Letterman Admits He‘s ’Guilty‘ of Appearing ’Partisan‘ But Says He’s Simply Driven By Who‘s ’Easier to Make Fun Of’
- Posted on May 30, 2012 at 8:44am by
Billy Hallowell
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If David Letterman‘s interaction with Bill O’Reilly last week was to be examined on its own merits, a left-leaning bias would likely be attributed to the “Late Night” host.
But this, of course, is nothing new, as Hollywood is known for embracing anti-Republican sentiment. But are the late-night host’s comedic routines truly motivated by partisanship? In a discussion last night with Regis Philbin, who was filling in for CNN’s Piers Morgan, the comedian admitted his perceived bias, but proclaimed his personal independence and denied political motivation.
It was toward the end of Letterman’s appearance that the subject of partisan themes popped up. Rather than avoiding the topic entirely, he delved right in, admitting that he has appeared to take sides in the past. But rather than claiming that his jokes poking fun at the right are rooted in personal philosophy, the late-night host said that his routine is more about making fun of the people who serve up the most viable comedic material.
Mediaite has more regarding Letterman’s commentary about the political nature of his show:
Letterman freely acknowledged many see him as a politically partisan figure (indeed, Mediaite’s Andrew Kirell recently pondered, “When Did David Letterman Become Such A Liberal Partisan?“) According to Letterman himself, he isn’t. “I have been guilty of appearing to be playing partisan politics,” Letterman said. “However, I’d just like to say, for the record, I am a registered independent.”
“You go where the material takes you,” Letterman added, citing Bill Clinton as an example. No president, he said, got “hammered” the way Clinton did over the Monica Lewinsky scandal. And then we got George W. Bush, and “our prayers had been answered” because “he’s just as good, in terms of material.”
In defending his record, the popular host also pointed back to the 2008 campaign, a time during which he claims his team sufficiently poked fun at then-candidates Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.
In fairness to Letterman, the U.S. did have a Republican president for eight years, but with the Democrats having such a major role in Congress and — quite obviously the White House — one can’t help but wonder if, indeed, there is a personal bias. After all, Obama and the left have given just as much material, it would seem, to offer Letterman some truly epic monologues.
While a quick search of the host‘s past political contributions doesn’t show much, there was a $2,500 gift given to Democrat Sen. Al Franken’s (Minnesota) campaign back in 2011. However, this may be rooted more in friendship than ideological agreement. Here’s a screen shot from the Huffington Post’s Fundrace:
In the end, Letterman says he’s driven by “who’s easier to make fun of.” Watch the CNN segment, below:
(H/T: Mediaite)
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Comments (124)
TerryDo
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 9:29amThe good news Letterman is that you will have four years of making humor about President Mitt Romney and we will still won’t watch your show because you are already like Obama, “passé attire”
Report Post »teamarcheson
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 10:01amHe Sees His Days Are Numbered
He has been unable to help turn the tide of Conservatives from overwhelming his Democrat Communist handlers. They are not pleased with Davids performance.
Report Post »smokeysmoke
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 10:55ameasier to make fun of= DONT LOSE YOUR JOB FOR NOT DOING WHAT MASTER SAYS
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 11:06amIt it happens to you; It is Serious… If it happens to others; It is Funny! Humor is based upon a Mental Standard… and Dave is a Flamming Lib!
Report Post »johnjamison
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 12:12pmYes it’s so hard to find jokes about a president who campaigned in 57 states,that admittly use cocaine,pot and drank his way through high school. That campaigned on how evil bush’s deficit spending was and then spends at twice the rate of Bush. That campaigned on how evil and unconstitutional executive orders were under Bush then issued more executive order in one term than Bush did in two terms that had far more reaching powers as well. Yes it’s impossible to find jikes in a democratic congress that said we have to pass to largest power bill in government history TO FIND OUT WHATS IN IT.
Dave‘s right there’s nothing about any of those and the thousand of others examples the last 3.5 years has handed us…No it’s very very serious and dangerous to the Republic.
Or by easier did he mean easier to please his handlers over at CBS.
