LATE SHOW NEWS #199 April 21, 1998 published April 22 by Aaron Barnhart To join or leave the LATE-SHOW-NEWS mailing list, instructions are at end of message. After agreeing to lend his unoccupied and for-sale penthouse apartment at One Central Park West to Tom Snyder for this week's "Late Late Show" telecasts from New York -- only to renege on the agreement at the last moment -- Donald Trump bragged in a recent fax to Snyder that the subsequent media whirlwind was sure to bring Tom great ratings and added, "You owe me!" If only it were so easy. The Donald may still be able to command page one in the tabloids and he may be able to toss a CBS network show off his property but he can't order Manhattanites, or anyone else, to watch a TV show. That is the only conclusion one can draw after Monday's "Late Late Show" failed to light a fire under viewers, scoring a very typical 1.5 percent of Nielsen households in the 39 overnight markets. The culprit here was Snyder's weak lead-in from David Letterman, who scored a dismal 3.3 rating even though he did a fresh show after a week's hiatus and I can't believe *anyone* could shut off the set after that Harmony Korine interview. At any rate, "Late Late Show" is not airing live this week, a development Snyder attributes to having his planned venue uprooted at the last moment. But let's face it, if you're trying to book Barbara Walters for an interview, what are you going to tell her -- be at the studio at 12:30 a.m. for a live shot or come on by around 6:30 for a taping? Still, being on tape has hardly diminished the energy Snyder is generating by being back on his old home turf. Having not even visited the city in over a year, he looks like a man genuinely thrilled to be doing TV out of New York once more. Snyder hit the ground running, doing a spirited interview-on-wheels with the always reliable Regis Philbin, taking in two marvelously scenic restaurants (Windows on the World and River Cafe) and going toe-to-toe with New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani. Wednesday night Snyder completes a pair of reciprocal interviews with his fellow late-late-nighter Conan O'Brien, who had Snyder on his show Tuesday; Max Weinberg played him in with the theme to "Welcome Back, Kotter." And I can't wait to see Thursday's show which includes a segment from McSorley's Ale House with "Angela's Ashes" author Frank McCourt. *** Readers in northeastern Kansas will note that Aaron Barnhart is speaking next Monday, April 27, at the University of Kansas. The talk, "Spirituality for a `South Park' Age," is sponsored by the university's religion department, will be held from 3:30 to 5 p.m. in Smith Hall room 100, will include some interesting and never-broadcast video from the Barnhart collection, and is free ... Don Giller disputes my selection of Randy Cohen as the anonymous former Michael Moore employee who groused to the New York Observer about Moore's "The Big One." He says Cohen isn't working in late night at present but that Jeff Stilson, former "TV Nation" correspondent, is, at least when "The Chris Rock Show" is in production ... Speaking of Moore, his sitcom pilot about a town where nobody has a job, "Better Days," is taping Thursday, starring Chris Elliott, Jim Belushi, "NYPD Blue's" Gail O'Grady and comic Alexandra Wentworth ... Among the other pilots out there are a new project for Paul "Pee- Wee Herman" Reubens for NBC, a UPN animated series "in the 'South Park' vein" and yet another Fox late-night pilot, this one from Bill Maher, Jim Vallely and Brillstein-Grey Productions. Tentatively called "You," it will be "a half-hour mix of game shows, karaoke and situation comedy that features an ensemble cast and guest stars" ... Chicago viewers aren't the only ones who'll be flown in during the May ratings sweep to watch a Letterman show taping. Add New Orleans, the 41st largest market, which gets its special show on Friday, May 15; and Houston, a top 10 market like Chicago, featured May 8. The Windy City kicks things off this Friday and will include a guest appearance by the host of America's new No. 1 daytime talk show, Jerry Springer, who recently taped a gag with Mujibur and Sirajul on his set. Other guests include Jennifer Aniston and Al Green ... Howie Mandel's daytime talk show has scooped up "Late Show's" Karin Silverstein as its supervising producer and Jeff Kopp, formerly of "Keenen Ivory Wayans," as executive in charge of production. The show launches June 22 ... Speaking of