Talk Show Hosts

Letterman on NBC in the '80s was the greatest late-night show -- as far as comedy is concerned. He watched Steve Allen, Kovacs, Bob & Ray, etc and took notes.

But he had a Sid Caesar-like neurosis when it came to interviewing. Did he not want to be seen as getting personal with someone on TV? Whatever the reason, his interviews come off as "I HAVE to be here, even though I have better things to do." Steve Allen liked to claim anyone could host a talk show since everyone has conversations.

Letterman seemed to challenge that belief.

Carson's greatest gift was that he let the guest define the segment. With Brooks or Rickles he could sit back, feed an occasional straight line, but let them carry the load. (Ever see him "interview" Rodney Dangerfield? Just an occasional straight line: "Yes, as long as you've got your health..." He'd barely get a word in edgewise) But with others, he'd go Paar and carry on a conversation.

Carson fans should check out the Carson Podcast, which features a number of enjoyable interviews:

https://carsonpodcast.com


And now a brief commercial interlude:

I'm a user of this grammar checker: GRAMMARLY. There's a free version for browsers and one you can also purchase with more features. (Note and disclosure: I get a small amount of cash deposited into a Swiss account if you happen to purchase it using the link provided below.)

The World's Best Grammar Checker