The earlier announcement that comedienne Wanda Sykes might be one hair pulling development meeting away from getting her own late night show was a promising one. She's got a good bit of star power to boost her ratings. She's had a good bit of experience as a late night comedy writer, most notably with The Chris Rock Show and least notably with The Keenan Ivory Wayans Show. She's also damn funny.
If Fox turns her into their newest late night comedy show host, it raises a worrying question: what will become of Spike Feresten?
Spike's Talkshow hasn't become a ratings behemoth. It's not entirely the show's fault. It didn't have a strong lead-in thanks to Mad TV, which sunk to the bottom of the ratings faster than a submarine that's weighted down by two other submarines. Plus, their time slot has been a lousy one from the start. The only way to get anyone's attention on television on a Saturday night past midnight is to feature a random grouping of commercials for the video series, Girls Gone Wild Who Have Spontaneously Caught On Fire.
Despite that fact, Spike and his crew have done wonders with their show. They have survived three whole seasons thanks to a steady audience and a roster of cult level comedy bits such as "Lil' Bill O'Reilly," "Idiot Paparazzi," and (my personal favorite) "Hollywood Douchebags." That last one alone seemed to ensure their show would be around for at least the next decade.
Does Sykes' new deal mean that Spike is about to be pushed out the door? Why does Fox keep sticking their late night talk shows on Saturdays instead of trying to compete with the big boys? Can I squeeze one more open-ended question into the end of this post?
The TV Squad Podcast: Vik Sahay of Chuck, Oprah talk, brutal timeslots, and more!
TV Squad Ten: Top Ten ESPN shows from worst to first
Andy Richter: The TV Squad Interview
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
4-02-2009 @ 9:52AM
StillBash said...
You know Spike is also a network. And I think there are a bit too many "bits" in consecutive sentences. Oh and I'm not a native english speaker but if something is "least notably" why do you mention it at all? And thumbs up for "She's also damn funny". Wow. I don't really get why being a good writer will make her a good talk show host. What counts is whether she can deliver her monologue, no matter WHO wrote it (guess what, Bill Maher without a teleprompter is as funny as a rack of spices wink wink nudge nudge)
But what I especially don't get is why you think that when on every other f******* network the talk shows come in pairs you would think teaming her up with Feresten would result in the demise of the guy, while you point out that the show has done wonders with its timeslot.
What irks me even more is that you didn't even mention her movie career, her TV career as an actress (you know it might just be me but I THINK she'll be IN FRONT of the camera on her talk show) and IF, just IF all this will have an effekt on OLD CHRISTINE and not friggin Spike Feresten.
Jeez. Really. How did you come up with this idea? A dart board?
Reply
4-02-2009 @ 10:33AM
Lynnie said...
I won't be watching. Her screechy voice irritates me, and I don't find her funny at all. When she's on a talk show, I change the channel....and I don't do that for just anyone. Ugh!!
Reply
4-02-2009 @ 12:04PM
Sam said...
For the record, I would watch Girls Gone Wild Who Have Spontaneously Caught On Fire. FOX, are you listening?
Reply
4-02-2009 @ 1:49PM
thepassenger said...
Why can't Fox have both shows? I'd guess Wanda's show is going to take over the MadTV time slot, and Spike will continue to follow. I like Spike's show, and I would certainly watch Wanda's show.
Reply