09 "Later" (Greg Kinnear)
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This article is from the Greg Kinnear FAQ, by Chris Clark crclark@dreamscape.com with numerous contributions by others.
09 "Later" (Greg Kinnear)
By the end of 1993, Greg had received calls from Fox (to replace Chevy
Chase), Disney (regarding sitcoms and talk shows), Castle Rock's Rob Reiner
(for a syndicated interview show), and CBS (which wanted Greg to fill Tom
Snyder's current slot. His choice was to sign a five-year contract with
NBC to replace Bob Costas as host of "Later," a late-late-night half hour
talk show. NBC had considered over two dozen other candidates, including
MTV's Chris Connelly and "Rolling Stone" magazine's Bill Zehme.
While Costas' approach was low-key and informative, the new "Later with
Greg Kinnear" was fashioned more like existing late-night talk shows.
Tailoring the show to Greg's talents, the show opens with media clips:
Greg commenting on news garnered from conventional and not so conventional
sources (one favorite being the musical announcement of a new zodiac sign
each month from an Astrology show on public access TV). As with Costas'
"Later", there is only one guest, but Greg's "Later" was sprinkled comedy
bits like mock interviews with politicians or the "man under the desk"
routine.
Reviews of the show were mixed, but generally receptive. Even the Los
Angeles Times' Howard Rosenberg (who clearly preferred Bob Costas)
described Greg as being "sometimes quite funny." "All in all," he
continued, "[Greg's] a good fit for the anything-goes ambiance of 1:35-2:05
a.m." The review in "Entertainment Weekly" was more complimentary: the
critic praised Greg's awareness of how goofy a talk show can be. "[His
'Later'] has retained a certain efficient intimacy: brief opening remarks;
some funny, "Talk Soup"-style clips called "Media Bytes"; one guest; a half
hour and he's outta there. It's a good formula that Kinnear uses to his
advantage." In the eyes of Tom Snyder, Greg's first late-night effort was
"very, very good. But let's face it--this show goes on at 1:35 a.m.
That's a tough, tough hour."
After the first year, minor changes were made to "Later." The show now has
a "cold" opening, the theme song (written by Dave and Jeff Koz) was
re-mixed, and the "Later Letter" (billed as the longest running celebrity
chain letter) was dumped. To Greg's credit, his much-maligned desk remained
on the show.
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