Booking War Brewing Between Letterman and Leno

By Rob Shuter Posted Jan 25th 2010 08:00PM

Now that David Letterman and Jay Leno will be going head-to-head once again, the bad blood between the late-night enemies will carry onto the guest couch. Word is Letterman won't play ball with anyone who goes on Leno's 'Tonight Show' first, setting up some serious celeb-snagging competition. More on that, plus Mariah's bubbly stash and Sarandon's bouncy night out with her rumored boy toy after the jump!

Dave and Jay: Now It's War

If you think the attacks from David Letterman and Jay Leno about chins and personal scandals were bad, you haven't seen anything yet, a source close to both late-night hosts tells me. As Jay is preparing to return to 'The Tonight Show' job he held for many years, Letterman is determined to hold onto his new ratings crown by playing some late-night hardball.

"Jay's image has taken a huge bashing during the whole Conan disaster. It was Leno who came off as the bad guy and this is something Dave and his team are going to exploit, especially when it comes to booking celebrity guests," a network source told me. Letterman's 'Late Show' staff is turning up the heat, already making it very clear to celebrities that Dave will not follow Jay with guest booking.

So, if you want to sit on Leno's couch, don't expect to be sitting next to Dave anytime soon.

Oh boys, can't we all just get along and play nice? There is always room for an extra bottom on my Pottery Barn sofa.

Does Mariah Travel With Her Own Champagne?

Remember Mariah Carey's nutty acceptance speech a few weeks ago? You know, the one she blamed on a few too many glasses of champagne ... How could you forget? Well, sources tell me no one was more surprised by the bubbly confession than the other guests at the Palm Springs Film Festival, who were offered only wine and cocktails!

"We had no idea you could order bubbly," a guest told me. "Mariah must have been the only one in the entire place that got any. They must have gotten it just for her."

Which is entirely possible when you are as fabulous as Miss Mariah -- or maybe the divine singer travels with a stash of her own Angel brand of champagne? Sneaky ... and smart! Cheers to you, Mariah.

Susan Sarandon Plays Ping-Pong With Rumored New Boyfriend

Susan Sarandon, who recently announced her split from long-time partner Tim Robbins (goodness, I love 'Shawshank Redemption'), spent an evening looking very cozy with new rumored boyfriend Jonathan Bricklin last week.

I saw them at ping-pong club SPiN (don't ask ... Sarandon co-owns the club with Bricklin) in NYC at an event that raised nearly $20,000 for Haiti. Watching larger-than-life movie executive Harvey Weinstein trying with everything he's got to hit that little ball is still making me giggle, but all for a great cause.

The event was hosted by Modelinia, your guide to supermodel beauty and style. Because who doesn't want to look fabulous?

Remembering a Friend
One of the most wonderful ladies I ever knew passed yesterday morning, her name is Mera Lome. She might think that I didn't know how she lit up the newsroom at 'Extra TV' doing her best Rob Shuter impersonation ... but I did, and was honored. I love you very much and will miss you every day "my little frosty."

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Tags: Dave Letterman, david letterman, jay leno, mariah carey, MariahCarey, Susan Sarandon

Comments

(127)

Monday 25 January

By greg

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Letterman has always been my favorite. Leno has an ego as big as his..... He will eventually fall. It is destiny

Tuesday 26 January

By Mike

They are both nimrods as far as I am concerned

By IllbootenGOTTI

GEORGE BUSH STARTED THIS WAR ON BOOKING TO GET OIL.

By joe bob

IF YOU LIKE JAY LENO THEN YOU ARE AS SMALL MINDED AS HE IS!!!!!!!!!!! DOUCHE!!!!!!!!

By steman

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Maybe it's you who needs a douche, jo bob. Start with your mouth and work it on downwards.

By dheurt1

Vote down Vote up Report this

Aren't you the brilliant one. Idiot

JAY LENO IS A NO TALENT AND STEALS ALL HIS FUNNIEST BITS FROM THE HOWARD STERN SHOW. JAYWALKING, HELLO, HOWARD STERN HAS BEEN DOING THAT FOR OVER TEN YEARS, JAY DOES NOT HAVE AN ORIGINAL THOUGHT IN THAT OVERSIZED HEAD. DOUCHE!!!!!!!!!!!

By H J Bart

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

like to remind people.... the joke writters are the ones you should blame.. if a show isn't funny,...
dave and jay just walk on .. make the big bucks.. and go home to their big houses...

By Mur

While your statement may be technically correct about Howard Stern doing the "man-on-the-street" schtick before Jay, I believe it was done much longer ago than Howard. If I'm not mistaken, Steve Allen did it on the original Tonight Show back in the 60's; and it was more than likely done before him...possibly on radio. Jus' sayin'.

JAY LENO IS THE BIGGEST DOUCHEBAG ON THE PLANET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By buggsym

except for jobob he seems to be the biggest douche bag right now I wonder if he even knows whata douche is?

By Shelly

I forgot what I was going to say.
Bye. (Maybe I'll remember later)

By stephanie willis

So, maybe Craig Ferguson will get all the "good" celebrities. He's tons funnier than both of those guys, anyway.

By Roni

Right on! I love Craig. I have to get up so early in the morning that it is hard for me to watch his show at his allocated time (except Fridays). So I thank the great inventors who came up with DirecTV's recording system for being able to watch his show the next afternoon waiting on the school bus.

By rob shuter

i love me some jay.....although letterman is funny!

By m

I'm not watching either of them. Jay should of step back and Leno well hes gross.

By RUSS

JOE==BOB UP AND KISS MY ASS

By peter grattan

It makes perfect sense for a producer to want exclusivity on a guest. May the best (letter)man win!!!

By caramelosdos

Golly gee, Sarandon raised THAT MUCH for Haiti.
What a sport.

By Sam

In the final analysis, it will all depend on ratings vice aol opinions, and traditionally, Leno has always cleaned Letterman's clock on late night TV when they go head to head!

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