Asheville News

Le-mailing it in

Jason Sandford May 27, 2005

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

I try. Lord, how I try to laugh. But I can’t help but cringe every time “Punnyman” John Le tries to be funny. Even Scott and Darcel had to force smiles at the end of the report tonight. All Scott could muster was a grimaced “Humph.”

That’s because Le’s senseless take on the 40th “birthday” of the Pillsbury Doughboy fell flatter than a pancake just now. (Note to Le – that is called a metaphor, not a pun. Try it sometime.) Le’s idea of humor is packing as many dumb-ass puns as possible into a 90-second spot. Here’s an idea, Le – just keep shoving that dough in your pie hole and be quiet.

Some of Le’s zingers: “Crusty old doughboy;” “rising to the occasion;” “the yeast of his concerns;” and the good old gut-buster “Doh!” In fact, that one’s appropriate, because Homer himself could’ve come up with wittier reparte than Le.

I’m also amazed at how Le finds other wackados to play along. He got a Grove Park chef to play slap-and-tickle with some cookie dough, and some local health bureaucrat to crack wise about carb counting.

Le is the most dour punnyman I’ve ever met. He’s got no sense of humor in person. Still, I guess he must be doing something right. Ashvegas has heard reports that Le’s been out partying in Brevard in days gone by with a babe on each arm.

And he’s got the community college pedigree. His online bio states that at some podunk school called Rancho Santiago Community College, he teamed up with none other than Will Ferrell to do college news productions.

May the doughboy circle be unbroken.

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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13 Comments

YellowBoy May 30, 2005

I agree..but I think without their “silly animal stunts” they would have a hard time filling an hour and half newcast.

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Bulldog May 30, 2005

According to “DoneRight,” the thing that makes WLOS a mediocre TV news station is that more people don’t want to be taped for those stupid “man on the street” reaction interviews? Maybe the LOSers ought to check with network parent ABC, which has no problem attracting dozens of idiots making faces, waving signs and shouting into nowhere as their token black face reads the weather every morning. Will more of those yahoos make LOS better? Maybe. But a more likely formula might be an infusion of cash into the news budget and harder-hitting reporting minus John Le’s idiocy and other silly animal stunts.

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StonesFan May 28, 2005

The college doesn’t even look like it’s real. All the Web links are dead.

If it turns out Le really didn’t go to college, it would be the funniest thing about him.

I can make plenty of puns about a school called “Rancho Santiago,” but I’ll leave that to the master himself. God bless him.

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Ash May 28, 2005

Thanks USC. I’ve been meaning to check out that reference.

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USC '90 May 28, 2005

The Will Ferrell who starred on Saturday Night Live attended the University of Southern California. Google “Will Ferrell” and “Rancho Santiago Community College” and the only thing that comes up is John Le’s bio.

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DoneRight May 28, 2005

I know WLOS is a weak local news station. The people that bash the their work are the same people that don’t watch TV news in other markets. Believe me, I have worked at a big market TV station, and there is not much difference. The real problem is Sinclair. In order for WLOS’s product to improve, the community’s attitude towards them needs to change. News is news. If you want them to report it, give them a call and stop denying interviews on the street b/c “I don’t want to be on TV”. They have a job to do and the only way they can get better is the community. The Asheville area has great characters that are willing to tell their story if its newsworthy. If you are one, give your local TV station a call and stop bitchin.

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StonesFan May 28, 2005

I don’t see how anyone can defend a man who behaves like such a buffoon on a constant basis — especially when the buffoon AIN’T funny. (Why can’t they ever balance the guy and give him a real story once in a while?) I hate that the only Asian guy has to act like an idiot. He’s the Charlie freakin’ Chan of the crew — but without the wisdom, insight or sense of humor. Let us pray for John Le, for he knows not HE AIN’T FUNNY. If he were, would he still be doing “news” for WLOS? (Yes, it’s true that I haven’t walked in his shoes — but after six years of turning the channel or groaning every time he comes on, he needs to walk in mine!)

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Ash May 28, 2005

Good posts, people. (And I love the name “Romani Heart).

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Romani Heart May 28, 2005

OMG! I can’t tell you how many mornings at the office are spent discussing the sad state of WLOS. As far as John Le is concerned, it’s supposed to be the NEWS, not a stand up routine. I know there has to be enough newsworthy events to fill a thirty minute time slot. And what’s up with the A.M. broadcast? Did Bob Caldwell get a bad case of the 12 yr old giggles while reporting on the large catfish catch when he read the words “he plans to mount it,” or was I just having one of my pre-coffee halucinations?

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WLOSUX May 27, 2005

This is the worst television station with the worst local “news” I have ever encountered. I suggest everyone turn it off and get your news elsewhere. Since the “news reader” copies half their stories out of area newspapers anyway. Unplug from the WLOST habit. Better yet, ignore them and maybe they will go away.

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Catnap May 27, 2005

Abuse his talents?
He takes a wire story and tells some horrible puns that don’t even make any sense. His only talent is his willingness to act foolish on camera.

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freddi May 27, 2005

Amen to Ashvegas for saying what everyone else thinks, as soon as he comes on tv the channel gets changed. It’s just stupid tv from a non-funny man.

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DoneRight May 27, 2005

To ask John Le EVERYDAY to turn features is a tough request. But it gets done! You have no idea what that’s like. Most feature reporters are utilized maybe three times a week. Also, while his stories are sometimes stupid and not funny, he’d be the first one to tell you! The problem is…the folks at WLOS abuse his talents. Don’t knock John Le until you have walked in his shoes.

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