whatever-happened-to's, "Super Dave" Osborne has a movie coming out in August, "Be the Man" ... Letterman fan William Lehecka's green-room experience (see LSN #189) can read at: http://homepages.udayton.edu/~leheckwr/letterman/031898.html ... Either my source did not tape the entire program as he had promised or else Monday's TV premiere of the Rat Pack's only known recorded performance at a 1965 charity benefit in St. Louis did not include the promised appearance by Johnny Carson. Electronic Media had reported that Johnny and "Vibe" creator Quincy Jones would serve as co-hosts for the telecast on Viacom's TV Land channel. On the other hand, I did get to see what may well be the most Carson still extant from the 1960s. NBC destroyed the entire "Tonight Show" archive from its New York years, including Carson's 1962 to 1972 run; all that has been saved are excerpts that appeared in later anniversary specials ... It appears that interest overseas in American late-night TV product is ebbing. The UK's Sky One channel announced it will not be renewing its current contract to air "Late Show with David Letterman," which probably means the show was suffering from poor ratings. (Reader Simon Mullington adds, "What do they expect? It never got any publicity and was very rarely advertised, except for one instance when the Spice Girls were appearing. In fact, the only way I knew which guests were appearing was through LATE SHOW NEWS.") Also, Broadcasting & Cable reports that the "money-losing" NBC Europe, formerly known as the NBC SuperChannel, will be turning over most of its program lineup to the National Geographic Channel. This means NBC Europe's feeds of "The Tonight Show" and "Late Night" are goners ... *** Reader mail: Jaimie at the U of Michigan saw Monday's "Late Show" and just had to write. "I just finished watching the funniest interview I've seen on Letterman in a long, long time. From the first question and half-answer, I was laughing out loud at Harmony Korine. (Something I almost never do while watching TV anymore.) The entire segment was a riot. He comes on to plug a book that he can't endorse? I still don't know for sure if he is incredibly clever and a terrific guest or if he was just smashed. Doesn't much matter to me, because it was hilarious! He's going to direct that sequel to Titanic: 'I really liked it. Well, what I saw of it. I saw the previews...'" About the news that Manny the Hippie was arrested for littering and resisting arrest, Richard Wells writes, "Surely I'm not the only one humming 'Alice's Restaurant' after reading that" ... *** Tom Heald's THIS NIGHT IN HISTORY Exclusive to LATE SHOW NEWS tomalhe@aol.com We 4/22: In 1991, Johnny Carson announces he will retire the following year from hosting NBC's "The Tonight Show." Th 4/23: In 1957, Jan Hooks is born. Hooks has appeared in seven episodes of "Saturday Night Live" since leaving the regular cast in 1991. Fr 4/24: In 1976, Raquel Welch hosts "Saturday Night Live." Among the sketches written that week, a piece called "The Planet of the Enormous Hooters," the female cast members have huge prop breasts, and the host with her regular breasts, "is banished to earth, to live in anonymity, where her small breasts will go unnoticed." Alas, Welch nixes the sketch, which does make it to air some thirteen years later, with "Saturday Night Live" host Dolly Parton. Sa 4/25: In 1983, "ABC News Nightline" expands from a half hour to a full hour. A huge mistake. Su 4/26: In 1947, Boyd Matson is born. Matson was the second male co-anchor of ABC's "World News Now," and currently works in a safer environment, running from lions and wading through bat guano on TBS's "National Geographic Explorer." Mo 4/27: In 1993, on "Late Night," David Letterman gives his just-named replacement Conan O'Brien some advice: "10. A drugged guest is a well behaved guest; 9. Proper gratuity for Marv Albert: nickel a blooper; 8. Kids will look up to you; don't let them think it's 'cool' to smoke; 7. Willard's insane; 6. If you ever have a baby, look out for giant birds; 5. GE executives are 'pinheads,' NBC executives are 'boneheads'; 4. No one cares about Walter Cronkite's lunch; 3. Don't panic if you find a strange woman in your house; 2. When all else fails, just say 'Buttafuoco'; 1. Two words: laugh track." Tu 4/28: In 1997, "The Late Late Show with Tom Snyder" celebrates episode #500 on CBS. By comparison, "The Late Show with David Letterman" is on track to celebrate its 1000th show next week, on May 1, 