83 replies to this topic

[F1Fanatic.co.uk]

The promoters of the US GP are alleging that F1 doesn't do enough to promote itself in the states, and mentioned one specific driver who has repeatedly turned down an offer to go on the David Letterman show:

"A top Formula One driver has had an open invitation to be on 'The Late Show with David Letterman' show for the past three years. That driver will not do the interview."

Any ideas who? First guess would be Schumacher, obviously. Pure speculation, perhaps, but can anyone familair with the David Letterman show suggest any reasons why an F1 driver might steer clear? And how should F1 promote itself better in America after this year's notorious farce?

[karlth]

Montoya has several times been on Letterman's show and Coulthard was there once as well.

No question that he is talking about Schumacher.

[BorderReiver]

Well, I think we can certainly rule out a few people, mainly those who've been on the show.

Coulthard's been on it a few times hasn't he? So has Montoya, and if I'm not mistaken Webber too.

Anyone got a list of who's done it?

And I have to say I like David Letterman, American Talk-Shows aren't really my thing, but he always comes across as pretty genuine, and he's obviously a huge F1 fan to boot.

[Sakae]

If I would be in Michael' shoes, and late night talk show host invited me, I would be rather as well careful to accept such invitation. Michael has nothing to gain, because he might be ridiculed, accused without cause, justification or apology, and generally treated in disrespectful manner. I would say that he is controlling any exposure to risk admirably.

[SeanValen]

It'll be funny as David is a big f1 fan, it's cool to have a amercian chat host that's into f1, maybe if MS is having a good year next year and he's retiring not too long after, he might risk it once.

[Orin]

Originally posted by karlth
Montoya has several times been on Letterman's show and Coulthard was there once as well.

No question that he is talking about Schumacher.

I saw the Coulthard one, he was very funny. But Letterman's just one of those interchangeable insincere American talkshow hosts and I can't really blame most drivers for wishing to avoid him.

[tidytracks]

You gotta hope it wasn't Sato... afterall, with his Honda links, Mr letterman's IRL team could well be one of the only viable options for Taku in 2006 :

[RDM]

If if he IS referring to M$, a logical reason for M$'s refusal would be this. He has said, on several occassions, that in the US he is not recognised, and can walk down the street without being hassled by fans, which is a rare thing for him, and something he really enjoys.

If he starts appearing on US talk shows he can say goodbye to his much-cherished anonimity in the USA.

RDM
(M$ Rebuttal Unit)

[tombr]

I remember Irvine being on Letterman several years ago. He started telling a joke about someone in a bar asking if anyone had any Irish in them. Irvine got as far as a woman in the back of the bar speaking up and then backed off without finishing the joke.

[eoin]

MS goes to america with his family for some quiet time, not to raise his profile....

[Charlie97]

Originally posted by BorderReiver
Well, I think we can certainly rule out a few people, mainly those who've been on the show.

Coulthard's been on it a few times hasn't he? So has Montoya, and if I'm not mistaken Webber too.

Anyone got a list of who's done it?

jv's been on a few times too.

[The Soul Stealer]

Given the German sense of humour (or lack there of) I imagine the prospect of appearing on the Letterman show must be horrifying...

[DaleCooper]

Originally posted by The Soul Stealer
Given the German sense of humour (or lack there of) I imagine the prospect of appearing on the Letterman show must be horrifying...

It's just sad to read such generalized nonsense. Maybe Schumacher lacks a sense of humour, I don't know, but I have met many Germans with a great sense of humour, quirky even. One of my best friends, who also happens to be German is one of the funniest people I have ever met, he can enjoy a good laugh better than anyone I know, and I happen to have friends from every corner of the world.


Cooper

[fifi]

Originally posted by RDM
If if he IS referring to M$, a logical reason for M$'s refusal would be this. He has said, on several occassions, that in the US he is not recognised, and can walk down the street without being hassled by fans, which is a rare thing for him, and something he really enjoys.

