Anyone see The Late Show with David Letterman last night?  I give it a B+. The monologue was pretty decent, but I wish he would find new people to pick on then the standard group of A-Rod, Madonna and Bernie Madoff.

One of the things I admire most about Letterman is his story telling ability. He is able to take a 30 second event and stretch it out to five minutes of epic adventure with humor interlaced throughout. That’s not easy to do.

Another Letterman strength is his interactions with his guest. Last night was a good example. His first guest, Russell Brand, was hilarious. I don’t think many people here find his British humor very funny, but he cracks me up. Here was my favorite quote from his story about getting kicked off a plane back when he was on drugs (he’s been clean six years now):

“This was in less happy times when I necessarily had to bring some medication which had not been sanctioned by the government.”

His second guest, Jack Hanna, has been on Letterman every year since 1985.  Jack brings weird and exotic animals on the Late Show. He’s the perfect straight man for some classic Letterman wit. But you can tell there is a deep friendship there.

- Woody

Anyone see Late Night with Jimmy Fallon last night?  I think Fallon is doing well in his second week. He’s still really nervous and finding his footing, but it’s a tough gig, so I think he deserves some slack for a while. His monologue is really short, but he did make me laugh with this one:

“Warren Buffet said that our current economic crisis is as bad as the attack on Pearl Harbor.  But still not as bad as the movie Pearl Harbor.  So that puts it in some perspective.”

I think Jimmy is going to do fine.

- Woody

Sorry I’m so late. It’s been a busy day. I’ll make this quick:

I watched less than half of The Late Show with David Letterman. I honestly don’t think Andy Kindler is funny. Don’t know who Andy Kindler is? That’s fine. No need to start now.

Due to lack of time I skipped the interviews. I’m sure Tom Brokaw was good.

I enjoyed most of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. He really is a geek. Here are two perfect examples from his monologue:

The Mayor of Chicago, Richard Daley, has his own YouTube channel to promote himself and the city. And it’s working. Although I thought he crossed the line with “Two Mayors, One Cup”.

And finally, Swiss scientists have discovered that gamers who grip their game controllers too tightly can develop a new painful skin condition on their palms.  Finally, an STD for nerds. Yes.

Russell Brand was on, after being on Letterman two nights ago. He was good. At one point he said something so funny, but so disturbing at the same time, that Fallon had to hide behind a piece of paper to hide his same that he was laughing so hard. That’s good comedy.

The creators of Digg.com were on as well. I dug it at first, but buried it by the end.

- Woody