LATE SHOW NEWS #230 January 5, 1999 by Aaron Barnhart To join or leave the LATE-SHOW-NEWS mailing list, see instructions at end of message. Perhaps nostalgic for his days as a panelist on "The Gong Show" 20 years ago, David Letterman is spotlighting "the unknown comic" on his program this week. Monday, it was Bryan Callen (who actually is known to those of you who are regular "MAD TV" viewers). Tuesday it's Greg Behrendt, who USA TODAY reports is developing a one-man show for HBO. Thursday it's Jason Kuller, a lawyer turned comedian and Friday Jeff Gaffigan, whom you'll actually recognize from the many TV commercials he's done ... "Dennis Miller Live" is back, and not a moment too soon, what with all those Chris Rock items popping up in the tabs. Long-longtime reader Val Dodge notes that Canada's Comedy Network is picking up the show on Saturday nights at 9 pm, starting this weekend ... "SNL" is repackaging old bits one more time for prime time, when "'Saturday Night Live': Best of TV Parodies" attacks on NBC this Saturday at 8 (you know, the erstwhile Bo Derek "Wind on Water" spot?) ... Also, Cinescape reports that the Robert Smigel "SNL" bit "The X-Presidents" may be developed into a feature film ... The Conan O'Brien episode of "Lateline" airs this week, we have confirmed. Al Franken's terrifically smart sitcom returns to NBC Wednesday at 9. *** Reader mail: The always helpful Sandy McMurray at the Toronto Sun responds to last week's reader inquiry. He writes, "I haven't seen enough of Bonnie Hunt in 1998 either, but according to the Internet Movie Database, she wasn't sitting home watching TV. Bonnie provided the voice of Rosie (the black widow spider) in 'A Bug's Life.' She played the part of Linda Streicher (the narrator) in the movie 'Kissing a Fool.' She's cast in two movies that are scheduled to appear in '99: 'Random Hearts' (a Sydney Pollack film, starring Harrison Ford) and a thriller called 'The Green Mile.' A Bonnie Hunt fan page (a potential stalker, really) also mentions that Bonnie is the writer and director of a project called 'Return to Me' which is 'in production' and may star David Duchovny. Or not." Sandy also had the best comeback to my lead item last week: "It's a little early to be annoyed at Tom Snyder, isn't it? Wait until he changes his mind and agrees to talk to Barbara Walters, THEN get 'churlish'!" ... Here's the URL Sandy mentioned: I got several letters like this one from Richard Hooles after revealing that "Friday Night's" Rita Sever was married to one of her bosses, NBC late-night exec Gary Considine: "Prior to Rita's arrival several years ago, 'Friday Night' underwent so many host and format changes it wasn't funny. Now, after so many years, Rita and the show have become uninteresting and stagnant, yet, they remain on the air unchallenged. I think I can now safely understand why! 'Friday Night' and Ms. Rita Sever have lost a viewer with their deception. Thank you for opening my eyes to late night TV's biggest scam." Actually, I think the biggest scam in late night are those free "Nightline" toaster ovens they handed out to TV critics ... Mail arrived from all across the spectrum regarding Alec Baldwin's anti-anti-Clinton tirade on "Late Night," including this one from Jefferson Spear: "If Charlton Heston or Mel Gibson had made Baldwin-like comments about the Perjurer-in-Chief, I'm sure the always jolly Democrats like Maxine Waters, Barney Frank, James Carville and Larry Flynt would have been giggling hysterically. Not." Kevin Powell, on the other hand, writes, "(Republican senator) Kit Bond is running around Missouri angry because reporters keep asking him about Clinton, when Bond now all of a sudden wants to talk about legislation. Well, guess what, GOP? Like my daddy always used to say, 'If you're going to run up the flag, you better be prepared to fight the