Did Jay Leno Really Say This?

My Bartender | HalfIrish

[HalfIrish]

I apologize if this has been covered. I searched for Leno and Tonight Show and got nothing.

I was told that Jay Leno cracked wise about Cher in his monologue last night and the joke bombed. So he said something to the effect, "What do you want from me? I can't do Bush jokes anymore. All of a sudden he's a smart guy!" This "gem" bombed as well.

I'd like confirmation or straightening out. Whichever is applicable, please. I find it hard to believe it was that bad. Surely it would have been covered here if it was.

Thanks.

[Sidebar Moderator]

The Cher joke bombed, the Bush joke didn't go over quite as bad

[HalfIrish]

Thanks. The fellow who told me about it was not amused.

[DC Ripper]

Bush is "suddenly" a smart guy like Leno is "suddenly" a jackass.

[Reagan Man]

My friend, who really cares what Jay Leno has to say.

There are more important concerns right now.

[Hoosier Patriot]

Leno is one guy I cannot tolerate. Kisses a$$ bigtime to guests when they are on the show, then stabs 'em in the back when they're not. Anything, and I mean anything, just to get a laugh.

Worthless is the only word I can think of to describe him.

He's not worthy of shining Johnny Carsons shoes, IMHO.

[HalfIrish]

You're right. There are more important things. A lot of folks have already stopped watching him.

[laureldrive]

Actually, I've always gotten the impression Carson was/is a conservative? Any thoughts?

[HalfIrish]

It's a cinch he had more class. I don't recall Johnny letting on his politics much.

[Hawkeye's Girl]

Man, glad I stick to Dave.

Last night Letterman said that the President's speech was great and that he felt better since Bush had explained how things are going to work now.

[laureldrive]

The thing about Carson is, he's a genuinely very bright man - - - and well-read. It would sometimes come out, when some current-affairs issue would come up in conversation - - totally unplanned --- he'd say something that would show a real grasp of policy issues.

[Vicki]

I watched Leno last night. Yes the Cher joked bombed and he did state that he could no longer rank on Bush because he's a smart guy now.

[Pipers]

Leno's wife was put in charge of Afghanistan women by clinton. Hillary loved it. It was an aspect of clinton's "foreign policy". Now excuse me while I grab my airsick bag.

[Joe Hadenuf]

He's not worthy of shining Johnny Carsons shoes, IMHO.

Agree

[HalfIrish]

I wonder if it was supposed to go off better but he delivered it in a snide manner? Any fool should've known it would go over like a lead balloon.

[PJ-Comix]

I can't watch late night talk shows anymore. They have gotten incredibly boring. Usually the guests are self-important celebs who are there mainly to plug their latest projects. Once upon a time, late night talk shows were actually quite interesting to watch and the guests actually engaged in REAL CONVERSATIONS. They had a documentary about Jack Paar and it was fascinating to watch how interesting the guests, such as Jonathan Winters, Oscar Levant, and even a spaced out Judy Garland were. And, of course there is that time on the Johnny Carson show where a tipsy Dean Martin tapped ashes from his cigarette into an unsuspecting George Gobel's drink.

Nowadays the guests are usually much too pompous to engage in playful banter and too stupid to carry on an intelligent conversation. It's all about plugging their careers.

[HalfIrish]

There's a clue.. maybe he's angry that GWB is going to finish the job Clintoon screwed up!

[brewcrew]

Leno stopped amusing me years ago. He is lost without a teleprompter. Letterman, on the other hand, is a very quick wit, and appeals more to those of us with at least half a brain. His monologue the first night back after the attack brought tears to my eyes, it was that genuine and heartfelt. I believe that, under the several layers of ego beats the heart of a true patriot.

[bleudevil]

I usually watch Letterman up to the point the guests come out. The guests segments, unless it's someone I'm especally interested in, are usually the dullest part of the show.

[Dan Day]

So he said something to the effect, "What do you want from me? I can't do Bush jokes anymore. All of a sudden he's a smart guy!"

Actually, I see that as a compliment to Bush.

It sounds like an updated version of Mark Twain's:

"When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much he had learned."

The point of Twain's witticism is the unspoken, but clearly acknowledged, admission that it wasn't his father who had actually wised up, it was the young Twain, who finally came to see the wisdom his father had all along.

I see Leno's crack to be similar. It's an admission that George W. is smarter than (some) people originally gave him credit for, and that it will no longer be acceptable to joke about him being not too bright.