LATE SHOW NEWS #223 October 27, 1998 by Aaron Barnhart To join or leave the LATE-SHOW-NEWS mailing list, see instructions at end of message. On the promo front this week, if you missed my Netcast on WGN, you can catch a different interview with me on the Net tonight at http://www.kpfa.org. That's right, I'm on the Pacifica flagship at 9 p.m. West Coast time Wednesday with David Gans, Mr. Grateful Dead Radio Hour hisself. Tune in and hear my stereo version. BUTV is available in the Bay Area at Booksmith, Stacey's, Clean Well-Lighted, Cody's, Modern Times and Harold's International Newsstand. In Chicago, Barbara's Books (four locations) and Lincoln Park Bookshop (2423 N. Clark). Kansas City, check out Prospero's, 1717 W. 39th. Remember, if you buy it on the rack, it's just $7.95. You can see a 15-page preview copy of BUTV and order it online for $9.95 (postpaid) at http://lateshownews.com *** Tavis Smiley is on a roll. If you aren't including his "BET Tonight" in your nightly perusing of late shows, well then, get on the bus. Tonight Mrs. LATE SHOW NEWS and I couldn't pull ourselves away from Smiley's 90-minute live interview with the diminuitive Artist formerly known as Prince. His tourmates Chaka Khan and Larry Graham, who record for his NPG label without a contract, joined the Artist for the third half hour. Smiley is a patient interviewer -- Charlie Rose could learn from him -- and his careful approach paid huge dividends tonight. I saw a rough (unedited) cut of Chris Rock interviewing Prince last year and it was excruciating to watch. Tonight's interview was a joy, mainly because Smiley listened to his subject's replies until they were over. The only limit on the conversation were those annoyingly frequent commercial breaks. Now comes the big news: Next Monday, Smiley's guest is the President formerly known as Bill. That's right, the man Toni Morrison referred to as "the first black president," the man who has not granted a press interview since the videotape of his grand jury testimony was released, the man whose approval rating among African-Americans is an astounding 20 points higher than it is with whites, is breaking his silence on BET. Smiley will try to be tough with his guest, but lest anyone doubt why this interview is happening, (a) it takes place on the eve of Election Day, (b) when the spirit moves him, Smiley has been known to drop the interviewer pose and act more like an evangelist and (c) it's the freakin' President! *** At the risk of making this week's issue even later than it already is, I've been meaning to review Dennis Perrin's biography, "Mr. Mike: The Life and Work of Michael O'Donoghue" (Avon, $25) for months -- and I'd like to do it before the thing comes out in paperback. Perrin, an obvious O'Donoghue devotee, has set for himself a formidable task. He has to tell us the life story of how Pete Donohue, an unhappy kid from Rochester, N.Y., became Michael O'Donoghue, who was the avant garde, the rear guard, and just about every flanker in between for a type of violent, misanthropic humor that flourished, under his watch in the 1970s, mainly at the National Lampoon and NBC's "Saturday Night." At the same time, Perrin knows that the comedy god is in the details, and so must provide minute, joke-by-joke descriptions of O'Donoghue best known and, as Mr. Mike put it, least loved comedy sketches. I was especially intrigued to learn about O'Donoghue's collaboration with Frank Springer on the "Phoebe Zeit-Geist" comic series for the Evergreen Review. While Mr. Mike's work was misanthropic, it was also certainly misogynist, as the "Phoebe" comics -- some of them reprinted in this book -- make painfully clear. But when O'Donoghue becomes part of larger enterprises, helping to launch both National Lampoon and "Saturday Night," he is forced to take his blistering rage at the whole world, his contempt for people not as smart as himself (that is, just about