• by Wayne Friedman , August 3, 2009

Pasadena, Calif. -- CBS is ready to pounce with its late-night programming against NBC.

"Late Show with David Letterman" is closing in on "The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien," and CBS is sensing improved ratings with its 10 p.m. dramas against a new NBC Jay Leno talk show. Nina Tassler, president of CBS Entertainment, speaking at the Television Critics Association meeting here noted: "There is huge upside for us. Ten p.m. has been a great business for us... it's a sea change in our business."

When asked about NBC's move at 10 p.m., Tassler said bluntly: "Whatever numbers, they are going to declare victory." When asked what, if anything, might change in late-night time periods at CBS, she said: "We are not going to fix what isn't broken."

"Late Show with David Letterman" has now been semi-regularly winning in total viewers against other late-night shows. But more importantly, the show has been closing in on the all-important 18-49 viewers -- the biggest revenue-generating demo for many television dayparts. Letterman has been within two-tenths of a rating point of industry leader "The Tonight Show."

In regard to the cutback in some of the televised categories of awards at the Prime Time Emmy -- which CBS will be airing this fall -- Tassler said: "It's about adding entertainment value. If the ratings are up, more people are going to be watching the new shows, for all of television."

To replace its longtime "Guiding Light" daytime soap opera, CBS is launching a new version of "Let's Make a Deal," host by Wayne Brady. CBS had been looking at three possible game shows to replace "Light." FremantleMedia North America is producing the hour-long show to debut this fall. It also produces CBS' other big daytime game show "The Price Is Right." The net also touted new entries, such as "Three Rivers."

Concerning the departure of Ben Silverman, co-chairman of entertainment of NBC, Tassler joked: "I'm really just a D-girl, so I couldn't say," which relates to comments Silverman made during his tenure concerning other networks programming chiefs. A "D-girl" is a development girl or person at a TV/film company -- typically, an entry-level position.