I watched the video.BINGO, taildragger!He came across as a cub reporter intern trying to score a gotcha soundbite.
VERY disappointed with Jay.Check this out, from variety.com:
Senator Cruz has his work cut out for him.
...Cruz might have become a darling of conservatives and a driving force in the recent government shutdown, but he seemed ill-equipped for Leno, and slightly taken aback by the latenight hosts questioning regarding the shutdown, the GOP emphasis on social issues (Leno has previously articulated a more accepting, libertarian view of gay marriage, for one) and the general vitriol in Washington.In fact, Leno who doesnt really have to worry about losing the gig at this point delivered as many applause lines as Cruz mustered, keeping the senator mired in discussions of policy while offering scant opportunity to flash any of his lighter side, which is one of the reasons politicians gravitate toward the latenight couch. (Cruz did get in a line about his daughter and his reading Dr. Seuss during his filibuster, but that qualified as too little, too late.)
Relegated to the second guest spot (after Mariska Hargitay of NBCs Law & Order: Special Victims Unit), Cruz still had ample time to pitch his positions, and certainly earned some national exposure among those who pay scant attention to politics.
That said, if he really does harbor presidential ambitions, as Leno referenced, hes going to need to work on this more casual aspect of his portfolio, beyond just wearing boots and no tie.
...keeping the senator mired in discussions of policy while offering scant opportunity to flash any of his lighter sideTHIS was my biggest disappointment.
I was REALLY hoping that Senator Cruz would be able to open up about his FAMILY, etc...The "Tonight Show" is supposed to be about ENTERTAINMENT, Jay - not a cheap political hatchet job.
I was expecting a few serious questions but mostly some light banter and fun, friendly give-&-take. Perhaps some mutual bashing of Obamacare between Ted & Jay.
Instead Leno acted like he was conducting a job interview with an NBC intern.
Senator Cruz was clearly there for a good time - and seemed a little surprised rather than threatened by the game face Jay immediately assumed.
It was a real downer.
After Jay’s opening monologue BASHING Obamacare (”If you like your land, you can keep it”) and that peppy actress who preceded Cruz, the audience was Up and Jazzed.
Instead poor Ted had to endure Jay’s tedious Sunday talk show questions. There was zero-fun in that interview. It sucked all the enjoyment out of the room.
You could see the wheels turning in Ted’s head, “I’m exhausted - but I put up with a flight out to LA for a change-of-pace and enjoyable exchange, esp. with Ocare in tatters and the President on the ropes this week. wow, Really? Instead, we’re gonna go HERE?”
Bor-ing.
I bet most viewers tuned out... Even I got up to go in the kitchen towards the end..... Good job, Jay (not)