This just in: The NBC late night program "LaterLast Call with Carson Daly" is going to defy the strike and go back into production next week without writers.
Yes, I know what you're thinking. Well, actually I've got it narrowed down to three choices. You're either thinking:
(a) "NBC has a late night program hosted by Carson Daly?"
(b) "'Last Call with Carson Daly' has writers?"
... or ...
(c) "Who cares?"
For those who haven't been watching it lately, NBC has added a band and written "comedy" to the half-hour talk show hosted by the onetime MTV personality. It's a pretty transparent attempt to groom Daly for the job currently held by Conan O'Brien, one hour earlier on NBC. And from what I have seen, it is an abject failure. Apparently the executives at NBC agree, since they seem to be willing to let Daly (who doesn't hold a writers' guild card -- big surprise, eh?) go back to work sans scribes, perhaps on the hunch that viewers won't notice.
While in general I'm opposed to any network move that would put current TV writers out of work, "Last Call" is to be the exception that proves the rule.
I'm sure you'll get a kick out of this, Carson's looking to friends and family for "jokes".
Posted by: Kevin Mathers | November 27, 2007 at 07:49 PM
Take two on the link: http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2007/1127073carson1.html
Posted by: Kevin Mathers | November 27, 2007 at 07:50 PM
Except the show hasn't been called "Later" since 2002. "Last Call with Carson Daly" is taping this week though.
Posted by: Jake | November 27, 2007 at 08:41 PM
(a) Well, it hasn't been the same since Costas.
(b) OK, I'll fix it.
(c) Who cares?
Posted by: Aaron | November 28, 2007 at 07:12 AM
Aaron,
who cares?is the correct answer to anything re Carson Daly.
BTW, you *really* don't watch DEXTER???
Posted by: | November 28, 2007 at 07:26 AM
Definitely agreed that it hasn't been the same since Costas. And I'd argue that Costas hasn't been the same since "Later" either.
Posted by: Jake | November 28, 2007 at 01:43 PM
He's doing it as a publicity.
Read this:
http://joeholod.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Joe | November 29, 2007 at 12:51 AM
I don't watch talk shows for the jokes (or the talk, in daytime versions) - just for the guests. I'll record them if someone I'm interested in pops up (thanks for the listings, to you and Sue) and just cut out the other "stuff."
The only late night talk show host I have *any* affinity for (to?) is Jon Stewart (I still remember Short Attention Span Theater) but my DVR would get too full too fast recording him... for things recorded daily,I'll have to stick to Jeopardy. (it keeps my brain from melting)
Posted by: PamelaJaye | December 03, 2007 at 11:16 AM