battle.' This is a GOP Jihad, and a GOP Taliban, nothing more. And frankly, good for Alec Baldwin for being honest about his anger" ... And thank you, the dozens of you who sent your sympathies and remembrances regarding Kaila. *** Tom Heald's THIS NIGHT IN HISTORY We 1/6: In 1984, "The New Show" premieres on NBC. Produced by Lorne Michaels, it's almost identical to "Saturday Night Live"... except it's in primetime, on Friday nights, taped, a half hour shorter, and not particularly funny. But it does have Buck Henry, and guest appearances from "SCTV's" Catherine O'Hara and John Candy. Th 1/7: In 1998, "Weekend Update" anchor Norm MacDonald is demoted from his desk job and limited only to sketch work on "Saturday Night Live." Fr 1/8: In 1973, ABC lures Jack Paar back to television to host "Jack Paar Tonite" under its "Wide World of Entertainment" late night banner. Paar's program will alternate with a program hosted by Dick Cavett, ABC's "In Concert," and various movies and comedy specials. But his show is dropped from the mix in November. Sa 1/9: In 1997, a flash of brilliance on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" as musical guest Ashley MacIsaac kicks up his heels, and shows what a Scotsman wears beneath his kilt, or in this case... doesn't. "Late Night" offers to re-record his segment, but MacIsaac turns them down, and the segment airs with a strategically placed electronic blur. Su 1/10: Is it a dessert topping or a floor wax? "Saturday Night Live's" Chevy Chase delivers the good news that new "Shimmer" is both, on this day in 1976. Mo 1/11: In 1997, "Saturday Night Live's" Norm MacDonald delivers a devastating impersonation of David Letterman, with all the nervous tics and irritating non sequiturs we all know and love. "Hey, you got any gum?" Tu 1/12: In 1991, "The Superfans" sketch debuts on "Saturday Night Live," with Chris Farley, Mike Meyers, Robert Smigel and Joe Mantegna as the #1 fan of Da Bears, Bill Swerski. When the sketch returns five months later, George Wendt will take over the show as Bob Swerski, due to his "brudda Bill's frequent heart attacks." Thanks to David Tanny. Special thanks to Donz5, no friend of "your friendly neighborhood wall-crawler." Finish your homework with the "Best of Nightline" from Tom Heald's "This Night In History" bookstore at . THE LINEUPS with Sue Trowbridge (http://www.interbridge.com/) LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN, CBS Mo 1/4 Sarah Jessica Parker, Bryan Callen Tu 1/5 Jennifer Jason Leigh, David Remnick, Greg Behrendt We 1/6 Mira Sorvino, Terry Bradshaw Th 1/7 Lisa Kudrow, Jason Kuller Fr 1/8 Robert Duvall, Jon Stewart, Jim Gaffigan Mo 1/11 Sean Penn, Gillian Anderson, Black Crowes Tu 1/12 Woody Harrelson, Al Franken, B.B. King THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO, NBC Mo 1/4 Val Kilmer, Jules Sylvester, animal expert Felicity Huffman Tu 1/5 Newt Gingrich, Emily Watson, 7-year-old "knock-knock" winner Mark Roberts We 1/6 Michael Caine, Cate Blanchett, Martina McBride Th 1/7 Dennis Miller, James Van Der Beek Fr 1/8 John Travolta, Tracey Ullman, Chris Isaak Mo 1/11 Kid nature experts, Susan Sarandon, Eddie Izzard Tu 1/12 Melanie Griffith, Thomas Gibson, Sugar Ray We 1/13 Jamie Lee Curtis, Whitney Houston Th 1/14 Tom Hanks, Melina Kanakaredes, The Judds LATE LATE SHOW WITH TOM SNYDER, CBS Mo 1/4 Lynn Redgrave, David Baldacci Tu 1/5 Robbie Robertson We 1/6 TBA Th 1/7 Tom Brokaw (*** PICK TO CLICK ***) LATE NIGHT WITH CONAN O'BRIEN, NBC Mo 1/4 Jon Stewart, Annabella Sciorra, Louis CK (R 10/9/98) Tu 1/5 Chazz Palminteri, Anthony Clark, Irma Thomas We 1/6 Penn & Teller, 2-year- old golfer Jake Evans Th 1/7 Melina Kanakaredes, Todd Barry Fr 1/8 Lisa Kudrow, Maury Povich, Vic Chesnutt Mo 1/11 Isabella Rossellini, David Arquette, Cake (R 10/16/98) Tu 1/12 Alan Cumming, G.E. Smith and Taylor Barton