 LOS ANGELES (AP) - After weeks of anticipation, the vice presidential debate was a letdown — at least for late-night comedians.
"There was nothing embarrassing from either candidate," Jay Leno lamented on NBC's "Tonight" show. "Damn."
Even the pundits said there were no losers in Thursday's debate between Republican Sarah Palin and Democrat Joe Biden — "OK, other than gay people who want to get married," Leno said.
David Letterman devoted much of his CBS "Late Show" Friday to discussion of the debate, including his top 10 list and an interview with NBC news anchor Brian Williams.
Among Letterman's top 10 "Messages Left on Sarah Palin's Answering Machine": "It's John McCain. I had to go to bed. How'd it go?" and "It's President Bush. If you're at the debate, who's watching Russia?"
Letterman and Leno each made a joke about McCain and "The Clapper."
Letterman's take: "John McCain watched the debate and he loved Sarah Palin's performance. As a matter of fact, he applauded so much that all the lights in his house kept going on and off." And Leno's: "John McCain said he watched the debate from his living room at his home in Arizona. He said he would have applauded Sarah Palin but every time he claps, the lights go on and off."
The financial crisis and $700 billion bailout Congress approved Friday were also a comedic target.
"Today President Bush signed the Wall Street bailout bill, but he said our economy continues to face serious challenges," Conan O'Brien said on NBC's "Late Night." "Bush said he thought those challenges could be overcome as soon as he leaves office in two months."
Here's more political comedy from Friday's late-night television:
"Did you folks watch the debate last night? I thought Miss Alaska did very well."
_ David Letterman, CBS "Late Show."
"The economy looks bad. Give you an idea how bad things are, my ATM machine now has a slot-machine lever on it."
_ Jay Leno, NBC "Tonight" show.
"Last night's vice presidential debate between Joe Biden and Sarah Palin drew much higher ratings than the presidential debate. Biden attracted viewers who enjoyed his previous debate appearances, and Palin attracted viewers who enjoyed the movie `Fargo.'"
_ Conan O'Brien, NBC "Late Night."
"During the debate, Palin winked, wrinkled her nose and gave a shout out to a third-grade class. You know that says Commander in Chief to me right there. You betcha!"
_ David Letterman, CBS "Late Show."
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