Oct. 14, 2011

This is an open thread. That means we’re not going to be writing our usual full review, but we thought you might like the opportunity to chat about the show anyway. Use this space for all your usual commenting shenanigans, and we’ll drop in if we have something to say about the episode in question.

While you consider queueing up another Netflix selection in lieu of watching late-night TV tonight—and who could blame you; the most interesting lead guest on the schedule is resurgent and rehabilitated comic Artie Lange—also consider this: Not only is Last Call With Carson Daly still a thing, it’s a thing that’s in its 11th season. Yet, existing at the very bottom of the late-night food chain, the best it can pull for a Friday show is the mayor of Newark, New Jersey. To Daly’s credit, he’s clearly embraced the fact that none but the insomnia-prone and/or drug-addicted watch his show, so it takes risks like booking the mayor of Newwark, New Jersey and conducting interviews outside the studio setting. Even so, when was the last time you watched Last Call With Carson Daly? Does anyone out there have a schedule that accommodates regularly viewing of a talk show that airs at 1:35 a.m. Eastern? (Aside from the past version of Artie Lange, of course.)

The Late Show With David Letterman: Artie Lange, Eddie Brill, and Beirut
The Tonight Show With Jay Leno: Terry Bradshaw, Rowan Atkinson, and The Game
Jimmy Kimmel Live: Antonio Banderas, “Science Bob” Pflugfelder, and Jane’s Addiction (repeat)
The Late, Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Liza Minnelli, Adam Pally
Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Matthew Broderick, Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino, Bryan and Michael Voltaggio, and Lalah Hathaway
Last Call With Carson Daly: Newark, New Jersey mayor Cory Booker and Foster The People