LATE SHOW NEWS #171 September 23, 1997 by Aaron Barnhart NOTE: This issue is rated L for logrolling. *** Ever attended a taping of "Politically Incorrect"? Then you probably are familiar with the two men who warm up the audience before Bill Maher steps onstage. One's a guy named Danny -- maybe you saw him last week on "Make Me Laugh" on Comedy Central -- whose job it is, not only to tell crowd-loosening jokes before the show but *during* the show as well. (That latter custom I find incredibly annoying, but it's done to put a virtual, shall we say comical, wall between audience and guests during commercial breaks.) I've heard him on three different occasions tell the one about how he's become concerned that pushers might be selling drugs in the lobby of his apartment building ("... because this morning, I *bought* drugs in the lobby of my apartment building") -- but I still laugh. The other warmup guy is Scott Carter, one of the show's 26 or so executive producers. He's also there to make us laugh, but not by telling jokes -- he simply has the audience *practice* laughing and applauding. But that of itself is kind of funny; actually, if you're tired of the standup routine, it's a better kind of funny. Apropos of which, Scott is in the second of four weeks of performing his monologues that have already met with critical acclaim in New York and across the pond. On Fridays and Sunday afternoons he does "Heavy Breathing," a double monologue about working in the soft-porn industry and being asthmatic. Saturdays and Sunday evenings, it's "Suspension Bridge," an excursion into the mystical as seen from the vantage point of a bemused but earnest (maybe) seeker. All shows are at the L.A. Improv, 8156 Melrose, (213) 651-2583 ext. 176. *** Karen Lynch reports that the dueling Dave-Jay billboards are down in Times Square ... Conan O'Brien is sponsoring another college band contest; check your student union for expensive-looking NBC literature ... Now Arsenio wants to do a buddy comedy-drama for CBS ... ABC's "Nightline" last night launched a 14-week series on technology. Before you ooh and ahh, consider that all segments will appear on Monday nights, when the program is delayed by at least a full hour by football and is never anchored by Ted Koppel ... And Comedy Central issued the following idiot press release last week: "'The Daily Show' guest Debbie Reynolds grabbed host Craig Kilborn's hand and forced him to feel her breast in an interview segment that airs on Comedy Central Tuesday, September 23, at 11:00 p.m. Eastern." Big deal -- Debbie did worse by Jack Paar 40 years ago (it's one of the few excerpts from the show that can still be viewed today). *** BET TONIGHT: LOOKING THROUGH THE WINDOW By Harrison Wyman "BET Tonight," which premiered on September 15 at 11 p.m. Eastern and will air Monday through Thursday, is a new approach for news on the cable channel, taking familiar elements of television news programs and combining them with a perspective that reflects the concerns of a predominantly African-American audience. Black Entertainment Television is available to about 50 million cable households and its music video shows are the most visible offering of the channel's daily programming. "BET Tonight" is the successor to "BET Talk," a half-hour live call-in talk show hosted by Tavis Smiley. The program's opening segment starts with one of two news segments anchored capably by Cheryl Martina, plus a news story that highlights and explains the issues involved in the upcoming panel discussion. The main part of the broadcast is the live discussion with guests and phone calls from viewers. Smiley strikes a good balance between insightful questioning of his guests and allowing callers to ask questions and express their opinions. In the first week the topics ranged from a look at the shooting of rapper Tupac Shakur and what has happened in the year since his death; the continuing investigation into the violent assault of a Haitian immigrant in a New York police precinct; concerns about incorporating hip-hop and rap elements into contemporary gospel music; and the case of the University of Texas law professor who sparked a protest with his statements that black and Hispanic students were academically inferior to whites for cultural reasons. The final segment of "BET Tonight" includes a news segment, features on personalities and on Thursdays a commentary by Washington Post columnist Courtland Miloy. The distinguishing feature of "BET Tonight" is its perspective: a "window on