LATE SHOW NEWS #170 September 16, 1997 by Aaron Barnhart NOTE: This issue is rated L for language and OF for Oprah-free. Sheesh! How about that suspense-gripped announcement Monday about the future of the Winfrey show? Thank the Lord I never followed through with those daytime newsletter plans ... This just in: Charles Grodin will do an encore interview with David Letterman on Wednesday, this time *without* Thorazine. No, sorry, I made that up. I don't know about you, but I'm really starting to tire of Grodin's performance-art shtick, now well into its third low- visibility season. In case you missed it, Dave appeared on Grodin's CNBC talker Wednesday, but not before the host delivered about an, oh, 20-minute intro, then had Dave on for two segments, one and half of which were spent asking him the type of question that would be particularly of interest to an immigration agent. Grodin said nothing entertaining during the interview and gave Dave few if any chances to say anything entertaining. Afterwards, host said goodnight to guest and to his Mom. Good night, Chuck ... Jon Stewart graces the set -- well, at least the post-production facilities -- of "Space Ghost Coast to Coast" when he materializes for a chat on Friday's episode. Spacey wants some advice from the Earthling, and Jon offers a priceless gem from one of the talk-show greats. Have a glass of Scotch at hand and your toe-tappinest shoes on your feet, is all I'm gonna say ... In the Saturday night fights, "SNL" will oppose "MAD TV"'s launch this weekend with a compendium of its 1996-97 season highlights. That'll be followed Sept. 27 by the season premiere, with guest host Sylvester Stallone and musical guest Jamiroquai, opposite "MAD TV" with Carmen Electra and Salt 'n' Pepa. Okay, so NBC's got the big stars (besides Stallone, the "Tonight Show" next Monday welcomes Elton John, ostensibly to perform a tune from his new CD, so don't even *think* that Jay will ask him to do that dead-Diana remake). But hey -- "MAD TV" has the bitchin' bus!! That's right, the show is planning a 40-city promotional road trip that will include evening events held, according to a press release, "in the most happening restaurant/bar in each city." Note to Fox: Better choose the ones that know how to pack in the underage drinkers ... Tracey Ullman and Chris Rock walked home with Emmy hardware Sunday, proof that something is keeping "Larry Sanders" out of the money besides just its HBO brand name. Most impressive was "Tracey Takes On ..." taking on and whupping "Late Show," "Tonight Show," "Dennis Miller Live" and "Politically Incorrect" ... Speaking of Chris, he welcomes Conan O'Brien to his HBO show this week ... And I suppose it's time for the annual LATE SHOW NEWS mention of ABC's "In Concert," which kicks off another season on Friday with Sheryl Crow and Sting performing from the Glastonbury Music Festival ... "Late Show" sellout update: NFL football fans have no doubt seen the new Miller Lite ad by now -- you know, the one where professional irritant Leonard Tepper gets the layer of "dulling spray" applied to his head to cut down on sun glare ... I wonder if the Letterman folks are planning to cut *his* on-air appearances now that he's sold out ... hope so ... On the other hand, I wouldn't mind seeing Leonard in a spoof of Paul Shaffer's new brown-moustache ad for the National Fluid Milk Processor Promotion Board ... Meanwhile, on the are-they-in-or-are-they-out front, formerly ubiquitous "Late Show" icons Mujibur and Sirajul will help pass out thousands of videotapes promoting CBS's new fall season at a noontime event Wednesday outside the network's evil-looking Black Rock headquarters ... And nothing spells freedom from incarceration quite like an endorsement deal. Just ask Manny the Hippie, who became the spokesman for "SFX Machine, my audio multi-effects and modular synthesis plug-in for PowerMac," according to a guy on the WELL who set up a Web page with Manny material at . Correction: Don Giller amends the Hollywood flack who asserted that Yma Sumac was last on Letterman's show Feb. 4, 1987 (LSN #169). "Where do they get this stuff?" writes Don. "Sumac appeared on LNwDL March 18, 1987." *** Reader mail: Well, if there's a lesson to be learned from this week's letters, it's that you dis Warren Zevon and reap the whirlwind. Tucker Eskew writes, "Am I the only one who saw how much Dave enjoyed Warren's presence? They had fun for two weeks: the 'ready to go' stand-ins, the tunes Dave loves so, the banter, and on and on. Sure, Warren's shot at sketchdom landed harder than the taxi-smacked mannequin, but what fun to see Dave actually laughing -- repeatedly -- at cracks from stage right! Come on! 