As I was watching President Obama chat with Jay Leno last night, one thought kept crossing my mind: how unusual it was to see a current president sitting in the same chair as David Spade. It's just odd and somewhat disconcerting to see the man who's the supposed leader of the free world engaging in lighthearted banter with Jay, and responding to the audience when it cheered or booed something. During the third segment, I almost expected to see the flat screen TV behind Jay pop up so they could show a clip from Obama's latest project.
And that's why the appearance was so historic. It doesn't matter how many times a president goes on a talk show before or after he's in office; while in office, pretty much all interviews go to him. It doesn't matter what show it is; it could be a Sunday morning issues show like Meet The Press or a twinkie-fest like Larry King Live. But in just about every case, the interviewer goes to wherever the president is and sits down with him for a quiet, reverent interview.
Something about respecting the "dignity" of the office always meant that any interview had to be done at a time and place of the current president's (or, more accurately, his staff's) choosing. So, even though Senator and candidate Obama looked completely natural sitting next to Jay six or so months ago, President Obama looked odd sitting on that set. It's all context; it's the same man, just with a new job. But it's the office that gives whoever's in it a different stature.
As far as the content of the conversation, there was really nothing more substantive than what you've heard Obama say on those evening news soundbites; as Danny mentioned the other day, Leno's not exactly Edward R. Murrow. He joked around about how unimpressed his daughters were about being on Marine One, and talked about the arrival of the new dog for the umpteenth time. But most of the conversation kept to the dire state of the economy and the AIG bonus kerfuffle.
To Obama's credit, he was as smooth and comfortable as he's always been, and knows how to deal with a late-night audience. He acted no differently than he did when he was a candidate (OK, he wore a tie this time around. But that's it).
Maybe this is the beginning of a new trend; Obama might be the first president to see the value of the late-night shows and the size of the audience they can reach. He might also realize that it's absurd to use these shows for all they're worth when you're running for office, then ignore them as soon as your inaugurated, as his predecessors have.
But still... it just seems weird to realize that in a few weeks, Vin Diesel will be given the same treatment when he comes on the show to promote Fast and Furious.
Here's video of Obama's appearance if you missed it:
TV Squad Ten: Top Ten ESPN shows from worst to first
Andy Richter: The TV Squad Interview
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
3-20-2009 @ 9:19AM
Rocketboy said...
I know I'll get downvoted, but I do believe that it's disrespectful to the office to start doing apperances on entertainment shows where celebs go to hawk their wares.
What's next, the Ronco-style infomercial?
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5-18-2009 @ 1:07PM
Anna L. Richard said...
Yep, you're down-voted, Rocketboy! I think this President has let people know, "he is just one of us". He doesn't consider himself better than you or I, but we both know, he is far more intelligent and neither of us, could ever accomplish or come close to what this 47 year old President has accomplished. He's the finest President we will ever know. Incidentally, I'm a white, elderly lady and not prejudiced, I voted for him and pray every night for his success, as President! GOD BLESS OUR PRESIDENT, AND KEEP HIM SAFE, AT ALL TIMES!
3-20-2009 @ 9:27AM
No1Dad said...
"To Obama's credit, he was as smooth and comfortable as he's always been, and knows how to deal with a late-night audience."
I know right? He makes being offensive look so easy.
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3-20-2009 @ 9:29AM
Joel Keller said...
Ok, here's my usual message to keep the comments to the appearance itself and the notion of a president going on a late-night show. Any overtly political or in-depth policy complaints/analysis will be deleted.
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3-20-2009 @ 1:51PM
Malren said...
SO nothing about his Special Olympics insult then?
3-20-2009 @ 4:32PM
Max said...
Compared to the other political posts of the week, I think that this post is actually appropriate for this site. I'm just wondering, why are you going to delete any political comments? When an article is posted on TV, you get TV responses. When it's posted about politics, your going to get political responses in the discussion.
3-20-2009 @ 9:35AM
Ari said...
I disagreed with some of what the President said, and he avoided Jay's one tough question about the house taxing whom they please, but it's hard not to appreciate someone who is intelligent, charismatic and enjoyable to listen to.
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3-20-2009 @ 9:50AM
Melissa said...
While I appreciate that Obama is trying to be accessible, it is jarring to see him on a late night show not named Nightline. Still, he is walking the walk by insisting that the office of President needs to change to meet the needs of the citizens, and that includes using whatever medium he thinks appropriate to connect with us. I'm a little jealous that I wasn't in the audience.
