PHILADELPHIA – After a painfully stiff performance with Jon Stewart on Comedy Central, John Kerry will try to up his hipness quotient – not to mention his sagging poll numbers – with David Letterman Monday on CBS.

It’s the first “Late Show” visit for the Democratic presidential candidate, who did Stewart’s “Daily Show” Aug. 24 and rolled onto Jay Leno’s NBC “Tonight Show” on a motorcycle in November.

Kerry may deliver his own Top 10 List, Burnett says. It wouldn’t be a first – then-candidate George W. Bush, Al Gore and Hillary Clinton each did one in 2000.

“In the past, we’ve had some luck with politicians” doing lists, Burnett says. “Our writers will throw in a couple. It’s all pretty informal. We want everybody to look good.”

Bush also has a standing invite, but has yet to RSVP, Burnett says.

Among “Late Show’s” political guests, ex-GOP candidate Bob Dole was the all-time funniest, in Burnett’s view. Appearing three days after losing to Bill Clinton in ‘96, he was “as funny as any stand-up comedian we’ve ever had on the show.”

Democrat Bill Clinton “is one of the best guests we ever had. He’s so engaging, so smart.”

“Late Show” was not happy when the tiny “Daily Show” nabbed Kerry for his first national TV interview since the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth launched their attack on the senator’s Vietnam War record.

“Obviously, we would have preferred to have him first,” Burnett says. “For whatever reason, they perhaps thought Stewart was a safer bet. I think he’s an openly liberal Democrat.”

Burnett swears he doesn’t know his boss’ politics, even after 19 years of working for him.

“I honestly have no idea which party Dave votes for. All I know is that he votes, religiously. When politicians come on the “Late Show,” they know they’ll get some hard questions, no matter which side of the aisle they’re sitting on.”

“Late Show doesn’t really see “Daily Show” as competition, given that it’s on cable and runs 30 minutes earlier, at 11 p.m., Burnett says.

Leno, however, is definitely competition, and has bashed Letterman in the ratings for years. A perfect target for Burnett.

“When candidates come on the “Late Show,’ they know they’re not going to be served a bunch of softballs to hit. The smart ones know that Dave will make them look better, in the long run.

“I’m not knocking Jay. “Late Show’ and “Tonight’ have different viewership, perception. Politicians must decide which perception they want to attach themselves to.

“I think Kerry made the right choice. Dave is the more culturally relevant of the two, by far.”

“Tonight” is “in communication” with Kerry’s team to arrange another appearance, an NBC rep says.

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Why do one Barbara Walters tribute when you can do two?

Ted Koppel will anchor a special edition of “Nightline” Thursday night dedicated to his longtime pal, ABC announced Wednesday. On Friday, the network will have a two-hour prime-time retrospective.

The legendary Walters, 72, will step down as coanchor of “20/20” on Sept. 24 after 25 years. She will do prime-time specials and will continue hosting “The View” twice a week.

The fact that she works for ABC was a nonfactor in “Nightline’s” decision, co-executive producer Leroy Sievers says.

“She’s a major figure in our industry. We’ve been talking about this for a long time. Ted and Barbara are old, old friends and old, old colleagues. They’re both ground-breaking journalists in their own way.”

Sievers says he doesn’t know why “Nightline” didn’t do a tribute to icon David Brinkley when he retired from ABC.

If Walters were working for another network, “we’d consider it,” he says.

CBS’s Mike Wallace? “We’ve thought about it.” NBC’s Tom Brokaw? “I don’t know.”

“I honestly don’t see this as preferential treatment,” Sievers says. “Is it natural to do something on somebody on your own network? Maybe so. I don’t see the harm in that, given the stature of the person.”

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Ben Affleck will host the 30th-season premiere of NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” Oct. 2. Rapper Nelly is musical guest.

It’s the third hosting stint for Affleck, whose new flick, “Surviving Christmas,” with James Gandolfini, opens Oct. 21. It’s No. 2 for Nelly, who will perform tracks from his two simultaneously released new albums, “Sweat” and “Suit.”

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Bobby Brown’s “reality” series about his troubled life is slated to premiere on Bravo by the second quarter of next year. It will include his wife, Whitney Houston, all his kids, and his brother-manager.

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AP-NY-09-15-04 1947EDT