Keep the Whoopee Cushion for Barack!

NBC's alleged decision to remove the whoopee cushion bit originally planned for Barack Obama's next appearance on The Tonight Show is a mistake. And though we normally don't openly criticize Jay Leno's employer, we must appeal to their sense of fun and fairness.

The time-honored tradition of producing a fart sound to make people laugh is probably the only thing that will redeem Barack in the minds of Jay's viewers. Obama's last visit was a largely forgettable affair. Despite Jay's valiant efforts to find a sustainable punchline within Obama's veneer, more than a few bored viewers clicked over to CBS in the hopes Dave might be doing something funnier to Hillary. Unfortunately, not even Dave can make Hillary funny.

A well positioned whoopee cushion, strategically placed in Jay's guest couch, would elicit the kind merriment that viewers dream of. All Jay would have to do, after introducing Obama, is to keep candidate standing for a few seconds while the applause quiets down, then, in the silence, invite Barack to take a seat....PFWEEEWWTT!


Wait, wait!!! BARACK! sounds more like a fart than PFWEEEWWTT! Ah, the laughs are sooooo built-in. If only NBC could see it that way.

It's about time NBC and the other major networks allow ordinary viewers the opportunity to hear the bodily noises of key political candidates. It humanizes them and brings them down to a level to which we can all relate. You think Jay wouldn't fart if it could get him a few extra laughs? Of course he would! And that's what separates our man from the rest. So, reconsider, NBC, reconsider!