May 20, 2015 09:15 PM (qy1p+)

223 >>>Well, I'm heading off to bed. One more day to search for a formal gown in this idiot town in a petite.
Kill.Me.Now.
I hate formal weddings.
Posted by: Jane D'oh at May 20, 2015 09:14 PM (FsuaD)<<<

G'night. I'll be in later.

Posted by: Wolf-spider of Jane's house at May 20, 2015 09:16 PM (dkfG0)

224 Jerry Seinfeld has this series on the intertubes called "Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee." It's somewhat entertaining, big-name comedians and beautifully-restored or preserved vintage cars. Same sort of Seinfeld feel, i.e. "it's about nothing."

Don Rickles, Mel Brooks, a few other old timers but a lot of insufferable pricks like Letterman, Alec Baldwin, Tina Fey, Jon Stewart, Sarah Silverman, etc. Larry David appears, too, a big Obama supporter, and whose HBO series "Curb Your Enthusiasm" I love. All leftists.

I used to think these people were funny but now that I know their politics, their schticks are decidedly unfunny to me. Maybe I can't be objective anymore because they and their tribe are currently in charge of all korrect thinking.

Or maybe the blinders came off.

Posted by: fly gal at May 20, 2015 09:16 PM (sKq6w)

225 I guess I'm too old. As I'm sure many have mentioned by now, I never thought he was funny. Alas, Dave, I hardly knew ye - and that's a good thing.

Posted by: bergerbilder at May 20, 2015 09:16 PM (+jijM)

226 Okay, Horde. Try not to be too jealous.

This is the woman Letterman is married to:

Posted by: Jane D'oh

Oh, hahahahahahahaha! Gawd, can you imagine what a joy she is to be around?

Posted by: Hobbitopoly at May 20, 2015 09:16 PM (H/s7S)

227 Now I have this image of Jane D'oh boogeying like that cute redhead from the Southwest commercials.

Posted by: eleven at May 20, 2015 09:16 PM (MDgS8)

228 Keillor is another bitter old lefty who hates his audience


Piker.

Posted by: Stephen King at May 20, 2015 09:16 PM (NUCTk)

229 TV won't be the same without Dave

It will be better.

Posted by: Grump928(c) makes up for his lack of vision with volume of fire at May 20, 2015 09:16 PM (l31C4)

230 Am I the only one that is lost?

Posted by: tinfoilbaby at May 20, 2015 09:17 PM (5Vvdr)

231 G'night. I'll be in later.


Posted by: Wolf-spider of Jane's house at May 20, 2015 09:16 PM (dkfG0)


*adds to List*

Posted by: Jane D'oh at May 20, 2015 09:17 PM (FsuaD)

232 >>> Um, I vote for a whole day of open threads.
Posted by: rickl at May 20, 2015 09:12 PM (sdi6R)

>>> Space to destroy.
Posted by: Mayor of Baltimore at May 20, 2015 09:14 PM (dkfG0)

As much as I want to endorse this idea, I can't. If they actually gave us the space to destroy, we'd all get our asses banned.

Still, great comment and suggestion and sock.

Posted by: L, Elle at May 20, 2015 09:17 PM (gPTe0)

233 219 I quit watching TV several years ago. Mrs. Weasel still watches some, but I can't stand anything made after about 1968.

Posted by: Weasel at May 20, 2015 09:17 PM (e3bId)

234 Who fooking watches network tv anymore?

Posted by: I'm a drinker, not a thinker at May 20, 2015 09:19 PM (D0Tns)

235 I liked him in high school, which coincidentally ended in 1986. Becoming a tax paying, functional member of society made me realize that I liked getting sleep at night instead of the same tired crap that he kept regurgitating over and over again. I haven't seen a single show of his since 1988 when I was up late because I was nervous about leaving for basic training in the morning.

Posted by: digitalbrownshirt at May 20, 2015 09:20 PM (YikDz)

236
Sing it brotha.
I could have written his screed myself, but I would add one more thing - it is painfully obvious that after the first five years of Late Night with David Letterman he lost his writing staff. Where I don't know, but you are correct, he has just kept doing the same few bits over and over again. he literally doesn't have a clue how to do anything new.

Posted by: Obama & crew at May 20, 2015 09:20 PM (/EkKm)

237 Good point about Garrison Keillor. I used to be a faithful listener to A Prairie Home Companion. He cultivated a calm, folksy persona, and I was surprised to discover that he was such a leftist asshole, full of hate and bile. I haven't been able to listen since.

I also understand that he's a prima donna petty tyrant on the set.

Posted by: rickl at May 20, 2015 09:20 PM (sdi6R)

238 I-I-I-I'm ava-ava-available!

*snorts spit through nose*

Posted by: Bobcat Goldthwaite at May 20, 2015 09:20 PM (NUCTk)

239 But after that initial burst of creativity -- a burst which owed a great
deal to off-kilter comedic minds like that of his onetime girlfriend
Merrill Markoe, or the gifted, bizarre homonculous Chris Elliott -- he
stopped trying to be fresh and new and just started putting in the hours
for a paycheck.


THIS. Markoe and Elliott were the mortar that held the bricks together. When they left, it all fell apart.

And remember, Markoe was his girlfriend for quite a while.

I also used to watch him (I remember his daytime show on NBC!) religiously on Late Night from the first show until around 1987, when Elliott departed.

He really did become an old, bitter, leftist, Puritan.

Posted by: Tex Lovera at May 20, 2015 09:20 PM (qbxhm)

240 234 Not me!

I read a bit and load ammo.

Posted by: Weasel at May 20, 2015 09:21 PM (e3bId)

241 I was never a fan of late night TV. I would catch the Leno monologue every now and again. Sometimes, I would catch Letterman's Top Ten List. That's about it. I find myself drifting away from TV in general. About the only thing I watch now are cooking shows, HGTV, and DIY. I'm just tired of being sucker punched and ridiculed when I'm not expecting it in a show. I used to think I was just too sensitive, but now, I know it's intentional. I just don't have a lot of tolerance left in me.

Posted by: no good deed at May 20, 2015 09:21 PM (GgxVX)

242 he was funny in the 80's that was it

Posted by: phoenixgirl at May 20, 2015 09:21 PM (0O7c5)

243 And Chris Elliott *is* seriously funny comedy writer, but only average, at best, as a comedian.

Posted by: Grump928(c) makes up for his lack of vision with volume of fire at May 20, 2015 09:21 PM (l31C4)

244 the lotto machine is broken.....that was funny....throwing stuff off the roof was funny

Posted by: phoenixgirl at May 20, 2015 09:22 PM (0O7c5)

245 Things were better when comedians told jokes.

The writing was a skill. You could respect that. And if the jokes weren't funny, you'd know in a hurry.

Then comedy became tied to who the comedian was, rather than the comedic material.

That was the beginning of the end. Identity politics kills everything dead.

Posted by: Feh at May 20, 2015 09:23 PM (Uk9e2)

246 @BarackObama
TV won't be the same without Dave.


One could also say the White House won't be the same without Barack Obama.

Posted by: t-bird at May 20, 2015 09:23 PM (FcR7P)

247 As Mr. Limbaugh usually says, "Do not doubt me." So far Mr. Limbaugh has been correct on many items in the news and not in the news.
It might take a while to get there but is always gets there.

Posted by: Heltau at May 20, 2015 09:23 PM (MXPs3)

248 ace compared Letterman's wife to Bill Paxton. That was comedy gold!

Still haven't read my copy of Shroud of the Thwacker.

Posted by: joe-impeachin44 at May 20, 2015 09:24 PM (dFXmO)

249 Yet again, there is Obama honoring someone else by showing a picture with himself.

Posted by: Dave S. at May 20, 2015 09:24 PM (mhkbv)

250 Dave Letterman won't be on TV anymore.

TV will be no worse or better because of it.

So, ultimately, why care?

Posted by: Mallamutt, RINO President for Life at May 20, 2015 09:25 PM (/HC6x)

251 >>> I also understand that he's a prima donna petty tyrant on the set.
Posted by: rickl at May 20, 2015 09:20 PM (sdi6R)

Same same, rickl. I had the exact same experience with Keillor. As soon as I found out that he's a big asshole hater, I was: this ain't so funny anymore. Bye bye, you dick. Turned off the radio on him for good.

Posted by: L, Elle at May 20, 2015 09:25 PM (gPTe0)

252 This thread reminds me that Dave used to be funny, back in the 80s. I remember when he was throwing stuff off a building, and filming it smash on the ground below. It was like youtube for us back then.

Posted by: Chris M at May 20, 2015 09:25 PM (6RZos)

253 Am I imagining it, or did comedy in general transition from funny to mean about 20 years ago?

Posted by: Weasel at May 20, 2015 09:26 PM (e3bId)

254 Letterman showed what a nasty dick he is when he made the joke about Palin's daughter and the baseball player. His excuse was that he thought he was joking about the older one. First of all, if he's half as intelligent as he seems to think he is, why didn't he know which daughter was which?

Second, since when is it funny for an extremely powerful, obscenely rich, sixty year old television personality to make a joke about about a single teen girl who got pregnant? Not to mention the fact that he, oops, accidentally knocked up his girlfriend. When a man who is in the neighborhood of sixty years old can't use birth control effectively, he can hardly mock a kid.

Then, as if he wasn't already a big enough asshole, he gave a snotty, insincere apology. The first apology was so clearly insincere, that he had to give another one the next might.

The guy isn't just unfunny, he's an asshole. Besides which, like many conservatives, I'm fed up with entertainment industry people who act as if they're somehow morally superior to those greedy, rich republicans, when all the while they're getting mountains of money for themselves.