If he starts appearing on US talk shows he can say goodbye to his much-cherished anonimity in the USA.

RDM
(M$ Rebuttal Unit)

shittt exactly what i was about to suggest

[Gareth]

Originally posted by F1Fanatic.co.uk
"A top Formula One driver has had an open invitation to be on 'The Late Show with David Letterman' show for the past three years. That driver will not do the interview."

Can't be Schumacher, otherwise it would have been "The top"

[Tubbs]

IMO If asked MS should give something back to the sport that has given him so much.

[DaleCooper]

Originally posted by Tubbs
IMO If asked MS should give something back to the sport that has given him so much.

Give back to the rich man's sport that is F1? Maybe he should give a percentage to Ron Dennis, he seems to need it


Schumacher should give back to the society that enabled him to reach his dreams, which was never the F1 circus. F1 is a spoiled mans domain, and it seems to me certain fans have trouble putting things in perspective. He should give to the poor and the less priviledged. I seem to recall he does do just that.

He has made it in F1 because he has made others richer as well, F1 was never a charity organisation.


Cooper

[DaleCooper]

I would also like to add that the worst thing that could happen to F1 is it becoming more popular in America. If you are a purist of sport, then F1 has (almost) no place in the center of FAKE SPORTS. I don't mean to insult all the great fans F1 has in America, which are surely some of the best fans F1 has, but if F1 became mainstream, it would have to be WHORED out to the masses much like the other sports have been, and to a majority public that doesn't understand the subtleties of F1, that would only mean the dumbing down of the sport, all for the sake of the show, that I wouldn't have any appetite for. Marketing to the masses (especially in America) is to me an exercise in stupidity, all in the interests of obtaining one thing: more money. That won't improve the sport.


Cooper

[miniman]

I for one don't blame any driver for declining to appear on any of the networks talk shows, they've long ceased to be a relevant gathering place for american audiences and have become instead a vehicle for overhyped hosts to ply their unsophisticated humor at politicians, celebrities, guests and audience.

[kismet]

Slightly OT but I really hate it when TV producers, talk show hosts etc. act like spoilt brats and whine how someone or other won't attend their all-important shows. So NN doesn't want to attend? Fine, that's his/her decision to make. Book someone else, don't act like you're doing your guests a huge favour they should all be grateful for if they had any brains.

Anyway, Michael Schumacher has every right to decline a guest role on Letterman if he so chooses. I get an allergic reaction every time someone suggests a sports star should give something back to the sport, or better yet, the fans who apparently have, by some fantastic mechanism I'm too stupid to fully understand, actually made that star into what (s)he is today. Just because I buy the occasional F1 Racing or a piece of over-priced, fashionistas-wouldn't-be-seen-dead-in official teamwear doesn't mean the teams, drivers etc. are somehow indebted to me.

[kismet]

Just to add that I think it's a bit weird, not to mention sad, how even charity seems to have become a competitive sport these days.

[Charlie97]

Originally posted by MiPe


His $- millions he gave to childern's fund, nature disaster victims like recently to US, and also some other hand-outs from the past don't count?

How much others, like JV or JPM gave anything to anyone? Maybe they gave, I am not sure, but to pick up on Schumacher is really not of a good taste.

jv and his charity organise events to raise money every winter...;)

[F1 Tor.]

Originally posted by DaleCooper
I would also like to add that the worst thing that could happen to F1 is it becoming more popular in America. If you are a purist of sport, then F1 has (almost) no place in the center of FAKE SPORTS. I don't mean to insult all the great fans F1 has in America, which are surely some of the best fans F1 has, but if F1 became mainstream, it would have to be WHORED out to the masses much like the other sports have been, and to a majority public that doesn't understand the subtleties of F1, that would only mean the dumbing down of the sport, all for the sake of the show, that I wouldn't have any appetite for. Marketing to the masses (especially in America) is to me an exercise in stupidity, all in the interests of obtaining one thing: more money. That won't improve the sport.


