Elizabeth Banks is clearly a personal favorite of Craig Ferguson’s.  In her most recent appearance any doubt of that was quickly dismissed, as he continued to try and find a crack in the 16 plus year relationship she has with her husband and the fact that this is the second time she has been on the show in the past 45 days.  Granted, she is in not one, but three films currently in release, but this appearance other than a clip to remind us that she played Laura Bush in W, had little to do with her roles in that film or her other two (“Role Models” and “Zack & Miri Make a Porno”) films.
Looking strikingly beautiful in a short red dress, Banks started the edgy banter by proclaiming that she was admittedly wearing “come _____ me shoes.”  Even Ferguson seemed flustered and believe me, it takes quite a lot to do that.  She then spiced it up a notch by putting her legs up on the desk, being sure to cover up anything that might haunt her in the future, or at least on TMZ the following night.  Then it was a not so subtle segue into a four-minute “poop” story for which she takes credit as an aficionado.  In this case I will not do it justice, so I advise you to watch the interview with a bottle of Pepto close by.
It all just added up to a curious appearance that while packing a high degree of entertainment/shock value did little for why someone would come on a talk show in the first place.  That being said, if Banks’ mission was to convince prospective producers that she has no problem handling any level of gross material they could throw at her, I guess she was a success.  But for the casual insomniac, I doubt if she won over any new fans or sold any tickets.  Look, I’m not slamming her for bad taste, just that the whole appearance seemed like a waste of time.  Yes, she is clearly a go to guest for Ferguson, but she’s clearly just filling time here and that doesn’t serve anyone.

I’m not really sure what to say about Daniel Craig’s recent visit to Jay Leno’s show. There to promote the new 007 film Quantum Of Solace, Craig was understated, subtle and Bond-like. He was also the antithesis of Bond in his vulnerability, both physical and emotional.  There is a shyness to Craig that probably works better as a vehicle for his charm with women rather than men.

Arriving with his arm in a sling – and not offering much explanation of why other than the six or seven (ask his doctor!) screws in the shoulder – Craig went on to discuss several other injuries he’s suffered of late. Very un-Bond-like.
Craig also talked about his life as an actor and, like almost every other actor out there, his dislike of the audition process, funny story included. Further confirming his less-than-suave real life, Craig talked about getting the phone call that he was the new Bond while shopping, alone, at a Baltimore Whole Foods Market. He immediately went to the liquor department, bought a bottle of vodka and drank it. Not shaken or stirred.

Craig did spend time explaining the title of the new film.  A smart move considering most have been bewildered since first hearing the title.  The whole appearance was a bit like the chicken or the egg dilemma – did Craig get the part because he is the strong, silent type or is he now the strong, silent type because he got the part…and is now doing promotion? Hard to know. But whichever it is, he has proven good for the franchise, reinvigorating and even reinventing the character as a more serious, contemplative James Bond. I believe Ian Fleming would be happy.

As for Craig’s talk show persona, his light humor and stoicism combined well to offer a Bond-like, if not electric appearance. Craig’s power is clearly better demonstrated on the screen not on the couch.

Three, three, three plugs in one. That’s what actor Jeremy Piven offered on a recent edition of Dave Letterman’s show. Dressed in a pin-stripped suit with a too-tight jacket, too-long tie and sporting a five-o’clock shadow, Piven carries a humbleness that belies a layer of cockiness. When asked about winning three Emmys in a row, Piven said “I need more, Dave,” but you got the sneaking suspicion that he really meant it.

I think he was there to promote his new film Rocknrolla, but he also discussed his current Broadway stint in Speed the Plow and, of course, we couldn’t forget his TV show Entourage. Wow!

Piven was enjoyable, although sometimes it felt like he wasn’t completely listening to Dave. At one point, Dave asked an admittedly confusing question and Piven answered with a semi non sequitur that was just about what he wanted to say seeming as if he was getting coaching from a certain VP candidate instead of his publicist?  Dave wrapped the exchange up saying “It’s interesting because I’m not sure I understood my question and clearly you didn’t understand my question…” “I didn’t either,” Piven replied and quickly and cleverly added, “I felt like Sarah Palin. I was confused and I played through.”  To which Dave said “nice job.” And it was a nice job. Not stellar, but nice.

If you didn’t know Mark Wahlberg and saw him for the first time on Jay Leno’s show, you would think he was a nice, respectable young actor. You would have no idea of his history. A history even he joked about. Wahlberg spent much of the interview talking about his childhood, being the youngest of nine kids. He also joked with Jay about having just had his third child, his upcoming wedding and trying to sell his house…to Jay, “come on, Jay, help out a fellow Bostonian!” (He did his homework! Good move.)

