Spike on TV (but not Spike TV)
Since SNL is still in writer’s strike reruns, I bopped over to “TalkShow with Spike Feresten,” on Fox, which — like the weeknight talk shows — has returned sans writers. Why Fox insists on confining Feresten (a former writer for both the Letterman show and “Seinfeld,” among other things) to this nearly-invisible time slot — following “Mad TV” — is beyond me. He’s likeable and quick-witted, even without writers. In fact, tonight he offered scientific proof that he’s funnier than Carson Daly.
You see, to promote the upcoming prime-time lie detector show on Fox (which I find detestable, by the way) he had the host and the polygraph operator from the new show put one of his audience members through a few questions. The audience member, a tourist, had attended a taping of “Last Call with Carson Daly” the previous night, and Feresten couldn’t resist asking her whether or not he was funnier than Carson. She said he was — and the polygraph operator said she was telling the truth!
Frequently, news stories about the late-night wars will mention that Fox supposedly wants to get back into the weeknight talk show business, either by hiring Jay Leno after he leaves “The Tonight Show” or by hiring Conan O’Brien if NBC gets cold feet and postpones Conan’s planned ascenscion. If Fox is so gung-ho for the time slot, why not give Feresten a crack at it? If he doesn’t work out, you can always jump at Jay or Conan when the time comes.
Speaking of Conan, his rockabilly performances the past two Fridays have been terrific. I missed “Blue Moon of Kentucky” last week, but after talking to my brother about it I found it on the show’s web site. Then, I saw Conan singing “40 Days” last night, and it was just as much fun. What a shock!
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