Late Night Tightrope

One of the many...MANY reasons why I don't watch late night talk shows.  Nothing against Leno, O'Brien, Letterman, Ferguson, Kimmel or Fallic -- but staying up late to watch the true personalities of my favorite television/film/music celebs rear their ugly heads is ultimately self-defeating.

I STILL remember, to this day, an appearance by psycho Alyssa Milano on Leno. I only say she's psycho since that's exacttly how she acted. "Does anybody wanna date me? Does anybody wanna go out with me?" were approximately the words she pleaded to the audience.... and I'm not 100% sure she was kidding.  Look, nobody's perfect, but suspension of disbelief is essential in the enjoyment of filmed entertainment. Watching an actor go batshit crazy on a late night tuber, then turning around two nights later and trying to believe his of her character is a well-adjusted, say, detective or lawyer is THE quickest way to screw the ratings pooch.

And above is not a solitary case. I've met quite a few actors living here in Studio City (which, to those outside of SoCal, REALLY does exist as a mapped community).  Some down-to-earth and enjoyable to share space alongside -- others galactically whacked to the degree as to wonder how they walk and talk at the same instant without exploding (apparently, so I'm told, that's a real issue with David Caruso).  Some hide behind layers of clothing and monster shades, of which frequently serve a counter-purpose as they call attention to who might be, exactly, behind those shades -- especially if they're worn indoors.  Which makes me wonder if their agent and/or manager vehemently stressed the use of said disguise in the hopes of avoiding prolonged conversation with the ticket-buying, Nielsen-fueling folk as to avoid the inevitable conclusion by said folk that their beloved star is certifiably mental.

I wouldn't blame them a bit.