So, Barack Obama is an arugula-nibbling, fist-bumping, liberal elitist, eh? Then how come he’s chosen Jay Leno’s sofa, not David Letterman’s, as the venue for tonight’s first-ever TV talk show appearance by a sitting President? You’d think Obama would be a better fit with the Late Show’s more blueish demographics, but by going on The Tonight Show instead, Obama (pictured in a 2006 appearance on Leno’s show) is once again demonstrating a canny sense of showbiz politics. Leno’s program not only draws more viewers — it has been No. 1 for 15 years, since Leno took the lead with Hugh Grant’s famous apology appearance — it’s also a lot less risky. A guest spot with Letterman can be devastating to a politician’s health if the conversation goes awry, or, heaven forbid, gets canceled (just ask John McCain). The worst Leno will do is poke fun at the President’s ears. But what do you think, PopWatchers? Did Obama make the right choice for tonight’s historic TV event?
President Obama on Jay Leno: Better than Dave?
Blog Roll
- Best Week Ever
- BuzzSugar
- Coolfer
- Dark Horizons
- Deadline Hollywood Daily
- Digital Music News
- Gold Derby
- Hits Daily Double
- Hollywood Elsewhere
- Hollywood Wiretap
- Huffington Post
- Hypebot
- Idolator
- jaded insider
- Lost Remote
- Movie City News
- Movie List
- MTV News
- Pop Candy
- PopBytes
- Popeater
- reality blurred
- Salon: Arts & Entertainment
- Stereogum
- The Beat
- The Programming Insider
- Thompson on Hollywood
- Tuned In
- TV Barn
- TV Tattle
- TVFanatic.com
- TVNewser
- Velvet Rope
Featured Video
Realite: Reality TV justice!
Worthy winners on ''Runway,'' ''ANTM''; just desserts on ''Top Chef'' and ''SYTYCD''; bonus Kris Allen!
More 
Today's Most Popular
-
-
The Ausiello Files Exclusive: 'FlashForward' shuts down production -
-
The Movie Critics 'New Moon,' 'Twilight,' Bella Swan, and me -
Special Coverage
'Twilight' Saga: 'New Moon'
It's almost here! Get all the latest news, photos, video, and fan commentary leading up to the big premiere
More
Comments (1-30) of 52 Add your comment
1. He wants to reach as many people as possible.
2. He was planning on being in California anyway.
3. Jay only asks softball questions.
Let the B+++ing and moaning commence!
Dave would be far more entertaining, but Jay is much safer. Going to Jay is good for him, bad for me because now I have to watch a few minutes of Leno. At least it’s not Fallon.
Is there another late night show? I thought Leno was the only one worth wathching. So there is another one, huh?
Obama is being the consummate politician with this move. Leno has more Republicans watching. He has more viewers and he will have as bland an interview as possible.
He won the election by pandering to idiots…why stop now.
Funny my wife and I were just discussing this same topic. We will always prefer Letterman to Leno. But if it comes down to getting a message to the general public, I guess it should be done on the higher rated program (However depressing that might be).
If he wants to play it safe and not answer any questions then yes, he made the right call. Leno can’t interview a paper bag.
He’ll have to answer question about what he watches and his favorite ice cream by going on Leno.
I’m just pissed I have to tune into Leno now.
Jay Leno is entertaining, insightful, and funny — in a charming way. When he conducts his celebrity interviews he asks questions that the average person would ask. Jay does not try to impress everyone with how snarky he can be. I mean, we can all be mean and ask “gotcha-type” questions. But what’s the point? To show everyone how smart we are? Jay is an intelligent and charming interviewer. I saw him in person several years ago. He is very talented and genuine.
Considering Leno has had more viewers then Letterman since the beginning that obviously means more of us like Leno better then Letterman. I much prefer Leno’s humor and think Barack made the right choice.
Totally agree with you Jackie and Sean. Love Obama, hate Leno…he’s not funny and he rarely asks real questions. Me personally, I’ll wait for the inevitable clips on the Soup. I don’t tune in to Jay for anything.
Sure, Leno is safer but also very dull – this is an old criticism by now. Letterman (who Leno owes his career to – do your research) has for 27 years done the classier, funnier show, received the acclaim and countless awards (for important things like writing), and would do the better interview, rather than pile on and throw a pretty little pop party. But Leno is gee-gosh a team player and pat-everyone-on- the- back brownnoser, and he, jeepers, yes, he is the ratings champ in a country that puts junk at the top of the box office every week and took out loans that it couldn’t afford. And Leno’s set has always had prettier colors and his show does get technical awards every now and then. So good call, Barack. Between Obama’s earpiece and the Chin’s cue cards, we’ll have us some sharp shooting spontaneous fireworks, oh yeah.
