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ABC's new late-night entries are more watchable. Cavett's ego continues to occupy an undeservedly large part of the stage, and his comedy material has flopped embarrassingly. But he is still one of TV's most alert and intelligent interviewers, and his guests -- from Actor Richard Gere to Mafia Chronicler Peter Maas -- have been well chosen. Breslin, meanwhile, has come up with the fall's quirkiest late-night entry. Stationed at a cluttered office desk, he introduces an offbeat mix of features and interviews, most of them taped on location. He has, for example, shown courtroom highlights from a Florida murder trial, interviewed a man who used to tend the electric chair in a Texas penitentiary and talked with a New York City bus driver suspended for going to the bathroom while on duty.
Breslin's show, however, may be too pungent and rough-edged to succeed in late night, where Carson's comfortable couch is wearing well. The Tonight host has fought off rivals before -- from Joey Bishop to Alan Thicke -- but the newest challenge seems to have rejuvenated him. His guest lists are better (on the night of Rivers' debut, Carson countered with the reclusive Sean Penn), and his opening monologue remains an invaluable cultural guidepost. (After the initial glum reports from the Reykjavik summit, Carson commented, "George Shultz stepped out of the shower and told Reagan it was all a bad dream.") Even Carson's cool, make-no-waves interviewing style is refreshing after the pushy prattle of Rivers and Brenner.
Carson's entourage denies that the show has made any overt changes in response to the new competition. NBC Entertainment President Brandon Tartikoff compares Carson to "a great athlete who rises to the challenge. He'll take a great game and play it better when more eyes are watching." But industry speculation is growing that Carson, after fending off this latest competition, might finally retire next year, when he reaches his 25th anniversary as Tonight host. If so, the battle for late night may be only beginning.