No one in America has more experience at making fun of Democrats and Republicans, so Jay Leno’s views on the parties’ senses of humor are of interest:
Jay Leno, who celebrates his 20th anniversary as host of “The Tonight Show” this year, said on the political-humor spectrum, Republicans “laugh at themselves more” than their opponents across the aisle.
“Democrats and Republicans are interesting because Republicans really laugh at themselves more. Like when Bush came on, it was, ‘We want to do a skit, we’re kind of making fun of… — ‘Yeah, go ahead!'” said Leno on NBC’s “Press Pass” with David Gregory, who appeared on Leno’s show earlier in April.
Former Vice President Al Gore wasn’t quite as easy going on camera as former President Bush, according to Leno.
“We went up to Al Gore, ‘can we do this skit?’ — ‘Hang on.’ And there was this focus group, and then media people came in: ‘Where will Al be sitting? Will Al have the punchline?,” Leno said.
Lately Leno has had a lot of fun at Mitt Romney’s expense, but in Leno’s case it is fun, not hate, and politicians know the difference:
Despite jabs at the presumptive GOP nominee, Leno praised Romney’s sense of humor.
“I like the fact that I can do weeks of Mitt Romney jokes, and Mitt Romney then comes here. Because I haven’t insulted his religion…I mean I’ve made fun of him, but I haven’t questioned his patriotism or his loyalty or his family,” he said.
Interesting perspective, I thought.
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