This Page Was Most Recently Updated: Monday, January 7th, 2008
Copyright © 2008 Hy Bender
Email: hy@hyreviews.com
Late Night TV is Back!
(To learn why, please click here.)
Highlights of the return of both David Letterman and his WGA writers
to our homes on January 2nd, 2008 included:
Hillary Clinton, who's been the target of numerous Late Show jokes, kicking off the show by declaring, "Dave has been off the air for eight long weeks because of the writer's strike. Tonight he's back. Oh well; all good things come to an end..."
Dave explaining the strike to his national audience with, "Simply put, the writers are sick and tired of having to buy their own pencils."
Dave doing an equally problematic job of explaining his beard.
Dave repeatedly thanking the WGA. (Example: "Without writers, and without caffeine, I'd have virtually no personality whatsoever.")
Dave taking phony audience questions. (Example: "Why are there still picketers outside?" "Oh, that has nothing to do with the strike. Those are just people who hate the show.")
The first Top 10 list of 2008 being "Demands of the Striking Writers"—from actual striking writers! (My favorite: "Complimentary tote bag with next insulting contract offer.")
Bill Scheft, who's both a Late Show staff writer and its WGA rep, interrupting a Dave comedy bit to sweetly say, "Unfortunately, we aren't going to be able to show you the conclusion of this joke. Why? It's to remind you that even though the Late Show writers are back at work, the WGA strike still goes on. Thousands of writers still walk the picket line every day until their legs cramp and their backs ache, only to return to a home they can now barely afford because of the producers' greed. So, to the arrogant media moguls who've gotten so fat off our sweat-soaked toil that they can no longer fit behind their oversized mahogany desks, I say to you, stop spending all your money on cufflinks, cocktails, and whores. Stick a crowbar in your wallet and start bargaining in good faith with the writers. Maybe then American won't be denied the joy of seeing David Letterman hold up a pair of flaming underpants."
To which Dave simply responded, "Right, Bill. Nice job."
Indeed it was.
Also returning Wednesday night was Conan O'Brien—but sans his writers
(which isn't Conan's fault; again, for details please click here.) Highlights included:
Conan saying about the WGA, "I support their cause. These are very talented, very creative people who work extremely hard. I believe what they're asking for is fair. I do."
Conan delivering a fine monologue (because he's always been one of the sharpest comedy writers in the business...as well as a superb performer).
Conan killing time by sipping water.
Conan killing time by spinning his wedding ring on his desk.
Bob Saget as a guest dropping dud lines, repeatedly, without writer help.
Conan spinning his wedding ring some more.
All things considered, it was a pretty good show—a testament to Conan's magical talent.
But there were way more laugh lags and dull spots than in a typical Conan episode
crafted by his genius writing staff.
Here's hoping comments from luminaries such as Dave and Conan to their national audiences
help corporations realize they're doing no one any good by acting in bad faith with writers, who are the lifeblood of the entire industry...and that it's time to treat WGA members with the respect that writers so immensely deserve.
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Copyright © 2007 Hy Bender
hy@hyreviews.com