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NEWS > ENTERTAINMENT > KEVIN EUBANKS AND MAX WEINBERG THE FORGOTTEN VICTIMS OF LATE NIGHT WAR
KEVIN EUBANKS AND MAX WEINBERG THE FORGOTTEN VICTIMS OF LATE NIGHT WAR
January 17 2010
Los Angeles, CA – For generations the late night talk show has been the pinnacle of television broadcasting. Never the ratings winner, never the star maker, late night talk has nonetheless become the gold crown of the medium, the place to which all stars 
flock, the place where the true kings of television reside. Much of that is due to the inimitable presence of Johnny Carson on ‘The Tonight Show’ who, for thirty years, tucked generations of Americans into bed every night, making himself into the true face of television.
When Carson announced his retirement in 1992, there was a great deal of doubt as to who would, or could, take up his crown. The turmoil over the throne was not unlike that of real kings as both Jay Leno and David Letterman lobbied for the seat. Ultimately the kingdom was split with Leno the victor and Letterman with his own land to rule. Now, in the midst of yet another talk show war between Leno and, ironically, Letterman’s replacement Conan O’Brien the kingdom has once again been divided. With so much blood spilled already and the new terms of rule still in a state of flux, some calm has come to late night and now attention has started to turn towards the forgotten victims in the conflict, namely the band leaders of both programs. 
For a new generation late night has not only been defined by a large chin and a pillar of red hair, but also by the musical stewardship of two men, Kevin Eubanks and Max Weinberg. Their contributions to their respective programs is something that often goes forgotten despite the undeniable influence the two men have had on the programs and on television in general. It is those two men, those silent knights that entertain the audience during commercial breaks and provide flair to every celebrity guest, who have been caught in the middle of the battle between their bosses. Now, finally, the two men have the opportunity to be recognized.
“People often underestimate the value of the band and the band leader in particular and that is why they have been largely forgotten in this mess. You hear people talking about Leno and O’Brien, you even hear people talking
about their producers and show runners, but rarely are the band leaders ever
mentioned. It’s really as stressful for them as it is for anyone else,” said Scrape TV Music analyst Dylan Chambers. “People don’t realize what sensitive souls musicians can be sometimes and these two men in particular are very delicate indeed. They have no say in what is going on here but their future is up in the air and that means they have a keen interest in how this thing unfolds. It’s got to be particularly rough on Weinberg because he apparently doesn’t have a job anymore but it has to be just as hard on Eubanks and that whole band, constantly being in a state of flux.”
Weinberg, thankfully, still has his day job as the drummer for the legendary E Street Band. Eubanks was reportedly lobotomized early in life meaning that his emotions are largely muted.
“We know the short term solution for some of this but ultimately if O’Brien does get another show at another network the trauma for these two men could be relived over and over again every night. For two quiet men like this who just do their duty night in and night out that could be devastating and hurtful,” continued Chambers. “Hopefully they will both come out from this disaster with their heads held high, knowing that they have done everything they could. The worst thing that could happen out of all of this is that we would lose the music. That would be a true tragedy.”
Paul Shaffer, who has a legendary career and is widely respected throughout the music and entertainment industries, could apparently care less.
Samantha Dryden, Entertainment Correspondent
NEWS > ENTERTAINMENT > KEVIN EUBANKS AND MAX WEINBERG THE FORGOTTEN VICTIMS OF LATE NIGHT WAR
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