We 1/13 Michael Caine Th 1/14 Mira Sorvino, Greg Germann, Goo Goo Dolls Fr 1/15 James Van Der Beek Mo 1/18 Christina Applegate, Jeff Daniels, Robert Schimmel (R 10/27/98) Tu 1/19 Dave Chappelle We 1/20 Tony Curtis Th 1/21 Wanda Sykes-Hall Fr 1/22 Carmen Electra LATER, NBC SCTV reruns will air in place of Later until Feb. 1 CHARLIE ROSE, PBS Please note that Charlie Rose listings are very tentative Mo 1/4 John Travolta POLITICALLY INCORRECT WITH BILL MAHER, ABC Mo 1/4 Illeana Douglas, Adam Carolla, Kellyanne Fitzpatrick, Malcolm Jamal-Warner Tu 1/5 Morgan Fairchild, Dan Cortese, Holly McClure, Harlan Ellison We 1/6 Elayne Boosler, Brad Keena, Dee Dee Myers Th 1/7 Vicki Lawrence, James Coburn, Jack Burkman Fr 1/8 Dick Clark, Deborah Harry, Mark McGrath, Coolio THE DAILY SHOW, Comedy Central Tu 1/5 Weirder Than Whitney (A. Whitney Brown) (R) *** PICK TO CLICK *** We 1/6 Beth Littleford Interview Special (R) Th 1/7 Stephen Colbert Across America (Stephen Colbert) (R) Mo 1/11 "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" debuts HOWARD STERN, E! Tu 1/5 Jaid Barrymore Part 2 (R), Mira Segal Part 2 (R), Tempest & Amy Lynn Part 1 (R) We 1/6 Carol Alt vs. Fred, Breast Pageant Part 1 (R), Tempest & Amy Lynn Part 2 (R) Th 1/7 Houston Dating Game Part 1, Breast Pageant Part 2 (R), Tawny Kitaen Part 1 (R) Fr 1/8 Houston Dating Game Part 2, Breast Pageant Part 3 (R), Tawny Kitaen Part 2 (R) Su 1/10 Penthouse Jeopardy Parts 1 and 2 (R) DENNIS MILLER LIVE, HBO Fr 1/8 Chris Matthews on "Where is the Presidency Headed" SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE, NBC Sa 1/9 Bill Paxton; musical guest Beck. MAD TV Sa 1/9 Shaunda - Ladies room; Head of the Family; Saturnology; The Comedy of Keanu Reeves. SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE, Comedy Central (repeats) Tu 1/5 Noon : Bill Murray / Sting (1992-'93) featuring The Whipmaster; I'm Chillin'; Deep Thoughts; 6:00PM & Midnight : Tom Hanks / Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers featuring Big Brawn Feminine Napkins; Roxbury Guys; Goat Boy; Spartan Spirits; Mr. Peepers We 1/6 Noon : John Goodman/Mary J. Blige (1992-'93) featuring: The copy guy; Coffee Talk on a cruise; Soylent Green sequels; 6:00PM & Midnight Jim Carrey / Soundgarden (1995-96') featuring The Spartan Sprits; Roxbury Guys; Spade in America; The Joe Pesci Show Th 1/7 Noon : Miranda Richardson/Soul Asylum (1992-'93) featuring: Pat sings "The Crying Game"; MTV Spring Break U.K. 'with British hooligans; Dieter's Dream; 6:00PM & Midnight : Helen Hunt / Hanson featuring Jack Nicholson(1997-'98) featuring : Delicious Dish; Fun With Real Audio- Jesus; The Ladies' Man; the Roxbury Guys; 10:00PM SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE GOES COMMERCIAL Fr 1/8 Noon : Jason Alexander/Peter Gabriel (1992-'93) featuring:Woody Allen Fan Club;Black Friends;Gyros ; 6:00PM & Midnight : TBA; 8:00PM SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE GOES COMMERCIAL Sa 1/9 11:00AM Martin Short / No Doubt (1996-'97) featuring Celebrity Jeopardy!; Martha Stewart's topless Christmas; Ed Grimley; Roxbury Guys Su 1/10 11:00AM : TBA Mo 1/11 Noon Kirstie Alley/Lenny Kravitz (1992-'93) featuring:Montel Williams;While the City Sweeps;Zoraida meets Kristie 6:00 PM & Midnight: TBA SPACE GHOST COAST TO COAST, Cartoon Network Fr 1/8 Janeane Garofalo, Dave Grohl, John Popper, Flip Orley Fr 1/15 Moby, Emo Phillips, Shirley Manson, Chuck D, Pat Boone Fr 1/22 Joel Hodgson, Penn & Teller Fr 1/29 Jeff Foxworthy, Fran Drescher, Carol Channing, Alice Cooper (I'm pretty sure they're all repeats.) Also on late nights: NIGHTLINE and WORLD NEWS NOW, ABC BET TONIGHT WITH TAVIS SMILEY, BET LOVELINE, MTV THE HOWARD STERN RADIO SHOW, CBS and syndicated UP TO THE MINUTE, CBS DIE HARALD SCHMIDT SHOW, SAT.1 Entire contents Copyright 1999 by Aaron Barnhart. All rights reserved.