With the announcement that Jay Leno is moving to 10pm on NBC every weeknight, things are getting interesting in the Late Night world. Just to get you up to speed.
- Jay Leno will have a daily 10pm variety show on NBC.
- Conan O'Brien, who was promised the coveted 11:30pm Tonight Show gig years ago by NBC brass, will move to that spot in June once Leno vacates.
- Jimmy Fallon will take over Conan's spot on Late Night once Conan leaves. Until then, he's doing weekly video blogs.
- David Letterman is remaining on CBS with the Late Show.
Conan O'Brien
NBC made the contract with O'Brien years ago in a bid to keep him from getting lured away by another network. He's been successful on Late Night, though Craig Ferguson on the Late Late Show has been catching him (and beating him occasionally) in the ratings over the past few years. Conan is a good pick, especially because he established his audience as college students fifteen years ago, and they're already well into middle age. An earlier time slot means the show becomes more accessible. The concern is whether O'Brien's humor will translate to a wider audience. Leno always had "mass-good guy" appeal, and though O'Brien has a lot of that, he can definitely be edgier. I'll be amazed if I see the "Masturbating Bear" before 12:30, though I'll give the producers serious credit if they pull it off. The long and the short of it is, Conan is the best choice right now to take over the Tonight Show. John Stewart, while supremely funny and talented, would lose half his audience because of his liberal stance.
Jimmy Fallon
Jimmy is funny. Is he hour-long funny? I'm not too sure. I was working at the Late Show when Jimmy guest hosted for Dave and he was good. Not great, but good. (If you want to see great, find a copy of Vince Vaughn filling in for Dave. I'd watch that show every night.) The good thing about Fallon is he'll bring a fresh college audience to the late night world, one that's being chipped away by Jimmy Kimmel, John Stewart, and Stephen Colbert. Oh, and the choice of the Roots as Fallon's house band is outstanding. I can't think of a more talented and fun band working today.
Jay Leno
I was never a fan of Jay Leno, though my work with Letterman makes me a bit biased. I never really found him funny, though when my grandmother found out I was working for Letterman she said, "I don't care for him too much. That other guy, the one with the chin, I like him a lot. You should go work for him." I guess that explains it all. Jay at 10pm is a whole different ballgame. No longer is he fighting against Letterman, but he's up against heavy hitters like CSI and Without a Trace. I'm not sure the public was really crying out for a variety show at in prime time. (Look at Rosie's failure there a few weeks back.) I could be wrong. Maybe it'll work. But I'd be surprised if he can carry the momentum to an earlier time block.
David Letterman
I'll never get it Dave. Chalk it up to my East Coast sarcasm, but you'll always be the king of late night to me, whether or not you're signing my paychecks. Personally, I still blame Hugh Grant. This could be Dave's big chance. If he can keep his audience without losing much to Conan, he may find America leaving the, now younger and hipper Tonight Show with Conan in the driver's seat, to his steadfast and true show. Here's hoping anyway.
NBC made the contract with O'Brien years ago in a bid to keep him from getting lured away by another network. He's been successful on Late Night, though Craig Ferguson on the Late Late Show has been catching him (and beating him occasionally) in the ratings over the past few years. Conan is a good pick, especially because he established his audience as college students fifteen years ago, and they're already well into middle age. An earlier time slot means the show becomes more accessible. The concern is whether O'Brien's humor will translate to a wider audience. Leno always had "mass-good guy" appeal, and though O'Brien has a lot of that, he can definitely be edgier. I'll be amazed if I see the "Masturbating Bear" before 12:30, though I'll give the producers serious credit if they pull it off. The long and the short of it is, Conan is the best choice right now to take over the Tonight Show. John Stewart, while supremely funny and talented, would lose half his audience because of his liberal stance. Jimmy Fallon
Jimmy is funny. Is he hour-long funny? I'm not too sure. I was working at the Late Show when Jimmy guest hosted for Dave and he was good. Not great, but good. (If you want to see great, find a copy of Vince Vaughn filling in for Dave. I'd watch that show every night.) The good thing about Fallon is he'll bring a fresh college audience to the late night world, one that's being chipped away by Jimmy Kimmel, John Stewart, and Stephen Colbert. Oh, and the choice of the Roots as Fallon's house band is outstanding. I can't think of a more talented and fun band working today.