Walberg’s low-key persona is quite the opposite of that previously mentioned wild history that inspired the series Entourage, which he produces.  It’s a history which is best described in his own words – when Jay asked about how he would deal with his kids finding out about it – he said “I’m trying to figure out how I can destroy evidence or come up with…I have a few years to figure out a good excuse, but I [will] have a lot of explaining to do. Between my music career, the underwear stuff and Boogie Nights, I don’t know how I’m gonna explain that!”

Wahlberg did talk about his new film Max Payne and did a good job explaining its origins as a video game.  Once again, playing against character, he said he chose the role because after playing a science teacher and an accountant in his last films, he felt the need to “bust some heads.”

From rapper to sex symbol to edgy actor to smooth talk show guest, the adage “you can’t judge a book by its cover” really applies here. Can’t wait to see what’s next.

I really wanted to like Molly Shannon on Jay Leno’s show, but she made it so difficult because, frankly, I was so exhausted after watching her. When she walked out, she brought chips and salsa to a couple at a mock Mexican restaurant table set up on stage – a bit Jay and Co. were doing. She was a good sport to participate and seemed genuinely excited to be there, waving at the crowd and grinning that huge grin. The trouble began when she sat down. From continually fixing and touching her hair, to either genuinely or playfully losing concentration, to telling uncomfortably awkward stories about her family and upbringing — Shannon was all over the place. She sensed it herself I think, when she started to drink from Jay’s cup – he stopped her – and she tried to cover, joking with “I’m a real classy guest.”

They did talk about her new show Kath and Kim and showed a clip, but by that time I was so beaten up by all of the frenetic energy, that I could hardly concentrate.  Now, I’m pretty sure on some level this is all about nerves, but it just shouldn’t happen. Shannon needs someone to sit her down in a quiet place and teach her to channel her energy and focus on her direction and intent.

I think we’ve discovered why she is so talented and adept with characters. Now if she could only “play” a calm, centered talk show guest, she’d have it made. Perhaps she could add that to her repertoire.

Kate Walsh is bright, bubbly and beautiful. We know the beauty part because David Letterman commented on it and her dress – a very tight, revealing little black number.
The bright you can sense from the way she speaks and carries herself – very poised - and the bubbly became evident during her many meandering stories…too bubbly and too meandering. Just a bit. She laughed a lot while telling those stories, which can be cute if done sparingly, but beware, too much can diminish your overall appearance.

Walsh did have some nice, clever moments, which made up for the giddiness – one political and one provocative. When discussing the fact that she was raised in Arizona, she added “I can see Mexico,” (a smart, current reference). And when Dave showed a few pictures of her, she commented about one in which she was wearing a very tight red-carpet dress, “it took a village to get me into that dress,” which set Dave up perfectly to respond “where do I sign up for that!” Always a good move to flirt with and make the host shine. They did briefly discuss her show Private Practice, but she also managed to plug a book she’s a part of (another sexy photo), Hollywood Pinups.
All in all, Walsh was entertaining and a good guest. I think if she reigns it is just a smidge, she could be a great one.

Bill Maher is clever intelligent and insightful. He can also be smug, condescending and obnoxious. His appearance on The Daily Show was humorous and thought provoking, but he often came so close to crossing the line of decorum that the audience may have miss his message. Not that he appears to care, but if people don’t watch or stay tuned in, you can’t educate them or even get them to consider your platform.  It’s ironic that as the election nears, Maher is riding the crest of his popularity among liberal audiences which would make him a perfect fit for The Daily Show’s studio audience, but at times as much as the crowed WANTED to be with him, the often rough time he game Stewart resulted in a palpable confusion in the audience.

Promoting his film Religilous, simply put, Maher even gave his host, a tough time. On several occasions, Stewart asked serious questions about religion and Maher shot him down, once just say NO! Not necessarily the wisest move as a talk show guest, even if it’s supposed to be funny.  There may be a bit of a battle going on here as Maher and Stewart jockey for the position as leader of the satirical political comedy kingdom. This could account for a slight unease displayed by Maher.

The other problem I had with Maher was that his spiel wasn’t new. He had set bits that he’s used on other shows verbatim. Again, a man this smart should be able to mix it up and offer a unique visit to every show. You need to make sure you do that. He of all people, being a talk show host himself should know better.