I would like one of the people to explain to me exactly how, in the way they live their lives, they are any different from rich republicans. Look at the neighborhoods they live in, the amount of luxury, the schools their kids attend, the people they associate with, the places they go to, the amount of money they give to non-profits. How the hell are they any different from rich republicans, aside from the empty bullshit they spew?

Posted by: nerdygirl at May 20, 2015 09:26 PM (UI0Cn)

255 It was always funny, in a sad clown sort of way, when he'd desperately try to fuck whatever reasonably-attractive starlet (or Madonna) happened to be on the show

Posted by: Fa Cube Itches at May 20, 2015 09:26 PM (amQXf)

256 If I had a big gap between my teeth like Letterman, I'd spit through it at the mention of his name. Fuck him.

Posted by: Tattoo De Plane at May 20, 2015 09:26 PM (nCKKS)

257 "... I came within 15 seconds today of walking off my job. I'm 42. I do not have another 25 years of this in me."

I'm sorry Scoggdog. Been there. Hope tomorrow is better for you.

Posted by: fly gal at May 20, 2015 09:28 PM (sKq6w)

258 My 12 year old daughter has a teeth gap like Letterman's. I'll be paying for her braces. We breeders sure are greedy.

Posted by: Chris M at May 20, 2015 09:29 PM (6RZos)

259 nerdygirl: good point re Letterman's jabs at Palin and her kids.

That story at least had a happy ending however. After he fauxpologized, Letterman begged Sarah for about the 900th time to be on the show, and she responded by calling him a pervert and saying she'd NEVER do it.

Put him in his place. He shut up about her entirely after that.

Posted by: qdpsteve at May 20, 2015 09:29 PM (elbY7)

260 rickl, the thing was, I knew the kind of people Keillor pretended to be. There *are* people like him, which makes it impossible now for me to listen to him.

Posted by: Feh at May 20, 2015 09:29 PM (Uk9e2)

261 Chris Elliot is awesome. I watched his old TV show, and his book Shroud of the Thwacker was pretty good. Even remember Cabinboy.

Letterman I stopped watching in college, but I give the guy props because he and Paul came through Iraq on a USO tour and the soldiers loved it. There was some chick with a metal codpiece and a grinder - that's all I remember anymore.

Posted by: Fleegle at May 20, 2015 09:29 PM (ZgXPR)

262 Yeah, he phoned it in years ago. I blame it on the death of Larry -Bud- Mellman

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian, at May 20, 2015 09:30 PM (3mTLw)

263 I think I read this article already at Breitbart.

Posted by: Justfactualthings at May 20, 2015 09:30 PM (oCxXI)

264 I think I read this article already at Breitbart.

Posted by: Justfactualthings at May 20, 2015 09:30 PM (oCxXI)

265 Another prediction of mine:

It'll come out that Letterman had some obscene nickname for John McCain whenever he talked about him and/or wanted him on the show. "The old pants shitter" or something like that.

Posted by: qdpsteve at May 20, 2015 09:30 PM (elbY7)

266 Has anyone mentioned his fuck shack apartment that he kept at the studio to fuck all his interns? That deserves mockery.

I thought he was funny once upon a long time ago when he actually was funny, but he deserves to be the butt of the joke now. Glad he's off the air.

Posted by: L, Elle at May 20, 2015 09:31 PM (gPTe0)

267 Reminds me a bit of Conan. The act gets stale after a while.

Posted by: Naes at May 20, 2015 09:31 PM (YhayY)

268 How in the hell did I get first? With a cell phone?

Posted by: tinfoilbaby at May 20, 2015 09:32 PM (5Vvdr)

269

One could also say the White House won't be the same without Barack Obama.
Posted by: t-bird at May 20, 2015 09:23 PM (FcR7P)

Like a toilet without a piece of shit

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian, at May 20, 2015 09:32 PM (3mTLw)

270 BTW, I'm thinking that like 'SCOAMF,' we need to develop an insider name for the Democrat party.

Since all of their preferred candidates are pushing 70, I thought PODS would be good: Party of Diaper Shitters.

I also thought of SHITs. (Stalinist Hitlers in Tights.)

Posted by: qdpsteve at May 20, 2015 09:33 PM (elbY7)

271 I also remember when he crushed a bunch of stuff in a hydraulic press. It was awesome to see these crazy things that we would want to do ourselves. Back then most of our life experience was in the real world, not on a screen.

Posted by: Chris M at May 20, 2015 09:33 PM (6RZos)

272 he's just another obnoxious NYC POS...

F him.

Posted by: redc1c4 at May 20, 2015 09:33 PM (044Yr)

273 Let us not forget. Willow Palin being raped by Alex Rodriguez.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at May 20, 2015 09:33 PM (FsuaD)

274 I never could stand him. I vastly preferred, and I mean vastly, both Carson and Leno over him. You've got him nailed perfectly, Ace.

Posted by: Sasquatch at May 20, 2015 09:33 PM (3lbck)

275 269 exactly this.

Posted by: Weasel at May 20, 2015 09:34 PM (e3bId)

276 Leno was just more fun most nights than Letterman.

Posted by: qdpsteve at May 20, 2015 09:34 PM (elbY7)

277 I'm off to bed.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at May 20, 2015 09:34 PM (FsuaD)

278 LARRY BUD MELLMAN IS DEAD?

Posted by: REV. AL SHARPTON at May 20, 2015 09:35 PM (+1T7c)

279 The best thing Letterman did in the last 15 years was show case Warren Zevon before he passed

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian, at May 20, 2015 09:35 PM (3mTLw)

280 >>"The old pants shitter"

Wut?
Did you call me?

Posted by: Joe Biden at May 20, 2015 09:35 PM (sQzB6)

281 Dave Letterman - he was hilarious back in the 80s.

Posted by: Chris M at May 20, 2015 09:35 PM (6RZos)

282 Conan, what an uncomfortable wreck.

Posted by: Feh at May 20, 2015 09:36 PM (Uk9e2)

283 I used to love Letterman when I was a teenager. That was in the '80s. I joined the USAF in '88 and pretty much stopped watching. I was kind of busy for 10 years. I would watch it occasionally but he just wasn't that funny anymore. He was just annoying.

Posted by: Puddleglum likes beer at May 20, 2015 09:36 PM (OkN8Y)

284 For anyone who hasn't seen it, a great behind-the-scenes view of late-night talk show hosts in provided in what's probably my all-time favorite Scorsese movie, "The King of Comedy." Came out in 1982, got mostly panned then, but now considered a classic.

Jerry Lewis is especially good as the very Carson-like host who, it turns out, is pretty much a hostage of his own fame and image.

Posted by: qdpsteve at May 20, 2015 09:36 PM (elbY7)

285 "*looks around this wreck of a country*

Yeah, that's worked out well for all concerned, hasn't it?"


If I liked the Democrats, I wouldn't join them and then did nothing but bitch about Jackson, or Wilson, or FDR.

But Republicans can't even embrace its first and most popular president, because BIG TENT.


"the clarion call of the SJW..."

That's rich coming from 150+ years of "But northern aggression!"

Posted by: Shoot Me at May 20, 2015 09:36 PM (EQcfE)

286
And Chris Elliott *is* seriously funny comedy writer, but only average, at best, as a comedian.

Posted by: Grump928(c) makes up for his lack of vision with volume of fire at May 20, 2015 09:21 PM (l31C4)








Fuck you! Cabin Boy is a COMEDIC MASTERPIECE!

/hipster

Posted by: IllTemperedCur at May 20, 2015 09:37 PM (ynQIy)

287 Is Fallon funny, or just fun?

Posted by: Feh at May 20, 2015 09:37 PM (Uk9e2)

288 Of course, I forgot one of the best lines from "The King of Comedy," from when Rupert Pupkin (DeNiro) 'invites' himself to Jerry Langford's (Jerry Lewis's) home, then gets thrown out by Langford himself.

"I'm sorry Jerry, I made a mistake."

"Yeah. So did Hitler!"

Posted by: qdpsteve at May 20, 2015 09:38 PM (elbY7)

289 Fallon can be funny. IMHO he's pretty balanced about his jokes.

He also reminds me a lot of Carson, although he still does a lot of stuff JC would never have done in a million years.

Posted by: qdpsteve at May 20, 2015 09:38 PM (elbY7)

290 286 Posted by: IllTemperedCur at May 20, 2015 09:37 PM (ynQIy)

The fight is between it and "Goodburger" for "BCOAT"

http://tinyurl.com/yecqky8

"Good Burger"

Posted by: Sven S Blade a.k.a. El Assassin@sven10077 at May 20, 2015 09:38 PM (/4AZU)

291 Yup.

Posted by: MikeD at May 20, 2015 09:39 PM (uKJIC)

292 192
... I came within 15 seconds today of walking off my job. I'm 42. I do not have another 25 years of this in me.

Posted by: ScoggDog at May 20, 2015 09:06 PM (qy1p+)



As I mentioned the other night, I had a co-worker up and quit on Monday. But she was in her 20s. You can do that when you're young.

Once I had a job I hated, and I hated my co-workers even more. One day I went out for lunch, and said fuckit, I'm not going back. Never said a word to anyone.

God, that felt good. It was as if a giant weight was lifted off my shoulders. Everybody should do that once in their life.

But I was in my 20s. You can only do something like that when you're young, or if you're so flippin' brilliant and talented that you can get another job with a snap of your fingers. I wouldn't recommend it to a middle-aged person in this economy.

Posted by: rickl at May 20, 2015 09:39 PM (sdi6R)

293 It's a shoot out in Tampa, tonight.

4- 3 Lightning in the second.

