LATE SHOW NEWS #231 January 12, 1999 published Jan. 13 by Aaron Barnhart To join or leave the LATE-SHOW-NEWS mailing list, see instructions at end of message. LATE SHOW NEWS has seen the first two telecasts of "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" and anxiously awaits its evolution into a product more like Jon's and less like Craig's. Not that the show doesn't still have more out-loud laughs than hours and hours and hours of "The Tonight Show." But as became obvious minutes into Monday's show, there's a lot more separating Stewart and the man who preceded him, Craig Kilborn, than seven vertical inches. Canned banter with "Daily Show" correspondents? This staple of Kilborn's time will hopefully disappear soon, perhaps when "Five Questions" does (which is to say, this week). On Monday Stewart broke script and broke up while interrogating Stephen Colbert. He wasn't so lucky Tuesday with Mo Rocca -- and trust me, I've seen enough Talk Stew over the years to know he's not going to get used to it, either. Stewart is one of the fastest minds in television. Presumably this is one of the chief qualities that attracted Comedy Central to him and induced the network to sign him to a multi-year, 7-figure deal. And on the whole he looked like a guy who last hosted a show last Thursday. He's good to go. That's not to say he couldn't stand a little steel wool. Surprisingly, the panel sessions so far have been flat. In particular, Stewart's time with Sandra Bernhard looked and sounded like two people bumming around while waiting for the index cards with the interview notes to show up. Perhaps once the distraction of "Five Questions" is removed after Thursday's show, the staff will find more time to focus on the *actual* questions. Otherwise, it's apparent that four weeks off was good for everyone. The fake news was wicked as ever; Colbert, left to fill Brian Unger's and A. Whitney Brown's shoes (which I guess would involve getting down on all fours and wearing one pair on your hands), was absorbingly smarmy. And although Stewart has already complained about the humiliation of having the desk lowered so as to avoid the old-person-behind-dashboard effect, matching the desk with a couch looked fashionable. Well, except for those blue squares cast against Stewart's anchor desk, which looked like misplaced Chromakey tiles from someone else's set. *** Starting Wednesday, "Politically Incorrect" will include the occasional everyday American on its panels. Couldn't find any details at on how to become a "citizen panelist," but then my keyboard's broken and I'm actually doing everything these days with an old Atari joystick ... Another contest at invites indie band fans to solve trivia questions and win Conan O'Brien merchandise ... CBS topper Les Moonves was tight-lipped this weekend when TV critics in Pasadena, Calif., asked him how he feels about "The Howard Stern Radio Show on TV," which his company's syndication arm distributes and which is doing well enough in key demographic groups to now be considered a "hit." Moonves would only say "Stern is like 'Hollywood Squares,' okay?" -- a reference to another new syndicated show that's doing well for some CBS-affiliated stations. Unlike Stern, however, "The