'Squatting Chihuahuas'!! Warren didn't miss a beat on that one. So what if he talked over Dave a little? It's worth noting that Dave was forgiving of this sin in ways that Paul can only dream of. ... I think mixing it up is Dave's recipe for escaping the blahs that affect the show more often these days. New locations. New formats. New chaos. C'mon Dave!" Donna Fletcher: "I was saddened and dismayed to read somebody was unhappy with Warren Zevon. I thought he was wonderful. His offbeat humor combined with his exquisite music was refreshing to say the least." Karen Lynch adds, "There's nobody like Paul but I thought Warren did an admirable job and he seemed to get even more comfortable as the days went on, injecting comments (yes, sometimes ignored by Dave but more often than not he actually made him laugh) and playing some music that Dave obviously enjoys." Greg Von Bastelaar: "I must agree that it is nice that they skipped the annoying little tune as Dave walks to his desk after the monologue. I however don't agree with him about Warren Zevon. I realize that this may be considered heretic, but I liked Warren, possibly better that Paul -- however, I will always remain loyal to Dave." And Edward Bauman writes, "Dave clearly likes Warren, and there was plenty of evidence that he was a good replacement while Paul was gone. Of course, I've noticed that those whose complaints about guests have been noted in this column are also usually way off the mark." Well then, welcome to the club, pal ... Beloved sibling Todd Barnhart noted that last Tuesday's "Politically Incorrect" featured on its panel science fiction (*not* "sci-fi") author Harlan Ellison and "7th Heaven" star Stephen Collins. "I had to laugh when I saw that Stephen Collins was one of the guests with Harlan," writes Todd. "He was in the movie 'The Oscar,' which Harlan co-wrote and was so bad, he had his name removed from it. Someone on Bill's staff has a mean streak. I bet Harlan hooted" ... And Guinnesgrl@aol.com writes, "I was so sad when I read that it was the anniversary of Dennis Miller's syndicated show's demise. I loved that show -- Dennis had the best, most eclectic mix of guests of any talk show I've seen, before or since. That may have been largely due to the bookings war he was losing, but it made for a helluva show. His HBO show, while good, follows the same format every week and sometimes gets seriously stale. When he says, 'I don't want to get off on a rant here,' I have some trouble believing him." Tom Heald's THIS NIGHT IN HISTORY Exclusive to Late Show News Mo 9/16: In 1980, "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" is shortened from 90 to 60 minutes, while the "Tomorrow Show with Tom Snyder" makes the leap from 60 to 90 minutes. Tu 9/17: In 1993, The 2nd Worldwide Pants production "The Building" bites the dust, leaving Bonnie Hunt unemployed. I wonder if she'll ever have another show? We 9/18: Heats, Rice, Moss, Ties, Needs, Lens, Ice, Nurse, Leaks and Meats. These, ladies and germs, are the items in the very first Top Ten List, "Top Ten Things That Almost Rhyme With Peas" as presented on "Late Night with David Letterman" on this day in 1985. Th 9/19: In 1986: David Letterman makes his first guest appearance on "The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson" since winning his "People's Court" lawsuit against Carson. For more details on the classic Letterman/Carson feud (comedy bit), visit : . Fr 9/20: In 1975, "Saturday Night Live With Howard Cosell" debuts on ABC (in prime time), with musical guests The Bay City Rollers performing, what else, "Saturday Night." Sa 9/21: In 1992, Helen Kushnick, Jay Leno's manager, is fired by NBC after allegedly banning guests from "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" if they made appearances on competing late-night programs before visiting Leno's couch first. Su 9/22: In 1995, "The Bonnie Hunt Show" debuts on CBS, on Ms. Hunt's 31st birthday. For those keeping track, this is the 3rd Worldwide Pants production. [Thanks to David Tanny, the fabulous KimberlieZ, and as always to Garth. Special Thanks to Donz5, whose satisfaction came in a chain