Letterman used to be cutting-edge brilliant and creative in the 80's and early 90s. The Alka-Seltzer suit, the Velcro suit, stupid pet/human tricks, the top ten list were all wonderful and fresh.
To my eye, he's been phoning it in for at least ten years now. There's rarely anything new. He's also become way more political, that's the one area where he's done new things, but it doesn't work. I happen to agree with his political views, but the way he presents them just seems angry and alienates half his potential audience. He's much more likely to take a swing at a Republican politician and that in itself makes him way more predictable.
On a positive note, I have to say he's become a lot less caustic and abrasive with most of his guests, listening and having intelligent dialogue. The interviews are the one area where I think he's improved. Overall, though, a staleness hangs over the show.
When he was fighting to keep his audience after the extortion and sex scandal, he got edgy and good for a few months. Then when he was safe he drifted back to what he'd been doing. He really needs to retire because he's not offering the viewer anything new.
To my eye, he's been phoning it in for at least ten years now. There's rarely anything new. He's also become way more political, that's the one area where he's done new things, but it doesn't work. I happen to agree with his political views, but the way he presents them just seems angry and alienates half his potential audience. He's much more likely to take a swing at a Republican politician and that in itself makes him way more predictable.
On a positive note, I have to say he's become a lot less caustic and abrasive with most of his guests, listening and having intelligent dialogue. The interviews are the one area where I think he's improved. Overall, though, a staleness hangs over the show.
When he was fighting to keep his audience after the extortion and sex scandal, he got edgy and good for a few months. Then when he was safe he drifted back to what he'd been doing. He really needs to retire because he's not offering the viewer anything new.