Did Letterman cross the line?

SteamWake · 06-11-09, 10:43 AM

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

FIREWALL · 06-11-09, 10:56 AM

I can't be impartial.

I've never liked Letterman.

AVGWarhawk · 06-11-09, 11:01 AM

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

GoldenRivet · 06-11-09, 11:05 AM

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

Kapt Z · 06-11-09, 11:26 AM

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?"

SteamWake · 06-11-09, 11:42 AM

Whats with all this angst with Palin anyhow.

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

I just dont get it.

AVGWarhawk · 06-11-09, 12:04 PM

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.

Stealth Hunter · 06-11-09, 12:10 PM

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.

AVGWarhawk · 06-11-09, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stealth Hunter

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.

nikimcbee · 06-11-09, 12:24 PM

I think they should charge him with underage hate speech.

Stealth Hunter · 06-11-09, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AVGWarhawk

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

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).

Quote:

Originally Posted by AVGWarhawk

Give me a break SH, I would not be amused if Letterman said the same about my 14 year old daughter.

None of us would be.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AVGWarhawk

I do not give two rat's arses what political view he or I hold. It is way out of bounds.

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?

AVGWarhawk · 06-11-09, 12:34 PM

Quote:

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.

SteamWake · 06-11-09, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stealth Hunter

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).

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

Stealth Hunter · 06-11-09, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteamWake

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

Oh really? How would it be then?

Zachstar · 06-11-09, 01:05 PM

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.

06-11-09, 10:43 AM	#1
SteamWake Rear Admiral Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 13,224 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	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 __________________ Follow the progress of Mr. Mulligan : http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=147648

06-11-09, 10:56 AM	#2
FIREWALL Eternal Patrol Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: CATALINA IS. SO . CAL USA Posts: 10,108 Downloads: 511 Uploads: 0	I can't be impartial. I've never liked Letterman. __________________ RIP FIREWALL I Play GWX. Silent Hunter Who ???

06-11-09, 11:01 AM	#3
AVGWarhawk Lucky Jack Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a 1954 Buick. Posts: 28,282 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	Yes, he crossed the line. The comment of Palin's daughter and getting knocked up by Yankees A-Rod was way of bounds. __________________ “You're painfully alive in a drugged and dying culture.” ― Richard Yates, Revolutionary Road

06-11-09, 11:05 AM	#4
GoldenRivet Subsim Aviator Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 8,726 Downloads: 146 Uploads: 0	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 __________________

06-11-09, 11:42 AM	#6
SteamWake Rear Admiral Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 13,224 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	Whats with all this angst with Palin anyhow. Are they threatend by her somehow? (They=Liberal elite) I just dont get it. __________________ Follow the progress of Mr. Mulligan : http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=147648

06-11-09, 11:26 AM	#5
Kapt Z Grey Wolf Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: ...somewhere in the swamps of Jersey. Posts: 909 Downloads: 157 Uploads: 0	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?"

06-11-09, 12:04 PM	#7
AVGWarhawk Lucky Jack Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a 1954 Buick. Posts: 28,282 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	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. __________________ “You're painfully alive in a drugged and dying culture.” ― Richard Yates, Revolutionary Road

06-11-09, 12:10 PM	#8
Stealth Hunter Silent Hunter Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Y'ha-Nthlei Posts: 4,262 Downloads: 19 Uploads: 0	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.

06-11-09, 12:24 PM	#10
nikimcbee Fleet Admiral Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Patroling the Slot. Posts: 17,952 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	I think they should charge him with underage hate speech. __________________

06-11-09, 01:05 PM	#15
Zachstar Sea Lord Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Shreveport, Louisiana Posts: 1,956 Downloads: 13 Uploads: 0	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. __________________