Late Night with David Letterman (1982) | How Woke Is It?

Our VerdictNot Woke

Late Night with David Letterman1982

In a free society the right to critique art is essential and protected speech. These reviews reflect personal opinions and not statements of fact.

What We Think

A product of its time, 'Late Night with David Letterman' is refreshingly non-woke by modern standards. The focus stayed on comedy and entertainment, with little interest in checking ideological boxes. If only television could keep it this simple now!

Score Breakdown

Compromised:Narrative Integrity

Not Woke

What is this?

'Late Night with David Letterman' from the 1980s never prioritized identity politics or ideological messaging. The show's focus was on comedy, wit, and Letterman's quirky personality. Casting and creative decisions were primarily made for entertainment value, not social issues. Nearly no 'forced representation' or identity-first storytelling to be found here.

Compromised:Cultural Foundations

Not Woke

What is this?

The program didn't seek to undermine cultural norms, it mostly poked fun at pop culture and celebrities. Religion, family, or traditional morality were rarely targets outside of light-hearted satire, which was the norm for late-night TV. Masculinity and traditional roles weren’t a focus or subverted in any agenda-driven way.

Compromised:Ideological Monoculture

Not Woke

What is this?

While most mainstream shows in the era operated within a broadly traditional frame, 'Late Night' occasionally poked fun at all sides and avoided taking overt political stances. The show offered a fairly pluralistic humor landscape without villainizing dissenting viewpoints.

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Disclaimer: In a free society the right to critique art is essential and protected as a form of free speech and freedom of expression. The reviews and commentary on this site represent personal opinions and interpretations. They are not statements of fact and should not be taken as factual claims about any individual, company, or creative work.