Jay Leno
I was never a fan of Jay Leno, though my work with Letterman makes me a bit biased. I never really found him funny, though when my grandmother found out I was working for Letterman she said, "I don't care for him too much. That other guy, the one with the chin, I like him a lot. You should go work for him." I guess that explains it all. Jay at 10pm is a whole different ballgame. No longer is he fighting against Letterman, but he's up against heavy hitters like CSI and Without a Trace. I'm not sure the public was really crying out for a variety show at in prime time. (Look at Rosie's failure there a few weeks back.) I could be wrong. Maybe it'll work. But I'd be surprised if he can carry the momentum to an earlier time block.
David Letterman
I'll never get it Dave. Chalk it up to my East Coast sarcasm, but you'll always be the king of late night to me, whether or not you're signing my paychecks. Personally, I still blame Hugh Grant. This could be Dave's big chance. If he can keep his audience without losing much to Conan, he may find America leaving the, now younger and hipper Tonight Show with Conan in the driver's seat, to his steadfast and true show. Here's hoping anyway.
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Man, I liked Dave a lot when he was on in the middle of the night and had Leno as a guest.
I can't watch any of them though when they are trying to make interesting conversation with the latest dingbat actress peddling Princess Diaries II or whatever.
Me hopes the Leno variety hour lasts as long as the Rosie O'donnell one.
Good riddance to the big chin.
I've watched them all over the years and leaned toward Conan for many years but lately I've become a *huge* Craig Ferguson fan. He's funny, original, fresh, honest, brave, charming and inviting.
Something that none of the rest have been in years.
Leno sucks balls. That is all.
I caught some of that Rosie variety hour thing when it was on, p.u! There was a lame magician and a dance team with a rodeo dude rocking out to Dead or Alive. Sonny Bono must've been spinning in his grave.
But isn't this a bit of a slap to the face of Conan? It seems to me NBC is saying, "We don't trust you to take over for Jay so we'll use him as a lead in." Also, isn't it a disadvantage for him to have to follow an hour long variety show with an hour long talk/variety show of his own? I'm curious as to your thoughts on this, Echowood.
Echo, good coverage...one small nitpicky thing, and I have to say it because he's on my I would list...
It's Jon, not John, Stewart...kind of like how your name wouldn't be the same if we called you Echowould....
gracias...
I'm so happy that Conan is moving up a time slot, he may loose some of his edginess but he will be a thousand times better than Dave or Leno. Fallon for an hour is going to be painful but the Roots are awesome.
Letterman wins for me. The only thing that would prevent me from watching Letterman would be an annoying guest on his show, or a more interesting guest on another. Or, me having better things to do on a weeknight at 11:30pm.
Sarc- Wow, I rarely make that mistake, my fault. In fact, I have a weird thing where I hate everyone named "Jon" but generally like everyone named "John". Sorry about that.
PDXME - NBC is sort of caught between a rock and a hard place. On the one hand, they promised the spot to Conan. But Leno is a ratings machine. They don't want to lose both. Now, you could say that the 1/2 hour new break may create a separation between the two shows, but I'm positive Leno's show will dilute the audience from Conan's. As an example, I love both the Daily Show with JoHn Stewart and the Colbert Report. But I get tired watching both back to back. Many times, I'll DVR one and watch it the next morning while I'm getting ready for work. But two hour-long variety shows with only a news break between them is dicey and I'm sure Conan has thought about the fact that it could create a tired audience.
There's a rumor that Leno's show may be more political, perhaps more along the lines of the Daily Show, but I can't imagine Leno being able to pull that off. Next Spring will be an interesting time for late night television.
