Carson’s city

Timothy McDarrah

Friday, May 16, 2003 | 5:11 a.m.

WEEKEND EDITION: May 18, 2003

As the host of MTV's top-rated afternoon countdown show "TRL" (Total Request Live) for the last five years, Carson Daly has become the face of MTV.

In an attempt to cash in on his tremendous appeal to the under 30 demographic, NBC gave him his own late night talk show, "Last Call with Carson Daly," in January 2002.

Juggling those shows, along with a public engagement -- and subsequent breakup -- with "American Pie" actress Tara Reid, have helped push Daly toward the top of the pop culture celebrity heap.

He recently brought his NBC show to The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel to tape two weeks of shows, which are airing on KVBC Channel 3 nightly at 1:35 a.m. His guests this week include "The Practice" star Dylan McDermott, supermodel Tyra Banks and Blue Man Group.

During a break between tapings, Daly chatted with the Sun about his new MTV contract, his affection for Las Vegas and his favorite lounge band, Richard Cheese and Lounge Against the Machine.

Sun: Vegas?

Carson Daly: Just after we came on the air, NBC was doing a large event in the studio we usually use -- I think it was their 75th anniversary telecast -- so we had to take the show on the road. It was unanimous. Las Vegas was the first place we all thought of. With our staff and our viewers, it made perfect sense. And everyone had such a good time and wanted to do it again, so here we are.

Sun: Richard Cheese?

CD: I worked with Mark (Cheese's real name is Mark Jonathan Davis) a little bit in radio -- at KROQ in Los Angeles -- and we hit it off. His band is awesome.

They made our show here -- a really great addition. We usually don't have a house band on the show.

Sun: You should get one.

CD: We are, because of them. I don't know who it will be yet but we are definitely going to add one.

Sun: The last time I read about you it was for some nocturnal activities at a strip club when you went to the Kentucky Derby. Up to the same thing here?

CD: Oh yeah. Absolutely. Club Paradise is conveniently right across the street.

Sun: Siegfried & Roy?

CD: Sadly, I haven't seen them here yet. I haven't done anything except gambled a little bit, and lost. I am trying a new thing -- to be a little bit more professional.

We just got picked up by NBC for a third season. We're at a pretty good point and we are constantly evolving and growing, so I need to be on my game.

Sun: You are 29, right?

CD: Yes -- for another month. I turn 30 on June 22.

Sun: So when you get to the big 3-0, will you move "TRL" from MTV to the mature music station, VH1?

CD: Not just yet. I just redid my MTV deal -- we extended it for two more years -- and I am thrilled about that. I get to host and in some cases produce shows like "Spankin' New Music Week" and "Spring Break."

MTV got me where I am today and I am grateful that they still want to work with me.

Sun: Who was your favorite Vegas guest?

CD: ("24" actress) Sarah Wynter. I have a huge TV crush on her and my segment producer knew it. I don't watch that much TV but I TiVo "24" to see Sarah Wynter and I watch it religiously.

She we got her on and she gave me a little lap dance on the show. So that was the highlight for me, hands down.

Sun: Overall guest?

CD: There have been lots. The best part of the show is that it is so broad. So I can sit down and talk to Harvey Keitel about serious stuff, or Bob Costas or Tom Brokaw or Gwyneth Paltrow.

Sun: Who would you like to have on that you haven't had yet?

CD: I'd love to get (White House press secretary) Ari Fleischer on the show sometime.

Sun: Tara Reid?

CD: We still get along fine. I hadn't seen her in a while but I saw her in Kentucky at the Derby. I won the trifecta. It was both of our first time so everybody was like, "You guys are gonna win because of beginners' luck."

I asked Tara how she did and she said the horse she had bet on had, like, broke its leg. We had a laugh about that.

Sun: Does your mom stay up really late and watch you after her own show? (Pattie Daly Caruso does a local Palm Springs talk show called Valley Views)

CD: I got her a TiVo but she doesn't know how to set it up. So she has a friend that tapes every episode.

Sun: You mother told me that if it wasn't television, you'd either be a priest or a pro golfer.

CD: That is true -- when I was younger I had considered the priesthood.

It is still a goal to play on the senior golf tour. I play golf as much as possible.

At his benefit here last, Tiger (Woods) wanted me to play with him and we actually had a tee time. But I chickened out.