When did David Letterman start with these stumbling bumbling stammering interviews? (Lost, acting) - Hollywood news and gossip, music, movie and TV stars - City-Data Forum

exit82 · 01-05-2011, 10:15 PM

I work shift work so I don't get to watch consistently and I don't record shows--but I've noticed lately that Letterman can't get a coherent sentence put together without stumbling and stammering over his words- I thought he might be having a stroke the other night talking to Brian Williams-is he sick or just too old or both? Has anyone else noticed this- is it something new or has he always stammered so badly? It was incredibly distracting- I felt bad for him.

The_gateway · 01-06-2011, 04:32 AM

I definitely just think he's getting old, and he's tired of the shtick. I mean he's basically like a tour guide now, most of his audience are tourists from other parts of Can/USA.

Badger · 01-06-2011, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by exit82

I work shift work so I don't get to watch consistently and I don't record shows--but I've noticed lately that Letterman can't get a coherent sentence put together without stumbling and stammering over his words- I thought he might be having a stroke the other night talking to Brian Williams-is he sick or just too old or both? Has anyone else noticed this- is it something new or has he always stammered so badly? It was incredibly distracting- I felt bad for him.

he's really lost his mojo over the last 5 or so years. He's basically become a grumpy old man (never was friendly to most of his guests) and yet there's this soft side since he's had his kid. I noticed he really loves to talk to or mention family to the majority of people he interviews, which is all good and well, but he used to be funny with an edge and instead it's like some sanitized Tom Snyder interview, again nothing really wrong with that but that's not really the focus of such a late night show IMO.

this has been talked about before.

kevinm · 01-06-2011, 04:00 PM

Letterman probably no longer prepares for his interviews. He shows up for the taping and asks "Who is the guest?" at the door. Unless he is genuinely interested in the guest, he just goes through the motions.

John23 · 01-06-2011, 06:07 PM

I've never been into his show. I think he's going the way of Larry King.

Some of these media types are on television for *waaaay* too long (Barbara Walters comes to mind). They get out of touch.

PippySkiddles · 01-06-2011, 06:21 PM

he's still better than anyone else on this type show. I don't think it's the hosts that are long in the tooth; I think it's this type show.
Letterman still has the quick wit and dry sense of humor that is genius over that of the "others".
The interview he did a couple weeks back with Robert De Niro and Dustin Hoffman (at the same time) was brilliant!

exit82 · 01-06-2011, 07:24 PM

The interview he did a couple weeks back with Robert De Niro and Dustin Hoffman (at the same time) was brilliant!

Brilliant? Did we watch the same interview? I thought it was pathetic- there was more dead air than anything- it was like Letterman took a nap in the middle of the interview and let them interview each other-i was uncomfortable for all 3 of them-it was painful to watch.

PippySkiddles · 01-06-2011, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by exit82

The interview he did a couple weeks back with Robert De Niro and Dustin Hoffman (at the same time) was brilliant!

Brilliant? Did we watch the same interview? I thought it was pathetic- there was more dead air than anything- it was like Letterman took a nap in the middle of the interview and let them interview each other-i was uncomfortable for all 3 of them-it was painful to watch.

your opinion and you're entitled to it-as am I.
I thought it was hilarious! De Niro is known for not giving anything in an interview but Letterman took him on and Dustin Hoffman was freaking hilarious.
Guess our sense of humor differs

jfkIII · 01-06-2011, 08:31 PM

Ever since the scandal with the female interns in the secret man cave, he's gone downhill.

LexusNexus · 01-09-2011, 05:04 PM

I think he is still at the top of his game. Unfortunately, with the new generation of viewers, it's the VIEWERS who prefer inferior talent, trite, mindless babble, and stupid humor or other TV personalities. I think he also finds the new generation of stars nothing to get excited about and he's right.

Glad he's still around. Who the hell wants to watch yet another mindless TV personality with that fast-talking, rapid-fire delivery so common now? Talking fast and rapid-fire does not equate to being entertaining or funny.