I must agree in regards to the Masturbating Bear but the true test is if they can pull off Triumph and keep Max and the band. Sadly, if The Roots are Jimmy's band (on a personal note I must say they put on an excellent show), I really don't see much interaction happening between them and Jimmy like Dave and Paul or Leno and Kevin.
I'm a fan of the sarcastic ones (go figure!)....Jay just plain annoys me (he's actually a litmus test I used on first dates--who is your favorite late night host--if the guy said Jay I lost any chance of respecting him or anything else-ing him). I think Jay may finally have stopped with the Judge Ito jokes (I prefer Today to GMA in the AM and have turned the tv back on at night,
found Jay and tried to give him a chance once or twice over the years--or if he had a guest I adored).
Mr Stewart is funny unscripted...you could be stuck on a stopped subway car and he'd keep you laughing. Conan maybe, and Dave as well--but Jay never. I swear it's the NYC climate/water/bagels and pizza--which makes me wonder if Conan will stay funny once he relocates to Burbank.
(I would put up with Jay to take a spin in some of those classic cars though)
Guess I'm a moment of zen kind of girl.....
BD, actually the idea of a band that doesn't fall into the sycophant category kind of intrigues me...I dislike the banter between a band and host--it's so fake. I'd love to see one of them go off on the host for a change...
I don't know about his show but Leno was a pretty decent comedian back in his stand up days. Didn't do that blue material either.
I respect Dave because he gives Paris a hard time and tore the Hills D-listers apart (and they barely realized it). He knows when a guest is using him and makes it worth his while to be there...
Leno seems like he's trying too hard to keep the grandmas happy--and you know, if that's his main audience, that's fine...my issue with him is that he carries the same joke on for days (I really did try to like him--especially if Dave is delayed because of a game that ran over--but no such luck).
Now, just imagine for a moment Howard Stern as a Late Night talkshow host. Take out all the toilet humor, but I'm not sure there's a better interviewer alive right now. He can get people to admit to anything, get them to not hide behind their BS personas, and get legitimate answers out of them.
Of course, middle America (and my mother) would never go for it.
Letterman was funny when he was later, but his interviewing skills are horrendous. His midnight show allowed him to get low-rent, but whackier guests, and they were freeer to to play around with really absurd, really funny (and fun) gags. Dave used to act like the naughty kid in the back of the class who'd just been handed the keys to a souped up garbage truck. He's a shadow of that in the lead-in format.
Ferguson is, by far, the freshest, funniest, face on late night. It isn't even close. He ad-libs a 15 minute monologue, carries his monologue themes through the shows, gives unbelievably charming and goofy interviews, with a nice portion of ham mid-show. Honestly, he makes Letterman and Leno look like tired old hacks, and Conan like a cloying "humorist."
Hey Sarc, I get what you're saying regarding the interaction being fake between band and host but you gotta admit that when Conan does it with Max, you can tell it's faked which makes it even funnier.
I'd like to see Thomas guest host the Late Show. A mustachioed illiterate with a mullet and the gift of gab. That I would watch.
One of my favorite late Show episodes was when Dave's ex was on the show promoting a book she wrote. Dave proceeded to try and talk about everything but the book until she pulled out a diary mentioned a few dates and Dave sat quietly while she talked.
I was more of a Kilborn fan but Ferguson has started growing on me.
Thanks for the reply Echowood. That kind of confirms what I was thinking. Personally, I'd be pissed if I were Conan. I think NBC is going to have to come up with some kind of unique format for Jay or it will be a huge flop. Copying Jon Stewart or Colbert is out. Jay is not political and variety shows are dead.
E has a good idea, but maybe Thomas should instead be Ed McMahon to Jay's Johnny Carson.
break out the neck brace for Thomas!!!