New Hollywood Squares" is not handled in any way by CBS. *** Reader mail: Joel Chan writes, "In a move to boost overall ratings, ATV World, which is one of two English broadcast channels in Hong Kong, has picked up 'Late Show with David Letterman' starting January 1 and is showing them Tuesdays at 11:50 pm and Wednesdays-Saturdays 11:15 pm Hong Kong time. Hong Kong is thirteen hours ahead of EST, so ATV broadcasts each show roughly 11 hours after it is seen in the East Coast. The glorious thing about watching the shows in Hong Kong is that they last only 50 minutes. Commercial breaks near the end of the show are skipped." *** Tom Heald's THIS NIGHT IN HISTORY Th 1/14: In 1984, at the opening of "Saturday Night Live," Joe Piscopo and Mary Gross introduce the National Phone-In Democratic Primary and invite the viewers to nominate the next Presidential candidate. By the end of the show, more than 131,000 votes have been cast for the winners... ZZ Top. Fr 1/15: In 1977, The Coneheads make their debut on "Saturday Night Live." Sa 1/16: In 1981, America's funkiest after-hours concert, "The Midnight Special," has been invaded by... gasp... white people. This week's host, Larry Hagman, welcomes George Burns, Marie Osmond, and Tanya Tucker, and runs videos from Rod Stewart, Bette Midler, and Olivia Newton-John. Su 1/17: In 1983, "Not Necessarily the News" makes its debut on HBO with interviews at an unemployment line and a spoof on tamper-proof bottles. Mo 1/18: In 1993, ABC announces Lisa McRee will soon be leaving "World News Now" for a better gig as a correspondent for their new prime-time newsmagazine "Day One." Her replacement? (Yes, they actually considered it a better gig at the time.) No, not Diane Sawyer, but a life-size cardboard cutout of Sam Donaldson holding a sign reading, "Anchor Position Available--Contact World News Now" and the WNN phone number. Tu 1/19 In 1991, "Police" fans Dana Carvey and Kevin Nealon annoy "Saturday Night Live" host Sting by singing all of his hit songs on a long elevator ride with him. The sketch, written by Conan O'Brien, will be recreated much to Sting's dismay by an equally creepy fanatic, MTV's Kennedy, when the two both guest in 1996 on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien." Thanks to David Tanny and Frank Serpas III. Special thanks to America's Sweetheart, Dunkin' Donz5. Get a copy of Al Franken's new book at Tom Heald's "This Night In History" Bookstore at . *** THE LINEUPS with Sue Trowbridge (http://www.interbridge.com/) LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN, CBS Tu 1/12 Robert Duvall, Al Franken, B.B. King We 1/13 Conan O'Brien, Alanis Morissette Th 1/14 Billy Baldwin, Scott Ferrell, theater group De La Guarda Fr 1/15 Patricia Arquette, Jack Hanna Mo 1/18 David Duchovny, Stevie Nicks (R 6/16/98) Tu 1/19 Kelsey Grammer, hockey gold medalists Sarah Tueting and Cammi Granato, Sarah McLachlan (R 2/24/98) We 1/20 Kid scientists, Cameron Diaz, Mariah Carey (R 11/16/98) Th 1/21 Bruce Willis, Tom Brokaw, Ice Cube, Natalie Imbruglia (R 4/2/98) Fr 1/22 Stupid Pet Tricks, Jonny Moseley, Tara Lipinski (R 2/20/98) Mo 1/25 Yasmine Bleeth, Jay Mohr, James Brown Tu 1/26 Alicia Silverstone, dance troupe The Second Hand THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO, NBC Tu 1/12 Melanie Griffith, Thomas Gibson, Sugar Ray We 1/13 Jamie Lee Curtis, 8-year-old Got Milk? winner Matthew Anderson, Whitney Houston Th 1/14 Tom Hanks, Melina Kanakaredes, The Judds Fr 1/15 Holly Hunter, Robert Downey Jr. Mo 1/18 Sharon Stone, Bonnie Raitt Tu 1/19 Danny Glover, Mira Sorvino We 1/20 Sean Connery, Joan Allen Th 1/21 Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson Fr 1/22 BBC Chef Ainsley Harriot, Sheryl Crow Mo 1/25 Calista Flockhart, Ian Michael Smith, 'N Sync (R 9/10/98) Tu 1/26 Nicolas Cage, Harland Williams, Squirrel Nut Zippers (R 8/7/98) LATE LATE SHOW WITH TOM SNYDER, CBS Tu 1/12 Terry Bradshaw We 1/13 Jon Voight, law professor Stephen Cohen Th 1/14 Paul Anka, Harlan Ellison Fr 1/15 Michael Caine, lawyer Jan Schlichtman Mo 1/18 Football analyst Phil Simms, David Brenner Tu 1/19 TBA We 1/20 Grace Slick Th 1/21 Bioterrorism expert Judy Miller LATE NIGHT WITH CONAN O'BRIEN, NBC Tu 1/12 Alan Cumming, Michael Caine, G.E. Smith and Taylor Barton We 1/13 Reverend Jesse Jackson, Freddie Prinze Jr., Arj Barker Th 1/14 Mira Sorvino, Greg Germann, Goo Goo Dolls Fr 1/15 James Van Der Beek, William Baldwin, V.J. Roshumba Mo 1/18 Christina Applegate, Jeff Daniels, Robert Schimmel (R 10/27/98) Tu 1/19 Dave Chappelle, Jewel We 1/20 Tony Curtis, Matthew Lillard Th 1/21 David Alan Grier, Wanda Sykes-Hall Fr 1/22 Carmen Electra, Fear of Pop Mo 1/25 Chris Kattan, Kate Mulgrew, Gomez (R 11/10/98) Tu 1/26 Ray Romano, Reese Witherspoon, Dan Naturman (R 10/29/98) We 1/27 Sam Donaldson, Bob Odenkirk, Motley Crue (R 10/28/98) Th 1/28 Roma Downey, Todd Solondz, Al Green (R 11/13/98) Fr 1/29 Rob Schneider, Jerry Stiller, Dr. Drew Pinsky and Adam Carolla (R 11/18/98) LATER, NBC Tu 1/12 Greg Kinnear with Jeff Foxworthy (R 5/10/95) We 1/13 Greg Kinnear with Ben Stiller (R 3/9/94) Th 1/14 Greg Kinnear with George Carlin (R 3/3/94) Mo 1/18 Cory Miller with Heavy D (R 9/11/97) Tu 1/19 Jim Breuer with Lars Ulrich (R 12/29/97) We 1/20 Greg Kinnear with Henry Rollins (R 11/21/94) Th 1/21 Jerry O'Connell with Mark McGrath (R 6/3/98) Mo 1/25 David Alan Grier with Kareem Abdul Jabbar (R 10/29/96) Tu 1/26 Ahmad Rashad with Wilt Chamberlain (R 5/26/97) We 1/27 Ahmad Rashad with Shaquille O'Neal (R 11/18/96) Th 1/28 Greg Kinnear with Reggie Miller (R 8/30/95) CHARLIE ROSE, PBS Please note that Charlie Rose listings are very tentative Tu 1/12 Emily Watson We 1/13 "At First Sight" Panel: Val Kilmer, Irwin Winkler, Oliver Sacks Th 1/14 Melanie Griffith Fr 1/15 TBA Mo 1/18 TBA Tu 1/19 Hurlyburly Panel: Sean Penn, Anthony Drazan, David Rabe POLITICALLY INCORRECT WITH BILL MAHER, ABC Tu 1/12 Jay Thomas, Susan Forward, Cindy Margolis, Steve Harris We 1/13 Al Franken, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Marie Wilson, an "everyday person" Th 1/14 Dennis Miller, Mackenzie Astin, Dr. Irene Kassorla, Claremont Institute V.P. Michael Warder Fr 1/15 Mackenzie Phillips, Nicholas Brendon, Adam West, Eagle Forum member Sheila Moloney Mo 1/18 Councilman Tim Scott Tu 1/19 Leah Remini THE DAILY SHOW, Comedy Central Mo 1/11 Michael J. Fox Tu 1/12 Sandra Bernhard We 1/13 Tracey Ullman Th 1/14 Gillian Anderson HOWARD STERN, E! Mo 1/11 Sal the