LATE SHOW NEWS #192 March 3, 1998 by Aaron Barnhart LATE SHOW NEWS has previewed a new late-night entry from cable's Lifetime network, "the women's channel" as it is known, called "New Attitudes." There's nothing groundbreaking about it except for the audience it is targeting: female viewers. The show, which debuts next Monday at 11 p.m. Eastern, is not a talk show. It's a half-hour magazine with features on health, beauty, finance, relationships, technology and other lifestyle issue s concerning women. The show's co-hosts are Suzanne Whang, best known for her supporting role on the late "Fox After Breakfast," and 1993 Miss America and former "Entertainment Tonight" personality Leanza Cornett. Monday's episode profiles a civilian "boot camp" where people obviously desperate to lose weight submit to a drill instructor's grueling fitness regimen. In another segment, Ellen DeGeneres demonstrates her eyelash routine. There's also a report on buying versus leasing a car and a hilarious sendup of dieting tips. So clearly this is a daytime program offered as a late-night program. No crime in that; after all, this is cable TV, where counter-programming is key. Putting this show on in the daytime opposite Oprah and Martha would defeat the purpose. "We did not create a television program you have to quit your job or get the flu to watch," Lifetime CEO Doug McCormick told LATE SHOW NEWS. "We did so to create a place women could call their own every night." In other words, this is one show in which the concept is less cutting-edge than the audience watching it. "There really is nothing for young women in the nighttime period," said McCormick. "You've got Jay (Leno) and (David) Letterman but they've been there for years. Those are national icons of entertainment. They don't target anything in particular, except maybe guy jock humor."` And yet companies like Disney and Paramount have blown millions in recent years on syndicated late-night shows aimed mainly at male viewers. Instead, it's a cable network with a female core audience that's making the effort to reach women at that hour. Lifetime, currently fifth among cable networks in prime-time viewership, is making an "eight-figure" investment in "New Attitudes," according to McCormick. If the 13-week trial is successful, Lifetime will order another 26 weeks of shows for the season. "We think there's a tremendous opportunity to provide working women with their own show," said McCormick. "Believe me, if we're successful there'll be eight other people out there with their own ideas." *** LATE SHOW NEWS has also previewed the first two episodes of season six of "The Larry Sanders Show" and finds them suffering from very much the same case of creative dry mouth as the rest of late night. In episode one, as promised, Jon Stewart advances as a possible replacement host for Larry. Garry Shandling reportedly believes this is one way for him to bail from the show while leaving HBO the option of continuing it (see LSN #187). But either Stewart is going to have to adopt an alias or HBO will need to think of a new show title -- "The Jon Stewart Show" is already taken. But then there is this odd additional detail: Stewart is listed as a "creative consultant" on the show. In the second episode, head writer Phil (played by Wally Langham, who is making good money and probably hating himself for it on NBC's "Veronica's Closet") quits to develop his own sitcom, which he describes thus: "It's funny, but it's not like ha-ha sitcom. There's no audience, no laugh track, single camera, very stylized. It's about a ska band in Seattle. Very dark." Hmmm, sounds very much like a sitcom the former Letterman writer Adam Resnick developed for HBO called "Emmett and Earl" (except for the ska band part). And who should be executive producer of the episode but ... Adam Resnick, who also co-wrote the first