Andrea Peyser: Sick Of 'The Late Hate Show' With Conan And Dave

The New York Post ^ | June 15, 2009 | Andrea Peyser

[2ndDivisionVet]

JOHNNY CARSON is rolling over in his grave. Even the late Lenny Bruce is having a fit.

While you were watching David Letterman -- a bitter guy who never saw a woman or a Republican he could stand -- trash Sarah Palin's 14-year-old daughter by "joking" that she was date-raped by Alex Rodriguez and stalked by Eliot Spitzer, you may have missed the memo. Dave's in good company.

His struggling brother up the dial, Conan O'Brien, on Thursday night was having a blast slurring women and Jews -- two groups that may constitute the last permissible sick-comedy staples.

Here's Conan:

"Political experts say that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to endorse what he calls a two-state solution for Israelis and Palestinians to live side by side but have no contact," he said. Ba-dump.

"Netanyahu said it will be exactly like being married to a Jewish woman." Ba-dump-bump.

In my house, I rolled my eyes with disgusted recognition. But my husband, who happens to be married to a Jewish woman, shouted at the television, and started to change the channel.

Conan seemed to realize he'd blown it. He fumpfered, pointing to the one convenient, identifiable Jew on his staff, the band leader Max Weinberg, and said, "That's the first joke written by Max Weinberg." Conan's drummer/band leader grinned stupidly and put his thumb in the air.

It goes without saying that if you change the races -- make a "joke" about African-American women or Latinas -- you'll be groveling at Al Sharpton's feet before the show ends.

But women, specifically white women, make up the last group that one may freely stereotype to get a cheap laugh.

[2ndDivisionVet]

Johnny could sometimes be risque, but not tasteless and sexist.

[Miss Behave]

GREAT post. Thanks and bump.

[MamaB]

I have not watched the nightly talk shows in years. I do not think I have missed one little thing. They are disgusting.

[ConorMacNessa]

In retrospect, Johnny had some class - his successors are an embarrassment to humanity.

Lamh Foistenach Abu!

[NormsRevenge]

Johnny had class and style and a long run.

I hardly watched Leno (’specially after he let aRnold announce on the show) and don’t even plan on Conan. (Click)

Too many hacks these days.. cheap hacks.

[Othniel]

I've not watched a late-night show since Carson left. He could say VOLUMES with just one look; that's what made him so great.

[Miss Behave]

Where oh where did Floyd R. Turbo go?

[Miss Behave]

...and make that Floyd R. Turbo, AMERICAN.

[NurdlyPeon]

But women, specifically white women, make up the last group that one may freely stereotype to get a cheap laugh.

Oh Really? And I thought it was the white men and Christians. Guess I must have missed something. Thank goodness I've got the New York Post to set me straight.

[SECURE AMERICA]

Have not watched any of these late night morons and could care less what they say or do.
They are not a part of my life or my world

[snarks_when_bored]

Johnny could sometimes be risque, but not tasteless and sexist.

Say what?

[jessduntno]

Isn’t Conan the source of the expression Red Headed step child? Just a joke, Conan...

[tflabo]

Turn off the TV late night. Read a book, pray, wind down with music, make love to the mate or just get some earlier sleep. All positives compared to watching the overpaid, unfunny hacksters on the screen.

[pogo101]

Meh, as to CONAN: Jewish comedians make that joke about Jewish wives all the time. It’s baloney, but was Conan ridiculously out of line, or just unoriginal?

As to the Letterman stuff against Palin lately, I totally agree. He’s across so many lines I lost count.

[Servant of the Cross]

FLOYD R. TURBO

Note that this is the caricature the Left thinks is representative of all conservatives.

[MattinNJ]

Italian Catholics seem to be fair game as well.

[devane617]

Have no doubt—the plans are being laid for Dave’s departure.

[Cheetahcat]

Johnny Had Class and was well liked by Americans.. Leftyperv is well liked by the ones who represent all that is wrong with this country.

[snarks_when_bored]

I like this one better...

[Seruzawa]

There is comedy, an art form. There are great comedians, but they have become replaced by the low level mockery of comedy which is simply the act of engaging in degrading commentary that sounds funny on the surface but is crass and sick. In his heyday Steve Martin was a comedic genius. The average stand-up comic these days, and Letterman is only a glorified stand-up, is a foul mouthed degrader who couldn’t create true humor if his/her life depended on it. Anyone can deal in chops and insults. True comedy is rarer. Letterman and O’Brien don’t qualify.