Letterman Goes To War Against Leno, NBC Over Late Night Woes
NBC’s late night shake-up (that, at this present time still sits mid-shake-up) has provided tremendous fodder for all late night comedians, including those at the peacock network.
But last night David Letterman seemed to relish pounding his former network more than others who had taken on the subject before – complete with a Jay Leno impression and a Top 10 list.
When Letterman made his very public announcement about having sexual relations with former staffers, other comedians made a few jokes. But Leno went with a full court press – and now it was payback for Letterman.
He started with a breakdown of what happened at NBC. He told his audience that “Jay ‘Big Jaw’ Leno” told NBC “I’m having trouble staying up this late,” so was moved to 10pm. To drive the point home further, he described “our friend” Conan O’Brien and “likable young person” Jimmy Fallon. This was an attack on Jay Leno and NBC, only. O’Brien and Fallon were spared. (Not so for Carson Daly, who people haven’t been talking about much. Letterman: “He’s like the Pluto of talk shows. It’s like, is it really a show?”)
Letterman suggested, jokingly of course, that O’Brien and Leno co-host the Tonight Show. Leno, said Letterman, “likes to tell jokes at 11:30 and he’s got an old truck he likes to work on.”
And then came a rarely used Leno impression by his rival: “Can you get me some air filters, Mavis, I’ll be under the car all day.” (That would be a reference to Mavis Leno, Jay’s longtime wife. Just in case it didn’t seem personal enough.)
There was also a top 10 list. Some examples: “Winner on Deal Or No Deal gets to run the network for a week.” “Just gave 10pm show to Snooki.” “It’s so bad, they’ve even considered me.”
No matter what late night show audiences turn on now, they get to hear about NBC. What does Comcast think about ‘all press is good press?’
Dave’s “advice” for NBC:
Here’s the Top 10 list:
