On Thu, 19 May 1994, Michael G Nischik wrote:
 
> >
> > On Wed, 18 May 1994, Gloria Monti (GD 1995) wrote:
> >
> > > > Did anyone see Harvey Pekar's appearance on David Letterman
> > > > Monday night?  His showings always makes for interesting
> > > > television.
> > > >
> > >         This major *Non Film Theory* detour allows me to take Matt's
> > > question one step further and ask this list a question which I have
> > > been debating with a member of Screen-l for quite some time.
> > >         Question: how many of you watch Letterman?
> > >         I find it hard to believe that the whole nation is raving about
> > > the show, as it has been pointed out to me.  I also find the long lines
> > > outside the theater to gain access to the show, as well as the whole
> > > souvenir shop deal quite puzzling.
> > >         Opinions welcome.  Thank you.
> > >         Jeremy, do not police me. I am doing some American Studies-popular
> > > culture field work here. :-)
> > >
> > >         Gloria Monti
> > >
> > Well. . .this appears to be the age of "stupid," Gloria; if it's
> > stupid, eg, "Beavis & Butthead" and "Stupid Pet Tricks," then it sells.
> > Of course, "stupid" has always sold, but I suspect there's bit more
> > technique a Buster keaton-like "stupid" than a Letterman. That's a
> > ridiculous comparison, anyway. overall, though, I'd say Letterman at this
> > point is the master of "stupid." Anyone, by comparison, like jay leno,
> > for instance, is just stupid.
> >
> > Patrick [log in to unmask]
> >
>
>  Did someone mention Beavis and Butthead?
>
>     Q.  Do they represent the completion of a return to "oral primacy"?
>     Q.  What is oral primacy?
>     Q.  Are the words "suck" and "cool" just other ways of grunting?
>     Q.  Is our mulitiplicity and complication just other forms of grunting?
>
>
>
>     Mike Nischik
>
See what I mean, Gloria; Nick's post can attest to the fact that this is
the Age of "Stupid."
 
Patrick [log in to unmask]