Late Night TV Wars: Gentlemen Please Stand Up

Late Night Wars: Gentlemen Please Stand Up

By Patricia Britt 

My love affair with Brian Williams is the news of the day. He’s a man among men. He’s a man’s man. He’s a snazzy dresser, a comical mess, yet no nonsense. He’s a commentator on the human condition, a political reporter, a women’s rights advocate, he’s a dog lover, and keeps a cane nearby!  I can’t help but wonder what role his mentorship has meant to Lester Holt an accomplished newsman who holds his own on NBC weekends. These guys are the Harry Connick’s of news with their fancy suits, pocket squares, and always on time attitude.

I’m a bit in question with Arsenio, at the moment? His first time around on late night I loved him, and rarely missed him. On his last night of his first go round, he said he was the most hated man in show business. I didn’t understand why he said that, because I loved him, and his guests. It was pre Twitter, but the snail mail must have consisted of tremendous insults.

This time around I feel insulted as a woman. I’ve tried to be a fan, because I loved Arsenio so much back in the day. But today he’s sometimes hard to watch, with the harsh language toward women in his opening, and in the bits throughout the show. Please listen to me, can anyone just give the stripper pole a break? I  know he has a son he’s raising, and it makes me wonder what the young man’s dating pool is going to be, if Arsenio just throws his hat in, with all the other reality tv coarseness confusing young girls about what a good guy should be, who want to watch an attractive funny man in a suit, that was hilarious in Coming To America. True, he’s a rich man that doesn’t have to answer to anyone, but so is George Lopez. I loved him too, so I cringed, and took it for a while. He’s back with a new twist, and we’ll soon see what’s in store for this installment.

In all likelihood Brian Williams, funny guy that he is, will probably appear on Arsenio at some point, since he’s been challenged for omitting the show from late night clips on the news. Everyone wants to be cool, and support a guy who I know his preacher’s spirit is better than what he’s playing into, for the raw public, and perhaps the loud public in social media, grinding the squeaky wheel, and leaving the baby boomers behind won’t always be the driving force for comedians. Maybe we'll see the President at the studio in black music month to sing a verse.

It's nice to see Tavis Smiley (www.tavistalks.com) week days on PBS for a change of scene from the intense hum drum echo chamber that seems to have a "gent conspiracy” in the wood works. I heard Apollo of the Real Housewives got in a fist fight on Bravo! Good God, Lord have mercy on the women, advocates, flirts, and trailblazers! Arsenio are you the new love in the late night leader of the pack sweepstakes with the NASA guy, the football kicker, the Olympian, Son of God promo,  Prince, and the talented Misty Copeland? Are you the best example of a man for women to drool over, and guys to follow, or are you mad at someone? I am. Single ladies, and marriages are in yours hands living for a thought provoking joke.   

I see you MAN, and I wish you joy, luck, and longevity. Have a lucky month, and a lucky year my dear. The ratings chase territory equals criticism, competition, achievement, and controversy.  Do what you gotta do to be a true blue you. The stage is yours sir.

Dave Letterman had Gladys Knight on recently for the first time in 30 years proudly introducing her with a touch of brimstone. Who knows what the late show wars will bring in 2014?

2014 Zimation Arts & Letters Ink


Quotes: When you think about quitting, think about why you started.  Hindsight is 20/20.

Songs in the Key of Life:

Lou Rawls ~ Lady Love     http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-CwWMXpsX0

Maceo Parker - Pass the Peas    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJmIN8RNBUg


REV. March 2014 The marvelous men of TGT (Tyreese Gibson, Tank, Genuine) graced the stage last night for a handsome thrill for the ladies. The web site is a must see www.tgtlife.com

Arsenio was cancelled this summer because he neglected his core audience, women who wanted to see a black man change his ways, and make it through being a comic stereotype insulting the very women who strained to support him while he continued to insult them. So sad.