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3-20-2009 @ 10:13AM
Maria T C G said...
Two things:
STOP being a celebrity and start being a president! I too agree with you (no1Dad) that it disrespects the importance of the office and what that entails. I thought it was inappropriate. I think he should be free to socialize etc, but to go on Jay Leno...just a poor move.
I found his comment about the special olympics VERY OFFENSIVE! Regardless of how you feel about that remark he said, overall the president of the United States should have a higher standard. That was really really poor taste. I am sure people will say to lighten up but I stand my ground on this one. Mr. Shriver admitted that it wasn't good judgment on his part. He is the president for Petes sakes.
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3-20-2009 @ 10:21AM
Maria T C G said...
Sorry I meant I agree with Rocketboy about what was said about the office.
3-23-2009 @ 10:38PM
oferer said...
Your comment makes me think you are at least 50 years old. As a younger person i think it is awesome to see that the President of the United States can connect to someone whose my age. OF COURSE he is still the president and he does "office" interviews. But hes young and relates to the average american. It shows he doesnt take himself too seriously, and hes trying new things to uplift the people. Get over yourself
3-20-2009 @ 10:40AM
Scott K. said...
Disprespectful to the office? Who does the president work for? The same people who watch The Tonight Show (and Nightline and Meet the Press). If he feels he wants to develop a different type of relationship to the people in this country than the previous president, how is that disrespectful? If anything, I'd prefer a president that doesn't respect the title of 'President' as much as he respects the people and the actual job of being President of the United States.
I do agree that the Special Olympics comment was in poor taste (at least), but I guess that's the risk of going on a venue that's not completely scripted. I'm made enough dumb comments I've regretted that I'm not going to judge anybody who's willing to admit and apologize the error.
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3-20-2009 @ 10:52AM
Joel Keller said...
It's odd... the Special Olympics line didn't even register with me until I read about the outrage this morning.
3-20-2009 @ 11:17AM
No1Dad said...
"It's odd... the Special Olympics line didn't even register with me until I read about the outrage this morning."
It's just a distraction from Todd Palin’s 1986 DUI.
3-20-2009 @ 12:17PM
Rocketboy said...
If he was anyone else, people would be calling for him to be fired over that comment.
3-21-2009 @ 1:22PM
Brad said...
I can't think of any reason to find offense with the comment, and though I can only speak for myself, as somone with a physical disability it at least SEEMS like I would be in the group of people that would be. I can't seem to find anyone with a disability that I know (which is a long list) that took offense to it either.
This seems to be a serious case of patronizingly being offended on behalf of another group without actually thinking about how offended that group really is.
It's a complete non-issue in my opinion.
3-23-2009 @ 2:09PM
Rocketboy said...
Trust me, I was not offended either, but people have been fired over less.
3-20-2009 @ 10:52AM
Cee said...
Joel, I've been reading TV Squad, almost from the begining and I've noticed one thing about your posts when something political is the topic, you give an amazing amount of leeway to people who you agree with.
If Bush had done this you'd have skewered him. As I would have as well. Jay Leno is a variety show, it's not a place for serious in depth discussion on the current economic crisis.
That's WHY they have political talk shows and news programs. If he wanted to really speak on the venue meant for this he should have gone on George Stephonopolis or a Sunday Morning News Program (Nightline!)
This is all about PR and political capital. He is trying to save face and keep appearing like a mans man, a cool dude, a regular guy talking with regular people. I don't want to hear about his bowling skills or his kids pets or his kids new swing set.
I want him to do what he promised he'd do and stop trying to shape public opinion of him.
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3-20-2009 @ 10:57AM
Joel Keller said...
Bush never gave me a chance, since he never went on the late-night shows as president. Neither did Clinton; he was happy to play the sax on Arsenio's show during the campaign, but as soon as he got elected, those shows were beneath him.
It's something I always wondered about; now that I've actually seen a sitting president on a late-night show, the incongruity makes me realize why Obama's predecessors never bothered to go on these shows.
3-20-2009 @ 12:19PM
Rocketboy said...
"Clinton; he was happy to play the sax on Arsenio's show during the campaign, but as soon as he got elected, those shows were beneath him."
I'll just bring attention to that statement.
You can come to your own conclusion.