The few hosts who've deviated from the right-side desk arrangement haven't fared well. Dick Cavett, who started out as a morning and midday host, tried to import the non-desk interview setup he'd used in other time slots to his namesake late-night show. It never approached the popularity of Johnny Carson's Tonight Show, and eventually ABC phased Cavett out.

　　一些不遵守右手边法则的主持人就栽了大跟头。Dick Cavett一开始当早间和午间节目主持人时，试图在自己的同名晚间秀中引进其他时间段节目中使用过的“无桌化”采访模式。他的节目从未像Johnny Carson的今夜脱口秀那样成功，ABC电视台最终也逐渐淘汰了Cavett的节目。