NBC's comically oversized screw-ups have reinvigorated late-night hosts with the kind of joy usually seen only at children's birthday parties. And with the release of Conan O'Brien's f*ck you letter to NBC yesterday, the after hours personalities whacked down yet another peacock pinata to audiences' delight. After the jump, five interpretations of the NBC late night fiasco, ranked from sorriest to most triumphant.
5. Conan's Game of Deal or No Deal (Worst)
This may seem unfair since Conan O'Brien is the alleged victim in NBC's line-up mess (or is he?), but last night's game show sketch, in which models presented the current Tonight Show host with suitcases full of career options like "Join cast of next Twilight movie as rare albino werewolf" paled in comparison to Monday's night's triumphant take-down monologue and his role-playing exercise with a Na'vi assistant. Additional point deduction for Howie Mandel's unnecessary and unfunny cheap shots at the network ("Apparently NBC fired the real [Deal or No Deal] models"). Next!
4. George Lopez's Postmodern Statement Via an Avatar Chola Makeover
It took brave late night hosts to refrain from harping on the late night wars last night (kudos also go out to Stephen Colbert, Jon Stewart and Chelsea Handler) but the boldest of the personalities took his stance one step further by bravely defacing the other tall, elegantly coiffed figure hogging entertainment headlines in a post-modern statement about the Leno-Conan wars. (Your interpretations on this interpretation are welcome in the comments section.)
3. Craig Ferguson Casts The Late Shift Sequel
The Late Late Show host took the liberty of casting the sequel to the infamous HBO movie including a smart choice to play Ferguson's boss, David Letterman.
2. Jimmy Kimmel's Leno Tribute Show
Yes, ABC's beloved talk show host really impersonated Jay Leno for his entire show last night. That meant that he donned a prosthetic chin for a monologue, two interviews, a round of headlines and regular side conversations with bandleader Cleto (playing Kevin Eubanks). Kimmel even went the extra step in booking Chevy Chase to offer advice to Conan about taking his talk show to Fox.
1. Letterman's Monologue and Desk Doubleheader (Best)
The NBC scandal has been an economy-size gift basket for the Late Show host and former Leno victim, who again battered the NBC papier-mâché bird until its rainbow-colored contents fell to the Ed Sullivan Theater floor. Last night Letterman delivered a sharp monologue, suggested some new prime time programming for NBC and then for the finale, Dave and Paul double-teamed NBC in a lively discussion about the network's failings.