# Jay Leno have a hardon or something....? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 14, 2012, 6:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jay-leno-have-a-hardon-or-something/625111 "2012-06-14T06:57:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2012, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jay-leno-have-a-hardon-or-something/625111/81 "2012-06-15T16:21:03Z")
Conan wasn’t cancelled! Jay’s 10pm show tanked, and he wanted 11:30 back, and Conan was forced out. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2012, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jay-leno-have-a-hardon-or-something/625111/82 "2012-06-15T16:41:53Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > I presume you’re referring to the section headed “Nixon quote.” Yup. In fact my link included an HTML anchor tag for that section. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2012, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jay-leno-have-a-hardon-or-something/625111/83 "2012-06-15T16:53:39Z")
> [@etv78](#): > > Conan wasn’t cancelled! Jay’s 10pm show tanked, and he wanted 11:30 back, and Conan was forced out. It should be noted that Leno never wanted to leave 11:30 in the first place. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2012, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jay-leno-have-a-hardon-or-something/625111/84 "2012-06-15T16:59:18Z")
> [@Dave\_Hartwick](#): > > Oh, thanks, Bricker. I was confused why Leno was on the air when not a single person I know watches him. You really skewered some ignorance with your well-placed roll eye smiley. Skewered it right good. You’re welcome. I was hoping to kill two birds with one stone, the second avian being the conceit that entertainment opinions held by the elite translate into some kind of objectively unimpeachable license to trash entertainment opinions held by the unwashed. Did I? Or do we still feel all preciously smug and superior? ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2012, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jay-leno-have-a-hardon-or-something/625111/85 "2012-06-15T17:00:36Z")
The whole point of having opinions about entertainment is to be able to trash the opinions of others. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2012, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jay-leno-have-a-hardon-or-something/625111/86 "2012-06-15T17:03:50Z")
> [@etv78](#): > > Jaywalking depresses me though. Makes me realize we don’t pay our teachers _nearly_ enough. That’s not it. Private (Catholic) schools pay their teachers less, and get better results. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2012, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jay-leno-have-a-hardon-or-something/625111/87 "2012-06-15T17:05:02Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > The whole point of having opinions about entertainment is to be able to trash the opinions of others. Really? I did not get that memo. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2012, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jay-leno-have-a-hardon-or-something/625111/88 "2012-06-15T17:05:42Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Really? > > I did not get that memo. Must have been left off the distribution list. But now you know. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2012, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jay-leno-have-a-hardon-or-something/625111/89 "2012-06-15T17:06:42Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > Must have been left off the distribution list. But now you know. I would like to meet with the committee. I think we should revise this rule. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2012, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jay-leno-have-a-hardon-or-something/625111/90 "2012-06-15T17:09:02Z")
> [@bahia\_hombre](#): > > Any sign of the Higgs boson then? No, but last time the fleet was in town, I had a run-in with Boson Higgs. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2012, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jay-leno-have-a-hardon-or-something/625111/91 "2012-06-15T17:11:43Z")
> [@etv78](#): > > Conan wasn’t cancelled! Technically “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien” probably _was_ canceled in favor of the same _with Jay Leno_, and even if it wasn’t, functionally it was the same thing. NBC decided they wanted Leno back at 11:30 and they were willing to part with Conan to make it happen. > [@DMark](#): > > And curiously, every one of the total 146 viewers/fans of Conan is also a member of the SDMB bash Leno club. Yeah. I don’t like Leno and I’ve never watched the show, and I do like Conan himself (and I don’t watch his show that much), but **Bricker** ’s point was not hard to see: demographically this board skews much more to Conan, and somehow that leads people to conclude that nobody watches Leno even though he has more viewers. I assume that’s mostly because of the network/cable thing and I don’t know if things like online viewership are included in the ratings, but I don’t care that much in the first place. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2012, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jay-leno-have-a-hardon-or-something/625111/92 "2012-06-15T17:16:08Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Yup. In fact my link included an HTML anchor tag for that section. Well, it didn’t take me there; it took me to the very bottom of that Wiki page. Whatever. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2012, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jay-leno-have-a-hardon-or-something/625111/93 "2012-06-15T17:29:28Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > I would like to meet with the committee. I think we should revise this rule. Only a member of the committee may request a special meeting as a formal agenda item at a special meeting of the committee. Contact the secretary for details. But the secretary will not confer without an appointment, which can only be sought from the secretary. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2012, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jay-leno-have-a-hardon-or-something/625111/94 "2012-06-15T18:16:11Z")
Could everyone please back off the snark and personal remarks directed at specific fellow posters? And maybe make an effort to stay on topic, which is whether or not Leno has a political bias? Thanks, **twickster** , Cafe Society moderator ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2012, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jay-leno-have-a-hardon-or-something/625111/95 "2012-06-15T18:17:59Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Really? > > I did not get that memo. Do you like the Tonight Show with Jay Leno? ---
