Austin360 blogs > TV Blog > Archives > 2004 > August > 27
Friday, August 27, 2004
Kilborn ends his run
Boy, Craig Kilborn didn’t waste any time packing his bags and hitting the road.
Tonight is Kilborn’s last as host of CBS’ “The Late Late Show.” Will Ferrell, Vince Vaughn and Marlee Matlin will be among the guests to bid him adieu. Also expected to make brief appearances, perhaps not in person, are TV’s Batman, Adam West; Martin Mull; and Wayne Newton.
To tell you the truth, I’m not mourning this loss because I never thought the guy was amusing … or particularly imaginative. Frankly, I thought he was dull.
Kilborn announced his retirement earlier this month, and although the move was said to be a surprise to CBS execs, everyone involved insisted there was no bad blood.
Kilborn said he was just tired of the gig, which he took over from Tom Snyder in 1999, and ready to move on. CBS said there was no argument over money or length of contract.
But such a sudden departure is rare. CBS has no one to replace Kilborn, forcing the show into reruns at a time when most shows are gearing up for the new fall season. Guest hosts will be rotated in until a new host is hired.
One change in late-night television can set off a domino effect, as happened when Johnny Carson retired from NBC’s “Tonight Show.” David Letterman, then hosting NBC’s “Late Night,” assumed he was in line to replace Carson. When NBC tapped Jay Leno instead, Letterman jumped ship to CBS, and Conan O’Brien was hired by NBC for the late spot.
The late-night wars this time around might be just as explosive.
Now speculation is bubbling that CBS will go after O’Brien, dangling the real possibility that Letterman will step down from “The Late Show” before Leno retires from “Tonight” and that O’Brien would replace Letterman.
Free at last … for the time being!
I’ve enjoyed watching the Olympics, but like everything else I do, I overdid it. Every night from 7 until 11, I was glued to NBC. From swim-and-gym to track, I was there.
I watched sports I had absolutely no interest in, such as rowing and beach volleyball. It’s been embarrassing, because members of my family quite naturally assume I’ve developed an obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Like a Pavlovian dog, I pant into the den the minute I hear the Olympic theme. Bob Costas has been my constant companion for two weeks, and sometimes I even talk to him. It’s beyond sad.
Clearly, it’s time to close this chapter in my viewing life and move on. Sunday night’s Olympics finale will free me up for healthier, more diversified viewing.
Next week I have a date with the Republicans, but that won’t gobble up every hour of prime time. I’ll be able to check on Jane Pauley’s new daytime talker (weekdays at 4 p.m. on KXAN) and see what’s cooking on some of those riveting reality shows, like Fox’s “Trading Spouses.”
Come to think of it, maybe I was better off with Costas.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment
