Television Notes
First, an open letter;
Mr Leno,
I have to admit that I'm not the biggest fan of your style. I really wish your monologue writers would read a whole story instead of making a joke from the headline, but I do find you funny and I often watch the beginning of your show.
What has been bothering me lately is your assumption of religion. On last night's "Tonight Show", one of the questions you asked the UNLV graduates was for the first line of the Bible and just before Easter, you did an entire "Jaywalking" bit called "Bible Quiz". It may be true that the majority of people in this country have some religious training and it is usually Christian, but none of your "Bible Quiz" was based on verifiable fact, instead it was based on the myths and faith of Christians, especially Catholics.
As a non-Christian, I am offended.
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Also, I know in New Mexico they rebroadcast Charlie Rose at noon, the next day. This could be the only place this happens, but if you don't know, you should check your local listings. And, if the second half-hour of the May 16th episode is not rebroadcast in your community and if you have an interest in global politics, plus 99¢ to burn; You may want to consider a rental from Google Video.
The guest was author Michael Mandelbaum and though his book may be a scholarly work, I spent a lot of the interview asking one question; "On which planet does this man live?" I'll admit that some of his theories and reasonings make sense, but it's like he has slept through the past few years. Maybe he started with a treatise and finished his thoughts, everything else be damned or maybe it reads a lot better than than his answers sounded. But as I listened, I couldn't help but think that Mr Mandelbaum is out there.
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And finally, I really liked the way Tuesday's Boston Legal flirted with the fourth wall toward the end. It may have sounded funny to some because they remained in character, but I felt it showed the audience a lot of respect.
Mr Leno,
I have to admit that I'm not the biggest fan of your style. I really wish your monologue writers would read a whole story instead of making a joke from the headline, but I do find you funny and I often watch the beginning of your show.
What has been bothering me lately is your assumption of religion. On last night's "Tonight Show", one of the questions you asked the UNLV graduates was for the first line of the Bible and just before Easter, you did an entire "Jaywalking" bit called "Bible Quiz". It may be true that the majority of people in this country have some religious training and it is usually Christian, but none of your "Bible Quiz" was based on verifiable fact, instead it was based on the myths and faith of Christians, especially Catholics.
As a non-Christian, I am offended.
---
Also, I know in New Mexico they rebroadcast Charlie Rose at noon, the next day. This could be the only place this happens, but if you don't know, you should check your local listings. And, if the second half-hour of the May 16th episode is not rebroadcast in your community and if you have an interest in global politics, plus 99¢ to burn; You may want to consider a rental from Google Video.
The guest was author Michael Mandelbaum and though his book may be a scholarly work, I spent a lot of the interview asking one question; "On which planet does this man live?" I'll admit that some of his theories and reasonings make sense, but it's like he has slept through the past few years. Maybe he started with a treatise and finished his thoughts, everything else be damned or maybe it reads a lot better than than his answers sounded. But as I listened, I couldn't help but think that Mr Mandelbaum is out there.
---
And finally, I really liked the way Tuesday's Boston Legal flirted with the fourth wall toward the end. It may have sounded funny to some because they remained in character, but I felt it showed the audience a lot of respect.