Tonight at 11:35, the late-night talk show wars could get even more heated than yesterday's presidential debate. That's because the hour's big comic rivals, Jay and Dave, have been suggesting that all four candidates might show up for some jokes and chat.
In this corner: Late Show With David Letterman. We reported earlier that John McCain is slated to show up for a tongue-lashing from Dave after skipping out on his scheduled appearance a while back. But now we're hearing that McCain might bring an apology gift along with him: Lipsticked bulldog Sarah Palin.
Last night, Dave said that McCain had "hinted" he'd be bringing Palin along. Still, he seemed doubtful that it would happen. “I think he was trying to make me feel better. Like,
‘Oh, I know we’ve got the hook in Letterman now.’ But I don’t think
she’ll be here. Miss Alaska will probably not be here.”
If she does show up, it'll be a brilliant move by McCain. We all know how much Dave likes a pretty face (not to mention the ratings Palin would be sure to bring), and seeing the two of them flirt and spar would be great television. Plus, they'd all have so much to talk about that there wouldn't be time to dwell on McCain's earlier no-show -- or his lagging campaign, for that matter.
In the other corner: The Tonight Show With Jay Leno. Jay mentioned earlier in the week that he'll be having vice-presidential candidate Joe Biden on tonight. (Good counter-programming? Er, possibly -- except, whatever your politics may be, Biden isn't exactly Mr. Excitement.)
But at the same time, Leno said Biden might "bring a friend." And if that friend happens to be Barack Obama, well, then we'll have a contest. The New York Post points out that both Obama and McCain are scheduled to attend a dinner in New York tonight, so Obama's appearance would probably have to be via satellite. But given Jay's lighter-weight interviewing style, that would probably work out just fine.
What are the chances that all four of them will show up? We'll say 50-50 -- and we're setting two DVRs, just in case.
Previously:
Video Fun: Hey, John McCain -- You Won't Like Dave When He's Angry
