JON STEWART - LATE-NIGHT COMEDY SHOWS UNAFFECTED BY STRIKE

LATE-NIGHT COMEDY SHOWS UNAFFECTED BY STRIKE

An Associated Press review of the ratings of the late-night comedy shows during the period of the writers strike has revealed that the strike had little effect. In fact Stephen Colbert's audience actually rose 6 percent during the strike from the same period a year ago. (And some critics commented that Colbert was funnier without his writers than with them.) Jon Stewart's Daily Show ratings remained identical with 2007's. Jay Leno's numbers improved slightly to 5.17 million viewers from 5 million, while David Letterman's audience grew to 4.05 million from 3.8 million -- still considerably behind Leno's. ("For Letterman, it undoubtedly represented his last, best chance to eclipse Leno," the A.P. observed.) Conan O'Brien's ratings were unchanged.

14/02/2008