Jossip Point-Counterpoint: Drew says David Letterman's McCain rants are a good thing for the comedian. David says there are more risks than rewards.
On Wednesday night, David Letterman practically ignored John McCain witch hunter and Late Show guest Keith Olbermann to deliver his own tirade against the Republican candidate, who canceled his appearance on his show, only to … give an interview to CBS' own Katie Couric at the same moment he was supposed to be in Dave's studio. McCain's excuse for canceling: He had to rush back to Washington to save the economy. Turns out, he stayed the night in New York City — which led to last night's follow-up rant.
My fellow editor Drew argued here that is was a calculated move to draw in potential new viewers who might've caught his rant on YouTube and realized they can get their anti-McCain fix at 11:30pm too, and not just in the form of a Rachel Maddow Show repeat.
And I agree: Letterman's move to bash McCain again was, absolutely, calculated. But rather than draw in new viewers, I foresee the possibility of Letterman's new found political commentary backfiring enormously.
One needs only look to Ms. Oprah Winfrey to see the reality of this possibility. Championing for Barack Obama, Oprah left the safety of her studio sofa for the campaign trail, publicly backing the Democratic candidate and using her media empire to drive up support. And it may have worked: One study says Oprah got Obama a million extra votes in the primary race against Hillary Clinton.
But the side effect to Oprah making her first-ever political endorsement? A viewership drop.
And the same could happen to Letterman if he keeps it up, and brands himself not as a late night funny man, but as a McCain basher.
Letterman's appeal is that he's a folksy "dad humor" type, as benign as he is quirky. He can lust over Julia Roberts and make Paris Hilton look stupid, but he comes out on top every time. Here, he risks alienating not just McCain supporters, but also viewers who tune in for a comedic escape, not a cable news-esque rant. It's the same dilemma Oprah faced: Stay quiet or the sidelines, or use her power to shift American politics while possibly scaring away viewers who felt she was preaching to them.
And at a time like this, losing viewership would be especially bad for Letterman. His ratings are already dipping. And ABC's Nightline is regularly beating his Nielsen numbers.
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moronic analysis. Letterman has never been better; in fact, he was patriotic.
I think there was much more at play with Oprah (the black thing). Letterman is on point with this one.
I disagree with the last part. Letterman has held a grudge plenty of times in the past. Once he gets upset about something, he does not let it go for quite some time. This only upped the ante with such a high profile.
Dave once again demonstrated that he has cojones the size of a Montana grizzly. He was absolutely doing his job to harpoon McCain for our amusement. Don't forget he made a point of clarifying all of the fine qualities and contributions of Mr. McC. All the more disappointing that Dave was lied to about his cancellation. Way to be a man, DAVE. Your bosses maybe need a testosterone check.
Sure, "beating up on McCain could be very bad for David Letterman."
But, lying to David Letterman could be very bad for McCain.
Personally, I'd prefer to have a looser as a comedian than have a liar as a president. That's just me…
letterman is right! he is an ugly date. real ugly
Don't really know how this threat benefits him: http://tinyurl.com/3lm42l
Wow, more unbelievable words from Dave Letterman Acolytes. Let's get real. I'll come out and say it. The 2 real reasons McCain canceled was #1, Letterman's ratings suck! Yes ABC's Nightline is more entertaining and informative but so is Katie Couric's show. And that should be even more depressing. He got dumped because the only people watching Dave are the haters; the Republican haters. So why would the Republican presidential nominee want to be on that show? Which leads to #2. Everyone knows that the only thing Dave wanted to do was harpoon and bash McCain. What value is there in that for McCain? For Dave it's the only thing he can do. With his ratings, it REALLY is the only thing to do. When you are at the bottom the only way you can go is up. I mean look who took McCain's place: Paris Hilton?! I guess it was fitting; two people at the bottom of the "entertainment" pool trying to console each other. There, there, it will be OK. Oh and for Fiona, if you think Dave "made a point of clarifying all of the fine qualities and contributions of Mr. McC" sister you have your own issues. Let me get you a subscription to the National Enquirer, if you don't already have one 'cause even that is more clarifying than Dave Letterman.
cwinkm, you should watch the clip again. You seem to have missed several acknowledgements by Dave referring to McCain. And believe me, I'm not your sister.
Letterman's comments on McCain were direct reactions to his cancellation and then appearance on other talk shows and the fact that he did not tell Letterman the truth.
I agree with H.L.C. McCain's got that white privilege going for him.