POLITICO catches Jay Leno recycling political jokes

[derby378]

http://www.mediabistro.com/fishbowlLA/show_business/leno_depended_on_nobody_watching_his_show_160545.asp

Thanks to POLITICO for cutting together Jay Leno reusing, recycling and reducing lukewarm jokes at the White House Correspondent's dinner.

We have personally been in the audience when Leno back in Tonight Show 1.0 days, when after the show was done taping he used the studio audience to rehearse all new material to do in front of then President Bush.

...

This video is retiring without retiring. Don't go out with a bang, don't go out with a whimper - just don't go out and suck the last bit of joy out of telling limp already televised jokes.

[ejpoeta]

1. i've heard him repeat jokes. i didn't watch the whcd, but am not surprised.

[Captain Hilts]

2. All comedians do that. nt

[itsrobert]

3. He rehearsed reading his jokes off index cards?

That's a pro. :sarcasm:

[ProgressiveProfessor]

4. He has so few good ones, you can't blame him for reusing those that don't bomb

[Lint Head]

5. Leno is a boring performer period. The best comedians have an edge.

The idea that something unique or off the wall will be said or improvised puts excitement in a performance.
Performing is an art like any other art. To be art it must be thought provoking or controversial not banal.

Leno's monologues sound like they are put together in the board room of an accounting firm. They are the equivalent
of a paintings depicting bowls of fruit or flowers.

[frylock]

7. i'd kill a man to see david cross do the correspondents dinner

[Blue_Tires]

6. no surprise there...he was telling OJ Simpson jokes a decade after they got stale...