Fun with Pop Culture: A C's-Themed Guide to NBC Late Night

Tonight, at 11:35 p.m., Mr. Jimmy Fallon will emerge from the royal blue curtains in 30 Rock's Studio 6-B to kick off week no. 2 of his tenure at the helm of The Tonight Show.

An hour later (and two stories above, in Studio 8-G) Mr. Seth Meyers will extend warm welcomes to Ms. Amy Poehler and Vice President Joe Biden for his debut as the new host of Late Night.

And thus... a New Era in American broadcast television will begin.

In commemoration of this historic moment at NBC, MercerJersey.com takes a fresh look at the club of eight (exclusively and perhaps regrettably) men who have been given the reigns to the Peacock's prized pair of late night franchises – through the ever-valuable lens (of course) of Boston Celtics basketball.

An open letter to Ron Mercer.

The third and sixth picks of the 1997 NBA Draft.

Dear Ron,

First of all, I hope you agree that we're on a first-name basis now.  In this crazy mixed-up digital world we live in, I think your indulgence of my shameless retweet request last week constitutes a legitimate friendship, bordering on full-out "bromance."  If, however, I've misread this one, I'm still glad to have registered a blip on your social media radar as a Celtic fan who remembers you fondly.

You may have only played 121 games in the green and white, Ron, but I'll never forget game no. 1 when you matched up with MJ and helped upset his 2-time defending champion Bulls on Halloween.  And I'll always wonder whether -- given the proper time and encouragement -- you and Chauncey could have lived up to Coach Pitino's "backcourt of the future" moniker.  We all know how Chauncey eventually became Mr. Big Shot in Motown, and, with your tireless athleticism and stellar mid-range game, I don't see why you couldn't have developed into a (much) more highlight-friendly Rip Hamilton in some alternate universe.

It's not, however, that magical opening night in '97 or your untapped potential alone that have made you so unforgettable to me.  And it's not my ownership of both your home and away no. 5 replica jerseys, either.  There's something more.  And that "something more" also has a lot to do with my love for the 2012 Boston Celtics.