Marv Albert's appearance on the "Late Show" with David
Letterman on Wednesday produced a 4.6/12 overnight rating
(WASHINGTON POST, 11/14). The rating was Letterman's "best
overnight average of the season," but still "lagged" behind
the "Tonight Show" and "Nightline" (N.Y. POST, 11/14).
FINAL THOUGHTS: In N.Y., Steve Zipay: "[A]s the
whirlwind tour stumbled to an embarrassing halt, we are left
to wonder: Exactly what did Albert accomplish?" (NEWSDAY,
11/14). Also in N.Y., Michele Greppi grades each of
Albert's appearances: "Late Show" received an A+; "Today"
received an A-; "Larry King Live" received a C+; and "20/20"
received a D-. Greppi: "It shows the one who laughs last
interviews best -- and the one who goes first might not want
to go there again" (N.Y. POST, 11/14). The DAILY NEWS' Eric
Mink also reviewed Albert's appearances. Mink, on the
"Today" appearance: "Yesterday's encounter between [Katie]
Couric and Albert was a fascinating tug of war between two
skilled practitioners of the art of live TV" (N.Y. DAILY
NEWS, 11/14). In Baltimore, Milton Kent questions Albert's
credibility with his "reprehensible trip through talk shows"
(Baltimore SUN, 11/14). Jerry & Ketchum Advertising
President Jerry Della Femina: "It was right for him to do
what he did, no matter how tough they're gonna be ... the
fact is it's time to lay off Marv" ("The Big Show," 11/13).
