I mostly listen to podcasts when I am either exercising or driving. Since I live 1.5 miles from where I work, and am a lazy bastard, I often get behind (I only follow a handful regularly (The Bugle, Answer Me This, Planet Money, and Kevin Pollak's Chatshow), and more irregularly (Wait Wait..., WTF, and Celebrity Playlist, Commonwealth Club, Fresh Air and Car Talk).
I just got around to the May 2, 2010 Chatshow (episode #47 with Cheri Oteri) the other day, and listened to Pollak open a premium can of whoop ass on Jay Leno. IIt was what he called a new segment at the start of the show called "The Big News" and you can see a 4 minute clip at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9Yjsz71bi4. I recommend it highly. A few cuts: "Jay Leno made a business decision 20 years ago to stop being funny…” and "Jay may have stolen King Carson's throne, but the crown has never fit, and it never will" My impression was that Pollak actually seemed a little nervous as he led up to the prepared rant, and they joke a little at the end about his chances of being a guest on the Tonight Show anytime soon. I agree with everything Pollak says (including the charge that Leno kicked Johnny off The Tonight Show early - he was getting ready to retire, but I think he left ahead of his own schedule because he saw NBC drooling over Lenos bigger and younger ratings, and Leno gearing up to use his growing leverage). It has been 3 weeks, but I have not seen much of a public reaction to Pollak (I have not listened to the two episodes that followed, perhaps Pollak talks about any fall-out there himself). I was impressed that a working comedian and actor, who is successful but not at the superstar, "fuck-you" level decided, on his own accord, to be so honest. It is not something you see every day, and my respect for Pollak went up a notch or two. BTW, his subsequent interview with Oteri is typical of what he is like with people that he does not know, or does not consider one of his peers or heroes. He had two great interviews in recent months, one with Jason Reitman, and one with Henry Winkler. Oteri was mostly uncomfortable with him, though she warmed up about half way through when they started interacting with the electronic audience (I knew she was in trouble when she started talking about how she got into comedy and said that she never thought she would do it because the only thing people would say is "you have to do stand-up" and made it clear that she didn't really have any interest in doing it - not the best way to earn KP's respect). -- TV or Not TV .... The Smartest (TV) People! You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "TV or Not TV" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/tvornottv?hl=en