Black America." The tone of the discussions are not confrontational arguments like CNN's "Crossfire" but a dialog on issues that affect African-Americans but by no means excludes any other Americans. A viewer will get information not mentioned in most mass media coverage and see how the people involved in these issues are affected. One example of a person affected by an event is Afeni Shakur, Tupac Shakur's mother, who was a guest on the first broadcast of "BET Tonight." In addition to losing a son violently and not having the person or persons responsible for his death brought to justice a year later, Ms. Shakur has had to deal with legal issues ranging from ownership of unreleased Tupac Shakur recordings to a libel suit filed against the Shakur estate. During the interview, a viewer discovers that Ms. Shakur is handling it all with a quiet dignity and grace and is currently involved with activities that attempt to prevent the violence that took her son's life from taking the lives of other young men as well. If there can be room for entertainment talk shows with hosts that reflect African-American life in a humorous vein, there is also room for a news-driven talk show with a host reflecting African-American life in a serious vein. If the first week is any indication, "BET Tonight" may be that program. *** Reader mail: C Clark writes, "Though everyone else seemed to be in it, Stephen Collins was not in the 1966 movie, 'The Oscar.' I believe your brother is confusing him with Stephen Boyd, who died in 1977. Just 'cause he's your brother doesn't mean you should believe everything he tells you." Spoken like a true first-born ... Joanne Gerstner writes, "Just wanted to share a thought about the Chris Rock show. I've now seen it twice and laughed myself silly. The 'Mobutu' song, the 'Puff Daddy' remix of the Arsenio interview, the racism/naked sketch were grade A comedy -- edgy, risk-taking, and fuuuunny. I love Dave, but Chris Rock gave me another lesson in how safe Dave (and others, et al) have become. Granted, Chris has the safety net of HBO meaning he can swear, etc. What I'm talking about is just doing stuff and not caring if it offends (the Mobutu song). I noted that Louis CK ("Late Night with Conan O'Brien") is a writer and producer, with Steve O'Donnell ("Late Night with David Letterman") as a consultant." Ryan Vincent writes, "Brian Unger's interview with Donna D'Errico on 'Later' was one of the most fascinating duels between rogue personalities I've ever encountered on late night T.V. While superbabe Donna was busy trying to convince the world that she's just your normal mom that just happens to be a worldwide sex icon married to a hard rock drummer, Unger laid in wait, the guest host equivalent of a bear trap. Nearly every thing he said was veiled, with D'Errico missing the meaning of most of it. I've often wondered how much the editors and producers of 'The Daily Show' are responsible for making their subjects the idiots they come off as being. With Donna D'Errico falling into Unger's comedy pitfalls time and again, it was made clear that post-production is not required when you've got a self-assured interviewer and a less-than savvy guest." Smith2003@aol.com writes in response to a negative comment of mine last week, "As President of the Unofficial Leonard Tepper Fan Club, I'd like to say we take offense to this and that Leonard has many fans out there that also take offense to this. Thank you." Believe it or not, Smith's e-mail did not arrive typed in all caps ... And it being Dave-in-female-danger week during a block of thematic repeats last week, I received still *more* letters on Julia Roberts and Farrah Fawcett. People, please! Been there! Et cetera! *** Tom Heald's THIS NIGHT IN HISTORY Exclusive to LATE SHOW NEWS Tu 9/23: "He's 30 years old, He still lives with at home. He has a paper route. So why is this man so happy? That's the secret to..." former "Late Show with David Letterman" writer/nutbar Chris Elliot's sitcom "Get A Life," premiering on the Fox network, on this night in 1990. We 9/24: Decathlon runner John Belushi shares with viewers the training secret that helped make his world record possible -- "Little Chocolate Donuts" on "Saturday Night Live," on this night in 1977. "They taste good and they've got all the sugar I need to get started in the morning." Th 9/25 : On "Saturday Night Live" in his first sketch as "David Letterman," Joe Piscopo rolls out a "Bob the Dog" film and plays host to Eddie Murphy's "Gumby" on this night in 1982. "Cut