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To: HHFi
Note how Jay will let Dennis rant on and on and never argue, the way he does with Bill Maher. I believe Jay is becoming more conservative and doesn't want to admit it to keep from alienating liberal show guests. But notice that American flag pin on his lapel, and some of the jokes in his recent monologues.

Although I think he will make jokes against all politicians as long as they don't hit too deep, I think Leno strives to be like the entertainers of old, like Carson and Bob Hope, who could be well-liked by all, and would *never* not support their country in time of war. Even Letterman strives for that. All those who last the long term must not be too political on either side but always patriotic. It is a tough balance. It would not surprise me if Leno is doing or eventually does do stints for the USO... I think he would like for that legacy that Bob Hope has.

59 posted on 04/03/2003 10:29:49 PM PST by HairOfTheDog (May it be a light for you in dark places, when all other lights go out.)
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To: HairOfTheDog
Jay already went over to Kuwait a few months ago with Dwight Yokum and some other performers to do shows for a lot of military personnel during the buildup, so I wouldn't be surprised if he did more of it for the USO in the future.

I write topical comedy for a living myself (for radio syndication), and I can watch his monologues and tell that he's doing exactly what I have to do: do jokes about all sides to be perceived as "fair," but the anti-Bush jokes are all based on stale "comedy templates," like "Bush is dumb," "Cheney is really in charge," etc., that nobody really believes anymore. Meanwhile, his jokes about the left, like ours, are much sharper and based on actual, up-to-the-minute quotes and events. That's because liberals roll out of bed every morning (or afternoon) and go to work on their one and only job: creating raw material for us comedy writers.

75 posted on 04/04/2003 12:25:56 AM PST by HHFi
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