(sorry--is it wrong to pick on senior citizens such a Ed? Is he following us on Twitter?)
i no wat yorl sayin
assls
Dat funee J. Peris Hiltin iz asshl. hahahahhahahha
ha ja luk E hsa tatu on hsi ass tha sez pourt of entreee
hahahahahahahaahah
assl e
Thomas, yo mama's so fat she uses diet soap.
e yo shudnt sa bad thngs bowt yor granma
thas rite cas i yor dady
aahahahahahahhaa
bich
Be nice Thomas. You get this gig and we can hook you up with Tara Reid. You gotta admit, she'd be a nice change of pace from your mom, no?
I don't care what people say when it comes to Tara Reid, I'd still hit that.
I mean shit, she ain't ugly. Not the hottest on the Hollywood block but still not bad looking.
True dat frank. Rosanne Barr is probably more Thomas' type anyway.
Oh thanks for that E. Any time someone mentions Roseanne Barr I am unable to get wood for days.
Roseanne Barr is like the anti-viagra. Say hello to a flaccid member.
I never cared for Jay until I went to a taping a few months ago. I wanted to go because Dane Cook (whom I forgot to mention on my "I would" list) was a guest. His audience warm up was great and I kinda fell for the guy. Not necessarily "I would" criteria, but possibly "I might". If anything, he's down-right likeable so I'll be a bit sad when his variety show doesn't do so well.
Sorry to break this one to you Vicky, But Dane Cook is a douche.
I had the displeasure of watching one of his stand up so called 'specials' and didn't even smirk during the entire thing. Not a laugh, not a smile, nothing.
Not funny, And thats from a guy that likes stand up.
Sorry, I'm just really annoyed that I can't get the hour and a half back I wasted watching that pile of shit.
Frank man.....I feel your pain on Dane. Personally, if you saw someone like him on the sidewalk doing the same routine that he does, you'd think they are crazy and want to lock them up. But since he has cameras and such on him, people feel like they gotta laugh. I still don't understand why they think he's good for movies.
Well, Frank, I hate to break it to you, but I totally disagree with your opinion.
Your entitled to your opinion, of course, but I happen to find the man hilarious. I've seen (or at least heard) almost every one of his specials and I love them.
That's my opinion, to which I am entitled.
you're*
Not familiar with Cook's stand up but I saw him on Letterman as a guest and he was pretty funny there.
som peple sa i luk lik dane cuk wit lng hare an a mustash
I'm of the Dane Cook isn't funny crowd. Dude has never made me laugh.
Gotta jump to Vicky's defense (hours later...sorry, was at work all day). I loved Dane's stand up related to growing up Catholic--the communion stuff makes me truly laugh.
And Good Luck Chuck...well, I thought it was dumb in the previews...then I rented the dvd (during a free month of blockbuster) and...all I'm gonna say is that those abs would make me fight Vicky for him.....
(fans herself)
umm....I'll be back in a little while.....
Oh, wait....just read Thomas' comment where he compared himself to Dane...
that killed that mood....
Right, So after reading Sarcastic One's statements I have a question. Is it Dane Cooks comedic ability that is actually good or do you think it is possible that you are slightly swayed to defend the lad based solely on your infatuation for him?
Vicky, I understand that you have a right to your opinion and that I also have a right to mine. In this situation my opinion is that your opinion on stand up comedy sucks ass.
You don't get rated the worst stand up comedian ever for nothing. (Have a look at his wiki write up.)
If Dane Cock floats your boat then feel free to get down and giggle. I'd rather watch 'According to Jim', For although that also sucks camel dick, I might at least get one giggle out of it.
Frank, whoa there partner. I don't care how bad Cook is, the honor of being the worst stand up ever has to go to Gallegher I don't care what wikipedia says. Bobcat Goldthwait wasn't too hot either.
Sorry E.
I get a bit emotional some times and things just come out. I had a point to prove.
I just really had to get across how annoyed I was at wasting my time watching that stand up.
That's ok. I got a chuckle out of 'Dane Cock'.
Um--did you guys really think that Rodney Dangerfield was funny? An entire career built on the fact that he doesn't get respect--really???
