When something goes terribly wrong in the automotive industry, leave it to late night television to add fuel to the fire. For example, when the Big Three were on Capitol Hill, SNL ran a number of skits featuring a bumbling Bob Nardelli, Alan Mulally, and Rick Wagoner, as they requested federal bailout dollars.
Fast forward to the present and it’s no longer the Big Three consumed by late night jokes, but rather Toyota due to the company’s sweeping recalls. On the Late Show with David Letterman, a mock Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda was featured and he profiled the real problem at the center of the issue – American drivers. SNL also took their shots at the embattled automaker, and jokingly promoted Ford hybrids in the process.
Although unintended acceleration is no laughing matter, the late night jokes are nevertheless all in good fun. Already other comedians from Jay Leno to Jon Stewart have also poked fun of Toyota. But as problems become more widely understood and repaired, time will only tell what brand will be next to face the wrath of late night.
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