Television Talk and Ritual Space: Carson and Letterman.

Abstract

From colonial comedy to the comedy of fringe TV's late‐night talk shows, the Yankee character has been a champion of common sense and cultural consensus. As exemplified in the stardom of Johnny Carson and David Letterman, today's Yankee hero operates as both a moderator of potential chaos and a reinforcer of mainstream social values. This essay explores how the formal television elements that constitute the ritual space of the talk show establish and contextualiu the socio‐centrality of the star‐host.