**Author:** ![Finagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@Finagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Finagle)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2012, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jay-leno-have-a-hardon-or-something/625111/96 "2012-06-15T18:41:24Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > So according to this thread, no one watches Leno – except for doddering fools in nursing homes. > > That will come as a surprise to the TV ratings giant Nielsen, whose ratings are considered pretty definitive evidence of watchers. > > Most recent week’s late night ratings (June 4-8), in the coveted 18-49 demographic, are reproduced below. I’m not sure how many 18-49 year olds are found in nursing homes, but my guess is: damn few. > > [Cite.](http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/06/14/late-night-tv-ratings-for-the-week-of-june-4-june-8-2012/138061/) > > But… but… how can that be?? [None of MY friends watch Leno!](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pauline_Kael#Nixon_quote) > > :rolleyes: I’m not sure that Nielsen survey is as good news as you think it is. Going back a bit further to[this article](http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/12/business/media/12late.html)from the NYT from 2010, > [@](#): > > With those anomalies factored out, Mr. Leno is now averaging about 4.4 million viewers a night, down from 5.37 million in 2009. His rating among 18- to 49-year-olds is about a 1.15, down from a 1.5. By contrast, Mr. Letterman is down to about 3.54 million viewers, from 3.76 million last year, and his rating in 18- to 49-year-olds is now about a 0.95, down from a 1.0. “Nightline” is down to 3.61 million viewers from about 3.85 million last year and to a 0.9 rating in the 18-to-49 age group from a 1.1. So…in 2010, Leno’s performance was considered somewhat disappointing in that he was down to 4.4 million viewers and a 1.15 share in the 18-49 market. In your cite, Leno is at about 3.5 million viewers with a .7 rating in the 18-49 market. So it looks like his viewership among the “younger” crowd has plummeted since 2010 when it was noted that[Leno viewers were the oldest in late night](http://popwatch.ew.com/2010/04/12/late-night-average-audience-ages/). Leno may be beating Letterman in 18-49, but it’s a rapidly shrinking viewership. So I think the point that Leno is not really attracting the younger crowd is valid. ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2012, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jay-leno-have-a-hardon-or-something/625111/97 "2012-06-15T22:22:48Z")
I’m 40 years old and I like Leno. Yeah, his jokes are mainstream, but I find them funny. On the whole, his monologue is funnier than lame. Sure, there are lame jokes, but I don’t care for Letterman (even though my mom started watching him when Leno was booted from The Tonight Show, and hasn’t migrated back), and Conan is dumb and annoying. Sure, Leno is probably the least confrontational host there is. He’ll eviscerate somebody up and down in his monologues, then that person will be a guest and he’ll totally give them the most polite and understanding interview. Because that’s his job. He’s there to make his guests look good, so that’s what he does. And yes, there are writers that help, but Jay is an active part of the writing team, and he is a very hard-working comic. Not only does he do his nightly show, but regularly does stand up in clubs on Fridays and Saturdays. > [@kayaker](#): > > If not for Jay Leno, Johnny Carson would be alive today. :rolleyes: That’s preposterously stupid. Regarding the OP, yes, Leno makes a lot of jokes about Obama. He also makes a lot of jokes about Republicans. He is pretty evenhanded. The president has always been a major target for The Tonight Show. Since we’re in a busy election year, all the Republican candidates have been targets as well. I don’t sense Leno being racist. The “Dancing Itos” was never about them being Japanese, it was just a goofy stunt related to the OJ trial. He had a crew of folks in judge’s robes dance around. Since the judge in the trial was Judge Ito, a Japanese guy, he had Asians and called them “Dancing Itos”. He likely would have done the same bit if they were “Dancing Wilhelms”. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2012, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jay-leno-have-a-hardon-or-something/625111/98 "2012-06-15T22:27:11Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > If not for Jay Leno, Johnny Carson would be alive today. Pfffffffffffffft. If not for Johnny Carson’s chronic chain smoking habit, he might be alive today. > [@Agent\_Foxtrot](#): > > What’s everyone’s problem with Leno? I think he’s funny and I like the little presentations he does, like Headlines or Found at the 99¢ Store. I’m just bored with him. Back when he was first on the air, I laughed at his stuff sometimes but in the past few years on the rare occasions I’ve tuned in to his show, I’ve barely managed a chuckle. And I don’t think he’s as good with the guests as Carson was (though, is anyone?) or as Craig Ferguson is now. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2012, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jay-leno-have-a-hardon-or-something/625111/99 "2012-06-16T03:13:03Z")
> [@MsWhatsit](#): > > Pfffffffffffffft. If not for Johnny Carson’s chronic chain smoking habit, he might be alive today. Hey, it was worth a shot. Worked for da big T. ---
**Author:** ![C.Montgomery\_Burns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecd19e/32.png) [@C.Montgomery\_Burns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C.Montgomery_Burns)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2012, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jay-leno-have-a-hardon-or-something/625111/100 "2012-06-16T12:23:28Z")
Leno is an old school comic, like Bob Hope, when it comes to political humor. Keep it light and make fun of everybody. Presidents are fair game when it comes to comedy talk shows. I’ll admit Leno has a particularly bad habit- once he hits on a topic that gets laughs, he mines it for all it’s worth until it becomes a crutch. Examples would include continuing to make OJ jokes in 1997 or making Clinton jokes in 2003. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jay-leno-have-a-hardon-or-something/625111.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jay-leno-have-a-hardon-or-something/625111.md?page=6)