Did Letterman cross the line?
 

Late night talk show host takes pot shots at Sarah Palin and her daughter referring to her as having "A slutty stewardess look" and that her 14 year old daughter got 'knocked up' by Alex Rodriguez.

http://blogs.abcnews.com/thenote/200...letterman.html

Yes, he crossed the line. The comment of Palin's daughter and getting knocked up by Yankees A-Rod was way of bounds.

you can make fun of a public figure all you want as long as you stick to making fun of their political ideology, slip ups, bad acting, poor singing etc.

but family, and personal pot shots are below the belt. for example calling someone fat, or ugly, or calling their family names or making fun of their family's failures, disadvantages or shortcomings.... its off limits and its uncool.

i dont care for Sarah Palin either way, but Letterman lost me as a fan.

not only did he take serious pot shots at Palin, but he has also insulted flight attendants, a group of highly trained professionals, many of which take their jobs very seriously and are not there to serve drinks - they are there to pull your ass out of flaming wreckage when the sh*t hits the fan.

I used to really like Letterman when i was much younger, but he doesn't "make fun" of others equally or fairly - if you are going to have a late night talk show and you are going to make fun of a political candidate - do it like Conan O'Brien or Jay Leno... apply your jokes equally across the board to candidates on the left and right. an entertaining and professional host can remain neutral while still being funny.

Letterman seems to lean way too far Left and aim his jokes way too far right. and his show serves as a personal far left forum and shooting gallery at right wingers.

so in short.

not only has he offended an entire profession, but he also alienates a large part of a potential audience by consistently targeting the right.

besides; the election is over! why is he still talking about Palin? I think he has a crush

Yes, he crossed the line. Yes, it was tasteless. Comedy often crosses the line. It's often tastless. I've seen MUCH worse at live comedy shows and MUCH, MUCH, MUCH worse on South Park.

His 'apology' was much funnier than the original 'joke'.

The Palin's would have been more effective if they had responded, "David Who?"

Whats with all this angst with Palin anyhow.

Are they threatend by her somehow? (They=Liberal elite)

I just dont get it.

It make news Steamwake. It generates better ratings. Nothing more.

You know what though, anyone who can dream up a joke about an adult male having sex with a 14 year old needs to have his head examined.

While I thought it was in poor taste, I did laugh.

People who are making a big deal out of it though are only doing it because of their politcal views.

And if it Obama's daughter as part of the joke the response would be?

Give me a break SH, I would not be amused if Letterman said the same about my 14 year old daughter. I do not give two rat's arses what political view he or I hold. It is way out of bounds.

I think they should charge him with underage hate speech.:hmmm:

The same. News stations would be voicing opinions over it (as they are now), and I would still think it to be in poor taste (but humorous).

None of us would be.

But you know as well as I do that all this whole thing was political and people will/are take(ing) sides because of this. It happens every time.

Where exactly do we draw the line, though, on what is and isn't fair game to joke about?

Kids are never fair game. Obama my not be my best buddy but I grew in some respect for the man when he said kids(family) are off limits. That is were the line drawn. Palin is a big girl. She can get over what is said about her. A 14 year old? Come on.

No the reaction would not be the same. Simple as that.

Oh really? How would it be then?

A tasteless joke and one of the reasons I am starting to prefer NBC late night over the CBS lineup. But do be aware that controversy like that is manufactured to generate ratings by the big dogs. You are just feeding it posting a topic about it.