Late-night's silent victim: Politically Incorrect

HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - I realize everyone's sick of reading about the David Letterman latenight follies, but there are still a few things I can't figure out.

For example, with all the massive over-coverage, including successive page-one stories in the New York Times, only one concrete development emerged from the imbroglio -- a development that the press avoids mentioning. To wit: "Politically Incorrect" was summarily beheaded.

Apparently cancellation of this show is considered non-news, but I happen to like Bill Maher's aberrant meanderings.

I thought the show was often fresh and witty, and after a six-year run, its obit deserved some attention -- especially since its demise apparently stemmed, in part, from the squeamishness of key advertisers over some occasional words of dissent.

Now that we've got a little distance, it's clear the Letterman story should have been boiled down to one headline: Dave's leaving for vacation and wants a little attention.