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)

Wednesday 27 January

By linda

Vote down Vote up Report this

i totally agree with leagle2 leno is sooooo very funny, on the same hand LETTERMORON is a real creep, if he were half as funny as he thinks he is this would be a worthwhile battle between jay & dave. not to mention lettermoron has noooo class whatsoever.he only has the ass part.

Tuesday 26 January

By j

This conan clown isnt funny either . Craig Ferguson likes the sound of his own voice . He should go back to drinking . Jimmy Kimmel isnt funny . Most anyone can be a smart ass . He is a smart ass . That isnt funny . Thank god for net flix

By Yoohoo1046

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Letterman has integrity?????? He cheats on his wife and has to admit it publically. You call thatintegrity??? Puhleeeeze1!!

By JOHN

Letterman knows already that he is going to get his ass kicked by Leno in the ratings. So he is resorting to his standard attitude....that of a baby.

By twobsmiths

When Leno responded to Letterman's criticism I'll bet Dave wet his pants then ran home to tell his mommy.

By bandit

wow, immaturity......

By SC

Carson screwed over Letterman and no one seemed to mind ....

By Krissy

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Still in grade school, if your friends with Davie then I can't be friends with you, the world is falling a part we should all be friends....Wish that was all I had to worry about.

By David

Low Ranked Vote down Vote up Report this

Oh why oh why isn't there a "neither" option on that poll up there? I am so sick and tired of this. Jay Leno has had more than enough time in the spotlight. He stepped down, and now that things didn't work out the way he had planned, he wants to step back up again. And bump Conan off. I have never been a fan of David Letterman, and after this latest Late Night/Jay Leno/Conan O'Brien broohaha fiasco, I'm no fan of Jay Leno either. Whatever channel and timeslot Conan ends up will be the one my TV is tuned into to. Sorry Jay but your time is up as far as I'm concerned.

By Donna

All you morons on here that are still saying that you will not Leno blah blah blah why cant you get it through your thick skulls that it was not Leno that wanted to leave the tonight show in the first. It was NBC you morons. So if you want to blame anyone it is NBC because they didnt listen to the people that it would never work with Jay being on at 10:00. Conan wasnt making it anyways his ratings were horrible. And Letterman saying about the guests screw him. The cheating SOB

By JAXnVIlleGal

I went to college with Letterman and I still think he sucks big time !! I will be watching Leno ! Letterman is just too full of himself and thinks that anything (and I do mean anything) he does is OK - and it isn't !

By Larry

Where else but America can you make millions telling a few jokes and listening to the same ol' Hollywood guests ad nauseum!

By kay

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

LENO is a washed up no talent cry baby! I'll NEVER watch his show......he isn't funny and he whinned like a little girl to NBC because he was bombing in primetime. NBC folded (as usual) and Conan got the ax. I no longer watch the network because they screw the talent at every turn. If not to save a few bucks, they do it when someone like Leno cries. Boo hoo. Just add another reality show! That's what NBC is good for. Get rid of the good prime time shows for cheap to make crap.
Go Dave! I like your idea and I HOPE it causes NBC to cancel Leno forever. It's NOT like he would be missed.

By sherries0702

I find it so interesting that Letterman bashes Leno. I do not recall Leno saying a word with Letterman's indiscretions. Leno is the bigger person, Letterman you are pathetic, Leno will reign again!

By Lonnie Padron

Letterman was barely getting an audience while Leno was on. I think the same thing will happen.
Letterman rarely makes me laugh,

By Steve

I can't believe that Letterman is still on. He has always sucked and still sucks. He is a nasty person and if he was the only one on at that hour; I would turn the TV off.

By CAV44

Fu** both of them!...Who cares? They're both a couple of over paid Prima Donna's who couldn't give a Sh*T less about you. Team Leno/Letterman my Ass!

By james

Jay LeNO INTEGRITY!

By womantrvlr

I am a huge Jay Leno. I can't believe that Letterman even said what he has said about future guests appearing on his show. Jay Leno has always been a class act and Letterman is proving what an old dog he is. I hope Jay creams him in the ratings.

By Linda

Ed..........Letterman has integrity???? When he cheated on his wife? Give me a break..

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