Posted by: Garrett at May 20, 2015 09:40 PM (GSTJs)

294 Carson was an image, a sort of laid back Californian rat packer, smart, easy going, and able to hold his liquor.

Posted by: Feh at May 20, 2015 09:40 PM (Uk9e2)

295 For anyone who hasn't seen it, a great behind-the-scenes view of late-night talk show hosts in provided in what's probably my all-time favorite Scorsese movie, "The King of Comedy." Came out in 1982, got mostly panned then, but now considered a classic. Jerry Lewis is especially good as the very Carson-like host who, it turns out, is pretty much a hostage of his own fame and image.

Posted by: qdpsteve at May 20, 2015 09:36 PM

Agreed. Scorsese's best. DeNiro's best. Hugely underappreciated flick. Loved it when it came out. 82 was a good year.

Posted by: otho at May 20, 2015 09:40 PM (tBSrv)

296 284: Also features the classic Van Morrison song Wonderful Remark. Thats all I remember of that movie though.

Posted by: Puddleglum likes beer at May 20, 2015 09:40 PM (OkN8Y)

297 281 Dave Letterman - he was hilarious back in the 80s.

Posted by: Chris M at May 20, 2015 09:35 PM (6RZos)


He was. We watched him a lot, ...... in college. Don't remember any real political crap then.

Well, you know.......

*looks forlornly at hemostats*

Don't remember any real political crap then.

Posted by: 98ZJUSMC Suntanning in Bizzaro World at May 20, 2015 09:40 PM (mmlFU)

298 Feh, right. That was Carson's image. And I bought it hook, line and sinker. Most everyone did.

Was interesting reading Henry Bushkin's bio of Carson from a few years ago. JC wasn't evil, but it turns out he definitely had issues, including a mom who was literally an ice queen.

Carson basically ended up a debonair manchild who, thanks to his fame, popularity and massive wealth, could paper over his transgressions.

Posted by: qdpsteve at May 20, 2015 09:42 PM (elbY7)

299 Fallon never makes me laugh. Smile, sometimes, but never laugh out loud.

Posted by: Grump928(c) makes up for his lack of vision with volume of fire at May 20, 2015 09:42 PM (l31C4)

300 "The King of Comedy."

I don't think I ever saw the whole movie.

*shrugs*

Didn't make me laugh, I guess.

Posted by: 98ZJUSMC Suntanning in Bizzaro World at May 20, 2015 09:43 PM (mmlFU)

301 >>>Weed, dude. Weed makes almost anything funny.<<<

Dave Letterman has done more in the War on Drugs than any law enforcement agency could ever hope for. Imagine the untold number of hopheads who tuned in to Dave and realized that they're wasting their fucking lives away?

It has got to number in the thousands!

Posted by: Fritz at May 20, 2015 09:43 PM (ty633)

302 >>>But I was in my 20s. You can only do something like that when you're young, or if you're so flippin' brilliant and talent.....

No shit Rickl. At age 23 I told everyone there they could kiss my fucking ass goodbye. Everyone in the building heard me. Now at age 55 I just shake my head a lot and bite my lip.

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian, at May 20, 2015 09:43 PM (3mTLw)

303 otho: right there with ya. "King of Comedy" was ahead of its time IMHO. :-)

puddleglum: great, great song. Here it is:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDTKdHJiOco

Posted by: qdpsteve at May 20, 2015 09:43 PM (elbY7)

304 Posted by: Shoot Me at May 20, 2015 09:36 PM (EQcfE)

I'm not sure what your comment means.

Some want the states to be able to freely decide what they want for their constituents.

Some want a benevolent Federal tyranny.

You Feds won. What's the problem?




Posted by: some random meathead at May 20, 2015 09:43 PM (NUCTk)

305 I think Dave is really funny, but like my white grandmother, a little bit racist.

Posted by: Twitter Obozo at May 20, 2015 09:44 PM (PHsbY)

306 301 >>>Weed, dude. Weed makes almost anything funny.

Not that, I personally, would know.......

Posted by: 98ZJUSMC Suntanning in Bizzaro World at May 20, 2015 09:45 PM (mmlFU)

307 98Z, hope you'll give King of Comedy another try.

It doesn't have too many bellybuster laughs, but at the very least you'll be amused by its portrayal of paranoid Jerry Langford (Jerry Lewis) and fame-obsessed Rupert Pupkin (DeNiro), IMHO.

Posted by: qdpsteve at May 20, 2015 09:45 PM (elbY7)

308
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fw_AsMDpyjQ

Roland

Posted by: Penguin Smith at May 20, 2015 09:45 PM (iLVH9)

309 Posted by: 98ZJUSMC Suntanning in Bizzaro World at May 20, 2015 09:40 PM (mmlFU)

Changing your nic to Bogart?

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian, at May 20, 2015 09:45 PM (3mTLw)

310 "debonair manchild," ouch, that pins it alright

I read once that Joan's infidelity really shattered him

Posted by: Feh at May 20, 2015 09:45 PM (Uk9e2)

311 At age 23 I told everyone there they could kiss my fucking ass goodbye. Everyone in the building heard me. Now at age 55 I just shake my head a lot and bite my lip.

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian, at May 20, 2015 09:43 PM (3mTLw)


*smiles*

Posted by: 98ZJUSMC Suntanning in Bizzaro World at May 20, 2015 09:46 PM (mmlFU)

312 Carson's big edge was he wasn't a dick in public.

Letterman kind of was. Liberals didn't see it because he was a dick to people they wanted to be dicks to.

Keillor may have cultivated an image, but just about every time I heard him, which was rarely, he was engaged in a gross stereotype of someone the NPR audience disapproved of. Which is very dickish.

As to the headline, Liberals suffer from a conceit that they are the benchmark, and thus nothing they would do is out of the ordinary, thus when Keillor does a bit about rich Texans eating babies and burning poor people, or Letterman sneers at a guest or says crude things about someone they don't like, it's no big deal to them.

Because they're more sensitive or something something.

Is there a word for someone who says *you* can't put crosshairs on a map because it might inspire a murder, and yet then jokes about your child being raped? I mean, "monstrously insane" is two words.

Posted by: Merovign, Dark Lord of the Sith at May 20, 2015 09:47 PM (bLnSU)

313 As I mentioned earlier, I kinda like Portlandia so far (Season 2).

They are not often lol funny but they point out the humor in flawed lefty logic regularly.

I am so conditioned to disappointment thata I fully expect Reagan or Bush to be burned at the stake any moment.

Posted by: some random meathead at May 20, 2015 09:48 PM (NUCTk)

314 Changing your nic to Bogart?

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian, at May 20, 2015 09:45 PM (3mTLw)


That wasn't me......

One of my room mates. Lipped it, too.

Or, so I've heard the hip kids call it that

Posted by: 98ZJUSMC Suntanning in Bizzaro World at May 20, 2015 09:48 PM (mmlFU)

315 303: I know I've watched it but i think I was really REALLY drunk at the time. I just remember VM's Wonderful Remark.

Posted by: Puddleglum likes beer at May 20, 2015 09:48 PM (OkN8Y)

316 Feh, it's possible.

The stories in Bushkin's bio about Carson's mom literally sound like the stuff of fiction, but I'd bet they weren't. She basically made it extremely tough for Carson to open up to *anybody,* not just women.

One of Johnny's sons was so alienated from him, he was a raging alcoholic (and they actually got into a public screaming match/fight at the 25th anniversary Tonight Show afterparty, which was held on the Queen Mary in Long Beach).

Posted by: qdpsteve at May 20, 2015 09:49 PM (elbY7)

317
Cutoff your slauson...

Posted by: Penguin Smith at May 20, 2015 09:49 PM (iLVH9)

318 Measured in pounds, the next President, Hillary Clinton, has literally hocked up more phlegm into a tissue wadded in her pocket than turned over State Department documents.

Posted by: Uncle Joey's Facts 4 Kids at May 20, 2015 09:49 PM (K94xl)

319 Posted by: Merovign, Dark Lord of the Sith at May 20, 2015 09:47 PM (bLnSU)

*tilts beer to monitor*

Yep.

Posted by: 98ZJUSMC Suntanning in Bizzaro World at May 20, 2015 09:50 PM (mmlFU)

320 98Z, hope you'll give King of Comedy another try. It doesn't have too many bellybuster laughs, but at the very least you'll be amused by its portrayal of paranoid Jerry Langford (Jerry Lewis) and fame-obsessed Rupert Pupkin (DeNiro), IMHO.

Posted by: qdpsteve at May 20, 2015 09:45 PM

Yeah, it's not a knee slapper. It's a weird movie that is funny, but not in the obvious ways. It's a sad, mad and awkward humour. Way ahead of it's time.

Posted by: otho at May 20, 2015 09:51 PM (tBSrv)

321 Posted by: 98ZJUSMC Suntanning in Bizzaro World at May 20, 2015 09:48 PM (mmlFU)

Ok

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian, at May 20, 2015 09:51 PM (3mTLw)

322 Monica used to fish lip cigars for me.

Posted by: Bill Clinton at May 20, 2015 09:51 PM (GSTJs)

323 Merovign the closest English word just might be sociopath.

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at May 20, 2015 09:51 PM (blHar)

324 I quit a job at a big box men's store after two weeks of re-folding shirts -- not my thing, but it was a lesson

Posted by: Feh at May 20, 2015 09:53 PM (Uk9e2)

325 323 Merovign the closest English word just might be sociopath.
Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at May

Anna, since I'm not a wordsmith I will just say fucking slime bucket

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian, at May 20, 2015 09:53 PM (3mTLw)

326 i watched Letterman when he was funny. That week back in '82 when SNL was also funny.

Posted by: Roy at May 20, 2015 09:53 PM (fWLrt)

327 I liked Letterman the first few years he was on CBS. Then around 96/97 I stopped watching all late night TV. But I will remember Dave as the Dave that did weird shit and try to forget the insane leftist Dave, who appeared somewhere around 2003/2004.

