Who cares what Leno says?

Jay Leno is such a lame and square comedian, playing so obviously to the absolute center of the mass audience, that he is irrelevant. He is hardly a tastemaker. He’s repeating stereotypes and doesn’t give us credit for helping disadvantaged students jump start their careers? His routine doesn’t point out that we don’t have a lot of the perks senior colleges and univerities have, or that we can give more individualized attention to our students than they can at the big universities? Who cares what that jerk says?! As if his humor is so biting. Getting defensive about any snideness he may have about community colleges will not bolster the community college image. It will only show that we are so pathetic we need someone like Jay Leno to be sensitive about us and can’t take a joke.

Jay Bernstein, Librarian/Assistant Professor at Kingsborough Community College (CUNY), at 9:43 am EDT on June 3, 2005

Why single out Leno?

Personally, I don’t understand why people are upset. Leno isn’t the only comedian who makes fun of community colleges, and it’s not the only “topic” he covers. If you liked the joke, great. If you didn’t like it, then don’t watch it...there’s always Letterman and O’Brien. I don’t like Chris Rock’s jokes, because most of them are pretty edgy, but you don’t see me writing a letter telling him what not to do. That’s his choice, not mine. Also, what is this: “Many community college leaders can’t wait until 2009, when Conan O’Brien takes over as host of ‘The Tonight Show.’” Why? If you simply wanted to watch O’Brien, then why not just watch his show right now?

Herwick Mok, at 1:37 pm EDT on June 3, 2005

Uhhh, yeah, they’re dumb

I work at a community college, and we have many students who are extremely bright. But do we have dumb ones too? Boy howdy. The idiots who are there just to feel like they’re in “big school” need a reality check, and the ones who have a real future ahead of them know better than to listen to Jay Leno.

Alan, Career advisor at Community College, at 10:49 pm EDT on June 3, 2005

Why not? Go ahead and laugh...

My advice to whoever may be listening: let’s laugh this off rather than write or sign an irate letter. One of my favorite community college government instructors likes to remind me: “Preachers and journalists always get the last word.” Add late-night comedians to that list.

While I am impressed by the list of stellar achievements accomplished by community college alumni, I think any fool would know that without being told. Why don’t we just humbly keep doing our job and let Jay Leno do his?

Ashley Cruseturner, McLennan Community College, at 3:14 pm EDT on June 14, 2005