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I think Jerry has felt, maybe still feels, compelled to prove to himself, his audience and especially his dad (even though he's long since passed) that he's not just a silly buffoon. Remember, his father was intensely critical of him and of his career and rarely unconditionally complimented him for his achievements. I'm sure for quite some time after the Lewis/Martin partnership dissolved, the adoring public and those in the business expected Jerry to remain the nation's jester. Consequently, maybe that's why Jerry became the quintessential overachiever and engendered him to frequently take his arrogant/defensive attitude especially in an interview situation.

I really don't hear it.

It's a typical Jerry Lewis interview.

Jerry is full of himself as always, romanticising his relationship with Dean, as always. It's just Jerry.

The moments he seemed to be rude or insulting I think he was trying to be funny.

It's a good interview and Jerry was Jerry.

I was listening to Leonard Lopate interviewing Dina Martin, and the subject of Jerry Lewis came up. At which point Leonard said that his Jerry Lewis interview was an awful experience. So I had to find the interview. And I listened to all 36 minutes. And I have to say, while Jerry Lewis is egotistical and borderline rude, this was a very good, entertaining and interesting interview. Yes, it revealed a lot about Jerry Lewis, but anyone who has ever seen The King of Comedy knows all they need to know about this very strange man. Jerry Lewis is kind of a pompous ass, but he has had a remarkable career (whether you like his work or not) and I think he acquitted himself rather well - as did Leonard Lopate. But I also think it was ungracious of you, Leonard, to site this interview as a horrible experience. Particularly to someone who clearly had a great deal of affection for him.

I remember being astounded the first time I heard this and was prompted to listen to it again after your recent 25 year anniversary show. Some words that come to mind when thinking of Jerry Lewis... raging narcissism, patronizing, and, ultimately, stupid. He was too arogant to do his homework on Leonard and his audience, probably the most educated in the nation, and so ended up insulting millions of people. Hopefully the French will rethink their strange and inexplicable obsession. It was so screamingly obvious and macabre that he waited until the day Dean died to write this book because it is, as my Welsh grandmother used to say, a "stretch". I hope I see this book on the remainder tables, it would be a good choice for composting although possibly too toxic. Leonard's gentle and seductive interview style allowed Lewis' answers and attitude to reveal this very unpleasant, avaricious and marginally talented man's true character. No wonder the only air time he could get for years was freebees for MD. Bravo Leonard!