Why talk show hosts require licensing

Only slightly OT: Never thought I'd see a "talk show" host make John McEnroe and Chevy Chase seem like Leno and Letterman, but I did last night (Eisner as Wannabe Talk Show Host). The NYT described it as somthing akin to being at an awkward cocktail party, but having been to more than my fair share of those, may I report my reaction: simple phantom pain. My face froze into a wince that disappeared only after Emeril Live hit the first commercial. Michael Eisner's family and agent may feel he's a genuine good guy and cool conversationalist and for all I know he may well be. But being at ease on the tube's a thing unto itself and he should know it. I disagreed wholeheartedly with the arrogant jerks who compared Bob Costas interviewing the snowboard dudes in the Olympics last month with seeing your uncle hitting the dance floor at your wedding. But in Eisner's case, the analogy comes to mind. Eisner, you had a marketing gene once. Did you leave it in the Disney boardroom? Did Steve Jobs hide it in the watchpocket of his Levi's? Get it back and wake the damn thing up! Not that Eisner had a sterling personal brand to begin with, but this thing's doing him no good at all. Makes Alexander Haig's blatant informercials seem like the Best of Carson.