the crap, Letterman, I'm here to push my special -- let's push it baby! It's a blooper combination called "Pardon me, Dammit - I blew it." This "Saturday Night Live" also featured the debut of new cast member Julia Louis-Dreyfus. Fr 9/26: NBC game show "Up To Paar" last airs on this night in 1952. A live quiz show which literally took its questions out of the morning's newspaper, this two-month series was future "Tonight Show" host Jack Paar's first network television series. Sa 9/27: Fifteen months after its premiere as a local show on New York's WNBT-TV, the "Tonight Show with Steve Allen" makes its NBC debut at a length of 105 minutes a night, on this night in 1954. Aaaah, it'll never last. Su 9/28: Janeane Garofalo exits the birth canal wearing a black turtleneck and no makeup, on this night in 1964. Mo 9/29: Zsa Zsa Gabor is convicted of slapping a police officer in Beverly Hills while driving without a valid driver's license and having an open intoxicant in her Rolls Royce convertible, in a desperate attempt to revive her career three years after the demise of ABC's "Love Boat." A MOMENTOUS MONOLOGUE MOMENT indeed, on this night in 1989. [Thanks to Dave Tanny, Frank Serpas III, Tim Brooks, Earle Marsh, Mike Cader, and Sandra Bernhard for proving that yes, "MAD TV" could actually get worse than it was before. Special thanks to Donz5, a small penguin, who tries, but can't succeed-o. Though he may fail as he tries for fame and glory, still he tries in each new story-tale.] Medication suggestions for Farrah Fawcett can be sent care of Tom Heald at THE LINEUPS with Sue Trowbridge LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN, CBS Tu 9/23 Nicole Kidman, Gregory Hines, God's Property Featuring Kirk Franklin We 9/24 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 Tu 9/30 Michael J. Fox, Wonderbra model Sarah O'Hare, Patti Smith We 10/1 Cameron Diaz, Adam Arkin, performance artist Veniamin Th 10/2 Anthony Hopkins, food artist/author Joost Elffers, Sheryl Crow Fr 10/3 Elle Macpherson, Emily Mae Young, Elvis Costello & the Fairfield Four THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO, NBC 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, "two fat ladies who cook" (Clarissa Dickson-Wright, Jennifer Paterson), Boyz II Men Th 9/25 Ellen DeGeneres, Dennis Rodman, "creative cop" Vinnie Bazain Fr 9/26 Jenny McCarthy, Russell Crowe, Carly Simon Mo 9/29 Andre Agassi, Andy Richter, Willie Nelson & Beck Tu 9/30 David Schwimmer, Janeane Garofalo, Mary J. Blige We 10/1 Richard Lewis, Alexandra Wentworth Th 10/2 Anthony Edwards, Wynonna LATE LATE SHOW WITH TOM SNYDER, CBS Tu 9/23 San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown, Melissa Ludtke We 9/24 Kirk Douglas, Harlan Ellison Th 9/25 Studs Terkel Fr 9/26 Jane Seymour, Keith Olbermann Mo 9/29 L.L. Cool J Tu 9/30 Drew Carey We 10/1 Kristen Johnston LATE NIGHT WITH CONAN O'BRIEN, NBC Tu 9/23 Jaleel White, Jon Bon Jovi We 9/24 Tom Arnold, Elizabeth Perkins, strongmen Mark Philipi and Magnus Ver Magnusson Th 9/25 Elton John, Annie Potts Fr 9/26 John Tesh, Squirrel Nut Zippers LATER, NBC Tu 9/23 Judd Nelson with David Strickland We 9/24 Judd Nelson with Pat O'Brien Th 9/25 Judd Nelson with Howie Long CHARLIE ROSE, PBS Tu 9/23 Sean Penn We 9/24 Michael Eisner Th 9/25 Oliver Stone Fr 9/26 Bryant Gumbel POLITICALLY INCORRECT WITH BILL MAHER, ABC Tu 9/23 Coolio, Kevin Powell We 9/24 George Hamilton, Kenneth Cole, Andrew "Dice'' Clay, Ann Coulter Th 9/25 Jake Johannsen, Kennedy, William J. Murray Fr 9/26 Ralph Nader, Gilbert Gottfried, Betsy Hart VIBE TV, syndicated Tu 9/23 Chuck Woolery, Royale Watkins, Brian McKnight We 9/24 Kathy Kinney, Shemar Moore, EPMD Th 9/25 Renee O'Connor, Elizabeth Perkins, Brandon Hammond Fr 9/26 Melissa Joan Hart, Morris Chestnut, Smokey Robinson CHRIS ROCK, HBO Fr 9/26 Whoopi Goldberg, KC-I & JoJo SPACE GHOST COAST TO COAST, Cartoon Network Fr 9/26 Peter Fonda, Buzz Aldrin **** PICK TO CLICK **** I wouldn't miss this one if I were you. But I'm not you. THE DAILY SHOW, Comedy Central Tu 9/23 Kevin Nealon We 9/24 John Tesh Th 9/25 Richard Jeni HOWARD STERN, E! Tu 9/23 Rosie Perez, Pt. 1, Black Jeopardy, Pt. 2 We 9/24 Rosie Perez, Pt. 2, Noel Gallagher/Oasis Th 9/25 Intern Beauty Contest, Pt. 1, Private Eye Traps Husband Fr 9/26 Intern Beauty Contest, Pt. 2, Rev. Al Sharpton DIE HARALD SCHMIDT SHOW, SAT.1 Di 23/9 Lucilectric, Hans-Joachim Stuck Mi 24/9 Fritz Wepper, Nandini Mitra Do 25/9 Magdalena Brzeska, Udo Juergens 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