Posted by: HUCK / AKIN 2016 at May 20, 2015 09:53 PM (0LHZx)

328 Posted by: qdpsteve at May 20, 2015 09:45 PM

Sure you're right. About that time, TV was of very little interest and there were simply too many bars that needed to be ......ummmmm....

...inspected.

Posted by: 98ZJUSMC Suntanning in Bizzaro World at May 20, 2015 09:54 PM (mmlFU)

329 otho, exactly re KOC.

Great example: the scene where, after a Security Person has been extremely, mindbendingly, painstakingly polite to Rupert explaining why he can't just walk in to Langford's offices, Rupert busts in again anyway -- and Security has to throw him out 10 minutes later.

Posted by: qdpsteve at May 20, 2015 09:54 PM (elbY7)

330 323 Merovign the closest English word just might be sociopath.

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at May 20, 2015 09:51 PM (blHar)


I prefer: fucking jagoffs.

Posted by: 98ZJUSMC Suntanning in Bizzaro World at May 20, 2015 09:55 PM (mmlFU)

331 Seemed like he was depressed- maybe that can happen after open heart surgery.
--

I've heard depression is pretty common after heart surgery, and one of the things they try to address in recovery.

Posted by: @votermom at May 20, 2015 09:55 PM (cbfNE)

332 98Z, understood. :-)

Posted by: qdpsteve at May 20, 2015 09:55 PM (elbY7)

333 307 98Z, hope you'll give King of Comedy another try.
It doesn't have too many bellybuster laughs, but at the very least you'll be amused by its portrayal of paranoid Jerry Langford (Jerry Lewis) and fame-obsessed Rupert Pupkin (DeNiro), IMHO.
Posted by: qdpsteve at May 20, 2015 09:45 PM (elbY7)


I saw that years ago. All I remember about it was that it had an emotional impact on me, and I was very impressed with Jerry Lewis' acting.

Posted by: nerdygirl at May 20, 2015 09:56 PM (UI0Cn)

334 313 As I mentioned earlier, I kinda like Portlandia so far (Season 2).

They are not often lol funny but they point out the humor in flawed lefty logic regularly.

I am so conditioned to disappointment thata I fully expect Reagan or Bush to be burned at the stake any moment.
Posted by: some random meathead at May 20, 2015 09:48 PM (NUCTk)

___________

The only time I can think of when they went overyly anti-Republican/Conservative was the first episode where they say something like Portland, it's an alternate reality where Bush really did lose the 2000 election.

But other than that it's pretty much a send up of crunchy, liberals.

Posted by: HUCK / AKIN 2016 at May 20, 2015 09:56 PM (0LHZx)

335 votermom, good point.

Letterman comes off to me as someone who's been fighting off depression his whole life. It eventually embitters some people.

Posted by: qdpsteve at May 20, 2015 09:56 PM (elbY7)

336 HUCK / AKIN 2016 !!!

OMFG that is so iRONically FUNNEH because the posters here are SOKONZZZZ and they are JUST LIKE HUCKSTER and love AKIN and want to marry HIM and HAVE HIS BABIES.

*Laughing OUt LOud *

AHAhhahaAHHAhhahhHAHHhAHHHhahahahahahaha

Posted by: no one , ever at May 20, 2015 09:56 PM (NUCTk)

337 Bitter old leftist. Funny as anal warts.
Good riddance.

Posted by: Pope Fidel II at May 20, 2015 09:56 PM (+kznc)

338 nerdygirl, oh yeah.

I never belived Jerry Lewis could actually *act* (or do much of anything beyond host a telethon) until I saw King of Comedy. I was blown away.

Posted by: qdpsteve at May 20, 2015 09:57 PM (elbY7)

339 Letterman comes off to me as someone who's been fighting off depression his whole life. It eventually embitters some people.
Posted by: qdpsteve at May 20, 2015 09:56 PM (elbY7)


Seemingly, very common in comedians.

Posted by: 98ZJUSMC Suntanning in Bizzaro World at May 20, 2015 09:57 PM (mmlFU)

340 If he carries a mattress around the rest of his days to i would like him a smidgon more.

Posted by: torabora at May 20, 2015 09:58 PM (2+J4s)

341 Ever notice the older the leftist gets the more bitter they become? Neil Young, Ed Asner, Dave Letterman to name just a few

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian, at May 20, 2015 10:01 PM (3mTLw)

342 Great example: the scene where, after a Security Person has been extremely, mindbendingly, painstakingly polite to Rupert explaining why he can't just walk in to Langford's offices, Rupert busts in again anyway -- and Security has to throw him out 10 minutes later.

Posted by: qdpsteve at May 20, 2015 09:54 PM

I like the bit when Pupkin is staring at the ceiling. The receptionist watches him with obvious concern. Pupkin asks "Is that cork?" (or something) The receptionist asks "Is it dripping on you?" Pupkin replies "No." and continues to stare. The dude is out of his gourd.

Posted by: otho at May 20, 2015 10:01 PM (tBSrv)

343 Re: The headline: Liberals are dumbfucks, who knew?

Posted by: Chavez the Hugo at May 20, 2015 10:01 PM (ucDmr)

344 otho, yeah. :-)

Posted by: qdpsteve at May 20, 2015 10:02 PM (elbY7)

345 339 A lot of comedians are angry. Those tend to be the mean ones. I don't like that kind humor. It seems dishonest to me. If you're angry, be angry, don't try to pretend that it's just humor.

Posted by: @votermom at May 20, 2015 10:03 PM (cbfNE)

346 HA! "Communists" was constantly misspelled as "Liberals" in this whole post.......

Is Noah Rothman working here now?

Posted by: Mickey Shwarma at May 20, 2015 10:04 PM (2mJMN)

347 I gotta be honest. I thought ol Letterman died in a car accident in 1998. MIght as well have, since I haven't heard anything interesting except statutory rape threats from him in the last couple of decades.

Posted by: Snoodling World Champion 1997 at May 20, 2015 10:04 PM (Q819Q)

348 Did you see Michelle Obama's new exercise video? They censored the part where Michelle does hand-to-hand combat with a Bat'leth, - too gruesome for women and children under 14. Hee. Hee.

Posted by: Dave Letterman at May 20, 2015 10:05 PM (ty633)

349 348 Posted by: Dave Letterman at May 20, 2015 10:05 PM (ty633)

I did in fact see the part where she charged into a group of five Romulans and started throat punching some Hobgoblin ass...

#WorfOut

Posted by: Sven S Blade a.k.a. El Assassin@sven10077 at May 20, 2015 10:07 PM (/4AZU)

350 "Seemingly, very common in comedians."


Like Robin Williams.

The only time he was apparently happy was when he was on stage, telling jokes, making people laugh. He loved it. And the moment he stepped off he slipped back into a lonely, depressed, dark soul.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at May 20, 2015 10:08 PM (vbfOw)

351 Oil spill. Better get dawn.

Posted by: tinfoilbaby at May 20, 2015 10:10 PM (5Vvdr)

352 "Those tend to be the mean ones. I don't like that kind humor. It seems dishonest to me."


One of the reasons I always liked Seinfeld. He seemed like a normal, happy guy just telling jokes and making funny observations. You'd like to talk to him at a party.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at May 20, 2015 10:10 PM (vbfOw)

353 I've always had a visceral dislike for Letterman. Good riddance.

Posted by: cm9000 at May 20, 2015 10:10 PM (8zCR+)

354 350 Posted by: Ricardo Kill at May 20, 2015 10:08 PM (vbfOw)

Part of why as I age I have a deep abiding respect I didn't have at the time for George Burns, Bob Hope, and Bob Newhart...

once upon a time you didn't have to be a neurotic mess to be funny.

Posted by: Sven S Blade a.k.a. El Assassin@sven10077 at May 20, 2015 10:11 PM (/4AZU)

355 Was interesting reading Henry Bushkin's bio of Carson from a few years ago. JC wasn't evil, but it turns out he definitely had issues, including a mom who was literally an ice queen.

And supposedly Bushkin lost a crap ton of Carson's money on bad investments. Those "bombastic Bushkin" money jokes Carson would make occasionally were all too real.

Posted by: OregonMuse at May 20, 2015 10:11 PM (KjA4V)

356 A big part of Letterman's appeal in the early days was that he was able to book hip, up and coming bands. I saw REM on his show in 1983 when they were just getting started. Later on, he had the juice to pull in big name rockers who rarely or never played television.

Posted by: JoeF. at May 20, 2015 10:12 PM (8HGb7)

357 Of course Limbaugh was right. He has been doing his show for many years, and he knows what works and what doesn't. Despite the fact that Rush is in radio and Dave was on t.v., there are some commonalities. Rush was right because he is an experienced professional. Like him or not, he knows what he's doing.

The problem with Dave is that the smugness got old. Dave stopped being funny in the late 80s imo. I watched him religiously up until the whole Tonight Show battle when Johnny Carson stepped down. Leno was never funny, and all of these other guys are just way to liberal and biased. I can't stand Jimmy Fallon or that other guy, what's his name? I won't watch 'em. Ever.

Posted by: Mistress Overdone at May 20, 2015 10:12 PM (2/oBD)

358 Seriously though, good on ya for taking a breath. I got laid off at 42. Forty-six now, and haven't recovered.


Posted by: Bob's House of Flannel Shirts and Wallet Chains at May 20, 2015 09:12 PM (yxw0r)

Are you saying you've been out of work for 4 years? My God, I feel for you. I've been off work because of two back surgeries for the last 3 months and I'm ready to lose my mind. I'm going back to work next week and I could actually go much longer off if I wanted, I just can't stand being without a regular job (and regular money) any longer.

Posted by: digitalbrownshirt at May 20, 2015 10:12 PM (YikDz)

359 Even though George Carlin became angry and bitter in his old age, he still did that great bit where he flayed environmentalists alive, mocking their hubris that man can destroy the Earth.

