Both Conan O'Brien and David Letterman have had their must tune-in, "are they gonna acknowledge the internet chatter" moments over the last two weeks, but the difference between the two says a great deal: O'Brien's buzz moment was about his set's resemblance to a video game, while Letterman's was a major, headline-creating controversy that involved child rape, a former vice presidential candidate, and Elliot Spitzer, somehow. Also instructive? Last night, Letterman refused to issue a complete apology over it.
We've got Letterman's daring, extended non-mea culpa below, and while it's interesting, it really makes us wonder whether O'Brien would be capable of a similar ratings-baiter. The Tonight Show (despite its safe, conservative reputation under Jay Leno) was often inherently political, and Republicans appeared on the program all the time, whether it was to announce their candidacy or to answer questions for Jaywalking.
We're not saying O'Brien should replace Andy Richter with gaffe-prone RNC head Michael Steele or anything, but...wait, we are. That would be amazing.