TTS w DL Poll: Other Late Night Shows

Who should get, or get to keep, a late night talk show?


  • Total voters
    6
Spin off from this thread: assuming Daivd Letterman got the Tonight Show in 1992, who would you want to have also seen go on to get a late night show?

Let's start with the obvious -- Jay Leno, Carson's frequent substitute; could have had Late Night

There were also a number of comedians who had network broadcast late night talk shows in the early 1990's (each called "The [name] show"). Some might have endured if Letterman was their only competition:

Arsenio Hall

Dennis Miller

Jon Stewart

Dana Carvey

Whoopi Goldberg

Chevy Chase

Bill Maher -- host of Politically Incorrect*

Then there's the competition of OTL, but I think they'd be more unlikely; as such, I'm not including them in the poll.

Jimmy Kimmel -- was pretty much an unknown before The Man Show premiered in 1999

Conan O'Brien -- a writer for the Simpsons; came insanely close OTL to not getting Late Night; even less likely with Letterman taking over TTS

Craig Ferguson -- just as unlikely

That said , if you want to make other suggestions, I'd love to hear them too. :D

*started on Comedy Central 1993, moved to ABC 1997; still feasible TTL, if not sooner
 
Also, a clarification on the poll -- you can vote multiple times, I'd just ask that you remember that there are only four networks, and the position of Tonight Show is already filled.

For me:

Jay Leno -- should get Late Night

Arsenio Hall Show continues

As does The Jon Stewart Show
 
May also want to throw Tom Snyder in the mix. From what I've read, it was Letterman's influence that got him the Late Late Show. He may have had a chance for Late Night if Letterman has The Tonight Show. He also would fill-in for Bob Costas on his program.

Bob Costas
had a show from 1988-94. He chose to leave it because of all of his sportscasting obligations.

The job went to Greg Kinnear who might still be notable enough in 1992 to be in consideration for some post-midnight program. At least as notable as Bill Maher.

Then there is Craig Kilborn who in 1992 isn't even yet on Sportscenter. Pretty safe to say that the butterfly will keep him out of late night.

Carson Daly is almost certainly gone too (which means in 2009 I don't see the one episode of Last Call that I've actually watched, and I'm probably never introduced to the music of Little Boots... :( )


George Michael (this one) could also be a longshot candidate. His weekly syndicated show is still kind of fresh in 1992. Not too likely that somebody calls on him to expand on a sports program, but then again calling on Conan O'Brien seems kind of out there from a 1992 perspective too.

I say Tom Snyder gets Late Night
Leno moves to CBS
Arsenio has to continue. How can he lose? That appearance from Clinton in June was ratings genius.
 
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