WKRP in Cincinnati (TV Series)

Carlson for President (1979)

Richard Sanders: Les Nessman

Photos 

Quotes 

• Les Nessman : [in helping Mr. Carlson prepare for the all candidates debate]  Mr. Carlson, let's pretend I'm the moderator.

  Arthur Carlson : Okay.

  Les Nessman : Tell me, candidate Carlson, what is your position on busing?

  Arthur Carlson : No comment.

  Herb Tarlek : Personally, I like the "no comment" thing - it's short and to the point - but it could sound like you're takin' the Fifth, Big Guy.

  Les Nessman : The secret is to appear to answer all the questions, but in truth it's all mumbo-jumbo. Here, let me show you. Herb, ask me this question.

  Herb Tarlek : [reading off the card Les has handed him]  Sure. "Mr. Candidate, what is your energy program?"

  [Mr. Carlson whistles in showing how difficult a question he believes it to be] 

  Les Nessman : Right now, I'm devoting a great deal of time and study to that problem, and I expect to issue a position paper on that. A position that is at once simple, yet complex. Flexible, and above all else, fair... to every American.

• Bailey Quarters : [about the drinking problem of Mr. Carlson's rival candidate]  Last month at a Friends of Armenia banquet, he apparently fell forward into his lasagna.

  Herb Tarlek : [laughing excitedly]  Wow!

  Andy Travis : [about making that drinking problem public]  Now, listen, Bailey's right. You couldn't use something like that.

  Herb Tarlek : Politics is a tough business, Travis.

  Les Nessman : [suspiciously]  Why are Armenians eating lasagna?

• Les Nessman : [speaking to someone on the telephone in trying to help Mr. Carlson lose the election]  Hello? This is Deep Throat again. Did you know that every night when he goes home, Arthur Carlson likes to lounge around his house... in a dress?

  Arthur Carlson : [grabbing the telephone receiver from Les and covering the mouthpiece with his hand]  Wait a minute Les, don't you think you're carrying this thing just a little too far?

  Les Nessman : Do you want to lose or not?

  Arthur Carlson : Well, okay, but, uh, couldn't it be a pair a slacks and a simple halter top?