Back in 2006 when Fox TV’s Talkshow with Spike Feresten debuted at midnight on Saturday, it was touted as a fast-paced half-hour combining the elements of a talk show with irreverent comedy sketches, featuring comedy in every act and using guests in unpredictable ways.
And, by god, now in its third season, that’s exactly what the show delivers.
“The show is a tight 30 minutes, and we jam comedy into every act,” Feresten tells About Talk Shows via e-mail from, presumably, a comfy spot somewhere in Los Angeles. “And no other show dedicates their last two minutes exclusively to stoned viewers, the coveted Saturday night demo.”
Feresten, an Emmy-nominated writer and comedian, is perhaps most famous for creating Seinfeld’s “Soup Nazi.” Thankfully, he didn’t shout “No answers for you!” when we asked him about his third season as a talk show host, who he’d love to have as a guest, and what he thinks about Jay Leno’s exit from NBC’s The Tonight Show.
And, more thankfully, he’s a lot funnier than we are.
About Talk Shows (ATS): What can viewers expect in the third season of Talkshow?
Spike Feresten (SF): Two things. I am doing a monologue this year, and I'm wearing proper trousers instead of jeans. I know it doesn't sound like much, but Fox believes these changes will propel me to new heights in obscurity.
ATS: Talkshow’s format is pretty unique. What compelled you to approach the format from this angle?
SF: I worked as a writer for five years on arguably the biggest late night show on TV –David Letterman. And while I enjoyed every minute of it, I began thinking about how much fun, creatively, you could have with a small, underdog talk show. No network breathing down your neck for ratings and A-list guests. You know like early Letterman. That's what we aspire to be. Early Letterman.
ATS: Favorite guest so far?
SF: Last season I had the hosts from the Discovery Channel's Fight Quest, and one of them, Jimmy, let me punch him in the face wearing only an oven mitt. I am hoping to do the same thing to Brody Jenner this season.
ATS: Who do you want on the program more than anyone else?
SF:
Dream guest this year: Obama.
Likely guest this year: Pauly Shore.
But our season premiere guest is Kara DioGuardi, the new American Idol judge. We scored an exclusive talk show appearance with her. Her first, and I am very excited to meet her.
ATS: What prompted you to become a talk show host?
SF: To be a talk show host on Fox? Actually, because of their troubled history in late night – Chevy, Magic and others – it’s like jury duty now. You get a notice in the mail. You show up, they slap a suit on you and you commence yapping.
ATS: What about the job would surprise readers who think it’s probably easy to do?
SF: Interrupting a guest to throw to commercial. You have to do it, but it feels rude to me. It's how I was raised. And wearing make up. I'm a dude. Dudes don't wear eyeliner, right?
ATS: Who are your influences, and do you watch other shows?
SF: My favorite three interviewers right now are David Letterman, Howard Stern and Larry King. All are very skilled at knowing when to hit the gas and when to jam on the brakes. I also enjoy it when Dr. Phil yells at his guests. I just love that.
ATS: What is your take on Jay exiting The Tonight Show? Many are confounded by NBC’s decision to make this change now.
SF: I understand why NBC wants to give The Tonight Show to Conan, but what I don't understand is the timing. Jay is No. 1. What network in all of television history has taken a No. 1 show off the air? Not counting F-Troop, I mean.
ATS: Do you think he’ll turn up on another channel?
SF: Yes. It's strange to say, but I believe Jay Leno is just hitting his stride.
ATS: Would you ever consider moving to the 11:30 p.m. weeknight slot on Fox? Have you talked about it?
SF: I've got my hands full with Saturday night right now, but the big 2009 shake up is just around the corner. No one, least of all me, knows what will happen. Maybe I’ll get a bigger, better time slot or maybe I’ll end up hosting Animal Planet. Either way, like they say in prison, "It's all good".