Cooper

Ouch! I see you drank a tall glass of bitch juice this morning.;)

[skinnylizard]

Originally posted by DaleCooper
I would also like to add that the worst thing that could happen to F1 is it becoming more popular in America. If you are a purist of sport, then F1 has (almost) no place in the center of FAKE SPORTS. I don't mean to insult all the great fans F1 has in America, which are surely some of the best fans F1 has, but if F1 became mainstream, it would have to be WHORED out to the masses much like the other sports have been, and to a majority public that doesn't understand the subtleties of F1, that would only mean the dumbing down of the sport, all for the sake of the show, that I wouldn't have any appetite for. Marketing to the masses (especially in America) is to me an exercise in stupidity, all in the interests of obtaining one thing: more money. That won't improve the sport.


Cooper

i think he should do whatever it is he wants to do with his life. goes the same for regular people who dont make millions.
not conform to other peoples ideas of what life should be and what is appropriate behavioue.

[F1Fanatic.co.uk]

Following last year's problems, would it be fair for the FIA or FOCA to require all drivers, just for the American race, to make themselves available for a minimum number of hours of PR work to raise/repair the profile of Formula One in America? Or perhaps just the drivers of Michelin-shod cars?

[F1 Tor.]

Umm.. the reason Letterman keeps asking Michael on the show is because he's a huge fan and would show nothing but the utmost respect to Schuey. I've seen Letterman change his style with many guests based on their comfort level and I would hazard a guess it would be a very straightforward interview but a chance for Letterman to show his appreciation to one of the greats. Personally, I think Michael has a great sense of humour-he's cracked a few jokes with reporters in the pits in Montreal when I've gone-just maybe it's hard for him to be himself with millions watching. That's all, really.

[Gareth]

Originally posted by MiPe


His $- millions he gave to childern's fund, nature disaster victims like recently to US, and also some other hand-outs from the past don't count?

How much others, like JV or JPM gave anything to anyone? Maybe they gave, I am not sure, but to pick up on Schumacher is really not of a good taste.

I suspect you may have missed the "I seem to recall he does do just that" from Cooper's post.

[MaxScelerate]

Originally posted by DaleCooper
I would also like to add that the worst thing that could happen to F1 is it becoming more popular in America. If you are a purist of sport, then F1 has (almost) no place in the center of FAKE SPORTS. I don't mean to insult all the great fans F1 has in America, which are surely some of the best fans F1 has, but if F1 became mainstream, it would have to be WHORED out to the masses much like the other sports have been, and to a majority public that doesn't understand the subtleties of F1, that would only mean the dumbing down of the sport, all for the sake of the show, that I wouldn't have any appetite for. Marketing to the masses (especially in America) is to me an exercise in stupidity, all in the interests of obtaining one thing: more money. That won't improve the sport.

To quote someone I know, "It's just sad to read such generalized nonsense". As if, anyway, the work of Bernard Ecclestone and his bunch of friends (they all americans, now?) wasn't a work of dumbing down the sport for the sake of money.

[littlewoodenboy]

who cares?

[RRT1963]

This is hilarious to read the smug generalizations from people who probably have never watched Letterman in their entire lives.

[Vilenova]

Originally posted by DaleCooper
I would also like to add that the worst thing that could happen to F1 is it becoming more popular in America. If you are a purist of sport, then F1 has (almost) no place in the center of FAKE SPORTS. I don't mean to insult all the great fans F1 has in America, which are surely some of the best fans F1 has, but if F1 became mainstream, it would have to be WHORED out to the masses much like the other sports have been, and to a majority public that doesn't understand the subtleties of F1, that would only mean the dumbing down of the sport, all for the sake of the show, that I wouldn't have any appetite for. Marketing to the masses (especially in America) is to me an exercise in stupidity, all in the interests of obtaining one thing: more money. That won't improve the sport.