reaction. Turn Tom Heald's pants into shorts at or via e-mail .] THE LINEUPS with Sue Trowbridge LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN, CBS Mo 9/15 Julia Roberts, Blues Traveler (R 7/31/97) Tu 9/16 Cher, Shaquille O'Neal (R 6/27/96) We 9/17 Madonna, Counting Crows (R 3/31/94) Th 9/18 Rudolph Giuliani, Drew Barrymore, Al Franken, Placido Domingo(R 4/12/95) Fr 9/19 Farrah Fawcett, John Fogerty (R 6/6/97) Yep -- it's "When Female Guests Attack!" week on Letterman. Mo 9/22 George Clooney, Bill Cosby Tu 9/23 Nicole Kidman, Gregory Hines, God's Property Featuring Kirk Franklin We 9/24 Anthony Hopkins, Jennifer Lopez, Bill Engvall Th 9/25 Alec Baldwin, Jonathan Lipnicki, Deana Carter Fr 9/26 Kim Basinger, Ray Romano, Jackson Browne Mo 9/29 Fran Drescher, Brooks & Dunn THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO, NBC Mo 9/15 Naomi Campbell Tu 9/16 Michael Jordan, Kevin Spacey, Joan Cusack We 9/17 Kevin Kline, Miss America, Allison Krauss Th 9/18 Noah Wyle, Kate Capshaw, Ragtime Fr 9/19 David Caruso, Alyssa Milano, Lennox Lewis Mo 9/22 Tim Allen, Elton John Tu 9/23 Tony Danza, The Wallflowers, 10-year-old lizard boy Charlie Perkins We 9/24 Kirstie Alley, Boyz II Men Th 9/25 Ellen DeGeneres LATE LATE SHOW WITH TOM SNYDER, CBS Mo 9/15 TBA Tu 9/16 Dr. Laura Schlesinger We 9/17 Damon Wayans, Billy Connelly Th 9/18 Suzanne Somers Fr 9/19 Richard Chamberlain, David Milch Mo 9/22 George Segal, Nicholas Pileggi Tu 9/23 San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown We 9/24 Kirk Douglas, Harlan Ellison Th 9/25 Studs Terkel Fr 9/26 Jane Seymour, Keith Olbermann LATE NIGHT WITH CONAN O'BRIEN, NBC Mo 9/15 Thane Maynard, Rich Hall, The Charlie Hunter Quartet (R 6/20/97) Tu 9/16 Kirk Douglas, Gabrielle Reece, James Taylor We 9/17 Kevin Nealon, Jud Hale, Yasmine Bleeth Th 9/18 Lucy Lawless, David Cross and Bob Odenkirk, Ani DiFranco Fr 9/19 Richard Lewis, Nanci Griffith and The Crickets Mo 9/22 TBA Tu 9/23 Jaleel White, Jon Bon Jovi We 9/24 Tom Arnold, Elizabeth Perkins, strongmen Mark Philipi and Magnus Ver Magnusson LATER, NBC Mo 9/15 Brian Unger with Donna D'Errico Tu 9/16 Brian Unger with Nick Cassavetes We 9/17 Brian Unger with Wallace Langham Th 9/18 Brian Unger with Leah Remini What -- no Craig Kilborn face-to-face?!?! Mo 9/22 - Th 9/25 Judd Nelson with guests TBA CHARLIE ROSE, PBS Mo 9/15 Steven Brill, Women In Sports Panel Tu 9/16 LL Cool J, Al Gore Panel We 9/17 Sprint CEO Bill Esry, Jessica Lange Th 9/18 Danny Aiello, Kitty Kelley, Jim Flick Fr 9/19 Nicholas Pileggi, Jane Pratt, Twyla Tharp Mo 9/22 Kirk Douglas Tu 9/23 Alec Baldwin We 9/24 Caleb Carr, David Milch & Bill Finklestein Th 9/25 Michael Eisner Fr 9/26 Kurt Vonnegut, Bryant Gumbel, Carolina Herrera POLITICALLY INCORRECT WITH BILL MAHER, ABC Mo 9/15 Joan Rivers, Lea Thompson, Dick Wolf, Terry Jeffrey Tu 9/16 Robert Palmer, Fyvush Finkel, Damon Wayans, Gwen Daye Richardson We 9/17 Robert Pastorelli, Garry Marshall Floyd Brown, Matraca Berg Th 9/18 Alan King, Bob Larson, Danni Ashe, Paul Rudnick Fr 9/19 Heather Higgins, Jean Houston, Dave Foley THE DAILY SHOW, Comedy Central Mo 9/15 Joe Lando Tu 9/16 Yasmine Bleeth We 9/17 Richard Lewis Th 9/18 Alan Ruck HOWARD STERN, E! Tu 9/16 Hank in a Box, Pt. 1, Robert Downey Jr., Pt. 1 We 9/17 Hank in a Box, Pt. 2, Robert Downey Jr., Pt. 2 Th 9/18 Donna D'Errico, Pt. 1, Boy George Fr 9/19 Donna D'Errico, Pt. 2, Real Estate Girl Sa 9/20 Sexy Commercials, Krise Strips for Fred CHRIS ROCK, HBO Fr 9/19 Conan O'Brien Fr 9/26 Whoopi Goldberg, KC-I & JoJo SPACE GHOST COAST TO COAST, Cartoon Network Fr 9/19 Jon Stewart Fr 9/26 Peter Fonda, Buzz Aldrin DIE HARALD SCHMIDT SHOW, SAT.1 Di 16/9 Mike Krueger, Catherine Flemming Mi 17/9 Claudia and Chris Roberts, Guido Westerwelle Do 18/9 Christoph Schlingensief, Wolfgang Lippert Fr 19/9 Andrea Kempter Di 23/9 Hans-Joachim Stuck Mi 24/9 Fritz Wepper, Nandini Mitra Also on late nights: NIGHTLINE and WORLD NEWS NOW, ABC CHARLES GRODIN, CNBC CARSON'S COMEDY CLASSICS, Family Channel MAD TV, Fox SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE, NBC (this season) and Comedy Central (classics) THE RUPAUL SHOW, VH1 LOVELINE and ODDVILLE MTV, MTV UP TO THE MINUTE, CBS NIGHTSIDE, NBC VIBE TV and KEENEN IVORY WAYANS, Syndicated Entire contents Copyright 1997 by Aaron Barnhart. All rights reserved. Distributed by e-mail and BBS to over 10,000 readers weekly. 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