ep. Longtime "Sanders" fans will have to judge if this is the equivalent of "Seinfeld's" last season -- the season that in hindsight maybe shouldn'a been done. My enthusiasm for the show has risen and ebbed over the years. But watching these two episodes, it was hard not to be mindful of the unpleasant shadow that was cast over the show during the off-season. Shandling fired his longtime manager Brad Grey (with whom he still shares co-credit for "Larry Sanders") and is suing him for $100 million for using Shandling's name to swing big-money deals he never shared with the star. It was one thing to watch Shandling and his writers skewer the real-life neuroses of the late-night talk show industry, quite another to watch Shandling's neuroses spill over into the news. Just ask Woody Allen what it can do to your fan base. *** The rumor mill is spinning furiously about imminent reports of Howard Stern signing a deal with CBS to compete against "Saturday Night Live." The program would initially air only on CBS owned-and-operated stations, which are in big cities more receptive to Stern's radio show. Stern, it is expected, would announce any news on the air ... A less plausible rumor I picked up Tuesday has Jerry Seinfeld going to CBS -- to replace Letterman! Where these wacky DJ's pick up this stuff is beyond me, but Seinfeld and Jay Leno are pals, real pals, as in video games and laughs at the Leno mansion after midnight. Leno even told LATE SHOW NEWS last year that if something terrible were ever to land one of his close friends in the headlines, a la Marv Albert, he'd never tell jokes about them on his show, and then Leno specifically named Jerry. A friend like that is someone Seinfeld will not likely ever compete against. Aside from that, Jerry has all the money he needs -- why the hell would he want to put himself through the grind of 220 shows a year? ... Letterman's second week of Olympics ratings: a 5.8 with a 16 "share," up dramatically from his usual high-3's performance, to Leno's 5.4 and 14 share. (The former rating is percentage of all TV households, the latter is the share of TVs actually in use.) Scores fell below 4 on the first post-Olympics broadcast but zoomed back to the mid-5's the following Wednesday, when the Grammy Awards were Letterman's CBS lead-in ... Norm Macdonald was back at work at "SNL" this weekend, playing a game-show host in one sketch with guests Robert Duvall and Garth Brooks. His contract with NBC apparently goes on. For more, check out this terrific tribute page: At the 12th annual American Comedy Awards, Tracey Ullman was named funniest female performer in a television series for "Tracey Takes On" and Garry Shandling funniest male performer for "The Larry Sanders Show" ... And Daily Variety reports that Jim Carrey will get to play Andy Kaufman in the upcoming Milos Forman movie "Man on the Moon" based on his life. *** Reader mail: I enjoyed the energy and warmth of Letterman's Winter Games-related shows, but this Hawaiian reader makes a good call on the disappointing Nagano segments: "Because of the Olympics, I did catch last night's live interview with his mother, and what I saw just confirmed my view of him. He went on and on with her about stupid, irrelevant topics like the mountain in the background (which was NOT Mount Fuji), traffic cones, people walking by, and his mother's falling asleep in her hotel room. Then there was his mom's prerecorded and heavily edited interview with Picabo Street. After that, at the very end of the live segment, his mother brought on the day's U.S. gold medal winners, Eric Bergoust and Nikki Stone, who were apparently standing by the whole time. ... and what happens? Dave asks Stone about the gloves she was wearing, a running joke with his mom, AND THAT WAS IT! Bergoust didn't say a word. I could have blinked a couple times and missed