A Kinder, Gentler Late Night TV

A taped sketch from the first season of David Letterman's original Late Night show had the funnyman consoling a young boy who was crushed because his favorite tv show -- something wildly inappropriate like Mama's House or Bosom Buddies -- had been canceled.  Dave told the kid that losing shows was a part of life.  There would be new shows.  He had to buck up and move on with life.  The kid was having none of it.

"I'll never watch tv again!" he pouted.

"Timmy, don't ever say that," Letterman chastised the youngster.  "Not even as a joke!"


As a confirmed Letterman man, I really don't have a dog in this current late night fight.  But I much prefer Conan's quirk to the low-brow, lowest-common-denominator schlock that Leno serves up.

It's sad in a way that Leno has become synonymous with mediocrity and soulless corporate product.  As a young working comedian he was considered pretty cutting-edge and was one of the funnier regular guests on Letterman's show.  For your enjoyment, here are some clips of Jay and Dave in the early days.

  Are you kidding me...Jay rocks the Elvis pompadour while wearing a Members Only jacket.  Check the proto-Seinfeld "Where is she going LATER ON?" outburst @ 2:30.









  Chris Eliot as Leno on Letterman