Number 5: Chevy Chase, late night talk show host
Washington Post TV critic Tom Shales said, “Chase’s show became eerily fascinating to watch once the specter of Totally Lost Cause took over — which happened by about the middle of the second week, or maybe by the middle of the second show.”
The show was simply awful. Also for consideration in this slot was The Magic Hour, another terrible late night show. The only reason Magic Johnson didn’t make the cut was at least his show had this epic appearence from Howard Stern.
Number 4: David Caruso, movie star
Struggling character actor with minor roles in films like Rambo, Caruso hit the big time when he was cast in NYPD Blue, one of the great television shows ever. He took his diva act and left the show 4 episodes into the second season. He had his sights set on the big screen. How’d that work out for him? His first film, Kiss of Death, cost $40 million to make and earned only $14 million. His second film, Jade, earned less than $10 million. Just like Japan, two bombs were enough, and he finally made his way back to small screen success in CSI Miami.
Number 3: Eddie Murphy, pop star
Enough said, er, sung.
Number 2: President Sarah Palin
Brought up to the big leagues too soon, Palin has crashed and burned under the white hot lights of national politics. To be sure, she was treated viciously by the press and for that they should be ashamed. Still, she gave them plenty of grounds for legitimate criticism as well. As I said the day she was selected by McCain, she simply is not ready to handle the media at this level. Why? A combination of factors, from lack of knowledge on the issues to lack of media training. She is simply nowhere near ready for the presidency, no matter how much conservatives love her. Those who think she is qualified are believing rather than seeing.
Number 1: President Barack Obama’s first term
Elected on the back of country’s desire for “change”, President Obama is squandering. what may have been the greatest reservoir of good will ever accumulated by an American politician. Voters were tired of George Bush. They craved change from the usual way of doing business in Washington. They were tired of the influence of money and special interests, the closed doors, the earmarks, etc.
President Obama’s idea of change was to radically remake the American economy in the image of Western Europe. He’s pushing for a cap and trade scheme that has already failed spectacularly in Europe. He is pushing for nationalized healthcare that has also been a disaster across Western Europe. In order to implement this “change”, many trillions of dollars in new taxes will be required of American citizens and businesses at a time when he says we are in the “worst financial crisis since the great depression”. Not to mention his oft repeated promise not to raise taxes on anyone making over $250K. By overreaching on two major power grabs, President Obama may end up with nothing but a new dog at the end of his first term. Hopefully.