everybody) and his absolute indifference toward the victims of his comedy and temper it for a mainstream audience. He's not happy to do it, but he complies -- barely. At times I questioned Perrin's analysis, and a couple of times I questioned his sourcing -- a first-season "Saturday Night" sketch keeps getting referred to here as "Police State," whereas I recall it as "X-Police." But perhaps owing to Perrin's habit of recounting the episodes where O'Donoghue intimidated all those who dared question his judgment, I think I'll just cut him some slack. Besides, this book has some of the finest descriptions of comic styles I've read anywhere (like when he calls Dan Aykroyd, in his early "Saturday Night" years, "at once robotic and fluid," making him the ideal cast member for the show). There's plenty of behind-the-scenes from "Saturday Night" to justify wading through the back portions of this book. For a while, I had decided Perrin had written too much -- but then tried to decide what parts of the book could be dispensed with and decided that Perrin might as well have left it all in. One limitation of the author is that he would clearly prefer to dissect one of O'Donoghue's lesser works than try to dissect his mind, try to get at the singular pathology evident in everything O'Donoghue wrote. Then again, Perrin himself is a humorist, and perhaps the topic was too personal for him to explore fully. If you're a serious student of American humor or fan of Mr. Mike, don't wait for the paperback. At 420 pages plus index, and with numerous photos and illustrations, "Mr. Mike" is one of those rare books that merits a hardcover. *** The missus and I were also both totally impressed with Mavis Leno's decision to appear on-camera to publicize a worthy cause. She and Jay donated $100,000 to the Feminist Majority Foundation (http://www.feminist.org) for its anti-"gender apartheid" program in Afghanistan, one of those countries where men consider women good for squeezing out babies and nothing else. And god help you if you're a widow in a country that doesn't let women earn a living. Mavis has agreed to chair Feminist Majority's campaign and in that capacity appeared with Jay last week on "Larry King Live" -- wisely allowing her husband to do most of the talking ... Funniest thing I've heard on Letterman in weeks: From "Top Ten Signs Your Campaign Is Too Dirty," No. 8 reads, "The only thing liberal about you is your use of the F-word" ... Signs Your TV Show Is Too Dirty: You're dropped by four TV stations owned by WB magnate Jamie Kellner -- the guy who put teen-sex-friendly "Dawson's Creek" on the air. In addition, "The Howard Stern Radio Show" was pushed back into the midnight hour, or later, by stations in Kansas City and Houston. Also this from LSN and BUTV reader Courtney Haden: "In case anyone was wondering what that theoretical line might be over which Howard Stern crosses, in Birmingham, AL, it's pube-shaving. That, at least, was the rationale for WIAT-TV general manager Eric Land when he pulled the plug on THSRS after the 10/17 show, which featured not only genital barbering, but apparently also an unpixellated boob shot." Kellner's Acme stations also cited the pubic-shave segment as grounds for dismissal ... And so the torch is passed: Nellie Ruth Shirley, 39, of South Carolina was charged with trespassing after showing up in David Letterman's driveway earlier this month. Former Letterman stalker Margaret Ray killed herself earlier this month ... Arsenio Hall, who was supposed to be doing his own buddy-action series for CBS, "Skip Chasers," has been signed as a recurring character on my new Saturday-night fave, "Martial Law." He'll probably become a regular now that Tammy Lauren has left the show in a snit over increased camera time for another cast member, Kelly Hu ... The New York Post reports that Richard Belzer, who plays the lovable loser Munch on "Homicide," has been signed by King World ("Oprah," "Roseanne") to host his own half-hour late-night talk show ... As I am possibly the last to report, "Politically Incorrect" is airing from Las Vegas Nov. 9-12. Jerry Lewis is among the guests set to appear ... The Nashville Tennessean reported this week that "The Daily Show" had taped an interview with Byron (Low Tax) Looper, a Republican candidate for state office who had changed his middle name to "(Low Tax)," parentheses included. But that whimsical bit of fun at a goober's expense was shelved after Looper was charged last week in the murder of his opponent, the incumbent Democrat, which added new meaning to the phrase, "Stop! You're killing me." *** Reader mail: Several readers echoed this letter by Keith Privett: "In your coverage, I'm surprised that the Rob Smigel 'Fun with Real Audio' broadside at Howard Stern didn't make LSN ... Stern feeding Quivers treats like a dog, Lorne planning a 'Cheerleaders II' movie, then Lorne and Stern kissing." Another reader bet that Michaels would follow suit from earlier this year and quietly pull the cartoon from any future airings of the broadcast. *** Tom Heald's THIS NIGHT IN HISTORY We 10/28: In 1988, Fox's "Late Show" with replacement host Arsenio Hall folds. Th 10/29: In 1977, what would Halloween be without dangerous costumes? "Saturday Night's" "Consumer Probe" aims to find out as Irwin Mainway (Dan Aykroyd) displays his best sellers: "Johnny Space Commander Mask" (a plastic dry cleaning bag and a rubber band), and "Johnny Human Torch" (a bag of oily rags and a giant cigarette lighter). Fr 10/30: In 1976, Chevy Chase leaves "Saturday Night" to work on a series of comedy specials for NBC. Sa 10/31: A good night to be born if you want to work for "SCTV" or "Saturday Night Live." John Candy is born this date in 1950, as is Rob Schneider in 1964 and Brian Doyle-Murray (who won't reveal which year he was born). Su 11/1: In 1996, Michael Hirsch is transformed from a simple Boston College freshman into the Big Man on Campus on "Late Show with David Letterman." Why? "'Cuz he's The Bar!" Mo 11/2: In 1991, on "Saturday Night Live," Kiefer Sutherland, having just been left at the altar by Julia Roberts, delivers advice in song: "How To Handle A Woman." Tu 11/3: In 1953, Dennis Miller is born, and immediately tells a joke that's too hip for the room. [Thanks to Dave Tanny and Sean Bradley. Special thanks to Donz5 - my first, my last, my everything.] For more information on these items and related merchandise, visit 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 10/27 Martin Short, Eddie Izzard, Phish We 10/28 Daniel Baldwin, Phil Collins Th 10/29 Holly Hunter, Hunter S. Thompson, Garbage Fr 10/30 Ted Danson, Bassmaster champion Denny Brauer, Black Sabbath Mo 11/2 Sir Anthony Hopkins, Depeche Mode Tu 11/3 Nathan Lane, Queen Latifah, Darrell Hammond We 11/4 Adam Sandler, New Jersey Nets' Jayson Williams, Soul Coughing Th 11/5 Denzel Washington, Bumble Bee Tuna heir Evan Metropoulos THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO, NBC Tu 10/27 James Woods, Bryan Adams, 8-year-old dinosaur expert Christopher Wolfe We 10/28 Kenneth Branagh, Debra Messing, Vermont political candidate Fred Tuttle Th 10/29 Roseanne, Tate Donovan, Faith Hill Fr 10/30 Alyssa Milano, kids show-n-tell, David Arquette Mo 11/2 Jon Lovitz, singing dogs, John Mellencamp Tu 11/3 Robin Williams, Martha Stewart (R 9/28/98) We 11/4 Courteney Cox, 9-year-old baking champ Lindsey Thompson, Chris Noth Th 11/5 Jamie Lee Curtis, Sea World's Julie Scardina, Sheryl Crow Fr 11/6 Courtney Thorne-Smith, BBC chef Aimsley Harriot Mo 11/9 Fran Drescher, Brandy, Richard Branson LATE LATE SHOW WITH TOM SNYDER, CBS Tu 10/27 Tony Curtis, Chris Isaak We 10/28 Kristen Johnston, medical ethicist Art Caplan Th 10/29 James Woods, former talk-show host Virginia Graham Fr 10/30 Howie Mandel, Chastity Bono Mo 11/2 Barry Sonnenfeld, Art Donovan Tu 11/3 Susan Sullivan, Ken