Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

O'Brien's "Tonight Show" a work in progress
rooters via yahoo! ^ | 6/2/2009 | Randee Dawn

Posted on 06/02/2009 6:06:58 AM PDT by shove_it

An English friend of mine got his first dose of Jay Leno and Conan O'Brien last week, and commented that while Jay seemed friendly and confident, his "Tonight Show" replacement was more of a cipher. He wondered, "Do you think O'Brien will fit in?"

That's the multimillion-dollar question. O'Brien has only taken over shows, and never originated his own. He spent 16 years remaking David Letterman's "Late Night" into his own comedic image, but this time, he's walking into an institution. NBC's "Tonight" is bigger than O'Brien, which means he's got to conform to expectations -- while trying to give it his imprimatur.

After one show, let's say he's a work in progress. O'Brien's debut appearance Monday opened up with a segment in which he ran cross-country from New York ("Late Night's" home) to the brand-new Universal Studios stage in Hollywood -- a more expansive place than his previous digs. The layout fits traditional "Tonight" templates, but the new set is shaped by wavy arcs which, along with the redesigned show logo, call to mind a retro look, as if 30 Rock's art deco design was also transplanted.

[...]

(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...


TOPICS:
KEYWORDS: conan; conansucks; nbcsucks; tonightshow
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-38 last
To: CMAC51
Try Jack Paar, Carson, Leno then O'Brien...time for the Geritol.

Me, too.

21 posted on 06/02/2009 7:02:06 AM PDT by lonestar (Obama is turning Bush's "mess" into a catastrophe.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: Texan Tory

You’re right. We disagree.


22 posted on 06/02/2009 7:02:55 AM PDT by savedbygrace (You are only leading if someone follows. Otherwise, you just wandered off... [Smokin' Joe])
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: CMAC51

Wasn’t Steve Allen a host of “Tonight”?


23 posted on 06/02/2009 7:41:33 AM PDT by a fool in paradise (Justice is blind. Sonia Sotomayor is not even qualified to sit on an IMPARTIAL jury.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: shove_it

a twit of a host for the Tonight show in the twitter age.. fitting. nbc


24 posted on 06/02/2009 7:42:20 AM PDT by NormsRevenge (Semper Fi ... Godspeed.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: savedbygrace

Agreed.

Can’t stand him.


25 posted on 06/02/2009 7:42:26 AM PDT by green pastures
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: Kirkwood

Weren’t Steve Allen and Johnny Carson on opposite each other?

And Carson had a show before he got the Tonight Show.

I’ve heard the audio of a funny phone call where Steve Allen called Johnny Carson live (late night) and put him on the air (under the guise of doing a tv survey).

Johnny’s program was taped in advance (for broadcast maybe even a week or two later) from what I gathered.

http://www.amazon.com/Air-Classic-Comedy-Steve-Allen/dp/B0000014YH/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1243953864&sr=1-5

(track 16 - Steve Allen and Johnny Carson)


26 posted on 06/02/2009 7:45:10 AM PDT by a fool in paradise (Justice is blind. Sonia Sotomayor is not even qualified to sit on an IMPARTIAL jury.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]

To: shove_it

I doubt Conan will live up to Leno, much less Carson. I have watched Conan occasionally for several years — at first his brand of humor seemed fresh and funny, but eventually it became repetitious and stale. Carson played to a broader, more mature audience, Conan plays to the 20-somethings. Groups like Pearl Jam (unoriginal, unmusical, spastic jumping freaks) have no appeal to middle-aged and older people that remember what real talent is. I think I’ll lull myself to sleep with a book instead.


27 posted on 06/02/2009 7:51:26 AM PDT by TexasRepublic
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: jennyjenny
It sucked.

Agree,, the entire show was horrible!

28 posted on 06/02/2009 8:54:48 AM PDT by nancytx
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: a fool in paradise
Wasn’t Steve Allen a host of “Tonight”?
29 posted on 06/02/2009 9:23:33 AM PDT by CMAC51
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies]

To: shove_it

How’s your fern?


30 posted on 06/02/2009 10:07:59 AM PDT by Syncro
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: Texan Tory

I thought his taking the Universal Studios tram outside to the street was funny, like when he yelled at a bystander “We’re lost, where’s Universal Studio?”

I hate Will Ferrell, though...horribly unfunny.

Ed


31 posted on 06/02/2009 10:20:03 AM PDT by Sir_Ed
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: Syncro

Inventing Late Night:

Steve Allen and the Original Tonight Show

Before Jay, Johnny, or Jack, there was Steve. It was Steve Allen who in 1954 created the Tonight show, a pop culture institution that has become America’s longest-running and most successful late-night program. It all seems so simple—the desk, the monologue, the announcer/sidekick, the bandleader as comic foil, the breezy chats with celebrities, the wacky stunts, the comedy sketches, the roaming cameras, the irreverent observations of passersby, the offbeat and eccentric guests, the fun with exotic animals, and the ad-lib banter with the studio audience.

Steve Allen invented this formula. He revolutionized America’s viewing and sleeping habits by establishing the grammar of late-night TV and hosting Tonight during its first three formative years. In so doing, he paved the way for Paar, Carson, and Leno. Much of what exists on late night today is derived from Allen’s early years in television. Even conventions identified with later hosts—like “Jay Walking,” “Stupid Human Tricks,” “The Tea-Time Movie with Art Fern,” and “Carnac the Magnificent”—owe their origins to the early Allen shows. As Jay Leno acknowledges, “There’s nothing new. It all started with Steve.”

More here: http://www.steveallenonline.com/FAQ/press_release.htm


32 posted on 06/02/2009 11:38:31 AM PDT by shove_it (WINGNUT)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 30 | View Replies]

To: shove_it

I liked Conan’s old show. Haven’t seen the new tonight show, but I would guess he’ll do just fine.


33 posted on 06/02/2009 11:42:29 AM PDT by mysterio
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: smokingfrog

Conan is a comedic genius when compared to the woefully unfunny Jimmy Fallon. Who did the latter bl-w to get that gig anyhow?


34 posted on 06/02/2009 11:46:11 AM PDT by Clemenza (Remember our Korean War Veterans)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: TexasRepublic
Groups like Pearl Jam (unoriginal, unmusical, spastic jumping freaks) have no appeal to middle-aged and older people that remember what real talent is. I think I’ll lull myself to sleep with a book instead.

Most of Pearl Jams fans are 32-40. Does that count as middle aged (I be 33 myself)?

35 posted on 06/02/2009 11:47:25 AM PDT by Clemenza (Remember our Korean War Veterans)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 27 | View Replies]

To: Clemenza

I had the unfortunate opportunity to see Fallon the other night...wow, that was just painful to watch. It is BAD. Real bad. But I don’t think anyone can stoop to the depths of the Carson Daley late night show. That is just awful.


36 posted on 06/02/2009 1:25:38 PM PDT by AUJenn
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 34 | View Replies]

To: Clemenza

“Most of Pearl Jams fans are 32-40.”

Will wonders never cease? I expected that Pearl Jam would appeal to the kiddos, but I’ll bet a lot of middle-aged people have graduated to actual music, rather than on-stage antics. The drummer was okay, the guitarists mostly strutted around striking what they supposed were sexy poses and the lead singer appeared mentally afflicted. The song itself was indistinguishable from so many others. Whatever floats your boat. Have fun!


37 posted on 06/02/2009 3:14:38 PM PDT by TexasRepublic
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 35 | View Replies]

To: FreeManWhoCan

I like Conan too.


38 posted on 06/10/2009 3:26:05 PM PDT by chargers fan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-38 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson