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‘Fair Game’: Chris Christie and David Letterman Laugh About Fat Jokes on ‘The Late Show’

Feb. 5, 2013 7:17am Billy Hallowell

During last night’s appearance on “The Late Show With David Letterman,” New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie joked back-and-forth with the comedian, speaking candidly about his weight, among other subjects. Rather than avoiding the subject or taking offense at past jabs, he and Letterman actually shared some laughs about the many fat jokes the comic has made about the lawmaker.

Christie has termed his plumpness “fair game” for comedians and he fully embraced this sentiment last night. In his first appearance on “The Late Show,” the outspoken Republican and potential 2016 presidential contender even read two of Letterman’s jokes that he said were “some of my personal favorites.”

Chris Christie and David Letterman Laugh About Fat Jokes on Late Show

In this photo released by CBS Broadcasting, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, left, and late night host David Letterman, right, react with laughter during the Governor’s first visit to CBS’ “Late Show with David Letterman,” on Monday, Feb. 4, 2013 in New York. (AP Photo/CBS Broadcasting, Jeffrey Neira)

The governor also drew loud laughs when he pulled out a doughnut and started eating it while Letterman asked him if he was bothered by the digs that have been made about his weight. Christie said he wasn’t, noting that he laughs at the jokes if he finds them funny.

“I only care if you’re funny. From my perspective, if the joke is funny I laugh even if it’s about me,” the governor told Letterman. “If it’s not funny I don’t laugh. But I’ve never felt like it was anything that ever really bugged me that much.”

Christie also quipped that he finds only about 40 percent of Letterman’s jokes about him comical.

Watch highlights from the exchange, below:

Perhaps the candor with which Christie handled the subject wasn’t entirely surprising. After all, he told Oprah Winfrey in a Jan. 2012 interview that he is no longer bothered by people who poke fun at his weight. When also asked it if he is ever offended by the jokes, he was candid.

“Not anymore. I think it hurt me a lot when I was younger. But I kinda think now I’ve developed a bit of a shell about it because it’s been talked about so much,” he said. “I don’t like being overweight. I know I’d be healthier and better off if I weren’t.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Related:

These Are the Highlights of Christie’s Oprah Interview: 2016 Plans, Weight, & Advice for Obama

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Comments (18)

Marcus_Junius_Brutus
Posted on February 10, 2013 at 4:09pm
Why is it ok to attack Gov Christie for being fat but not Moochelle for her fat ****? Oh yeah **** of course! Then it’s strictly racist. BULL!!!!!!!!!

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tjeptalley
Posted on February 6, 2013 at 12:15pm
I hope all conservative really do not care what Christie says about anything.

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suz
Posted on February 5, 2013 at 9:15pm
mr. christie. you’re too fat to be doing anything but loving your family AND YOUR JOB. what are you doing on letterman?

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tolerence
Posted on February 5, 2013 at 1:48pm
this is the side that Gov Christie picked when He put His arm around Barrack,now His new ally is doing something to Him that Republicans never did,makeing fun of His weight on national TV,show absoutly no respeck for the office of the New Jersy Governors office,Letterman is nothing but a leftist deranged hack,Hes not funny anymore in as much as he is vile and mean along with being a conservativephobe,Chris Christies is nothing but a Pinata for the leftwingnuts,He’s a running clueless GAG for the liberals,as much as an embarrassment to the Republican party as John Boehner,John kline,John Mccaine,are as well etc…Chris Christie does need to lose weight if He wants to be in the public eye,and stop glorifieing being overwigeht and defnding His right to go into a diabetic coma…Liberals are cruel mean people,and if Christie wants to form an allience with Obama and His henchmen ,He better be prepare to be nothing but their Repunican whipping Boy to make fun of…

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rdk
Posted on February 5, 2013 at 12:15pm
Does Letterman talk about “fat jokes” when Michelle Obama is on his show?

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AUsername
Posted on February 5, 2013 at 9:54am
Maybe he will laugh at edited videos of him doing truffle shuffle or the milk shake song.

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titan
Posted on February 5, 2013 at 9:25am
at first i thought he would make a good president. after the slobbering over obama and the fat jokes and blaming the republicans for not getting the sandy money fast enough when he knew it was filled with pork. i have changed my mind about him. goodbye Christie…

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TROONORTH
Posted on February 5, 2013 at 9:03am
Do you really want someone with so little self control, sitting in the big chair in the oral office, with his hand on ‘the button’ ( and his other hand in a bag of chips and dip)?

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Jim
Posted on February 5, 2013 at 8:42am
Christie, You really need to see about dieting… and that is not a joke. I know a friend that did not heed my warning and he left this world at a young age and did not see his 50th birthday. Take care of yourself my friend.

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Gonzo
Posted on February 5, 2013 at 8:34am
He may be laughing on the outside, but he’s crying on the inside. (sob) Go away Christie.

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RJJinGadsden
Posted on February 5, 2013 at 8:01am
Hahaha, two peas in a pod. Just that one end of the pod is much larger.

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- Gonzo
  Posted on February 5, 2013 at 8:58am
  Roger that.
  
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dimart
Posted on February 5, 2013 at 7:53am
Rather sad and sick that the discussion with a prospective presidential candidate is all about fat jokes. Sorry, but I for one do not want a president who is the brunt end of a fat joke any more than I want a president who is the brunt end of stupid jokes as we have now! If this is the best we’ve got we are in BIG trouble…

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jackact
Posted on February 5, 2013 at 7:52am
Serial adultery is evidently not as offensive as being fat.
I guess when you have millions of dollars (and you are an avowed liberal) you see the world through rise colored glasses.
How transparent and sad.

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- jackact
  Posted on February 5, 2013 at 7:57am
  Since it was CBS wouldn’t a more appropriate guest have been Dan Marino?
  The two would have had so much in common.
  :(
  
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Gladileftcalifornia
Posted on February 5, 2013 at 7:50am
Owebama’s favorite RINO.

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walnutportconservative
Posted on February 5, 2013 at 7:46am
He’s very popular these days. What a great leader?

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- ForMyKidsVA
  Posted on February 5, 2013 at 7:52am
  Only if you like RINOs.
  
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