generaladm
Legend
The first episode of "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" aired tonight, and it was just as I expected it to be, predictably pathetic. When it was announced that Conan O'Brien was slated to replace Jay Leno on the Tonight Show, I was elated. Not only would the sacred mantle of Johnny Carson's legacy be rid of the embarrassment of a second rate hack comedian turning the best late night show in history in to a mindless dumbshow, but O'Brien, the best talk show host in the post-Carson era, would get his due by moving in to the premier slot in late night TV. Since then, my excitement has been extinguished by the announcements that not only will Leno still have a presence on TV (10 O'clock, M-F on NBC), but that the supremely talent-free Jimmy Fallon will take over the Late Night show. Jimmy Fallon was the singular least funny member ever to be a part of the SNL cast. That's to take nothing away from completely forgettable cast members such as Terry Sweeny, Christine Ebersole, and Colin Quinn, who were merely unfunny; but Fallon managed to make the other members of his cast less funny through his inability to keep a straight face during every single sketch he ever appeared in.
As if there was any doubt, Fallon's monologue was delivered with a nervous amateur incompetence, which would have ruined any quality bits, if there were any. The second segment, normally reserved for comedy bits, was filled by bringing audience members on to the stage to lick common items (a lawnmower, a copier, and a fish tank) for $10. The NBC execs have obviously made an effort to fill Fallon's first week with first rate guests for his opening week. That would have been a great idea, if Fallon had any interviewing skills to speak of. Robert DeNiro was the first guest, and it appeared that he was told to act as if he thought Fallon was a complete idiot. The interview started with a discussion about how DeNiro thought Fallon's submitted questions sucked, and went downhill from there. The second guest was Justin Timberlake, which was much more Fallon's speed, but it was not much more than a mutual slurpfest, dominated by stories of when JT was on SNL. The highlight of the whole show may have been JT's impression of Michael McDonald. Even Van Morrison's musical spot seemed to play down to the level of the overall show.
The one saving grace of the show appeared to be The Roots as the house band, but perusing the band during a comercial sign off revealed one telling thing: no Hub. No Hub = no Roots. ?uestlove still brings a level of legitimacy to the operation, but for me, no Hub is the deal breaker. Before the Conan/Leno switch, I was happy with late night TV. I had Letterman at 11:30, Conan at 12:30, and Craig Kilborn, if he had a good lineup. Now (until Conan starts in...July?), the late night hierarchy stands as: Letterman, Kilborn (good host, but crappy guests), Leno, and Fallon and Carson Daly tied for "How the fuck did these ass clowns get their own show?". Jesus, I hope Fallon gets canned with a quickness! Here endeth the rant.
As if there was any doubt, Fallon's monologue was delivered with a nervous amateur incompetence, which would have ruined any quality bits, if there were any. The second segment, normally reserved for comedy bits, was filled by bringing audience members on to the stage to lick common items (a lawnmower, a copier, and a fish tank) for $10. The NBC execs have obviously made an effort to fill Fallon's first week with first rate guests for his opening week. That would have been a great idea, if Fallon had any interviewing skills to speak of. Robert DeNiro was the first guest, and it appeared that he was told to act as if he thought Fallon was a complete idiot. The interview started with a discussion about how DeNiro thought Fallon's submitted questions sucked, and went downhill from there. The second guest was Justin Timberlake, which was much more Fallon's speed, but it was not much more than a mutual slurpfest, dominated by stories of when JT was on SNL. The highlight of the whole show may have been JT's impression of Michael McDonald. Even Van Morrison's musical spot seemed to play down to the level of the overall show.
The one saving grace of the show appeared to be The Roots as the house band, but perusing the band during a comercial sign off revealed one telling thing: no Hub. No Hub = no Roots. ?uestlove still brings a level of legitimacy to the operation, but for me, no Hub is the deal breaker. Before the Conan/Leno switch, I was happy with late night TV. I had Letterman at 11:30, Conan at 12:30, and Craig Kilborn, if he had a good lineup. Now (until Conan starts in...July?), the late night hierarchy stands as: Letterman, Kilborn (good host, but crappy guests), Leno, and Fallon and Carson Daly tied for "How the fuck did these ass clowns get their own show?". Jesus, I hope Fallon gets canned with a quickness! Here endeth the rant.