Cooper

Oh get over yourself.

[RDM]

Originally posted by kismet

Anyway, Michael Schumacher has every right to decline a guest role on Letterman if he so chooses. I get an allergic reaction every time someone suggests a sports star should give something back to the sport, or better yet, the fans who apparently have, by some fantastic mechanism I'm too stupid to fully understand, actually made that star into what (s)he is today. Just because I buy the occasional F1 Racing or a piece of over-priced, fashionistas-wouldn't-be-seen-dead-in official teamwear doesn't mean the teams, drivers etc. are somehow indebted to me.

Absolutely agree.

[carbonfibre]

Lol just seeing that all people just assume that it is Michael is funny alone.

Michael can refuse if he wants too, he will have good reasons for it and you guys just need to accept that.

[WACKO]

Originally posted by MiPe
If I would be in Michael' shoes, and late night talk show host invited me, I would be rather as well careful to accept such invitation. Michael has nothing to gain, because he might be ridiculed, accused without cause, justification or apology, and generally treated in disrespectful manner. I would say that he is controlling any exposure to risk admirably.

Indeed, the problem with those shows is that they are live broadcasts with hosts who do not allow the guest to outshow him or not to obey to maybe difficult questions. I can imagine Michael is careful about that. The rules of the game are a little different in the US than in Europe. In Europe those things are much more voluntary than in the US, where people expect the stars to show up and promote. I think the truth is in the middle. Drivers do have a responsibility towards the sport and towards the fans, however they are not public property either and should be free to select what appeals to them most.

[metz]

Why is everyone assuming it's Michael?

Could be that Kimi doesn't want to be asked about his antics....
They would be much more interesting for Letterman....

[HBoss]

He can always invite me.

[vaavu]

Originally posted by metz
Could be that Kimi doesn't want to be asked about his antics....
They would be much more interesting for Letterman....

Just imagine how verbose Kimi would be in Letterman's show!

"Errr... well, I... hmm"

Maybe if they gave him a couple vodka shots before the show he would be a little bit more relaxed...

[kismet]

I don't know if it's Michael but an open invitation for three years on the trot certainly suggests someone pretty coveted and well known. Not that it actually matters who it is.

[Orin]

Originally posted by vaavu

Maybe if they gave him a couple vodka shots before the show he would be a little bit more relaxed...

The American public aren't ready for "Mr. Winky"

[rghojai]

Interesting thoughts that MS wants to stay low-pro in the USA.... Makes sense, given that he could ask Montoya, DC, JV what it was like, if Letterman asks dumb questions, etc.

Oh, when JV was on a few years ago, he raced a cabbie around the block, both of 'em driving the big American sedans. Pretty entertaining. JV looked like he was about ready to trade paint and drive on sidewalks to win.

By the way, no, the show is not live in the USA.

As people have noted, Letterman is a huge racing fan (from Indiana and adored the 500, etc., since he was a kid, has been seen jogging in a Senna t-shirt) and he's very astute. He's done scads of good interviews with racers. My feelings about the show are mixed, but I make sure to watch when he has a racer on because I know it will be a really good interview.

[Tubbs]

Originally posted by DaleCooper



Give back to the rich man's sport that is F1? Maybe he should give a percentage to Ron Dennis, he seems to need it


Schumacher should give back to the society that enabled him to reach his dreams, which was never the F1 circus. F1 is a spoiled mans domain, and it seems to me certain fans have trouble putting things in perspective. He should give to the poor and the less priviledged. I seem to recall he does do just that.

He has made it in F1 because he has made others richer as well, F1 was never a charity organisation.


Cooper

This isn't about money or charity at all but you knew that (hopefully!). MS is statistically the most successful F1 driver of all time and he should be ready to give an hour of his precious time to promoting F1 and not act like a filthy rich spoiled baby.

