Kilborn Replacements?
CBS is floating not one but four possible replacements for the departed Craig Kilborn. In an article that’s popping up in all the daily newspapers, Amy Sedaris, Ian Michael Black, Jim Rome and D.L. Hughley are being batted around.
Here’s an odd coincidence: When speculating on Kilborn’s life after Late Late Show, we speculated that he’d do well to host a show that utilized his love of professional sport and his interviewing skills… and we suggested that such a show might be The Jim Rome Show but with the sense of humor that Rome so sorely lacks. Now, it seems that the folks at CBS are considering the mirror opposite– Late Late Show, hosted by Jim Rome, without a sense of humor!
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Reply to: Kilborn Replacements?
Jim Rome lacks a sense of humor? Wow, I couldn’t disagree more. On many an occasion, his “takes” (to use the show’s parlance) on both sports and non-sports topics have had me laughing out loud.
I will admit that the radio show is an acquired taste (as Rome himself will attest to) and that some humor is derived from show references that the infrequent listener is not privy to, but the man is funny (and original — something I can’t say for 95% of the standup comics out there today).
Jim Rome is FUNNY and ORIGINAL? Wow, you’re absolutely entitled to your opinion, but brother… He wasn’t funny or original enough for ESPN!
Amy Sedaris would be great and cancelled at the first commercial break. Ian M. Black has that sort of ‘young-hip thing’ going on, but may not have enough substance to carry a talk show. D.L. is probably the best candidate, but hey, he’s a black man in America… is the Bible Belt going to watch?
Jim Rome has about 14 writers on his show. If he says anything funny, he’s probably reading it. Then he gets on callers for reading pre-written coments, making him a hypocritical douche.
Since when did ESPN become the standard bearer for comedy? Perhaps you find Stuart Scott’s “cooler than the other side of the pillow” line hilarious after hearing it one thousand times, but the only thing funny about him and the rest of the talking head Sports Center anchors are the cut of their suits (seven buttons, anyone?).
Actually, ESPN picked up Rome’s show — “Jim Rome is Burning” — for a second season. Episodes air Thursday night, 12 AM EST/9 PM PST. So much for Rome not being funny or original enough to grace ESPN’s airwaves.
Rome’s been picked up for a second season? Then Bristol will be alive with laughter, I can tell ya! Keep oxygen cannisters handy when the gut-busting, Da Vinci-of-verbs hurls a seemingly endless stream of bon mots at his hapless prey! No one is safe when the funny (and original) Jim Rome sets his sights on them! Boo-ya!
ESPN is not the standard bearer for comedy.
That was the point.
The point is that if you can take Craig Kilborn from the world of sports journalism and successfully put him in front of a late night talk show, the same can be done with Jim Rome. Both guys have carved out personas that are entertaining and engaging. Sorry Rome detractors, but he’s not going away any time soon.
Either you’re detracting from Kilborn or vastly underestimating the late night market. Better candidates have come and gone (Chevy Chase, Dennis Miller), so to think that plugging in someone whose resume resembles Kilborn is formula for success is at best wishful thinking. Jim Rome is fine for what he does, but it should stay there or find a quick exit on network TV. Letterman and Rome don’t seem like comfortable fit, and if CBS is going up against Conan, they better shoot a hell of alot higher.
If you’ll recall, Chevy Chase’s late night candidacy consisted of a one-year run on SNL followed by horribly unfunny movies — not exactly the kind of credentials that will transfer to a late night talk show format, which spends the majority of its time on guest interview segments. Given that Jim Rome has conducted literally thousands of interviews, both on radio and television, he is vastly more qualified than either Chevy (or Dennis Miller, for that matter) at the time of their forays into late night. As for the fit between Letterman and Rome, you must have missed Jim’s two segments on the July 19th Late Show.
That CBS timeslot will always struggle, until Conan’s NBC contract is up and he takes over the Letterman spot. Dave will be ready to hang it up and spend time with his kid. Unlike Leno who will not stop until he’s shot in the head, then in his will he’ll leave 500billion dollars to various classic car restoration centers.
Yeah, probably true. Conan’s locked in for 2 or 3 years, I think? He’s clearly the future of late night.