emperorOfTheUniverse

emperorOfTheUniverse t1_janzefm wrote

This guy's been around since I was a kid. In 1992 he took over Carson's show. I've given him countless opportunities. Watched so many monologues. Waiting. I mean, they gave him the fucking tonight show. I'd seen interviews with other comedians, referring to how funny he was. Jay fucking Leno.

3 decades later. He's never once made me laugh. I don't get it. I feel like I've lived my life in a twilight zone episode or something. They used to say, 'he appeals more to Johnny's older demographic', and that made sense for a while. And while he's doing setups and punchlines, and I recognize that the formula is there for 'joke', I've just never once laughed at a single quip or anything he's ever said. I mean 'flaming hot dorito'? WTF?

I used to think, 'here's a guy who's just been watered down to appeal to major audiences'. But he's rich as fuck by now. Does his little car show for fun probably. He doesn't need to be Pepsi. But he still isn't funny. He never takes a chance. Never goes for it. 3 fucking decades of Jay Leno. How has he stayed on top? It doesn't make sense. WTF does he or has he ever contributed to entertainment? Why is this the guy? Did the station sign him to the tonight show deal for a 20 year contract that was unbreakable? How can mediocrity be rewarded so fervently and for so long? It just doesn't make sense. I've seen old clips of his old standup too. He wasn't funny before his big break either.

It's like his giant, Rocky Dennis fucking face is some kind of good luck charm.

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emperorOfTheUniverse t1_j7loot6 wrote

He was smart. Everyone just liked to portray him as an idiot, because of how he talked and that they disagreed with his policies.

https://www.keithhennessey.com/2013/04/24/smarter/

Edit: You'll be hard pressed to find any POTUS that there isn't almost if not more than half the country decrying as an 'idiot'. Everyone is smart from their armchair. But the fact is nobody gets into that chair without tremendous effort and poise to begin with, and then once they do get there the hard work starts. Presidents aren't dumb.

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emperorOfTheUniverse t1_j42h7u0 wrote

You actually see one of them crack in the video, and Cunk admonishes her in character. I think Diane does a lot of work probably before and during to help her interviewees try to keep up with her. And there probably is a fair amount of cracking, but they edit that out. Diane is probably one of the most amazing 'straight' actresses out there in comedy.

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