Late Night Talk Show Thread

[Andrew]

The final episode of Late Night with Conan O'Brien aired here last night, since Foxtel shows the Friday episodes of all the late night talk shows on Monday evenings. I thought it was a great way for Conan to finish up before he starts on the Tonight Show later this year, having Andy Richter as his only guest aside from The White Stripes' appearance as the usual musical guest. I thought the clip packages were excellent and really enjoyed seeing one of my favourite skits (the 1864 Baseball one) once more.

phpBB [video]

I thought the closing monologue at his desk was a very appropriate way to end things as well. I'm looking forward to seeing him make his debut on the Tonight Show in June.

[Andrew]

So, Jimmy Fallon has made his debut as the new host of Late Night. I guess in all fairness it will take a while for him to settle in and Conan wasn't an overnight success but Fallon has had more experience in front of a camera and if his debut was an indication of the kind of comedy bits he's going to do then better writers wouldn't go astray. I thought he struggled a bit with the interviews, though Robert De Niro wasn't a good first guest for him to have. Someone like Robin Williams would've been better, someone who thrives and looks comfortable as a guest on a talk show. Even Conan himself, his cameo at the beginning was the best part of the show.

[benji]

Might have been difficult: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/breakin ... 33065.html

[Andrew]

Alright, Robin Williams specifically is unavailable (I wasn't aware of that until now) so he might not be the most appropriate example at this time but as I said someone who, like him, seems more comfortable doing talk shows and is entertaining in such appearances.

[benji]

I know what you meant, I just saw it literally minutes after reading your post.

You should've named another person, to see if it caused them any health problems. For all we know your jinx powers are expanding.

[Andrew]

How about...Simon Cowell?

[Drex]

Kobe! Kobe! C'mon Andrew, you know you want to.

[Andrew]

Until he involves himself in reality TV, he can't truly be Public Enemy #1. Besides, his talent is apparent and more than respectable. So far as I can see, Simon Cowell's only skill is being a tool and I've had the misfortune to encounter people who are better at it.

[kibaxx7]

Anyone seeing Tonight Show with Conan? It's in the second week and musical guests were Pearl Jam, Chickenfoot, John Mayer, Sheryl Crow, and guests like Will Ferrell, Tom Hanks, Eddie Murphy.

[Donatello]

I've watched every Tonight Show w/ Conan so far (on Hulu the day after it airs, because we don't have TV service). I'm really enjoying it, I have several 'laugh out loud' moments each episode. However, I feel that the writing hasn't quite been up to par yet... alot of the jokes are falling flat, in my opinion.

Still, it's awesome. I have always loved Conan and this is like Conan v 2.0.

Jimmy Fallon? I really don't care.

[el badman]

It's been pretty fun so far but I agree with Don that the writing does not seem to be always adequate to the prestige of this show. But Conan always manages to get away with pretty much anything.

I had never watched Fallon before a few days ago, and I thought it was particularly weak. He's just not the right man for the job.

[kibaxx7]

I've watched every Tonight Show w/ Conan so far (on Hulu the day after it airs, because we don't have TV service). I'm really enjoying it, I have several 'laugh out loud' moments each episode. However, I feel that the writing hasn't quite been up to par yet... alot of the jokes are falling flat, in my opinion.

Yep, I particularly enjoyed the Foley Stage and "Noches de Pasion"

[shadowgrin]

Pearl Jam

It is Pearl Jam but not the Pearl Jam.

Jimmy Fallon, meh. He started to suck even before he became famous.

[Donatello]

I tried to watch a Jimmy Fallon late night this evening on Hulu. I don't think I made it 10 minutes in. I'm sure he's a nice guy, but ugh... not the right guy for that kind of job. The APPLAUSE sign has never been more obvious.

[Andrew]

I think Conan's doing a fine job, especially now that they're past the "brand new show/we're in LA" schtick and they're getting back to the regular bits like Celebrity Survey and In the Year 2000 (or 3000 as it's now branded). Seems a lot of people are still expecting/wanting him to flop and trotting out the usual "his humour is sophomoric/his fans are stupid kids" argument that has become an all-purpose insult online, but it's not as though Leno, Letterman or anyone else are doing Shakespeare or pulling Oscar Wilde-like witticisms out show-to-show. Letterman originally became popular with a young audience, if he's got a significantly older fanbase it's probably in part due to the fact he's been on TV so long and his fans are now over twenty years older. Don't get me wrong, Letterman is great too but I do think Conan is judged too harshly and dismissed too quickly.

Anyway, I'm still enjoying his work and I hope he succeeds. He's more experienced than he was when he took over Late Night so he should hit his stride a bit quicker but it might still take a while, they're big shoes to fill after all but I think he'll be fine. I just haven't warmed up to Jimmy Fallon, as you said he doesn't quite seem the right guy for the job but it took Conan a while to get rolling and he came close to being canned before finding his feet so maybe Fallon will make it work given the chance.

[J@3]

Jimmy Fallon is God awful. If he isn't friends off-camera with the person he's interviewing he doesn't know what the hell to do, and I'm pretty sure at one point during the Timberlake interview he gazed upon him in much the same way as a love struck 15 year old girl would.

[Its_asdf]

Jimmy Fallon is God awful.

Pretty much sums how I feel. The man has not made me crack a smile even once.

[shadowgrin]

Even the Ambiguously Gay Duo would make a better job at hosting than him.

[Andrew]

Fallon's monologues are a disaster, which is surprising because he has a background in stand-up comedy (like Leno and Letterman) which Conan does not. Monologues aren't Conan's strong suit either but with experience he's become competent enough with them and he's got enough schtick to get by. As for "trademark" comedy bits, Fallon really needs better writers and concepts.

[ixcuincle]

Yes, Conan has some pretty bad monologues but they are saved by his random outbursts and impressions.

I tend to watch the first 25 minutes and watch the remaining interview portions later online.

[Andrew]

I'm a bit like that, I'll only watch the whole show if I'm a fan of the guests.

[Joe the Space Marine]

That's how I watch the daily show. Usually the guests put me to sleep.

[shadowgrin]

Letterman is the only host who can keep it interesting for me even with boring, serious guests (e.g. political guests).

[Donatello]

I love Letterman. That and being able to watch an NBA game every now and then would be my only motivation to get TV service again. I'd watch Letterman on TV and Conan on Hulu.

Still disappointed with the jokes on Conan, but the 1/4 of them that are funny have me rolling.

[ixcuincle]

I actually stayed up to watch the interview portion yesterday, just because Bruno was on.

Was worth it. Damn that was hilarious