It’s often hard to walk out on stage when an interviewer has just taken a serious tone, as Julia Louis-Dreyfus was forced to do after David Letterman had just paid tribute to his friend Paul Newman. Louis-Dreyfus took the right tack by not trying to lighten up the moment immediately, but by adding her own comments and complimenting the organic nature of his Newman’s Own products. A nice tip of the hat to a great man and I’m sure Letterman appreciated it.  She was then able to segued into the now infamous non-appearance by John McCain on Dave’s show and his ultimate dissing of Dave by making it to a Katie Couric interview. She found that very rude.  So, in an effort to “show my support for you and sort of set the universe straight, I also scheduled an interview for exactly this time and I’m not showing up for it!”  Dave, afraid she was going to leave, asked her with whom. With perfect timing, she said “Katie Couric, of course.” They then cut to a shot of Couric sitting alone in the studio, waiting, staring at an empty chair. A nicely set up bit that obviously pleased Dave.

Most of the rest of the interview was an entertaining recount of her family vacation in Africa. “I’d like to go,” interjected Dave. “Would you? Well, listen to this,” she warned and proceeded to regale us with all the nightmares they encountered with lions, scorpions and baby black mambos.  Clearly Dave was souring to the whole adventure as the interview progressed.

They did finally get around to talking about her show, The New Adventures of Old Christine, which is in its fourth season. She wasn’t too happy with its season premiere being against Dancing with the Stars, but she said she wasn’t worried.  And she really shouldn’t be…she and Dave had a great time, laughed a lot, as did the audience.

Diane Lane and Richard Gere are like the favorite sweater you put on when the cold sets in – warm and comfortable. And we were privy to that coziness when they appeared on the new Bonnie Hunt Show. A show and host that are still searching for their groove, as the quick witted and often cutting host, looks cultivate to a laid-back, down-home style that she and her producers believe is more conducive to daytime talk. While Hunt seems to be trying a little too hard to be a “regular gal,” she did allow pros like Lane and Gere to fall into their own brand of an easy rapport.

There to promote their new film Nights in Rodanthe, their third film together in 25 years, Lane and Gere acted like an old married couple – and I mean this in a good way.  At times we watched them speak for each other, tease each other and tag-team seamlessly in discussing the film, which they did for quite a while and over several clips.  They were certainly a major “get” for a fledgling show, already hurting in the ratings, and Bonnie showed her gratitude by giving them major time latitude.  I did find it interesting that Gere felt the need to carry a prop – a paper coffee cup – out with him, which he held, but rarely drank from throughout the interview. Usually this is a sign of nervousness posing as informality, but in Gere’s case as a veteran of all of this, it’s hard to figure out just what was going on here.  With whatever apprehension he may have been feeling, he was still comfortable enough to play with the audience and the host, to everyone’s delight.

It’s not the easiest task to interview two people at once, or for that matter, be interviewed as a team, but all things considered, Bonnie did it well. I just wish there could have been a little less laid-back comfort and a little more excitement, but in this case, familiarity didn’t breed contempt, we just felt like we were part of the family.

John Krasinski is pretty nearly the ideal talk-show guest. Casual, quick, dry and funny as hell. Not only did he listen during his time on screen, but he obviously was watching show from the green room (the talk show guest’s “on deck circle”) even before he was on stage. This is a sure fire way to win the respect of the host and a golden opportunity to insert humor when the comic groundwork has already been laid for the audience.  It’s a nice trick that works nine times out of ten.  On his recent visit to Craig Ferguson’s Late, Late Show, Krasinski heard Ferguson talking about the trend of actors in commercials for the new fall TV season posing in over-the-shoulder model stances. Ferguson proceeded to do several versions for the audience… as did Krasinski when he came out, immediately endearing himself to Ferguson and the crowd.

As you know, we talk about knowing your host, your audience and your show before you make an appearance. That means doing your homework… and Krasinski did his, literally, and talked about it, too. In discussing Ferguson’s spot on the Emmys where he grabbed Brooke Shields’ ass, Krasinski said “ You got a little randy in your bit, didn’t you? That’s what they say in the UK, right? Randy? I did my homework for this show!” More brownie points.

Krasinski brought a little of everything to the show – from playing with the audience to talking directly to camera (to Eric Stoltz, actually) to impressions (Brando and a Muppet). And he made them all work beautifully. The only thing he didn’t do, which is a real Guest Whisperer no-no, is talk about his role in NBC’s The Office, which he was most likely there to promote. It’s a good thing Craig showed a clip at the top of the segment. This, of course, is partly the host’s fault, but you must remember why you’re there in the first place.  If a segment is going well by the hosts standards, then it is incumbent on the guest to subtly take charge and steer the conversation to the topic at hand.  This is primarily why I can’t give him a five out of five rating for this appearance.

I wish all guests were as clever, relaxed and entertaining as John Krasinski.  Next time we hope he can hit it out of the park.