If Leno, Letterman and the like are so talented...

why don't they just go out there without 'writers' and try to manage on their own? Jean Shepherd didn't have writers, most old-time TVinterviewers like Les Crane didn't have writers and their shows were terrific and often very funny and insightful...WTF are these new guys except talking heads propped up in front of the camera?

No creativity, no guts.

On edit: There's an impending writers strike...sorry...

Jon Stewert, Colbert, Olbermann, etc all have writers. Welcome to television.

are funny as heck. Whoever thought that one up, is a genius!

I cannot go to sleep until I see my "Great Moments in Presidential Speeches" :thumbsup:

I just barely remember Carson, and I think Letterman's had a late night show longer than I've been alive!

Johnny Carson was hosting game shows.

His show was an hour and 45 minutes every night until the newspaper strike shortened it by 15 minutes.

The show consisted of real conversation with interesting guests, including authors discussing their books. Jack wasn't afraid to take political stands or stand up to the network brass.

:eyes:

but it's all in the timing and delivery. Letterman is unmatched in timing and delivery.

Woody Allen got his start writing for t.v. as is the case with many others.

the stupidest f@#cking question I have ever seen here. The OP shows a complete ignorance of television, comedy and the men he asks about.

these guys can't walk out on a stage and have a conversation with someone b/c they're not thinkers. They're performers. There's a big difference.

And screw you...

of the show are used for prepared segments.

Does that disturb you?

but...during a strike, if they want to support the writers, then I'm all for not performing. but my guess is that these guys wouldn't walk out on a stage and try to improvise for an hour or hour and a half. they'd be judged way too harshly.

their shows are wildly successful b/c of the combination of writers, guests, production values and themselves, but imagine if Groucho Marx heard that his 'writers' were going on strike. Assuming he had to go on, don't you think he could have?

think much of his best stuff is improvised.

He supports the writers - he says so. It's hard to understand what the fault is on his part.

to do a month with one lip tied behind his back. There is no fault on his part.

interview two to three people a night without knowing what to ask.

which in and of itself takes talent.

I think he has 10 minutes of stand up where he bashes Bill Clinton and then he goes into his show. Poor guy if he didn't have Bill Clinton who would he make jokes about. I can't stand O'Brien so what would be new. The only thing worth watching on Leno is Headlines and Monday is the only night I watch the first half hour.

I must have missed something hugh!!1!

have union benefits, just like the lowly writers have ( as THEY were once lowly writers, themselves)..

:) there is solidarity in union members..no matter the level of success..(in some unions anyway)

Particularly since they all have such a close relationship with them. They'll honor the strike, no question. If they don't, the Guild will come down on them hard.

Plus, as SCD pointed out, they're probably in the Guild themselves.

Now, I'm sure they could all go on and do a half-assed show. Heck, after seeing stories about some FOX News host whining about how Barbara Eden's outfit on "I Dream Of Jeannie" inspired future generations of girls to wear "slutty" costumes, and the Hannity bit the other night where he claimed 'trick or treating' inspires young liberals to go door to door to beg for handouts, I'm sure the jokes could write themselves.

A strike would mean that Letterman, Leno, O'Brien, Stewart and Colbert will instantly go into reruns, since their shows are often written the same day. Actually, the only positive aspect of a writers strike would be that NBC is thinking about running episodes of the British version of "The Office," though I enjoy the American version of it.

that TDS would basically be in reruns until the strike is over.

Eventhough that makes me sad, I totally understand.

What if you lads invited me over, so you all could see me in my fucked up glory?

A long haired hippie freak who'd write my own shit, and tell you the awful truth with whisky and hashish on my breath! It would be a gore fest with no comparrison!

None of your posterboys on TV would last more than 5 minutes with me before they'd go screaming out in the dark whishing for a quick and painless death...

In fact, I sometimes whish that the "comedians" and the "reporters" over there would all commit suicides, one massive suicide in my honor after having a wee close encounter with me... I wish that all the politicians in Europe and the US, as well as all the women I screwed over the years would do the same! Go and blow your fucking brains out!

Even the "editors" of Rolling Stone magazine has turned into dickless wonders with the political "correct" slogan "say no to drugs" as a part of their slogan. After I'm done with them, they'd all be heroin addicts and stoners like they're supposed to be.
Now, they're probably just "high on Jesus" going to their Sunday services to recover from a multible hangover from light beer fest on their Saturday Bible studies...

You all bloody kill me with your partisanship, or antipartisaship. Here's an idea: What if you all went out and bought a mind of your own the next time you get your payslips instead of bying into the hype of some overpaid jackass you just rented on nighttime TV? No wonder my favorite Writers ans many of th politicians you just voet into office hates your guts. t's because you all love to be lied to. And when you actually get the Truth served right into your laps, you won't know how to deal with. You just run around like chicken with no head in complete dissaray wondering what just happened to you before you fall over and die. At the expence of your local MP, congress rep. or your next Saturday night entertainer you want to idolise!

Your welcome!!

Morten Alme
Writer, Dissident, and pissed off!

in english next time?

and here, have a cuppa.

is the stupidest f@#king question I've seen here.