The War for Late Night: When Leno Went Early and Television Went Crazy by Bill Carter

I enjoyed reading this book. Even though it received significant coverage when it happened, Carter got the inside story and put all the pieces together. NBC was in a quandary. They had promised the Tonight Show to Conan O'Brien. The catch? He had to wait five years before Jay Leno would move over and allow him to take over. Unfortunately NBC's plans did not work out. Prompted by poor ratings and a revolt by their affiliates, a new plan was created that bumped O'Brien off the Tonight Show replaced with Leno.

Carter was able to piece the strategies, thinking and background on Jay Leno, Conan O'Brien and David Letterman. Carter also recounted Letterman's struggle when he revealed that he had sexual relationships with women in his staff.

Conan O'Brien comes off very well and highly principled. His concern for his staff and their futures was refreshing given the selfish mindset of many celebrities.

Jay Leno does not come off as well as Conan but he is not the total villain that he was portrayed in the press and by other comedians.

This book was highly sourced and researched. A very good read.

Talk Show by Dick Cavett

I'm old enough to remember Dick Cavett and his talk show on ABC. I remember he had a number of interesting shows and interesting guests, including John Lennon and Yoko Ono. Cavett was urbane, sophisticated, intelligent and had a very dry wit. Cavett was high brow. He was smart enough to keep up with the intellects of many of his guests.

I enjoyed Talk Show. Cavett shared stories, many very amusing, about various celebrities and notables including Richard Burton, John Wayne, Jack Benny, Gore Vidal, Johnny Carson, Richard Nixon and Norman Mailer. My favorite stories involved his conversations and dealings with Groucho Marx.

Cavett also shares his views on today's events and people in the news.

Warning: Cavett does not like George Bush or Sarah Palin. If you like them, you are better off reading their books instead.

Very easy read.  Short chapters. You'll enjoy Cavett's asides and use of language.

"TMZ" Style Reading

I skimmed through two celebrity style books, My Life Outside the Ring by Hulk Hogan and Official Book Club Selection: A Memoir by Kathy Griffin.

If someone puts a gun to your head and tells you that you have to read one, I'd choose the Griffin book. Griffin is very candid about her career, her fellow celebrities and she is painfully honest about her failed marriage. Griffin is an acquired taste and generates a lot of heat for her outspoken views.

Hulk's book offers very little about his wrestling career. Much of the book is his side of his failed marriage and son Nick's legal troubles after a car accident that has paralyzed a family friend. It reads like a deposition at times.