them. So Dave does his schtick at the expense of his guests, and unfunny, unamusing schtick at that. What a waste of my time" ... Shad Jessen writes, "I've been a religious viewer of 'The Daily Show' since it began a little over a year and a half ago. Over the past few months, I've noticed they're airing repeats of their remote segments during approximately three of their four shows per week. Even worse, Craig Kilborn rarely, if ever, identifies the segments as repeats, giving the viewer the impression the segments are new and airing for the first time. Has the show's budget been slashed recently? "Also, the episodes have, for the most part, been sub-par since the big blowup with Lizz and Craig. Though I think last week's batch of shows was the funniest in several months, it's been back to more of the same thus far this week. And is Craig now writing his own 'A Moment for Us' segments? They used to be one of the funniest parts of every show. Now they're usually the most painful segment of every show. Craig, you may think you're a funny guy, but the writers are funnier. That's why they're there. Use them" ... Eugene Kushnirsky, however, begs to differ. "I'm not sure what all the hand-wringing over Lizz Winstead's firing was about; there's been no noticeable drop-off in quality with her gone. And, truth be told, while I think she's a good stand-up and may have been doing wonderful work behind the scenes, I always found her on-camera appearances rather obnoxious and unfunny. Kilborn may be a talking head, but his importance to the show became all too clear during his sudden 'vacation' -- the rest of the gang (normally quite good in their respective roles) barked out punchlines like nervous talent-show contestants. I say, keep Craiggers behind the desk and off the streets and everybody wins. But it may be time to get rid of the Time Capsule (okay, we get it, already!). And definitely the opening (the new commercials are great, though). And I'm not crazy about Beth Littleford." *** Tom Heald's THIS NIGHT IN HISTORY Exclusive to Late Show News Tu 2/24: In 1994, "Saturday Night Live's" Garrett Morris is shot and critically wounded during a robbery attempt in Los Angeles. He later recovers, and currently appears on one of the shows on UPN or the WB... who keeps track of these things? We 2/25: In 1994, "Later With Bob Costas" last airs on NBC. Bob Costas cites professional and family reasons for leaving the show. The big chairs and most of the intelligence also leave "Later" the same night. Th 2/26: In 1994, comedian Bill Hicks dies of pancreatic cancer. A Letterman regular, Hicks' appearance October 1, 1993 on "Late Show with David Letterman" was censored after being deemed inappropriate for broadcast. A full account of "the Hicks incident" may be found in the fabulous Late Show News Daveware Archives at . Fr 2/27: In 1987, "Saturday Night Live's" Church Chat lady finds herself "just a little bit superior" to fellow televangelists Pat Robertson (Al Franken) & Jimmy Swaggart (Phil Hartman). Sa 2/28: In 1984, on "Late Night with David Letterman," Letterman dons the Suit of Velcro. Leap Day 2/29: In 1956, John Roarke is born. Roarke was one of several people you've never heard of on ABC's late night sketch comedy "Fridays." Since we last mentioned his birthday in this space last year... you might have actually seen him as the President of the United States in the movie "Courage Under Fire." Su 3/1: In 1947, Alan Thicke (of the Night) is born. Fred Silverman immediately gets an idea for a great new talk show to challenge the "Tonight Show with Johnny Carson." Mo 3/2: In 1952, Laraine Newman is born. Like many of the original "Not Ready for Primetime Players," Newman stuck with Saturday Night Live for the 1975-80 seasons. Up next for her, the comedy "I'm Losing You," based on Paul "Libby Gelman Waxner" Rudnick's book. Tu 3/3: In 1950, Tim Kazurinsky is born. A regular cast member of "Saturday Night Live" from 1981-84, Kazurinsky was last seen in a cable TV movie he wrote "The Cherokee Kid," which co-starred "Vibe" host Sinbad. We 3/4: In 1994, SCTV's John Candy dies of heart failure at the age of 43 while in Mexico for the filming of "Wagons East." Th 3/5: In 1982, while working on a movie script with his friends, John Belushi tries something new: a "speed ball." The mixing of heroin and cocaine has a cumulative effect on the brain, slowing down his breathing and finally causing complete respiratory failure. Instead of going ahead with a prepared show on rising unemployment, "Nightline" (against the wishes of Ted Koppel), tries in vain to book one of Belushi's friends to appear on the show. The best they can do is a TV Guide critic and... Milton Berle, who once *hosted* "Saturday Night Live." In a conversation five minutes before airtime, Berle asks Koppel "What the f*** am I doing on your show?" The answer: "Well, you're it, Milton. You're all we've got." Fr 3/6: In 1988, Having aired for two years on Showtime, "It's Garry Shandling's Show" makes its network television debut on Fox. Shandling's commitment to writing and starring in this show winds up removing him from lineup as co-permanent guest host, with Jay Leno, of the "Tonight Show with Johnny Carson." Sa 3/7: In 1981, the new cast of "Saturday Night Live" gets an on-air pep talk from host Bill Murray, who later uses his appearance to "present Academy Awards" to original "SNL" cast members. Su 3/8: In 1980, Rodney Dangerfield winds up begging the "Saturday Night Live" audience to give him approval, finally receiving OK signs from audience. Mo 3/9: In 1959, future houseguest, and punchline of literally hundreds of Leno jokes, Kato Kaelin is born. [Thanks to Dave Tanny, Frank Serpas III, Mike Cader, and Greg Bulmash. Special thanks to Donz5, who thought Bonnie Hunt was the best part of the otherwise awful "Kissing A Fool."] Comments, praise, scorn? Send it Tom Heald's way at . THE LINEUPS with Sue Trowbridge LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN, CBS Tu 3/3 Gabriel Byrne, Richie Sambora, Kid Scientists We 3/4 Peter Fonda, Helena Bonham Carter, Loreena McKennit Th 3/5 Karl Malone, Siskel & Ebert, Marc Chesnutt Fr 3/6 Paul Rodriguez, child entrepreneur Richie Stachowski Mo 3/9 Robin Williams, Dave Chappelle, Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham (R 1/12/98) Tu 3/10 Martin Short, Larenz Tate, KODO (R 3/18/97) We 3/11 Howard Stern, Ray Romano, The Chieftains (R 3/17/97) Th 3/12 Matthew Perry, Natasha Lyonne, Jewel (R 1/30/97) Fr 3/13 John Cusack, Liv Tyler, David Bowie (R 4/4/97) Mo 3/16 Emma Thompson, Alex Zanardi, Willie Nelson Tu 3/17 John Travolta, Jack Johnson, Van Morrison, The Chieftains THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO, NBC Tu 3/3 Laura Dern, Venus Williams, Usher We 3/4 Jeremy Irons, Martina Hingis, 'Got Milk?' boys William Kern & Anthony Rank Th 3/5 Kiefer Sutherland, Billie Myers Fr 3/6 Kim Basinger, Alyssa Milano Mo 3/9 Minnie Driver, Matthew Modine, Carrot Top Tu 3/10 Kevin Bacon, Gloria Stuart, The Mavericks We 3/11 Julianna Margulies LATE LATE SHOW WITH TOM SNYDER, CBS Tu 3/3 Marlo Thomas, John Douglas We 3/4 Jacqueline Bisset Th 3/5 Joe Pantoliano Fr 3/6 James Garner Mo 3/9 TBA Tu 3/10 Bob Schieffer We 3/11 Patrick Stewart Th 3/12 - Fr 3/13 Preempted due to coverage of the NCAA LATE NIGHT WITH CONAN O'BRIEN, NBC Tu 3/3 John Malkovich, Craig T. Nelson, H. Keith Melton We 3/4 Kathleen Turner, Marc Maron, Elliot Smith Th 3/5 Scott Wolf, Kevin Brennan, Flea Fr 3/6 Finley Quaye Mo 3/9 William Shatner, George Stephanopoulos, French Stewart (R 11/6/97) Tu 3/10 Tom Arnold, Elizabeth Berkley, Chantal Kreviazuk We 3/11 David Frost LATER, NBC Tu 3/3 Judd Nelson with Randy Savage We 3/4 Judd Nelson with Richard