[The Soul Stealer]

Originally posted by DaleCooper



It's just sad to read such generalized nonsense. Maybe Schumacher lacks a sense of humour, I don't know, but I have met many Germans with a great sense of humour, quirky even. One of my best friends, who also happens to be German is one of the funniest people I have ever met, he can enjoy a good laugh better than anyone I know, and I happen to have friends from every corner of the world.


Cooper

Given your inept ability to spot something remotely resembling humour I find it hard to accept your character analysis of anyone who can "enjoy a good laugh"

Then again, seen as how your friend is German, you may actually be you are agreeing with my previous statement!

[F1 Tor.]

Originally posted by Tubbs


This isn't about money or charity at all but you knew that (hopefully!). MS is statistically the most successful F1 driver of all time and he should be ready to give an hour of his precious time to promoting F1 and not act like a filthy rich spoiled baby.

You're right. I'm sure that's exactly what all the children Michael has helped over the years call him-a rich, spoiled baby.;) Please think before you post ****. Michael has spent more time helping people in one year than you've probably done in your entire life and here you are griping about 1 ****ing show. Unbelievable!

[Sakae]

Originally posted by Gareth


I suspect you may have missed the "I seem to recall he does do just that" from Cooper's post.

My appology to C.

[Mox]

Originally posted by tombr
I remember Irvine being on Letterman several years ago. He started telling a joke about someone in a bar asking if anyone had any Irish in them. Irvine got as far as a woman in the back of the bar speaking up and then backed off without finishing the joke.

´


In that situation - that IS the end of the joke

[jimm]

Originally posted by RDM
If if he IS referring to M$, a logical reason for M$'s refusal would be this. He has said, on several occassions, that in the US he is not recognised, and can walk down the street without being hassled by fans, which is a rare thing for him, and something he really enjoys.

If he starts appearing on US talk shows he can say goodbye to his much-cherished anonimity in the USA.

RDM
(M$ Rebuttal Unit)

Average american watching letterman:

Voice over: 'Next up 7 time world champ Micheal Schumacher"

Average American: "Not Gordon or Dale Jr, why have I not seen this guy?"

Show returns, Dave introduces Schumacher

Average American: "How can he be a racing driver, he's German or something...What else is on" Clicks to 18th running of that days ESPN Sportscenter

He could go on Leno, Letterman and all the other talk shows and unless he did something outrageous would not be remembered


sad but true state of where F1 is on the average Americans radar

[De Weberis]

Well if MS doesn't go with his red clothes 'pack of cigarettes' mimic version there is no harm in going there.
The guy is a walking cigarette advertising.

Tony Stewart from Nascar was there these days and Letterman made the bulk of work to make the conversation interesting.
Dave is experienced and carries the guest even if he is not interesting.

But his interviews with Montoya are boring. He just keep calling JPM 'Zorro'.

[Tubbs]

Originally posted by F1 Tor.
You're right. I'm sure that's exactly what all the children Michael has helped over the years call him-a rich, spoiled baby.;) Please think before you post ****. Michael has spent more time helping people in one year than you've probably done in your entire life and here you are griping about 1 ****ing show. Unbelievable!

Ah get off yer high horse. What the f*** does helping children got ANYTHING to do with this. I mean these are two completely different things. So please think yourself before you post ****.

[fastlegs]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by RDM
If he starts appearing on US talk shows he can say goodbye to his much-cherished anonimity in the USA.

I think you're bang on.

If I was MS I would like to keep my anonimity in the USA also.

It must be great for him and his family to be able to have a real holiday without constantly being confronted by fans wanting an autograph or a question answered.

[Corners]

I don't see the point in going on the Letterman show he wastes half the show and bits and pieces and cracks joke after joke while the guess politely feels obliged to laugh. With the back-up crew readily supporting David's jokes to help them be funny and the other guests its all abit much really.
If I was Schumacher I wouldn't go on it, Michael is way too busy.