Report Post »GETLIFE
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 12:13pmIf Letterman and others would decide to open the treasure chest of comic material provided by the Obama administration, Romney would not even need to campaign. If someone finds a way to start, nobody will be able to stop– so much material! Too easy! And millions would be so relieved to be able to laugh. Ratings could only go up.
Report Post »mike_trivisonno
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 12:42pmMore word salad. David Letterman must have consulted Jay Carney on what to say. This entire interview was nothing more than a bunch of nonsense expressed poorly using the English language. It makes no sense, David Letterman.
David Letterman sounds like a communist who doesn‘t want people to know he’s a communist. And when confronted with his communist tendencies, David Letterman slips into salad mode.
David Letterman – communist.
Report Post »David Letterman – humor poorly conceived and clumsily delivered.
David Letterman – salad man.
hypnos
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 2:38pmAll these idiots want to appear cool. But it’s an illusion they appear as the pompous jackasses that truely are. I’m sure they are über conservative when comes to their investments.
Report Post »atlblackops
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 4:19pmWow, I just love these comments. When a conservative-leaning commentator/comedia does a night show, I’ll be the first to tune in and see how entertaining it really is.
Conservatives are so funny; can’t even tolerate comedy.
Report Post »db321
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 7:59pmWhat is David talking about – The best writers in the World can not come up with the material that Obama, Biden, and Holder have come up with – instead David loves to pick on Teabow, and Channey.
Report Post »SCARY313568
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 9:25amC‘mon Dave the Obummer and his administration have enough gaffes for a century’s worth of pundit. Yet, as usual the media intentionally omits anything this guy does and you’re one small piece of the problem.
Report Post »djeffcoat
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 10:40amDave’s a liar. The biggest and best joke around these days is Barry O.
Report Post »tbeachhead
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 9:23amSorry. The most hilarious presidencies in term of comedic material in the last half century are indubiably Clinton, Obama, Ford, Carter, and W. Bush in that order. Bush is only lowest because he took the 9/11 hit and there was nothing funny there. To deny that Obama/Biden make the best comedy team of the century is to miss the essence of comedy itself. To take these clowns seriously is to read “Who’s on First” as if it were Plato’s Dialogs.
Report Post »ddg7
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 9:23amLetterman can‘t remember Biden or Obama saying anything that he could joke about and I can’t remember the last time I watched his TV show.
Report Post »danettekientz
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 12:21pmditto, Dads.
Report Post »65Mustang
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 9:15amI haven’t found anything funny about Letterman…when has he ever made fun of Obama? I would have to read about it because I don’t watch anything on CBS, NBC or ABC.
Report Post »cookcountypatriot
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 9:14amhe,s a progressive white slave.,…period
Report Post »Shiroi Raion
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 9:10amHe’s not honest with himself. Have we not seen COUNTLESS gaffes and stupidity from this administration? Biden and Pelosi have given me some good laughs. Their stupidity is astonishing.
Report Post »TRUTHSENSE
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 9:10amLetterman more than just “appears” to be biased. Obama has provided plenty of material, he’s just blind to it.
Report Post »Steelhead
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 9:09amthat is why i miss Palin , she was so easy to make fun of. don‘t even try try to ’refudiate’ that
Report Post »Grace1798
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 9:25amYes, Palin, married to one man, raises her kids and loves them, and she put her life and good name and good character on the line to fight for our country. Letterman admitted to being a cheater ……being with several other bed partners, trashes everyone who does not agree with him and there is nothing good about him, not in what he says, or does …….yet, you like to bash Palin. Someone who defends a corrupt, vile person like Letterman and trashes a good person who has lived a good life makes me wonder about the stability of their minds.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 9:42amGive Nancy Pelosi a try Steely, very easy to laugh at and a bald face liar to boot. Or, there is always Wasserman-Shultz. If you can’t get a laugh out of that ugly wind bag, you’re not trying.
