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.
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Me, too.
You’re right. We disagree.
Wasn’t Steve Allen a host of “Tonight”?
a twit of a host for the Tonight show in the twitter age.. fitting. nbc
Agreed.
Can’t stand him.
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.
(track 16 - Steve Allen and Johnny Carson)
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.
Agree,, the entire show was horrible!
How’s your fern?
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
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
I liked Conan’s old show. Haven’t seen the new tonight show, but I would guess he’ll do just fine.
Conan is a comedic genius when compared to the woefully unfunny Jimmy Fallon. Who did the latter bl-w to get that gig anyhow?
Most of Pearl Jams fans are 32-40. Does that count as middle aged (I be 33 myself)?
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.
“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!
I like Conan too.
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