Posted by: rickl at May 20, 2015 10:13 PM (sdi6R)

360 The word is right under our noses all the time: Misanthrope.

Posted by: bergerbilder at May 20, 2015 10:13 PM (+jijM)

361 The last funny guys I remember are Cheech and Chong. Dave's not here. How poignant they were.

Posted by: Chavez the Hugo at May 20, 2015 10:13 PM (ucDmr)

362 "George Burns, Bob Hope, and Bob Newhart..."


A guy takes a fake phone and has a fake conversation with a fake person......and blows everybody away.


Just a little imagination and talent.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at May 20, 2015 10:14 PM (vbfOw)

363 Letterman was always a jerkoff though. I saw that interview with Rush when it originally aired. He made small talk with him, then all of a sudden asks him something like, "Do you ever wake up in the morning and realize what a gas bag you are?" Or something like that. And Rush looked flummoxed and the audience roared with laughter and approval.
And the Palin daughter-A-Rod rape comment would have killed the career of any conservative. Instantly.

Posted by: JoeF. at May 20, 2015 10:17 PM (8HGb7)

364 "
Even though George Carlin became angry and bitter in his old age"


Always liked Carlin. His dissertations on the Ten Commandments, Football vs. Baseball, what you could and couldn't say on TV.....just classics.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at May 20, 2015 10:18 PM (vbfOw)

365 Completely agree. Stopped watching years ago, it became a waste of time and insulting to boot. Leno...Leno still had it, he worked at it, and was far less political. I didn't watch Letterman for the same reason MSNBC watchers avoid Red Eye like the plague. Not my scene.

Colbert won't be my scene either.

Posted by: Darren at May 20, 2015 10:19 PM (cKoDv)

366 Is the old bitch dead yet?

Posted by: eleven at May 20, 2015 10:19 PM (MDgS8)

367 Of course he's liberal.

He was caught serial doinking the interns.

Duh.

Posted by: fixerupper at May 20, 2015 10:19 PM (FviSe)

368 Oprah --- Ewok.
Ewok --- Oprah.

Oprah --- Ewok.
Ewok --- Oprah.

Posted by: lavid detterman at May 20, 2015 10:19 PM (kivUY)

369 Letterman was always a jerkoff though. I saw that interview with Rush when it originally aired. He made small talk with him, then all of a sudden asks him something like, "Do you ever wake up in the morning and realize what a gas bag you are?" Or something like that. And Rush looked flummoxed and the audience roared with laughter and approval.

Rush missed the perfect comeback. He should have replied, "No. Do you?" That would have shut that smug asshole up right quick.

Posted by: OregonMuse at May 20, 2015 10:22 PM (KjA4V)

370 Always liked Carlin

Didn't agree with Carlin on politics or religion, but Carlin was funny as hell because he was a real comedian. A comedian who was a big lefty. But he was a comedian first. Compare him to Seth Meyers.

Posted by: JoeF. at May 20, 2015 10:22 PM (8HGb7)

371 Did you see Michelle Obama's new exercise video?
Posted by: Dave Letterman at May 20, 2015 10:05 PM \

I saw where she lifted heavier weights than her husband. Is she trying to diss him w/ this? Cause she really makes him look like a wimp.

Posted by: Farmer at May 20, 2015 10:23 PM (o/90i)

372 369
Rush missed the perfect comeback. He should have replied, "No. Do you?" That would have shut that smug asshole up right quick.

Posted by: OregonMuse at May 20, 2015 10:22 PM (KjA4V)



I was thinking the exact same thing when I read that.

Posted by: rickl at May 20, 2015 10:24 PM (sdi6R)

373 One of the reasons I always liked Seinfeld. He seemed like a normal, happy guy just telling jokes and making funny observations. You'd like to talk to him at a party.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at May 20, 2015 10:10 PM

I don't go for stand up much. There's very few I actually rate. Others are funny and I actually like some of their stuff, but, they try too hard or something. Seinfeld is great coz he doesn't go for controversial, expletives or shock stuff. He's not in your face. He just does his shit and concentrates on giving you the yucks. Some others rate like Seinfeld, but not many.

Posted by: otho at May 20, 2015 10:24 PM (tBSrv)

374 I always found Leno entertaining. I only enjoyed Letterman for a brief time as a teenager, until I grew out of the phase. He didn't, and stayed obnoxious.

Posted by: Cato the Rebel Without a Party at May 20, 2015 10:24 PM (HalrA)

375 Rush missed the perfect comeback. He should have replied, "No. Do you?" That would have shut that smug asshole up right quick.


Posted by: OregonMuse at May 20, 2015 10:22 PM (KjA4V)

The problem is, if Rush had done that, it would have been edited out. No way would they allow their guy to look bad.

Posted by: JoeF. at May 20, 2015 10:24 PM (8HGb7)

376 It was an early, funny era show I remember him looking really, really pissed when the staff (director in the booth???) ran a surprise photo of him as a fat guy doing the weather at whatever local news station he started off in. Man, if looks could kill.

He was pretty good in supporting the fire, cops and armed services after 2001 though. Although I don't know if that eventually ended.

Posted by: andycanuck at May 20, 2015 10:26 PM (kivUY)

377 I seem to recall Seinfeld saying he looked up to Bob Newhart so that probably explains his style.

Posted by: andycanuck at May 20, 2015 10:27 PM (kivUY)

378 Wow! David Letterman is still alive?


too bad......

Posted by: Stateless Infidel at May 20, 2015 10:28 PM (AC0lD)

379 Rush missed the perfect comeback. He should have replied, "No. Do you?" That would have shut that smug asshole up right quick.


Posted by: OregonMuse at May 20, 2015 10:22 PM (KjA4V)


Rush, while smart as hell and great at what he does, sucks at responding quickly. He could never be a litigator. A lawyer, absolutely. But he'd have to hire a gunslinger to handle the courtroom stuff.

Posted by: Bob's House of Flannel Shirts and Wallet Chains at May 20, 2015 10:28 PM (yxw0r)

380 One person knocked Letterman down, big-time.
He had Simon and Garfunkle on his show one night ( I so much wish I had the video of that show! )

He said something smart-a to Garfunkle, and Art easily sunk him into the hole pocket.

A thing of sarcastic beauty.

Posted by: Supreme Being at May 20, 2015 10:28 PM (SJ184)

381 Never watched letterman. But would not be suprised if I heard him and ubama went 69 on each other live on late night tv.

Posted by: Eromero at May 20, 2015 10:30 PM (go5uR)

382 David Letterman insults George Bush, wants Sarah Palin's underage daughter raped and sexually molests his own office staff. How much more liberal do you have to be?

Posted by: Richard McEnroe at May 20, 2015 10:31 PM (XO6WW)

383 Gonna be a lot of unraped interns after tonight.

Better Hire Rachel Madcow, just to be safe vis a vis intern rape.

Posted by: OG Celtic-American at May 20, 2015 10:31 PM (maLc1)

384 Top Ten reasons Letterman has sucked for a long time:

10:

Posted by: eman at May 20, 2015 10:32 PM (MQEz6)

385 Does Ron Wyden sound like Pete Puma, or is it just me? Maybe I've had the filibuster on for too long.

Posted by: bebe's boobs destroy at May 20, 2015 10:32 PM (Vm8WO)

386 well stated Ace.

BTW anyone else notice that when reading the Top Ten List , Letterman would often not even get the jokes his staff wrote for him?

Posted by: avi at May 20, 2015 10:33 PM (WYnEW)

387 389 comments into this post and nobody has lambasted Ace about "enamored with," instead of the correct, "enamored of?"

You all suck.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at May 20, 2015 10:35 PM (Zu3d9)

388
Wow! David Letterman is still alive?


too bad......


Yeah that nasty old pumper is still pumpin. Unfortunately.

Posted by: eleven at May 20, 2015 10:36 PM (MDgS8)

389 "You all suck."


Well, we aren't all English majors. Enamored "with" is wrong?

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at May 20, 2015 10:37 PM (vbfOw)

390 387 You all suck.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at May 20, 2015 10:35 PM

I thought the 'rons dug that

Posted by: bebe's boobs destroy at May 20, 2015 10:38 PM (Vm8WO)

391 sigh

Posted by: phoenixgirl at May 20, 2015 10:38 PM (0O7c5)

392 Funniest thing about Letterman? His being stalked by some nutcase.

How dare I make light of such a thing? Easy, in the case of people who seek out the attention of the public, they should not be surprised to find that fringey types would be particularly attracted.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at May 20, 2015 10:39 PM (F2IAQ)

393
Well, we aren't all English majors. Enamored "with" is wrong?

Enamored is the present positive exclusive of in amore.

Conjugate premoderative.

Posted by: eleven at May 20, 2015 10:40 PM (MDgS8)

394 Letterman is a jerk and that's more than enough about him.

As for the debates, all the candidates should be in but with a multiple debate "playoff" format.

Seeding accomplished by paintball wars.

Posted by: Muckraker at May 20, 2015 10:40 PM (1Y+hH)

395 Well, we aren't all English majors. Enamored "with" is wrong?
Posted by: Ricardo Kill
----------------

Have I mention the 'Oxford Comma Rule'...?

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at May 20, 2015 10:40 PM (F2IAQ)

396 Well, we aren't all English majors. Enamored "with" is wrong?
Posted by: Ricardo Kill
----------------

Have I mention the 'Oxford Comma Rule'...?

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at May 20, 2015 10:40 PM (F2IAQ)

397 Fuck Letterman, I aint watching that fucking bottom feeder.

Posted by: Chavez the Hugo at May 20, 2015 10:40 PM (ucDmr)

398 'mentioned', dammit.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at May 20, 2015 10:41 PM (F2IAQ)

399 Great. Wrong tense, and I score a double.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at May 20, 2015 10:42 PM (F2IAQ)

400 "Enamored is the present positive exclusive of in amore.

