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Payback: Now
McCain does Jay Leno


Having gotten the hose treatment on 'Letterman'

Nov 11, 2008

A few weeks ago, John McCain dropped by “The Late Show with David Letterman,” boosting the program to its best ratings in three years. His spot followed a weeks-long tantrum by Letterman after McCain abruptly canceled an earlier appearance.

McCain was a good sport, but Letterman gave him a very hard time about everything from his choice of running mate to his lagging poll numbers. So perhaps it’s no surprise that McCain, in choosing his first post-election sit-down interview, opted for Letterman’s arch rival, Jay Leno.

Tonight at 11:35 p.m., McCain appears on NBC’s “Tonight Show,” and he should provide the show a nice lift as well. Though Leno has led Letterman in the ratings for years, the latter saw his numbers increase in the weeks following McCain’s appearance, with many saying Letterman conducted the best grilling of the Republican candidate during the election season.

Leno holds a 0.2 edge over Letterman season to date among adults 18-49, according to Nielsen, averaging a 1.3 rating. Among total viewers, Leno leads by 800,000, averaging 4.7 million this season. But Letterman topped Leno the night of McCain’s appearance and has tied or beaten him several nights in the three weeks following that show.

Why McCain chose this particularly night for his appearance is no real mystery. It’s Veteran’s Day, and McCain’s veteran status was a key part of his presidential run.

It’s also not hard to see why he chose “Tonight” for his first post-election outing: It will be easier.

While the cable news networks have been deconstructing his campaign and the reasons for his loss to Barack Obama, including reported tension between him and vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, Leno will likely serve up the sort of softball questions that Letterman skipped over during McCain’s last appearance.

 

A look at this week’s top TV draws

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11

Time

Network

Program

Description

7 a.m.

ABC

“Good Morning America” (N)

Ted Turner guests and Alicia Keys guests.

8 p.m.

CBS

“NCIS” (D)

The team investigates a bank robbery turned murder.

8 p.m.

Fox

“House” (D)

A potential patient desperately needs medical attention, but the guy refuses to leave his house.

9 p.m.

ABC

“Dancing with the Stars” (R)

Another contestant is bounced.

9 p.m.

ESPN

“World Series of Poker” (S)

The conclusion of the 2008 main event.

10 p.m.

NBC

“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (D)

An investigation of the murder of a high schooler who may have been involved in a pregnancy pact.

10 p.m.

FX

“The Shield” (D)

Corrine decides to act as a messenger between Vic and Shane.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12

Time

Network

Program

Description

7 a.m.

NBC

“Today” (N)

Daniel Craig and Annie Leibovitz guest.

8 p.m.

ABC

“42nd Annual CMA Awards” (A)

Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood host the 42nd annual event.

8 p.m.

CW

“America’s Next Top Model” (R)

The models get tips on how to model with objects.

9 p.m.

CBS

“Criminal Minds” (D)

Reid looks into a murder he thinks has a link to his own childhood.

9 p.m.

E!

“Ruby” (R)

If you missed Sunday’s series premiere on Style Network, here’s a chance to see it again: A 500-pound woman tries to lose weight.

10 p.m.

CBS

“CSI: NY” (D)

The crew looks into a murder in a house that’s being relocated.

10:30 p.m.

ESPN

“NBA Basketball” (S)

Yao and the Rockets take on Shaq and the Suns.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13

Time

Network

Program

Description

7 a.m.

ABC

“Good Morning America” (N)

Musical legend Quincy Jones guests.

7:30 p.m.

ESPN

“College Football” (S)

Former Big East and current ACC rivals Virginia Tech and Miami do battle.

8 p.m.

CW

“Smallville” (D)

Clark tries to save Chloe from Brainiac.

9 p.m.

CBS

“CSI” (D)

Witnesses are reluctant to talk about a murder they saw.

9 p.m.

ABC

“Grey’s Anatomy” (D)

An old friend of Meredith’s becomes an intern at Seattle Grace.

10 p.m.

NBC

“ER” (D)

The episode featuring flashbacks of Dr. Greene (Anthony Edwards).

10 p.m.

FX

“It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” (C)

The crew gives a family a home makeover with hopes that karma will reward them.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14

Time

Network

Program

Description

7 a.m.

NBC

“Today” (N)

Enrique Iglesias guests.

8 p.m.

CBS

“Ghost Whisperer” (D)

Melinda doubts her powers while helping a teenage ghost.

8 p.m.

ESPN

“NBA Basketball” (S)

The Nuggets battle the Celtics in Boston.

9 p.m.

ABC

“Supernanny” (R)

Make that Supermanny: A male child therapist takes Nanny Jo’s place for an episode.

10 p.m.

CBS

“Numb3rs” (D)

A park ranger and friend of Don and Charlie’s is murdered.

10 p.m.

USA

“The Starter Wife” (D)

Molly has second thoughts about Zach after finding out one of his secrets.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15

Time

Network

Program

Description

Noon

CBS

“College Football” (S)

Notre Dame renews its rivalry with Navy.

3:30 p.m.

ABC

“College Football” (S)

One of several regional matchups, including North Carolina-Maryland.

8 p.m.

Fox

“Cops” (R)

A traffic stop goes from routine to troublesome when the driver tries to ditch some evidence.

8 p.m.

ABC

“College Football” (S)

Oklahoma State versus Colorado in a Big 12 tilt.

9 p.m.

HBO

“Ricky Gervais: Out of England – The Stand-Up Special” (C)

The premiere of a performance taped at Madison Square Garden last year.

10 p.m.

CMT

“Hulk Hogan’s Celebrity Championship Wrestling” (R)

One of the contestants needs to be rushed to the hospital.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16

Time

Network

Program

Description

3:45 p.m.

ABC

“NASCAR Racing” (S)

The final race of the season, the For 400 from Homestead-Miami Speedway.

8 p.m.

Fox

“The Simpsons” (C)

Lisa enters a crossword tournament and then Homer starts a betting ring.

8:15 p.m.

NBC

“Sunday Night Football” (S)

Huge NFC East rivalry game between the Redskins and Cowboys.

9 p.m.

ABC

“Desperate Housewives” (D)

Among other things, Katherine makes a confession to Susan.

9 p.m.

CBS

“Cold Case” (D)

The team looks into the 1989 murder of a Russian opera singer.

9 p.m.

HBO

“Dexter” (D)

Miguel is on to Dexter, and he wants to get involved.

10 p.m.

HBO

“Entourage” (C)

Vince is getting mixed signals from his director.

A = awards show or special, C = comedy, D = drama, DD = daytime drama, G = game show, K = kids, M = movie, N = news/documentary, R = reality, S = sports, T = talk/variety show.

 



Louisa Ada Seltzer is a staff writer for Media Life.




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