IS STEWART STEWED?

Recent gossip has been filling the halls at 30 Rock today after NBC sources reported Comedy central's John Stewarthaving been courted by NBC directors. The rumors, which carry an erie reminder to when Letterman bidded for outgoing Jonny's Tonight Show seat, raises the question of whether or not O'Brian's alignment to fill Leno's seat in two years will be in danger of being passed by the leading voice of a generation of late night viewers.

Although Stewart and CC refused to comment, there, nevertheless, will be a political struggle for the coveted late night show that is the paradigm for post-prime-time programming.

Although filling Leno's slot would be a major career step for Stewart, reaching a much larger audience, I can't help but wonder what kind of programming changes network programmers would impose on Stewart. There's no better way to kill a good thing than to hand it over to a focus group. Too, Stewart would probably be pressured to shift his guest list from leading political figures, to the very people he ridicules when egos need to be broken. Can you imagine Stewart interviewing Paris Hilton or Kiefer Sutherland? what would the nonfiction publishing industry do if Stewart leavesCC.

I would love to see stewart for free each night, and know it would be a personal sign of achievement if he took either Leno or Letterman's spot. though I would only hope that the powers-that-be in network programming would have the sense to give stewart control over the course of his own future.