Late Night Comics Pounce on Cain's 'Scandal'

The Mainstream Media did what it likes to do best over the weekend – turn a poorly sourced quasi-scandal regarding a Republican into a news feeding frenzy.

Now, late night talk show hosts have taken the bait.

Last night, the majority of the comedy elite had fun at the expense of Herman Cain, the popular GOP presidential candidate accused of sexually harassing two women during the 1990s. The wobbly reportage was condemned by not only conservatives but the left-leaning Pro Publica media outfit. But it proved too irresistible for the usual comic suspects (source: The daily Hotline roundup):

David Letterman: Now (businessman) Herman Cain when he was the chairman of the National Restaurant Association back in the ’90’s is saying there was a claim of sexual harassment. I looked it up. … Here’s what happened: he was just listing the specials. (‘The Late Show with David Letterman,’ CBS, 10/31).

Jimmy Fallon: “Herman Cain was accused of sexually harassing two women in the ’90s. Which explains his new campaign slogan, ‘did somebody order a pizza with extra sausage?'” (‘Late Night with Jimmy Fallon,’ NBC, 10/31).

Jimmy Kimmel: “Cain says it’s a misunderstanding, he never sexually harassed anyone. He owned a pizza place, he just asking them if they wanted extra sausage and — it happens.” (‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!,’ ABC, 10/31).

Conan O’Brien: “Herman Cain is having to respond to claims that he once sexually harassed women. Did you hear that? Apparently a German woman kept telling him nein-nein-nein!” (‘Conan,’ TBS, 10/31).

Jon Stewart: “In Herman Cain’s defense, there’s very little in the pizza world that’s not sexually suggestive. ‘Hey, you want sausage on your pie?’ ‘Hey, you want me to stuff your crust?’ ‘No, no, I told you, I guarantee I will come in 30 minutes or less. I told you.’ By the way, that is a very optimistic — I think the key phrase there is ‘or less.’ … If he’s telling the truth, he’s just a nice church-going guy and everything he does now is tainted by these allegations. … That clip of Herman Cain smiling at the end of his political ads. That’s just dirty. That commercial is always going to play with different music in people’s heads now. (Sexy music playing) Hey, stop looking at my black walnuts.” (‘The Daily Show,’ Comedy Central, 10/31).