Dave doesn’t just yuk it up
By AP Television Writer By DAVID BAUDER (The Associated Press)
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| AP photo/CBS, Jeffrey R. Staab
Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich (left) shares a laugh Feb. 3 with host David Letterman on the set of "The Late Show with David Letterman" in New York. (Jeffery R. Staab (HO)) |
NEW YORK (AP) – It took all of seven seconds for David Letterman to cut Rod Blagojevich off at the knees during the disgraced politician’s “Late Show” appearance last week.
The episode was a reminder of Letterman’s least appreciated skill – when Letterman interviews the people invited to sit across from him.
Letterman rarely avoids or glosses over difficult subjects, drilling in with a journalist’s tenacity.
“Why exactly are you here?” Letterman opened, summing up popular bewilderment about the impeached governor’s appearance schedule.
Blagojevich unwittingly served up a straight line, telling Letterman that he had been wanting to be on his show in the worst way for a long time.
“Well, you’re on in the worst way, believe me,” Letterman said.
That was it. Blagojevich was impossible to take seriously from that moment. But they did settle into a serious conversation, and for an entertainment show, the “Late Show” came well prepared, playing a tape of Blagojevich and his brother talking about a payment. His administration is accused of trying to shake down seekers of state contracts for campaign contributions.
