Good talk show guests.

If I had my own show, who would I have on?

Published on October 20, 2004 By Jamie Burnside In Entertainment

Last night I was watching "The Daily Show with John Stewart." John's guest for the final segment was Marisa Tomei.

Watching that interview, I realized that Marisa Tomei is one of the better interviews out there. She was charming, interesting, and awfully cute. If I were running a talk show, I would try to book her as a guest whenever she has something to promote.

This all got me thinking: If I had my own talk show, who would I like to be on the show to ensure that the show is both entertaining, and delivers good ratings?

Who I would book on my own talk show:

1) Tom Arnold: Love him or hate him, he always is contraversial. Having him on the show would definitely "stir the pot."

2) Rosanna Arquette: I like hearing her talk pretty much in the same way I like Marisa Tomei. (If Rosanna Arquette is busy, maybe we could get Michelle Green. But has she done anything since LA Law?)

3) Carrot Top: I love Carrot Top. Assuming that he has new material, he is always fun to see on a talk show.

4) Don Rickles: Even though he may not be the ratings-draw that he was years ago, he helped make a lot of memorable moments on Johnny Carson's show. I hope that I would be able to take what he dishes out.

5) Simon Cowell: The "star" of American Idol has a lot of interesting things to say about becoming a pop star. Even though he doesn't have many "different" interviews (they all sound the same,) I like what he has to say and it would be worth a rehash on my show.

6) Howard Stern (with short hair): Howard Stern gave really good interviews on Letterman in the mid-to-late 1980s (before we all knew who he was.) In his current incarnation he is a bit overexposed, but he was "comedy gold" about 15 years ago.

7-11: (Just 'cuz I like the following talents) Calista Flockhart, Jason Priestly, Sarah Silverman, Chris Elliot, Seth Green

Who I wouldn't have on:

1) Richard Lewis: Boring, sad, and not very funny.

2) Harrison Ford: Exhibits personality when he shows up drunk, but is otherwise a boring interview.

3) Danny Bonaduce: Once again boring. (I also would stay away from Barry Williams. I think that we've heard all that he has to say. We get it! You kind of went on a dinner date with Florence Henderson. What's new?)

Comments

historyishere

on Oct 20, 2004

If I was going to add someone to your list, it would probably be Mike Myers.... because when he is making the rounds, he usually has something new to say on every show, so he doesn't seem like he's going through the motions.

crimson

on Oct 20, 2004

I would definitely turn on the tv to see Seth Green on any talk show. I don't know if you are aware of who Ryan Reynolds is, but he's bloody hilarious on a talkshow. I wouldn't want to see Joaquin Phoenix on a talkshow really, but it is unavoidable to want to watch as well, because you never know what he is going to say, or do. It's like watching a trainwreck in slomo.

Jamie Burnside

on Oct 20, 2004

Mike Myers

I was considering adding him, but I didn't want to choose anyone who would be "bigger than the show," and would overshadow myself or the guests. That's why I would stay away from guys like Mike Myers or even Robin Williams. (Of course I put Carrot Top on the list, didn't I?)

Dena

on Oct 20, 2004

Would you have bands too? I would try and get you to have Incubus play, and then you could let me meet them:) Hey I don't mean to change the subject, but how did swimming lessons go for Kenny? Do you have pictures?

historyishere

on Oct 20, 2004

Jennifer Garner comes off very likable in talk show interviews too....

Jamie Burnside

on Oct 20, 2004

Would you have bands too?

Sure, there could be bands. Over dinner, my wife and I talked about which musicians perform well on talk shows. We came up with a few good ones: Blue Man Group, P.J. Harvey, The Dead (the remaining menbers of the Grateful Dead), and Bush. (I'd also like to throw in Brian May and Liz Phair because I'd like to meet them.) Here's one that I left off of my good guest list: Dom DeLuise

Angloesque

on Oct 20, 2004

After his performance on Crossfire, I'd love to see more shows where Jon Stewart's in the hot seat, not the comfy roller chair behind the big desk.* So you should have him as a guest, too.

-A.

*Hmm. Come to think of it, he was in a roller chair behind a desk on Crossfire, and Whatzizname Tucker was in more of a hot seat....

historyishere

on Oct 20, 2004

Here's one that I left off of my good guest list: Dom DeLuise

I remember Jon Favreau got Charles Durning, Burt Reynolds, Charles Nelson Reilly and Dom Deluise to sit down together for "Dinner for Five".... now that was an entertaining show(hell, every single episode I've seen of Dinner for Five was great).

To think, the first one I ever saw of it was Sarah Silverman, Saffron Burrows, Faizon Love and Michael Rappaport... now that was comedy!

DD fan

on Oct 21, 2004

If you're booking bands of course you need to give Dropping Daylight some time. Their new stuff is awesome. Check out Octone Records. Top right of the screen are song choices. Gotta love 'em.

Jamie Burnside

on Nov 12, 2004

you need to give Dropping Daylight some time

Uh, sure... Maybe not during "sweeps" though.

historyishere

on Nov 12, 2004

hehehe... good call...

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