Follett We 11/4 Jon Cryer LATE NIGHT WITH CONAN O'BRIEN, NBC Tu 10/27 Christina Applegate, Jeff Daniels, Robert Schimmel We 10/28 Sam Donaldson, Bob Odenkirk, Motley Crue Th 10/29 Ray Romano, Reese Witherspoon, Trey Parker Fr 10/30 Martin Short, Halloween expert Jimmy Blaylock, Cheap Trick Mo 11/2 Matt Lauer, Lisa Rinna, James Ellroy (R 11/12/97) Tu 11/3 David Schwimmer, Kurt Loder, Ed Byrne (R 2/27/98) We 11/4 David Spade, Kiefer Sutherland, Everlast Th 11/5 Adam Sandler, Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Frank Pellegrino Fr 11/6 Fred Savage, Mother Love, Canibus Mo 11/9 Rerun TBA Tu 11/10 Luke Perry, Kate Mulgrew, Gomez We 11/11 Dan Naturman LATER, NBC Tu 10/27 Greg Kinnear with Noah Wyle (R 9/19/95) We 10/28 Greg Kinnear with Eriq La Salle (R 2/6/96) Th 10/29 Greg Kinnear with Julianna Margulies (R 5/17/95) Mo 11/2 Peri Gilpin with Malcolm Gets (R 2/9/98) Tu 11/3 Angie Everhart with Wendie Malick (R 3/17/98) We 11/4 Greg Kinnear with Richard Belzer (R 4/12/95) Th 11/5 Greg Kinnear with Kathy Najimy (R 8/8/96) CHARLIE ROSE, PBS Please note that Charlie Rose listings are very tentative Tu 10/27 Joan Allen, Robert MacNeil We 10/28 Phil Collins, David Remnick, Anne Rice Th 10/29 Oprah Winfrey Fr 10/30 Hunter S. Thompson, James Chase, Andrew Sullivan Mo 11/2 Felix Rohatyn, Harold Bloom, Annette Bening Tu 11/3 Richard Reeves We 11/4 TBA Th 11/5 Harry Evans, Andre Previn Fr 11/6 Richard LaGravanese POLITICALLY INCORRECT WITH BILL MAHER, ABC Tu 10/27 Sheena Easton, Monica Crowley, Harry Evans, Bobcat Goldthwait We 10/28 Juan Williams, Faye Anderson, Wayne Knight, Ken Olin Th 10/29 Frances Fisher, "Kid" Reid, John Lofton, Tom Arnold Fr 10/30 Jeremy Piven, Roseanne Mo 11/2 Donny Osmond, D.L. Hughley, Horace Cooper Tu 11/3 TBA We 11/4 David Brenner, Alex Kingston, Henry Rollins Th 11/5 Maury Povich, Andrew Sullivan Fr 11/6 Todd Rundgren, Daisy Fuentes, Tom Fitton HOWARD STERN, E! shows are listed in the order of 11 p.m., 11:30 p.m. and 2 a.m. ET Mo 10/26 Retard Dial-A-Date, Howard's Black Monday (R), Miss Nude Universe (R) Tu 10/27 Courtney Love Part 1, Tony & Tina Hidden Camera (R), Jasmine Quits (R) We 10/28 Courtney Love Part 2, Regina The Stalker (R), Implant Pageant Part 1 (R) Th 10/29 Chuck Zito Vs Angry Black, Angry Melrose (R), Implant Pageant Part 2 (R) Fr 10/30 Houston Goest To Jail, Alexa & April (R), Implant Pageant Part 3 (R) Su 11/1 Fran Drescher's Book Parts 1 & 2 (R) THE CHRIS ROCK SHOW, HBO Fr 10/30 repeat of Tuesday's show SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE, Comedy Central (repeats) Mo 10/19 Fred Savage / Technotronic (11 AM & Midnight); Robin Williams / Paul Simon (3PM) Tu 10/20 Rob Lowe / The Pogues (11 AM & Midnight); Chevy Chase / Steve Martin / Randy Newman (3PM) We 10/21 Deborah Winger / Eric Clapton (11 AM & Midnight); Steve Guttenberg / The Pretenders / Penn and Teller (3PM) Th 10/22 Corbin Bernsen / The Smithereens (11 AM & Midnight); William Shatner / Lone Justice (3PM) Fr 10/23 Alec Baldwin/B-52s (11 AM & Midnight); Joe Montana / Walter Payton / Deborah Harry (3PM) Sa 10/24 Paul Shaffer / Bruce Hornsby (11 AM) Su 10/25 Bronson Pinchot / Paulina Porizkova / Paul Young (11 AM) Mo 10/26 Andrew Dice Clay/Julee Cruise (11 AM & Midnight); Danny DeVito / Willie Nelson (3PM) SPACE GHOST COAST TO COAST, Cartoon Network Fr 10/23 David Byrne, Donny Osmond Rob Zombie, Raven Symone Fr 10/30 Michael Norman, Bill Nye Ice-T, Fred Willard Fr 11/7 pre-empted Beginning Nov. 14, "SGC2C" moves to 11 p.m. Eastern. Also on late nights: NIGHTLINE and WORLD NEWS NOW, ABC LOVELINE, MTV THE HOWARD STERN RADIO SHOW, CBS and syndicated UP TO THE MINUTE, CBS DIE HARALD SCHMIDT SHOW, SAT.1 THE DAILY SHOW, Comedy Central Entire contents Copyright 1998 by Aaron Barnhart. All rights reserved. I try to post each issue by 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, Central time, to latest.html 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