REASON TO WATCH A buried gem.

WHO'S SPIKE FERESTEN? He's a former writer for David Letterman at NBC and CBS, the Cartoon Network cult show, "Space Ghost Coast to Coast," and " Seinfeld," where he penned "The Soup Nazi."


WHAT IT'S ABOUT Typical late-night talk show with some twisted
twists - or "stoner" bits, like Larry King's head on the body of a
bodacious model, or idiot paparazzi who continually mistake regular
people for famous ones. Topical bits include Feresten's comparison of
"Forrest Gump" to " The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,"
and 99-year-old actress Mae LaBorde's inability to figure out how to
convert her old TV to digital. (Both are Internet hits.) Says Feresten
of LaBorde: "I find her a real inspiration to anyone who says, 'I don't
know what to do with my life' and they're only 35. She started a new
job in one of the toughest careers there is - at age 90."

SATURDAY'S GUEST Dana Carvey. This season wraps in a few weeks. Then ...?

late-night chief, says, "We're still open to the idea of going five
nights a week, but ... now is the time to take a deep breath and see
how things shake out" at the other networks.


BOTTOM LINE The best late-night talk show in Fox history, which
- as you correctly observe - means nothing. Sure, this one surpasses
"The Late Show" (1986), "Wilton North Report" (1987), and most
assuredly Chevy Chase's late- night lead balloon (1993).



Best to look at "Talkshow" as a fresh start, unburdened by woeful
history, and Feresten as pure raw potential. Herein lie the makings of
a franchise, beginning with the host - funny, self-deprecating and,
best of all, a talented comedy writer with the soul of a natural born
troublemaker. Bits like Button/Gump and LaBorde are pure gold. Some
elements need more work. The monologue is hit or miss. And one or two
of the skits? Feh. But the building blocks are solid. Fox, don't blow
this one.


GRADE A-