1998. [Thanks to David Tanny, Michael Cader, John Blumenthal, and Lindsay Maracotta. Special thanks to Donz5, willing to put up with just about anything I write in this space.] Tom Heald still hosts Late Show Online's "Top Ten Lightning Round" each and every week at 10 PM ET in El Chatroom" on America Online (keyword: Late Show). THE LINEUPS with Sue Trowbridge NOTE: "Pick to Click" means a must-watch show. LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN, CBS Tu 4/21 Claire Danes, George Miller, Matthew Ryan We 4/22 Jason Alexander, Steve Earle Th 4/23 Ricki Lake, first civilian in space Vaughn Cordle, Rita Wilson Fr 4/24 Jennifer Aniston, Jerry Springer, Al Green Mo 4/27 Ryan Leaf, Alana Davis Tu 4/28 Jack Hanna, Ray Allen, Dave Matthews Band We 4/29 Patrick Swayze, Hugh Hefner, hole-in-one golfer Jeanette Roberts THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO, NBC Tu 4/21 Randy Travis We 4/22 Norm Macdonald, Tiffany-Amber Thiessen, Vonda Shepard (** PICK TO CLICK **) Th 4/23 Bob Dunn and his chimps Fr 4/24 Singing and talking birds, Martin Short, Faith Hill Mo 4/27 Sarah Ferguson, Peter MacNicol, 106-year-old worker Walter Beerman Tu 4/28 Richard Simmons, Spike Lee We 4/29 Alberta Dunbar (makes Spam cheesecake) Th 4/30 Denzel Washington, Laura Dern, Stevie Nicks LATE LATE SHOW WITH TOM SNYDER, CBS Tu 4/21 Barbara Walters, a visit to Windows on the World restaurant We 4/22 Conan O'Brien, Sarah Jessica Parker Th 4/23 Peter Jennings, Frank McCourt at McSorley's Ale House (** pick to click **) Fr 4/24 Carly Simon, Denis Leary Mo 4/27 Alan Alda, Gloria Steinem LATE NIGHT WITH CONAN O'BRIEN, NBC Tu 4/21 Gwyneth Paltrow, Fastball, Tom Snyder We 4/22 Richard Lewis, Rob Morrow Th 4/23 Regis Philbin Fr 4/24 Isabella Rossellini, The Derailers Mo 4/27 Bob Costas, Salt-N-Pepa, Louis CK (R) Tu 4/28 Shelley Long, Pete Seeger and Dar Williams (** PICK TO CLICK **) LATER, NBC Tu 4/21 Jerry O'Connell with Jay Mohr We 4/22 Jerry O'Connell with Lela Rochon Th 4/23 Jerry O'Connell with Traci Lords CHARLIE ROSE, PBS Please note that Charlie Rose listings are very tentative Tu 4/21 Lou Reed We 4/22 Craig T. Nelson, Sam Trammel, Debra Monk, Daniel Sullivan, David Halberstam Th 4/23 John Turturro, Jason Alexander, Dan Setton Fr 4/24 David Ross Mo 4/27 TBA Tu 4/28 TBA We 4/29 Daniel Petrocelli Th 4/30 Spike Lee Fr 5/1 William Kennard POLITICALLY INCORRECT WITH BILL MAHER, ABC Tu 4/21 Peter Coyote, Daryl "Chill" Mitchell, Georgette Mosbacher, Trace Adkins We 4/22 Martin Mull, Van Dyke Parks, Julie Moran, Floyd Brown Th 4/23 Rob Reiner, Bobcat Goldthwait, Randy Travis, Jennifer Grossman Fr 4/24 William Shatner, Rob Estes, Tucker Carlson, Natasha Henstridge Mo 4/27 Al Franken, Mandy Patinkin, Star Jones, Elizabeth Wurtzel Tu 4/28 William H. Macy, Robin Cook, Arianna Huffington We 4/29 Suzanne Somers, Ray Davies, Meredith Vieira, Star Parker Th 4/30 Joy Behar, Robert Loggia VIBE TV, syndicated Tu 4/21 TBA We 4/22 Holly Robinson Peete, Albita Th 4/23 Tyra Banks Fr 4/24 Duane Martin THE DAILY SHOW, Comedy Central Tu 4/21 Loni Anderson We 4/22 Mark Wahlberg Th 4/23 Johnny Galecki DENNIS MILLER LIVE, HBO Fr 4/24 Kathy Griffin on "Neighbors" Fr 5/1 Burt Reynolds on "Country Music" Fr 5/8 David Spade and Norm McDonald-- 100th Episode Special SPACE GHOST COAST TO COAST, Cartoon Network Fr 4/24 Dr. Maxcy Nolan, Steve Arnold HOWARD STERN, E! Beginning this week I'm including the lineups for all three "Howard Stern" airings at 11 and 11:30 p.m. and 2 a.m. Eastern time. Saturday the show only airs during the 11 o'clock hour. Tu 4/21 George Clooney Part 2, Howard's Birthday '98 Part 2 (R), Ginger Lynn (R) We 4/22 Gary's Butt/Lip and Dane/Daniel, Howard's Birthday '98 Part 3 (R), Elaina Beasty (R) Th 4/23 Dave Grohl and Foo Fighters, Howard's Birthday '98 Part 4 (R), Tawny Kitaen Part 1 (R) Fr 4/24 Adult Video Vacations, Howard's Birthday '98 Part 5 (R), Tawny Kitaen Part 2 (R) Sa 4/25 Sandra Taylor (R), Brittany Andrews (R) DIE HARALD SCHMIDT SHOW, SAT.1 Mi 22/4 Karen Mulder, comic Joerg Knoer Do 23/4 Pierre Sanoussi-Bliss, Hella von Sinnen Fr 24/4 Herbert Feuerstein, Minh Khai Phan Thi 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 (going away soon) DIE HARALD SCHMIDT SHOW, SAT.1 Entire contents Copyright 1998 by Aaron Barnhart. All rights reserved. LATE SHOW NEWS is made possible with the generous assistance of ECHO, New York City's premiere online service. http://www.echonyc.com Send news for and comments about this newsletter to aaron@tvbarn.com