I think Bobcat and Gallagher are bad, but just because the man had the words Rod and Danger in his name doesn't make me hot and bothered for him...
Dane Cook can be funny....but the truth is, he could stand there with his shirt off, be terrible, and I can mute the tv...can't say that about Rodney, Bobcat or Gallagher.
And keep calling him Dane Cock...that actually makes me happy ;-)
Well call me Sally and rub me with peanut butter, I love it when I'm proven right.
Thanks for that little be of honesty there SO.
Now don't get me wrong, I have seen Dane Cook funny before. Waiting... is a great movie and Dane Cook makes me laugh in that one, but his stand up leaves a lot to be desired.
Back to the point though, I think Letterman is the king of late night. I'm eager to see what he is going to come up with to replace great moments in presidential speeches.
Hey, where did Rodney D come into this? I didn't say anything about him one way or the other? Are you implying you wouldn't want to watch him with his shirt off?
Nevermind, I see you said so explicitly. Duh.
Dear Sally (aka FtheT), we can agree that we like Mr. Letterman...that calls for a truce. Next time you go to one of Dane's shows, make sure you show up as a female and ask him to take his shirt off. Oh, and bring ear plugs in case he doesn't make you laugh.
I brought up Dangerfield because of the debate re: the worst comedian ever...
Oh, Frank, if I cared what you thought of my opinion of comedy, I might get feisty right about now.
But I don't. =o)
Sarcky-you and I are two peas in a pod!
I was loving the Dane Cock part, too! Probably because the word cock makes me.....oh nevermind, you know! I don't wanna fight you for him, I'm a lover, not a fighter. Go ahead doll, have your way with him!
I think he's both funny AND hot. I might think he's hotter because I think he's funny, but not the other way around.
His last special on Comedy Central had me cracking up. I still think about that shit when I'm in the theater looking for the drink holder!
Even if he did look like Thomas, I would still laugh because that's the brand of humor I love!
I'll keep that in mind SO. By the way, you can go back to Frank now if you want.
Its good to know that if you want to be in stand up and keep women entertained all you have to do is be attractive.
If that is the rule I would be like Jesus in the stand up world. And I don't mean the lord and saviour, But crucified.
Think its probably best I stay off the stage. That and that fact that I'm really not that funny.
Frank, I will call you that...but I reserve the right to call you Sally whenever I feel like it now--because you requested that first.
Vicky, if he looked like Thomas he had better stick to morning show DJing...no stage, and definitely NO KamaSutraing a la Good Luck Chuck....
btw, Frank--you have made me laugh...my theory is that you are really Dane and you have been fishing for compliments. Mission accomplished.
Ok. I'm just gonna throw in my two cents:
Hottest Comedian - Tina Fey
Least Attractive Comedian - Rodney D (I guess, Galleger aint no prize either. BTW, what'd you ladies think of Jimmy Fallon? Being cute is like half his schtick. Makes me wanna smack him.)
Oh dear lord. If my lame attempts of comedy are up to Cook standards then that guy is phucked.
Good to hear that I can make someone laugh though.
E....Tina Fey is hot
but...if we're going to talk least attractive, we need to throw Carrot Top into the mix...he has bad 80s hair that girls I went to school with in junior high had--but in some color that isn't found in nature...and he wears more eyeliner than all of Duran Duran combined circa 1984.
Jimmy Fallon...attractive in a grown-up frat boy kind of way, but he's gotten to where he knows it I think.
Kevin James is actually cuter to me because he's got that little boy smirk and is actually funny. (the waiting for the oscillating fan portion of sweat the small stuff makes me giggle)
Carrot Top gets the most buff award though. (CT, gallegher called and he wants his schtick back. )
I'm sure this made sense a few hours ago - "Hey, where did Rodney D come into this? I didn't say anything about him one way or the other? Are you implying you wouldn't want to watch him with his shirt off?"
Now I wanna use it as my IM status.