Kind Th 3/5 Judd Nelson with Peter MacNicol Mo 3/9 Rita Sever with guest TBA Tu 3/10 Rita Sever with Jeff Conaway We 3/11 Rita Sever with Dedee Pfeiffer Th 3/12 Rita Sever with Jonny Moseley and Eric Bergoust CHARLIE ROSE, PBS Please note that Charlie Rose listings are very tentative Tu 3/3 Perspectives On America Today: Ralph Nader, William Greider, Jim Hightower; Brian Stokes Mitchell, Mary Gordon We 3/4 Time Magazine's 75th Anniversary Th 3/5 Joel Klein; "Art" Panel with Alan Alda, Victor Gerber, Alfred Molina; John Sayles Fr 3/6 "Everest" Panel; Eli Wallach & Anne Jackson Mo 3/9 Sir David Frost Tu 3/10 Patrick Stewart We 3/11 Paul Johnson Th 3/12 Howard Kurtz, Barbara Goldsmith POLITICALLY INCORRECT WITH BILL MAHER, ABC Tu 3/3 Tom Arnold, Robbie Robertson, Ken Hamblin, Teri Garr We 3/4 Janeane Garofalo, Christine O'Donnell, Larry Gelbart, Greg Louganis Th 3/5 Dennis Miller, Eric Idle, Arianna Huffington, Hunter S. Thompson Fr 3/6 Bob Odenkirk, Laura Ingraham Mo 3/9 Larry Miller, Kevin Pollak, Robert Klein Tu 3/10 Stefanie Powers, Paul Rodriguez We 3/11 Jackie Collins, Dr. Dean Ornish Th 3/12 Adam Carolla, Jeffrey Tambor VIBE TV, syndicated Tu 3/3 Kellie Williams, Louie Anderson, Robert Forster We 3/4 Countess Vaughn, Jeffrey Tambor, Usher, Yo-Yo Ma Th 3/5 Oscar De La Hoya, Ozomatli, Richard Bean Fr 3/6 Joseph McClendon III, David Robinson, Melissa Joan Hart, Playa KEENEN IVORY WAYANS, syndicated Tu 3/3 Talent Showcase Finals, Joe Pantoliano, Wendie Malick, Jermaine Dupri Featuring Da Brat We 3/4 David Schwimmer, Christina Applegate, SWV Th 3/5 John Witherspoon, Duane Martin, Irina Pantaeva, Jay Z (R 12/8/97) Fr 3/6 Kelsey Grammer, Michael Boatman, Jackie Joyner Kersee, LSG (R 11/24/97) Mo 3/9 Jennifer Tilly, Vincent Young, Rakim (R) Tu 3/10 Jamie Foxx, Jasmine Guy, Boys II Men (R 9/25/97) We 3/11 Vanessa Williams, Ice T (R 11/13/97) Th 3/12 Keanu Reeves, Donald Faison & Sean Holland, Nia Peeples, Brian McKnight (R) Fr 3/13 Carmen Electra, Jesse Jackson, Kerri Strug, Mase (R) Mo 3/16 Tommy Ford, Wendy Liebman, Salt-N-Pepa (R) Tu 3/17 Bill Bellamy, Angie Everhart, En Vogue (R) We 3/18 Jada Pinkett, Brendan Fraser, Babyface (R) Th 3/19 Johnnie Cochran, Margaret Cho, LL Cool J (R) Fr 3/20 Gena Lee Nolin, Mark Curry, Rosa Blasi; Cube, Snoop, Mack 10 (R) HOWARD STERN, E! Tu 3/3 Marilyn Manson Out Of Hell Part 1, Flip Wilson Part 1 (R) We 3/4 Marilyn Manson Out Of Hell Part 2, Flip Wilson Part 2 (R) Th 3/5 Heather Locklear New Mommy, Marilyn Manson And Ozzy Osbourne (R) Fr 3/6 Playmate Julia Schwartz, David Spade (R) Sa 3/7 Dr. Ruth Parts 1-2 (R) THE DAILY SHOW, Comedy Central no lineups available DENNIS MILLER LIVE, HBO Fr 3/6 John Cleese on "Money and Greed" (show will originate from Aspen) Fr 3/13 no show Fr 3/20 Tom Arnold on the Oscars SPACE GHOST COAST TO COAST, Cartoon Network no lineups available (R) DIE HARALD SCHMIDT SHOW, SAT.1 Mi 3/3 TV-Host Birgit Schrowange, Olive Korittke Do 4/3 Lale Karci, George Hackl Fr 5/3 Karl Dent Also on late nights: NIGHTLINE and WORLD NEWS NOW, ABC CHARLES GRODIN, CNBC MAD TV, Fox SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE, NBC (this season) and Comedy Central (classics) THE RUPAUL SHOW, VH1 LOVELINE, MTV UP TO THE MINUTE, CBS NIGHTSIDE, NBC THE DAILY SHOW, Comedy Central ======================================== AARON BARNHART IN THE KANSAS CITY STAR (a Knight-Ridder newspaper) The URL for recent TV stories is Scroll to the bottom of the page. ======================================== Entire contents Copyright 1998 by Aaron Barnhart. All rights reserved. Current e-mail circulation: 12,136 subscribers in 53 countries. Guest lineups are updated throughout the week by Sue Trowbridge at LATE SHOW NEWS is made possible with the generous assistance of ECHO, New York City's premiere online service. Send news for and comments about this newsletter to aaron@tvbarn.com