Conjugate premoderative."



I don't speak Italian.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at May 20, 2015 10:42 PM (vbfOw)

401
Have I mention the 'Oxford Comma Rule'...?

Yes. Twice.

=)

Posted by: eleven at May 20, 2015 10:42 PM (MDgS8)

402 'mentioned', dammit.
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at May 20, 2015 10:41 PM (F2IAQ)

*****

Oh sure, THAT you only post one time.

Posted by: ManWithNoParty, unperson from Free Market Jesus Paradise at May 20, 2015 10:43 PM (XrHO0)

403 eleven - That's right..., kick a guy when he is down.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at May 20, 2015 10:43 PM (F2IAQ)

404 One thing about our president. He sure watches a lot of TV....

Posted by: JoeF. at May 20, 2015 10:44 PM (8HGb7)

405
eleven - That's right..., kick a guy when he is down.

When else is it any fun?

I axe ya.

Posted by: eleven at May 20, 2015 10:44 PM (MDgS8)

406 Romanes eunt domus.

Posted by: some 1st-century vandal at May 20, 2015 10:44 PM (lubY2)

407 Funniest thing about Letterman? His being stalked by some nutcase.

I think I remember that. Some psycho bint broke into his house in Connecticut while he was away for a long time and was basically living there for several weeks before somebody showed up and threw her out.

Posted by: OregonMuse at May 20, 2015 10:45 PM (KjA4V)

408 404: Only thing he can do without shankin something through a fuckin window. Clueless fuck.

Posted by: Chavez the Hugo at May 20, 2015 10:45 PM (ucDmr)

409 I had some friends. Same age. They loved Letterman. I had kids. Never stayed up that late until now.

The same friends thought Italy was wonderful. The guy even had a purse.

Commies.

Not really friends with them anymore.


Posted by: Grampa Jimbo at May 20, 2015 10:46 PM (V70Uh)

410 Doing a little research.


Enamored "Of" when talking of a living thing or idea. Enamored "With" if a tangible thing.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at May 20, 2015 10:46 PM (vbfOw)

411 Late Night was my favorite TV program in the early 80s. I particularly remember the interviews he did with Brother Theodore. They were uproariously funny. The bitter, unfunny, and at times venomous old crank who has been affixed to the Late Show is a far cry from the Dave I remember. It's difficult to recall anyone in the entertainment business who held a job for that many years after ceasing to be amusing.

Posted by: Reggie1971 at May 20, 2015 10:46 PM (KVRil)

412 ...IF HE WAS BLACK, LETTERMAN WOULD BE ANOTHER HUSSEIN O AND A BIGGER A$$HOLE!
NEVER THOUGHT HE WAS FUNNY ONLY A BITTER, SARCASTIC, AND VENGEFUL A$$...LIKE HUSSEIN O, BUT BUCK-TOOTH AND WHITE... GOOD RIDDANCE, DAVE!

Posted by: Tennessee Volunteer at May 20, 2015 10:46 PM (SmCFT)

413 " The guy even had a purse."



Yeah, okay. Not so much.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at May 20, 2015 10:48 PM (vbfOw)

414
Doing a little research.


Enamored "Of" when talking of a living thing or idea. Enamored "With" if a tangible thing.


Look at Mr. Research. Fancy schmancy.

Posted by: eleven at May 20, 2015 10:48 PM (MDgS8)

415 >>>One thing about our president. He sure watches a lot of TV....<<<

And when he isn't watching, he's slow jamming the news like some halfwit hip-hop tweener pop star.

Posted by: Fritz at May 20, 2015 10:48 PM (ty633)

416 "Look at Mr. Research. Fancy schmancy."


Sorry. That was kinda gay.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at May 20, 2015 10:51 PM (vbfOw)

417 One thing about our president. He sure watches a lot of TV....
Posted by: JoeF


President Half White Trash lives his life like he's on welfare.

Posted by: dogfish at May 20, 2015 10:51 PM (jWtyG)

418 >>I think I remember that. Some psycho bint broke into
his house in Connecticut while he was away for a long time and was
basically living there for several weeks before somebody showed up and
threw her out.


Posted by: OregonMuse

Hey, it was cold outside.

Posted by: Sandra Fluke at May 20, 2015 10:52 PM (sQzB6)

419 President Half White Trash lives his life like he's on welfare.
Posted by: dogfish at May 20, 2015 10:51 PM (jWtyG)

****

We're paying him to mostly not work. He is already there.

Posted by: ManWithNoParty, unperson from Free Market Jesus Paradise at May 20, 2015 10:53 PM (cIoI4)

420
Sorry. That was kinda gay.

Naw....it was informative. Just being an ass as usual.

Posted by: eleven at May 20, 2015 10:53 PM (MDgS8)

421 "Naw....it was informative. Just being an ass as usual."


Naw, perfect comeback. You're gay for apologizing.



Posted by: Ricardo Kill at May 20, 2015 10:55 PM (vbfOw)

422 AtC wants her caps lock key back.

Posted by: rickl at May 20, 2015 10:55 PM (sdi6R)

423 I had some friends. Same age. They loved Letterman. I had kids. Never stayed up that late until now.
The same friends thought Italy was wonderful. The guy even had a purse.


Greece is a financial success.

Posted by: Guy with a purse at May 20, 2015 10:55 PM (W5DcG)

424 Mike, I wouldn't kick a guy when he's down unless he's also unconscious.

Posted by: bergerbilder at May 20, 2015 10:56 PM (+jijM)

425 "AtC wants her caps lock key back."


Yeah, she did kinda blow that up.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at May 20, 2015 10:56 PM (vbfOw)

426 I was thinking about the Barack Hussein Obama Presidential Library.

No books because TFG doesn't have many. All he does is watch TV. So lots of films.

Seems to have a fetish about Fox News.


Posted by: Grampa Jimbo at May 20, 2015 10:56 PM (V70Uh)

427 "I wouldn't kick a guy when he's down unless he's also unconscious."


berg's a streetfighter.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at May 20, 2015 10:58 PM (vbfOw)

428 I thought the 'rons dug that

Posted by: bebe's boobs destroy at May 20, 2015 10:38 PM (Vm8WO)

Touche.....


Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at May 20, 2015 10:58 PM (Zu3d9)

429
Naw, perfect comeback. You're gay for apologizing.




hah...

But seriously....it's not my fault there is no ONT yet.

Posted by: eleven at May 20, 2015 10:59 PM (MDgS8)

430 I'm not typically an ONT zombie, but even I've been noticing the latency in their arrival. Folks gotta maintain their biorhythms.

Posted by: dogfish at May 20, 2015 11:00 PM (jWtyG)

431 >>>I was thinking about the Barack Hussein Obama Presidential Library.<<<

The Clinton Global Initiative is going to have a fire sale on Scooby vans when the campaign season is over.

Posted by: Fritz at May 20, 2015 11:01 PM (ty633)

432 Chris Elliot's secret alter ego as Chief Ewok has been betrayed by his narcissism.

I remember the flamboyant sweating-to-the-oldies guy being a regular guest and annoying the hell out of him.

Posted by: BourbonChicken at May 20, 2015 11:01 PM (+4uXG)

433 "hah...

But seriously....it's not my fault there is no ONT yet."



Dude, laugh or something.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at May 20, 2015 11:01 PM (vbfOw)

434 Lightning strikes!

Posted by: Fritz at May 20, 2015 11:02 PM (ty633)

435 I used to think Dave was funny when I was a teenager, but the entire schtick of the "anti-show" is incredibly stale looking back. It was like a simple hook on a dumb song that you thought was brilliant when you were young and stupid.

Posted by: Kal at May 20, 2015 11:03 PM (bI9xE)

436 Doesn't the president have better things to comment on than Letterman's retirement?

Posted by: Northernlurker at May 20, 2015 11:03 PM (nlHrF)

437 "430
I'm not typically an ONT zombie, but even I've been noticing the latency in their arrival."



Oh, ya know, it's a not "customer service" kinda place. Ya know ya may gets a beating.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at May 20, 2015 11:04 PM (vbfOw)

438
Lightning strikes!

I thought that was code for nood. But no.

Posted by: eleven at May 20, 2015 11:04 PM (MDgS8)

439 Mike, I wouldn't kick a guy when he's down unless he's also unconscious.
Posted by: bergerbilder
--------------

S'ok..., it's in the Moron handbook

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at May 20, 2015 11:05 PM (F2IAQ)

440 Posted by: Fritz at May 20, 2015 11:02 PM (ty633)

Damn......

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at May 20, 2015 11:05 PM (Zu3d9)

441 Timewasting. It's a cute gag until you start believing it.

Yep. He thinks it's ALL a meaningless waste of time.
He devolved into nihilism, which isn't funny.
Pathetic and painful to watch.
He won't end well.

Posted by: simplemind at May 20, 2015 11:05 PM (BTnAK)

442 Doesn't the president have better things to comment on than Letterman's retirement?
Posted by: Northernlurker
----------------

To be fair, he's been tweeting quite a bit about Global Warming.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at May 20, 2015 11:06 PM (F2IAQ)

443 What President? We don't have a President. It's kind of like an interregnum between Presidents.

We have the Affirmative Action President. Meaning, fend for yourselves.


Posted by: Grampa Jimbo at May 20, 2015 11:06 PM (V70Uh)

444 356
A big part of Letterman's appeal in the early days was that he was able
to book hip, up and coming bands. I saw REM on his show in 1983 when
they were just getting started. Later on, he had the juice to pull in
big name rockers who rarely or never played television.


