Reading this story headlined “David Letterman, Jay Leno Exchange Barbs.”

Interesting.  They appear to exchange the same barbs.

Barb number one, from David Letterman:  I got a call from my mom today, (and) she says, ‘Well, David, I see you didn’t get the ‘Tonight Show’ again.
Barb number one, from Jay Leno.  Folks, I got to be honest with you, I had a really awkward day today,” he told viewers. “I had to call David Letterman and tell him he didn’t get the Tonight Show again. Awful! Terrible!
Barb number two, from David Letterman:  I happen to know Jay’s got another job on network that has greater viewership, higher ratings – Univision. He’s going there.
Barb number two, from Jay Leno.  We’ve all fought, kicked and scratched to get this network up to fifth place, now we have to keep it there! Jimmy, don’t let it slip into sixth! We are counting on you.

This is your “perfunctory” Letterman monologue your “polished for consumption” Leno monologue.

And, generational ergots, we do ponder… when Letterman will leave alongside Leno, completing a turn-over.  It does seem likely CBS is about to be “in first place” in the late night ratings all of a sudden — and then it’ll thud when Letterman hangs it up.  And it also seems like Letterman is shading into the spot of unhipness Johnny Carson was in before he announced retirement and suddenly became hip again.  And it does strike me that it’s a little difficult to explain to the young ‘uns that there was a time Letterman was something.  But you can go on the list on such a thing.  The Simpsons, for instance, but at least that you have reruns on the teevee — Letterman you’d have to jump to youtube clips.

Again… what is this format anyway these days and the next days?  We’ll see, won’t we?

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