I THINK OBAMA MADE A BAD CHOICE!HERE WE ARE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE MAD AS HELL! IN WHATS GOING ON IN WASHINGTON AND WHAT OBAMA IS DOING TURRNING THIS GREAT COUNTRY DOWN THE TUBES WITH HIS SOCIALIST AGENDA AND THERE HE IS OUR PRESIDENT MAKING JOKES ABOUT THE SPECIAL OLIMPICS?WHAT A JACKASS!!!
David Letterman is NOT FUNNY. AT ALL. His to 10 lists wouldn’t even make a 5th grader chuckle. Barack made the right choice.
Absolutely. It’s THE TONIGHT SHOW!
I don,t think I’ve laughed at anything Leno has said since his last appearance on Letterman. He lost his edge years ago. I think Obama should have chosen Dave or even Jon Stewart for his first late night talk show. They would have asked better, more informative questions. The laughs would have been HUGE!!!!!!!!!!
Jay Leno is such a HUGE LOSER, I can’t stand that unfunny, smarmy little weasel. His simple appeal to the lowest common denominator made him the obvious choice in a purely strategic move for Obama. In terms of talent and intelligence, Letterman is in a whole other league from Leno.
Oh no! Citizens of the United States we are on the verge of financial ruin! I ask you what do we do as a nation to get through these tough times?
NCAA brackets and the Jay Leno show of course! Haha! BYAH!
im so glad that i am not the only one thinking that obama needs to spend more time on the TRUE problems of this nation. I am soooo sick of hearing… “First time ever.. sitting pres on talk show” or “Obama and his bracket picks!” We are on the edge of depression and in the middle of two wars… one of which my brother.. a marine… has personally witnessed first hand TWICE… and he’s @$%$^ on late night and worred about who beats him in BBall at the white house and his brackets???? are u @$%$^ kiddin me?
I liked the interview.
And the ones that do not like Obama, remember that Republicans (especially Bush) did all this mess and ruin as you call it, and Obama is doing his best to fix it.
as i read more and more posts i have to laugh…. if u REALLY want a REAL interview with OBAMA.. dont say oh he shoulda gone to letterman.. thats ()*)*)&^%^%&% ridiculous.. he should go on a news network… NOT late night.. i dont care what late night show ur on.. ur NOT there to discuss anything important and his highness proved that tonight!
Its a fact that there are some people who are going to b—-h no matter what Obama does. It was a great idea, once again outside of the box, it was a great forum and you don’t need to love Leno to appreciate it. It is however THE #1 show.
sorry maria.. rep. did not cause ALL of this.. do ur research
Please -I have nothing against President Obama, but this was purely a strategic political move. He needs to maintain his popularity, so appear on the more popular show. He and his team are brilliant at using these opportunities. More power to him! Also, in the interest of not getting too political. Neither Republicans nor Democrats caused all this mess. Irresponsible citizens who don’t vote and don’t pay attention to real issues made these problems happen. When are we going to realize neither a president nor a political party are the solutions to what ails us? Do your research people. Get involved and pay attention to what is really happening. Start locally, just know what is going on!
The idea that the president should be ‘more focused on the issues’ is laughable and idiotic at best. Take it from someone who has claimed themselves ‘independent’ for a long while – our president is doing a great job in handling the issues that have been dumped and flung in his direction. He’s truly awe-inspiring and very aware of what’s occurring around us, and it’s enough to make me wonder why I chose med instead of law, going to Harvard.
To all of you haters, u need to consider the mess he volunteered to walk into, defeceit, brackets, late night with jay leno…he is the most sincere president we’ve had since reagan. He has already done more than Bush even thought of…speaking of which, how is he writing a book? Can he spell book? Has he ever read one?
Ok — I like the guy. I voted for him. But this just fuels the argument the repubs had that he’s in it for the celebrity aspect. Get back to Washington and solve our problems, please! Leave the talk shows for the real celebs.
http://movies-tv-entertainment.blogspot.com/
I would’ve preferred that he be on Letterman b/c I watch Letterman and think he’s a brilliant interviewer (and b/c I live close to NYC and would’ve slept outside on the street in front of Dave’s studio to get tickets to the show so I could see the President live in person).
Perhaps Obama should try to focus on running the country and avoid offending the less- fortunate disabled folks.