David Letterman has made himself uncool in the eyes of some. He is often controversial…but this time, he really may have just gone too far while trying to get a laugh. This week David joked about a recent visit to the city of New York, by Alaska’s governor, Sarah Palin and her daughter Willow. He had his usual top 10 list; only it was filled with jokes about Sarah and her daughter.
David “joked” about Sarah going to Bloomingdales to pick up makeup to update her “slutty flight attendant” look. First off, that is disrespect not only to Sarah but also, to flight attendants who have struggled over the years to fight for respect for the job that they do. I can’t imagine that this statement has made him very popular with the aviation industry. I know from the news stories flying back and forth…he isn’t very popular with the Palin family. That previous statement about the flight attendant wasn’t the worst of his “jokes” I am afraid to say.
The most offensive “joke” that he made had to do with Sarah and Todd Palin’s daughter. David said, An awkward moment at the Yankee’s game, during the 7th inning, her daughter was “knocked up” by Alex Rodriquez. Whoa! Say what? How not funny is that? That implies that her daughter was having sex or was forced to have sex by Alex Rodriquez. Now, number 1, Sarah’s daughter is 14 years old. She should not have been made the subject of a sexual joke…in any way! #2 i doubt that Alex Rodriquez was thrilled to be included in such an insensitive remark. #3 I am sure that the management and ownership of the Yankee’s was definately not happy about that particular “joke”. After all, baseball is associated with a family imagine…all American, mom and apple pie….not sex on the field with a minor and one of their ball players.
The thing about comedians is that sometimes a joke “works” and sometimes it does not; however, there should be some guidelines that a comedian doesn’t cross; no matter how “big” you are in the industry. I personally think it is reprehensible that David Letterman would say such a thing. It wasn’t long ago when a comment was made by another celebrity that included sexual references about Miley Cyrus….that too was not appropriate or funny. There was a big backlash of public opinion about those comments as well. Come on entertainers….let’s have some sensitivity training about what is and what is not appropriate to say about young girls and women in general. Every day on the news we have stories partaining to the fact that some “adult” somewhere has “victimized” a child in a sexual way…these kinds of comments and jokes do not help people to understand what is appropriate behavior between adults and children. The line is becoming blurred and that is not acceptable.
There has to be a call to action for our culture to demand that those in the public eye hold themselves to a high standard of values when it comes to these issues. It should be a matter of common sense…but, as the bar gets lowered and things happen…the next incident desensitizes the public to tolerate even more degrading things to be said and done all in the guise of entertainment; because…really; we know the intent behind them…it was all in fun…right? Wrong! It is a matter of accountability.
It is no wonder that some females of this generation are struggling with self-esteem issues and body consciousness. It is no wonder that some males of this generation are confused about what is appropriate conduct at work, at school, at home and on the streets. Truly, have we NOT gotten past the idea that it is ok to belittle women and girls by defining them in a sexualized manner? We all have daughters, mothers, sisters, or female friends or co-workers that we care about…try to imagine them in these situations and conduct ourselves accordingly.
The Palins have made known their extreme displeasure and frustration over the matter regarding their daughter Willow. David made a half hearted attempt to gloss the issue over by inviting them to his show to work it out. The Palins have appropriately refused to do so. Today, in an attempt to apologize, David said that he wasn’t referring to Willow the Palin’s 14 year old minor…he was referring to Bristol their 18 daughter.
Does that make his “joke” ok, because she is an adult who did in fact become an unwed mother? No, I think not. Not only that…but, from what i have been able to glean out of the news reports…Sarah was with her daughter Willow at that game…not Bristol; not that it should matter! Making comments about sexual activity involving the Palin’s daughters (or anyone’s sons or daughters) is a bit over the top, in my opinion. Dave admits that he was guilty of poor taste…but, he doesn’t come across as truly feeling sorry for these comments that he made.
I myself , have a problem with comedy when it chooses to go in the mean-spirited direction, or in a way that puts someone else down to get a laugh. Life is funny enough…we dont have to look for ways to humiliate anyone to be funny. Self deprecating humor is usually the way to go if you are going to try to underscore someone looking like a fool or to show them with egg on their face to get a laugh. Cruelty in the guise of humor doesn’t work for me personally, just my opinion.
Hello Dave, here is a clue….the joke wasn’t funny! It was not only rude, insensitive, and demeaning to women; but also to the baseball industry, professional ball players, flight attendants and to parents because it goes against everything that parents try to instill in their (sons) & daughters in this world. Our society has become highly over-focussed on sexualizing our daughters from the time they come out of the womb. You are definately old enough to know better…and, I would hope that you would truly and sincerely be ashamed of your words and your actions for trying to justify the situation. After all, you have a child…would use want someone to use him in such a way, publically or privately? I know you pride yourself on playing things close to the vest on a personal level…but for real, let your human side show on this subject.
How do you feel about these types of “jokes”? Does Dave have carte blanche to say such things? If he chooses to say them…will it influence whether you watch his show or not? Do you think that his sponsors or powerful people in New York should express their displeasure? Do you think that it hurts him professionally to go to this level when performing on stage? I know that the late night entertainment shows have been going through some changes recently with Conan O’Brien, and Jay Leno changing things up…but, will Dave’s viewership be affected by incidents such as this? What is your opinion?
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David letterman is an absoulate dumbass idiot who should be barred from any kind of public apperance
GMAN