Stockbroker vs. Gary, Veronica Webb Site Part 1 (R), Perfect 10's and Sandra Bernhard Part 1 (R) Tu 1/12 Intern Beauty Pageant Part 1, Veronica Webb Site Part 2 (R), Perfect 10's and Sandra Bernhard Part 2 (R) We 1/13 Intern Beauty Pageant Part 2, Japanese Broadcasters (R), Jasmine St. Clair Part 1 (R) Th 1/14 Guess The Breasts, Ringo Starr Part 1 (R), Jasmine St. Clair Part 2 (R) Fr 1/15 Plastic Privates, Ringo Starr Part 2 (R), Jasmine St. Clair Part 3 (R) Su 1/17 Baywatch Jeopardy Parts 1 and 2 (R) Mo 1/18 Hypno Gay Doug, Carol Shaya Audition Part 1 (R), Houston Goes To Jail Part 1 (R) Tu 1/19 Kendra & Friends Part 1, Carol Shaya Audition Part 2 (R), Houston Goes To Jail Part 2 (R) We 1/20 Kendra & Friends Part 2, Dr. Ruth Condoms (R), Penthouse Pets (R) Th 1/21 Jenna Dating Tommy Lee, Farrah Fawcett Part 1 (R), Frankenstein Makeover Part 1 (R) Fr 1/22 Ecstasy vs. Jasmin (R), Farrah Fawcett Part 2 (R), Frankenstein Makeover Part 2 (R) Su 1/24 pre-empted DENNIS MILLER LIVE, HBO Fr 1/15 Al Franken on "Our Over-Dependence on Technology" Fr 1/22 Queen Latifah on "Faith" SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE, NBC Sa 1/16 James Van Der Beek; musical guest Everlast SPACE GHOST COAST TO COAST, Cartoon Network 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 SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE, Comedy Central (repeats) We 1/13 Noon: Kevin Kline/Willie Nelson/Paul Simon (1992-'93) featuring Mmmmph; Gyros;Paul &Willie'Still is Still; 6:00PM & Midnight: Chris Farley/Mighty Mighty Bosstones (1997-'98) featuring Mary Katherine Gallagher; Martha Stewart's Halloween; Matt Foley; Goth Talk; Sally Jessy Raphael; Super Fans Th 1/14 Noon: Charles Barkley/ Nirvana (1993-'94) featuring host vs. Barney; Daily Affirmation; Hollywood Minute; Gap Girls; Coffee Talk 6:00PM: & Midnight Mike Meyers/Aerosmith (1996-'97) featuring Mary Katherine Gallagher; Coffee Talk; Sprockets; Scottish Soccer Hooligan Weekly Fr 1/15 Noon: Shannen Doherty/ Cypress Hill (1993-'94) featuring Operaman; Crystal Gravy; Is It Date Rape?; The Denise Show; 6:00PM: Phil Hartman/Bush + Rodney Dangerfield (1996-'97) featuring Fun with Real Audio - Michael Jackson; The Joe Pesci Show; The Gossip Show Sa 1/16 11AM: Sylvester Stallone/Jamiroquai + Richard Jewell (1997-'98) featuring Roxbury Guys; Janet Reno; Fun With Real Audio- Casablanca; Joe Pesci Show; The Lost Deep Thoughts Su 1/17 11AM: Matthew Perry/Oasis (1997-'98) featuring Spartan Cheerleaders; Cookie Dough Sport; Celebrity Jeopardy!; The Ladies' Man; Harry Caray; Goat Boy Mo 1/18 6PM & Midnight: David Duchovny/Puff Daddy w/Jimmy Page + John Goodman, Matt Lauer and Al Roker(1997-'98) featuring X-Files; Spartan Cheerleaders; The Ambiguously Gay Duo; Celebrity Jeopardy!; Cinder Calhoun; Mango; Oprah & Goat Boy; Golords Tu 1/19 Noon: Jeff Goldblum/ Aerosmith (1993-'94) featuring Christopher Walken's Celebrity Psychic Friends; Mike Judge's "Office Space"; 6:00PM & Midnight: Sarah Michelle Gellar/Portishead (1997-'98) featuring "Spice Girls"; The View; The Golords; Goth Talk; Buffy the Vampire Slayer; 10:30PM: TBA 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 MAD TV, Fox Entire contents Copyright 1999 by Aaron Barnhart. All rights reserved.