Posted by: JoeF. at May 20, 2015 10:12 PM (8HGb7)

It seemed like he was ALWAYS having on Andy Sumner or Stewart Copeland of The Police...

Posted by: Tex Lovera at May 20, 2015 11:06 PM (qbxhm)

445 Evening, y'all. I came in expecting to be late for the ONT.

Posted by: Country Singer at May 20, 2015 11:07 PM (nL0sw)

446 David Letterman is NOT a liberal, and the Pope isn't catholic either. Water isn't wet and fire isn't hot, any more questions ?
But Obama IS a 'messiah' that lies exceptionally well and sure knows how to manipulate stupid, gruber, people.
Where is the truth and where is the lie ?

Posted by: ron n. at May 20, 2015 11:07 PM (YVQn/)

447 I was told there would be an ONT here. Where dat bitch at?

Posted by: madamemayhem at May 20, 2015 11:08 PM (WPm3x)

448 As a Sigma Chi, I apologize for what Brother Dave became. (He has, apparently, darn near rebuilt Ball State U., FWIW.)


We still claim John Wayne and Tom Selleck, though.

In Hoc, brother

Posted by: free tibet, etc. at May 20, 2015 11:09 PM (lAXNl)

449 Another 20 minutes, and we can have our own "Letterman's last show live feed"

Posted by: bergerbilder at May 20, 2015 11:09 PM (+jijM)

450
I was told there would be an ONT here. Where dat bitch at?

You fucked up. You trusted us.

Posted by: eleven at May 20, 2015 11:09 PM (MDgS8)

451 " was told there would be an ONT here"



Don't you go rushin' nobody. It might happen, might not.


Just the way it rolls.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at May 20, 2015 11:10 PM (vbfOw)

452 I always thought he was a smartass fratboy type. Never could stand him.

And this post is the best description of the guy I've ever read. Nails it.

I remember, too, Letterman pretending to be a Real Mature Man of the World when he was talking to Gen. Tommy Franks. As if any leftoid really took world affairs seriously in a mature way. Quel jerk.

Posted by: Beverly at May 20, 2015 11:10 PM (FM2iI)

453 Evening horde.


So another city fell to IS...


BIN LADEN BOOKSHELF BULLSHIT DUMP INCOMING

Posted by: RWC - Team BOHICA at May 20, 2015 11:11 PM (XAFOu)

454 This is different. An acquaintance died recently and in his obituary it mentioned that he was a Navy Seal. And then went into the Air Force and retired as a Technical Sergeant.

While I would never embarrass his wife, who is a sweet, nice gal, does anyone here know how I could discreetly verify that claim?

Posted by: Grampa Jimbo at May 20, 2015 11:11 PM (V70Uh)

455 hey eleven! how you doin?

Posted by: madamemayhem at May 20, 2015 11:11 PM (WPm3x)

456 Posted by: Reggie1971 at May 20, 2015 10:46 PM (KVRil)

Oh man, Brother Theodore. Haven't thought of that guy in AGES. Kind of a ripoff of Fr. Guido Sarducci, but he was pretty damned funny to a callow 23-year old....

Posted by: Tex Lovera at May 20, 2015 11:11 PM (qbxhm)

457 You gave 12 inches of type to Letterman?
Now go get a shine box...
or
A big effen student loan
Ace go JO

Posted by: Tar Heel at May 20, 2015 11:11 PM (/WmRg)

458 Limbaugh, I realized when I finally started to listen to him, has a better feel for the zeitgeist than anyone else on the air. Really shrewd about the nature of humans in crowds.

Posted by: Beverly at May 20, 2015 11:11 PM (FM2iI)

459 Letterman is a smug asshole

Posted by: Chevy Chase at May 20, 2015 11:12 PM (XAFOu)

460 Sigma Chi? Bullshit. Tom Selleck was a Devil Pup.



Posted by: Grampa Jimbo at May 20, 2015 11:12 PM (V70Uh)

461 Smelly sock off

Posted by: RWC - Team BOHICA at May 20, 2015 11:12 PM (XAFOu)

462 O

Posted by: Country Singer at May 20, 2015 11:13 PM (nL0sw)

463 N

Posted by: Country Singer at May 20, 2015 11:13 PM (nL0sw)

464 THE ONT IS DEAD?

Posted by: REV. AL SHARPTON at May 20, 2015 11:13 PM (+1T7c)

465 T

Posted by: Country Singer at May 20, 2015 11:13 PM (nL0sw)

466
hey eleven! how you doin?


Hay. Doing my level best. Whatever that means.

Posted by: eleven at May 20, 2015 11:13 PM (MDgS8)

467 "
Letterman is a smug asshole

Posted by: Chevy Chase"


Um, dude.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at May 20, 2015 11:14 PM (vbfOw)

468 I don't listen to Limbaugh because I hate talk radio. Hubbymayhem listens and tells me everyday he is amazed at how much I say that Rush is saying also.

Posted by: madamemayhem at May 20, 2015 11:14 PM (WPm3x)

469
ONT?

ZOMG???!!!!

Posted by: eleven at May 20, 2015 11:14 PM (MDgS8)

470 CS, the GFM stuff, for yo?

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at May 20, 2015 11:16 PM (vbfOw)

471
454 This is different. An acquaintance died recently and in his obituary it mentioned that he was a Navy Seal. And then went into the Air Force and retired as a Technical Sergeant.

While I would never embarrass his wife, who is a sweet, nice gal, does anyone here know how I could discreetly verify that claim?

Posted by: Grampa Jimbo at May 20, 2015 11:11 PM (V70Uh)

What? The SEAL claim? You can try contacted Don Shipley but it old emphasize you want to be discrete as not to hurt the wife.

Posted by: RWC - Team BOHICA at May 20, 2015 11:16 PM (XAFOu)

472 Posted by: Ricardo Kill at May 20, 2015 11:16 PM (vbfOw)


'Fraid so. Just hate to ask out loud.

Posted by: Country Singer at May 20, 2015 11:16 PM (nL0sw)

473 Geebus. F u autocorrect.

You can try contacting Don Shipley but I would emphasize you want to be discrete as not to hurt the wife.

Posted by: RWC - Team BOHICA at May 20, 2015 11:17 PM (XAFOu)

474 Dropping stuff off a 5 story building:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5spRGiakb0

Posted by: scottst at May 20, 2015 11:17 PM (Ltygl)

475 "'Fraid so. Just hate to ask out loud."


Don't. That you in the pic?

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at May 20, 2015 11:18 PM (vbfOw)

476 I caught a Moment between Dave Letterman and Paul Schaeffer. Paul, who usually plays Dave's amiable stooge (tho not as slow witted as Ed McMahon), was talking about Christo's "installation" in Central Park, a series of orange cloth panels that made you keep to the path and walk through them for about 200 yards. Like an orange funnel.

"It's like a giant outdoor Skinner box," quipped Paul -- and Letterman shot him a Queen Murder look, as if to say, "Don't you Dare be cleverer than I." Paul reacted with a just-visible cringe.

Revealing glimpse.

Posted by: Beverly at May 20, 2015 11:19 PM (FM2iI)

477 RK, yes. Iraq Election Day 2010 at the UN Compound in Baghdad just before rolling out as PSD for the UN SRSG.

Posted by: Country Singer at May 20, 2015 11:19 PM (nL0sw)

478 Hubbymayhem listens and tells me everyday he is amazed at how much I say that Rush is saying also.
Posted by: madamemayhem at May 20, 2015 11:14 PM (WPm3x)

Do you have formerly nicotine a stained fingers also?

Posted by: bergerbilder at May 20, 2015 11:21 PM (+jijM)

479 Fuck Letterman....and his personal politics. That is all!

Posted by: SLD at May 20, 2015 11:24 PM (MMueW)

480 CS, give everybody your GFM again.

You earned it.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at May 20, 2015 11:24 PM (vbfOw)

481 404 One thing about our president. He sure watches a lot of TV....


Posted by: JoeF. at May 20, 2015 10:44 PM (8HGb7)

He has to watch a lot of TV, that's the only way he knows when things are happening in the world.

Posted by: digitalbrownshirt at May 20, 2015 11:24 PM (YikDz)

482 Letterman had contempt for what he was doing and contempt for the audience he was doing it for. I had that vibe off him from his earliest standup days.

Posted by: Richard McEnroe at May 20, 2015 11:28 PM (XO6WW)

483 Wait, this shit is funny- pull my bitter finger!

Oh, and fuck you Ace

Posted by: D. Letterman at May 20, 2015 11:29 PM (qFwf5)

484 For the love of God, did Letterman ever get any gum?!

Posted by: AnonymousDrivel at May 20, 2015 11:33 PM (1CroS)

485 436 Doesn't the president have better things to comment on than Letterman's retirement?

No, thankfully no.

Posted by: free tibet, etc. at May 20, 2015 11:41 PM (lAXNl)

486 Garrison Keillor coughed up this hairball of hatred:

"The party of Lincoln and Liberty was transmogrified into the party of hairy-backed swamp developers and corporate shills, faith-based economists, fundamentalist bullies with Bibles, Christians of convenience, freelance racists, misanthropic frat boys, shrieking midgets of AM radio, tax cheats, nihilists in golf pants, Brownshirts in pinstripes, sweatshop tycoons, hacks, fakirs, aggressive dorks, Lamborghini libertarians, people who believe Neil Armstrong's moonwalk was filmed in Roswell, New Mexico, little honkers out to diminish the rest of us, Newt's evil spawn and their Etch-a-Sketch president, a dull and rigid man suspicious of the free flow of information and secular institutions, whose philosophy is a jumble of badly sutured body parts trying to walk.

"Republicans: The No. 1 reason the rest of the world thinks we're deaf, dumb, and dangerous."

[When leftwing nutjobs let their Inner Beast out, you can see how they get off on stuffing all their opponents into gulags and concentration camps with nary a qualm.]

