So the ice has thawed. Those of you who follow the mercurial David Letterman (weekdays, 10.30pm+, Prime) will be well-aware of his perpetual loathing for the Queen of Daytime, O. As with all Dave's pet hates, however, there's never really any deep-seated malice to it: it's all in good jest, and he gets away with it by reverting to self-deprecation when not stand-up defaming. Those who get his schtick – Martha Stewart, Bill Clinton, Dr. Phil – appear happily on The Late Show, despite being the constant butt of jokes. But not Oprah. It goes without saying that she's made for some comedy gold over the years; namely, the seemingly now-defunct Pat & Kenny Read Oprah Transcipts skit, or Dave's failed "Superbowl of Love", which proposed that Oprah and Dave be seated, on stage, facing each other, knees locked together, with Dr. Phil mediating as the two purge their differences in a rainbow of hugs and tears.

Oprah's cold shoulder has lasted since 1989. But a PR-opp can diffuse even the longest grudge: on December 1st, Ms. Winfrey will appear (probable NZ screen date: Monday, December 7th – although don't quote me on that) to pimp the musical version of The Color Purple she's producing. But as monumental as that is, and as gentlemanly as Dave is likely to be, you want him to ruffle feathers (Janet Jackson knows what I'm talking about). She may be a humanitarian, but she's also responsible for that car giveaway – you know, the one where 276 shrieking lunatics found out they were the recipients of a brand new Pontiac G-Six each. Like this planet needs more Americans driving cars.—Tim Wong

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