Report Post »Steelhead
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 9:56amhairy- at least my girls didn’t quit their jobs when the going gets tough. palin sold out like a 2 dollar w,,,,,,,,,,
Report Post »Fubared
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 10:37amHead
Report Post »You miss Palin for unsavory reasons sicko, as the left provides chicks that could be poster models on why not to drink and date lefties. Moochelle has bigger guns than 0, his girls have a better set shot, and don’t forget dog on a stick for a quick in between meal snack. Lets laugh about some of his papers while a hahvard presidential law dude… oh, joke really is on you Head. Hahahaha. Head.
Gonzo
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 11:55amWhy would they quit Steely? Neither one is qualified to do anything other than live of the the public teet.
Report Post »thetroll01
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 2:44pmWhat was it that you found to be the funniest “Jokes” about Palin? The one where Pervert Dave admitted that he enjoyed watching a 14 year old girl get “knocked up” by an over paid jock strap, while he mother watched? Maybe you were fantasizing about that yourself.
Or, was it the one where Pervert Dave, who has his own b@&tard son, made fun of Palin’s 18 year old daughter having a kid out of wed-lock? Maybe you were also fantasizing that YOU could be the one to “knock-up” young Miss Palin.
Report Post »Grace1798
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 9:07amThis man is corrupt in every way and answers to no one! He’s vile and immoral and proud of it. I cannot stand this man, he’s a vicious child who never matured into adulthood (good character, wisdom and good morals). He’s a disgrace to himself and his own country. He disgusts me.
Report Post »deucster
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 9:07amAre you freakin kidding me. He goes where the material takes him???? Maybe he should open his eyes a little more. Like his neighbors, idiotic actors, or himself. I really do not find him that funny at all and stopped watching him when I decided sleep was more important. I mean the guy has made a fortune because of the click he runs with and certainley not from his quick witt. I find him pretty lame and know way in the same class as Carson or Leno.
Report Post »rickc34
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 9:05amI do not watch late night comedians, they are not that funny and the bully mentality of attacking women all the time. Waste of air time.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 9:03amNice to know you’re not partisan Dave. LOL! I would’t watch you if I was an insomniac with no cable.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 9:10amLOL .. not buying it either … Obama gives them SO MUCH material .. but the leftists won’t use it .. if Letterman did he MIGHT be funny .. at least once in a while .. but then I don’t watch either .. only hear the mean and vile things he says .. usually the day after…
Report Post »moussiagilda
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 9:02amHe’s got that look in his eyes. The look of being someone who is willing to think.
A Hannity glissando for you, ki.
Report Post »moussiagilda
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 9:01amPost ‘em.
Report Post »moussiagilda
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 8:58amI sent him a letter when I was 15, and never got a response. I don’t mind.
Report Post »D-Fence
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 8:57amHe’s not an independent. He‘s a flippin’ elitest progressive. What a liar.
Report Post »moussiagilda
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 8:56amWhoo-hoo!!!
I was in love with David Letterman as a kid! Did I help convert him! Spectacular!
Report Post »EqualJustice
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 8:56amHAHAHAHA Now THAT is something he said that you CAN laugh at. What a JOKE, Mr. liberal liar who ALWAYS votes “D”
Report Post »thegodfather
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 8:54amUnbelievable. Even when he admits he’s liberally biased….he tells us he’s an “independent”. If that makes your conscience feel better Davey….go ahead and think that way.
Report Post »effvar
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 8:53amHe’s a liar. Nuff’ said.
Report Post »RJJinGadsden
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 8:53am“the comedian admitted his perceived bias, but proclaimed his ‘personal independence’ and denied political motivation.”
Report Post »This will be Letterman’s most complicated performance to date!
dadsrootbeer
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 8:53amI stopped watching Dave when it was time to grow up. He was great thru college but after graduation there were bills to pay and responsibilities to take care of. Tried to watch him after a while but it became clear he became more of a soap box politicial hack and less of a comedian.
Report Post »momrules
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 8:52amOh for pete’s sake Letterman, just man up and admit you are a liberal pig.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 9:25amAmen MOM!
Report Post »dadsrootbeer
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 8:50amAnd we actually need him to tell us that?
Report Post »