Fans of
”
The Late Show with David Letterman
”
should be happy to hear that the venerable late-night talk show
host has signed on to remain with the show through the fall of
2010. That might seem like an eternity away, but it’s just more
than three years down the road. (And what, exactly, were we doing
in 2003?)
Fans of “The Late Show with David Letterman” should be happy to hear that the venerable late-night talk show host has signed on to remain with the show through the fall of 2010. That might seem like an eternity away, but it’s just more than three years down the road. (And what, exactly, were we doing in 2003?)
Letterman’s show has always been critically acclaimed ever since his move to CBS from NBC in the ’90s, but it’s Jay Leno that has typically walked away with the ratings over at NBC with “The Tonight Show.” I’m thinking that should change. I’d give you my top 10 reasons, but I’m certain Letterman would handle that job much better.
Truth be told, over the years, watching Leno has been like listening to nails running across a chalkboard. Perhaps it’s an acquired taste. To his credit, he’s completely redesigned a show that once found the irreplaceable Johnny Carson entertaining the masses, but the host continues to lack proper interviewing skills and seems lost in the circus-like atmosphere he’s created around him. Let’s hear something engaging from the guests, please. It is, after all, the host’s job to do that.
Meanwhile, even in the most awkward moments – Michael Richards’ strained apology for racial remarks several weeks back – Letterman is a class act, balancing sincerity and humor to winning ends. My hit? I simply believe Letterman is the everyman, people can relate to him.
Happy for Homer
This might be considered frightening to some, but most people can’t seem to get enough of Fox’s “The Simpsons.” The 18th season premiere – yes, the gang is inching closer to 20 – finally unfolds at 8pm Sunday. No signs of doughnuts yet, but look for a grand Simpsons movie to hit the big screen next summer. Imagine that IMAX experience.
Making Waves
Time seems to be the theme of this week’s column – as in, looking back in time. Two years after the tragic tsunami devastated Thailand, killing hundreds of thousands of people, HBO has partnered with BBC for a two-part miniseries dubbed Tsunami, “The Aftermath.” I’m not much of a fan of disaster films based on real-life events, especially those on the small screen. Few tend to do justice the real issues at hand. I can recall several years ago when all those earthquake and volcano tragedies cluttered the airwaves. Not fun.
While screening tapes for this miniseries didn’t hit the “Good Reception” desk prior to this column’s print date, there are few things that may stand out here, most of them the actors involved in the project – even though they are playing fictional characters. On board: Tim Roth, Toni Collette and Sophie Okonedo take on the leads. As for the story, apparently lives are “transformed” as a result of the tragedy. Stick your curious toes in the water, if you dare, at 8pm Sunday on HBO.
Babs Strikes Again
It was one thing to watch news vet Barbara Walters’ recent special about her most embarrassing moments over the years, but less than a month later, the woman is back, telling us about the 10 most fascinating people of 2006 – according to Walters, of course. Some of my predictions: Britney Spears (why, I’ll never know), Mel Gibson, John Mark Karr and, most likely President Bush. Grab the clicker at 10pm Tuesday (ABC).
Greg Archer is an entertainment writer based on the Central Coast. He writes about television, film and being human. E-mail him at ga*****@**********rs.com or visit www.greg-archer.com.