Posted by: Beverly at May 20, 2015 11:44 PM (FM2iI)

487 Tom Selleck, USC Sigma chi

Posted by: free tibet, etc. at May 20, 2015 11:46 PM (lAXNl)

488 So one of our freedom fighters fired a return broadside at the effwad Keillor:

"The party of Rayburn and FDR as transmogrified into the party of hairy-faced hippy throwbacks and corporate PR shills, faith-based trustafarians, fundamentalist Muslims with a whine list, anarchist bullies with ballbats, lesbo-liberal-left Christians, closet racists, misanthropic art frauds, braying asses of TV news, tax leeches, nihilists in Birkenstocks, Brownshirts in blue jeans, overseas sweatshop racketeers, Communists, hacks, fakirs, aggressive metrosexual dorks, anti-semites, Lamborghini liberals, people who believe Neil Armstrong's moonwalk was another one of Nixon's evil plots to divert us from Vietnam, Mexican citizens voting illegally, little SJW honkers out to diminish the rest of us, Noam Chomsky's evil spawn and their cardboard god of a president, a dull and weak little charlatan suspicious of the rational flow of information and of free institutions, whose philosophy is an unlikely jumble of America-hating, "reverse" racism, and moth-eaten peacenik rhetoric.

"Democrats: The No. 1 reason the rest of the world thinks they can lie to us, steal from us, and kill us with impunity."

Posted by: Beverly at May 20, 2015 11:51 PM (FM2iI)

489 Great post ace. You trimmed it up and in my opinion made it pop.

Posted by: dude guy at May 20, 2015 11:59 PM (QCc6B)

490 The best thing you ever wrote.
The anti-worship of a dickhead who has't been funny since Jay was a regular on his couch.

ESP-fucking-N is doing tributes. JESUS!

Posted by: wankette at May 21, 2015 12:03 AM (L/tWH)

491 That pretty much encapsulated everything I've been trying to say about the man. And even the people who on the left are honest agree with this assessment. They have a fondness for Letterman but he earned it decades ago and unlike Carson, for example, lost his hip status and is going out long past his prime. We were still watching Johnny Carson in college in the 80s. Nobody college age likes Letterman any more.

Posted by: Christopher Taylor at May 21, 2015 12:07 AM (39g3+)

492 Even when Letterman was on during the day it occurred to me: he basically did a "morning zoo" radio show on television.

In the beginning it was about as funny as a mid-market radio show...with Edie McClurg being a sort-of sidekick.

When he went late-night it was a crappy big-market radio morning zoo that coasted on the stuff they did back in Toledo.

Going to a taping was mildly fun. It was about 55 degrees in there. But I last went in the mid-90s and stopped watching around then too.

I didn't miss much.

Posted by: Cranford Pundit at May 21, 2015 12:13 AM (x6lWJ)

493 In short, the show was hilarious because of Chris Elliot. Once he left, the show sucked.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIIas0FJ_jk

Posted by: OxyCon at May 21, 2015 12:54 AM (xBryS)

494 i remember where i was when carson had his last show

a quaint motel on the outskirts of pittburgh

off the interstate that one that goes up to erie

the one with alll that roadkill

Posted by: Dr. Varno at May 21, 2015 01:59 AM (TF10X)

495 i should try

haiku format

next times

Posted by: Dr. Varno at May 21, 2015 02:12 AM (TF10X)

496 "quaint" = early 60's hojo architecture

Posted by: Dr. Varno at May 21, 2015 02:23 AM (TF10X)

497 "Tonight, Dave Letterman retires.
But he quit a long time ago."
damn if you didn't nail that epitaph, Ace.

I used to love letterman back in the 90s. I think it was around the time of the 2000 presidential election that he just turned me off with his bitterness and partisanship. I still didn't find Leno all that funny, though he did grow on me as the years went by. I was more likely to tune into Conan when I wanted to watch a late night show.

and I'm so glad you mentioned the bits where he'd follow Rupert around in the van telling him what to say, I loved those. I remember one where he went into a mattress shop, and another where he went into a McDonalds "I'd like a 5-pounder." "OK, then can you give me 20 quarter-pounders? I'm trying to make my own 5-pounder."

Posted by: tintex at May 21, 2015 02:24 AM (OQy+b)

498 You hit the nail right on the head there Ace. Letterman stopped being funny as soon as he moved out of the late late night slot into the late night slot and got all the attention. The schtick to the show was sticking to the man (GE and NBC) by wasting time on the air. The gags where he just rambled or mugged were funny because he was a "bad" host that didn't deserve a show. The real talent was always in the band and the guests musicians that showed up. Paul was like an overindulgent father to Dave.

I thought the show was still funny in 1989-1990 when I was in college. Then it just went to shit. I remember watching the seven year anniversary show in the dorms and just laughing my ass off. What did I know though I was 18.

Oh god he just did a tonight show joke.

Posted by: bestie1 at May 21, 2015 02:47 AM (qifmL)

499 Make that the 8th anniversary. The seventh aired on 2/2/89 so I was still in high school.

Posted by: bestie1 at May 21, 2015 02:49 AM (qifmL)

500 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qFuvdquIJ8

Posted by: bestie1 at May 21, 2015 02:50 AM (qifmL)

501 Thank God & Greyhound.

Posted by: burt at May 21, 2015 08:24 AM (ls8AU)

502
Honestly, I can count on one hand, max two hands, the number of times I watched Letterman. And as I recall that was mostly in the 1980s.

Posted by: I R A Darth Aggie at May 21, 2015 09:10 AM (1hM1d)

503 Just saw the last top 10 list. Haven't seen Letterman in years, but Christ, that was embarrassing. Smarmy, dull, self-glorifying, painful to watch. Early Dave would have destroyed that nonsense.

Carson had his off-days, too, but we were genuinely sad to see him go. He'd still pop up with jokes to the New Yorker, and he was still funny.

Posted by: Bill Peschel at May 21, 2015 09:54 AM (6g9CI)

504 I was of the right age and mostly the right temperament to find Letterman's subversive stuff funny. But even then I couldn't fully enjoy him. The bit where he did prank phone calls got very painful very fast. He'd phone some poor low level employee who had to be nice to callers to keep his/her job, and just be nasty, playing with them. I decided that I preferred comedians to be funny, not just mean.

Posted by: RJ at May 21, 2015 10:41 AM (S54e3)

505 I didn't read most of the post. Nor did I read ANY of the comments. What I have done for the last ten years and two months since corrective measures were taken on my brain, is to attempt to understand liberals. What I have learned is that the label, "liberal," is a straw man just as much as is the liberal label, "conservative." While Bill Maher would rant and rave about that damned conservative, Mitch McConnell; a conservative would respond, "But, butt, McConnell's a libtard." QED - 50,000 shades of grey between left and right.

Posted by: Marooned Maroon at May 21, 2015 10:46 AM (hTHAs)

506 he lost me when he went from a guy that took nothing seriously to a guy that took himself way too seriously.

Posted by: mc at May 21, 2015 11:02 AM (xuXpE)

507 I think you got it right at the end. Dave became the bitter old man that sits on the porch and tells the kids to get off his lawn.

Posted by: Jeffrey Carter (@pointsnfigures) at May 21, 2015 11:47 AM (LnE5F)

508 I always thought he was in the same category as Dick Cavett (and James Thurber, if you want to go back that far): midwestern Rubes who became "more New Yorker than a New Yorker." Personally, I can't stand people who are that full of themselves.

Posted by: just me at May 21, 2015 12:00 PM (CgOBQ)

509 I never watched letterman that much. So far as I could tell, he was famous primarily for saying "ass" on television when it wasn't accepted to do so.

And once he deteriorated to partisan viciousness, I had even less incentive than ever to watch.

Posted by: Another lurking lurker what lurks at May 21, 2015 01:39 PM (Lbm4n)

510
Why would anyone watch a program about nothing?

Because it's on TV.

BTW - nice mention by El Rushbo himself, live.

Posted by: DoverPro at May 21, 2015 02:42 PM (wN82N)

511 BAM - ACE GETS FULL READ FROM EL RUSHBO ON HIS SHOW AND OBSERVATIONS OF THIS POST! #LETITBURN!

Posted by: Jethro Bean at May 21, 2015 03:00 PM (sQEuM)

512 Letterman was already past his sell-by date when he jumped from NBC to CBS.

OTOH, as others have observed, Chris Elliot could be a riot. I remember him quite well from "The Chris Elliot Show". Chris leaves the house and his parents fill his bedroom with concrete to keep him from coming back. And Bob Elliot's rejoinder is an all-time classic: "Boy, your butt will touch a bed in this house again when the Pope builds a Vatican in Vegas".

Posted by: Additional Blond Agent at May 21, 2015 03:50 PM (PMGbu)

513 Thank you Ace! When I try to explain to my son how I used to *love* Letterman, but that he lost me long ago, I couldn't articulate why, beyond no longer funny so bitter. Son said I changed, because I said the same about Bill Maher my all time favorite George Carlin.

Posted by: Amy Shulkusky at May 21, 2015 11:50 PM (fszmw)

514 Letterman is a sc8m bag.
I always thought he was plain old mean, and the stupid pranks with food offensive and juvenile.
The scandal taking the interns into his 'lair' while the mother of his child, who he didn't have the decency to marry, was publicly betrayed, should have put him out of business. Only libs can rehabilitate sc8m bags into celebrities.
Watching him fawn drool over Obama- something truly wrong with that scene.
Really couldn't tell??? C'mon....

Posted by: Chris at May 22, 2015 01:06 AM (369tD)

515 I am surprised nobobdy has mentioned the Monkey Cam

Posted by: steve austin at May 23, 2015 10:08 AM (aQR93)

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