The Leno Factor?

[KharmaTrain]

Doing the final post-mortems here, I wondered about the impact of Arnie's (and the GOOPs) use of Leno and the "free airwaves" in the pushing of the recall and then the selection of the Gropinator.

The question: Did Arnold's Appearances on Leno have an impact on the election results?

I know this is a loaded question...This particularly came to mind after seeing Leno kissing the new "Guv's" pecs at his rally and then the sham bit on his show last night. Independent my ass! These were multi-million dollar commercials on GE/NBC owned stations all over the country and specifically California on some of their highest rated shows (especially in the younger demos).

I used to like Leno and tried to use the "he's a comedian" filter on his monologues (which I no longer will watch), but this just blew the whole lid off his lack of objectivity.

Your thoughts?

[Garage Queen]

1. What ever happened to the "equal access" law?

and why was Leno allowed to flaunt it?

and Oprah?

And every time there was a report on the recall, there were always loooong, extended shots of Ahnold under the commentary.

I tell you, if Bustamonte had gotten 1/2 as much free airtime as Scharzeneggar, HE would now be govenor!

[Clete]

2. Leno owns an airplane hanger full of cars.

When the threat of tripling car registrations loomed, I think Leno decided Arnold was his new Governor. Arnold has promised to roll back the registration rates. It could be he's Arnold's friend too. Rob Lowe, a Democrat, was rooting for Arnold because he and his wife are couple friends with Arnold and Maria. I too have Republican friends. I actually like Nancy Reagan in person, but I would never vote for any them or their spouses as politicians.

What was wrong here was for Leno and also Oprah to give their friends a huge propaganda venue because they could.

[loudnclear]

3. Leno and Oprah...

But do not be dismayed. Maybe Arnie is a Dem in Repug clothing...if white sheets count as clothing.

[robcon]

4. Objectivity??

"...but this just blew the whole lid off his lack of objectivity.
"

What objectivity? Is there anyone on earth who is "objective?" Leno was just helping his friend, and it doesn't bother me a bit.

It's no different from Dennis Miller's shilling for the GOP, and Barbra Streisand shilling for the Democrats. Celebrities have the right to take positions on issues or candidates.

[KharmaTrain]

7. Leno claims to be "Independent"

The line you hear from him and other comics is that they pick on both sides equally...or that their humor does not reflect their personal ideology.

For years I thought Leno actually tried to balance things and he would bring on Democrats as regularly as Repugnicans. While I got sick of the Clinton/Gore jokes...I never considered them mean-spirited.

Leno loses his Independence and/or objectivity when he uses his television program...using the public airwaves (sic) to advocate Gropinator's candidacy. He didn't offer any time to Davis or Bustamante...and even brought on the "freaks" (Gary Coleman, etc.). If Leno wants to support his buddy, fine, hold a fundraiser at Spago...not on my television and my airwaves.

[dicknbush]

5. I AGREE

I USED TO ENJOY LENO ONCE IN A WHILE. I DON'T USUALLY SATY UP THAT LATE ANYMORE BUT SEEING HIM SHILL FOR THIS GUY THAT ABOUT LOCK IT UP FOR ME. I AM SURE HE WILL TRUN INTO ANOHTER RAVING LUNATIC DENNIS MILLER HACK. OF COURSE WHEN YOU ARE A WHORE FOR RATTINGS YOU COULDN'T ASK FOR ANYTHING BETTER THEN A MORON LIKE AHHHNALD SPEWI8NG TO THE FATTED MASSES SITING DOWN TO WATCH THERI TV'S.

[arcane1]

6. Arnold, as an actor, was able to go on ENTERTAINMENT shows

and trash-talk Gray Davis

that's horsesh!t if you ask me. Talk about your movie or STFU, unless Access Hollywood, E!, and Leno want to have Davis on as well

:grr:

face it, for all of Davis' faults, it was the celebrity factor that won this...