The Jay Leno Show

[rarisgod]

I didn't see a thread about this yet...

So what do you guys think about The Jay Leno show? I've been watching it, and personally I think it's a refreshing change. I used to watch Jay Leno just for the monologue and the skit before the guests. Often I'd turn it off before the guests unless it was someone I was interested in seeing.

The new variety format interests me, it's new stuff every night, basically only one guest....I'm liking it so far.

What does everyone think?

[mike_v_s]

Haven't seen it. When my wife was pregnant with our first child and we began looking for other things to do at the 10:30 hour besides drain the local bar because of her condition, we had a stint where we tried late night television. I agree, the monologue was the only entertaining part for me. By entertaining, I mean compared to the other 2 channels we were getting at the time. Today, I don't watch much TV, but I might consider giving itwhirl. What night/channel/time is it on? (I guess I could just google that stuff...)

Mike

[WickedPissah]

I see that he's more, I suppose...confrontational than he was on the Tonight Show, like when he called out Kanye and disagreed with Michael Moore. I'd never seen him disagree with a guest or call someone out like that.

[Solarmist]

I think they put it into a dangerous time slot competing with two CSI's plus - we'll know in a month or two.

[CapnSev]

Meh.

It's the same show as before at a different time.

I do like Leno though, and I did like him calling out Michael Moore. Somebody has to call that dude's BS.

[DigMe]

I never found his monologues funny at all. I always wondered how he made it as a comedian before the late night thing if his material was so lacking in quality.

bc

[TOOL460002]

Originally Posted by Solarmist

I think they put it into a dangerous time slot competing with two CSI's plus - we'll know in a month or two.

i think its an even more dangerous time slot because now who gets the big guests first? this whole conflict between the shows, and him pulling a favre on ending his career (shouldve taken a look at jordan and considered quitting while he was ahead), has left me really wanting to boycott this show, but now youve got me interested (especially crapping on kanye... hehe... never gets old). i might have to catch it online. i just hope conan is always given the big guests first, even though jay has seniority. it just seems like inventing this new show should mean that he gives up that seniority.

anyway, now i have to watch the guy. if hes got more edge/confrontation i might just like it, who knows.

[DigMe]

Originally Posted by CapnSev

I do like Leno though, and I did like him calling out Michael Moore. Somebody has to call that dude's BS.

I just watched it after your comment and I found it to be pretty softball and Jay pretty much endorsed the film.

bc

[CapnSev]

Originally Posted by DigMe

I just watched it after your comment and I found it to be pretty softball and Jay pretty much endorsed the film.

bc

I thought it was a pretty obligatory interview, like "Let's get this done so you can go home now."

[bmc]

Used to watch Leno on MSNBC over here. We've watched one or two Conan's. Not funny. Tries too hard.

We miss Leno.

[Jared Lash]

Originally Posted by DigMe

I just watched it after your comment and I found it to be pretty softball and Jay pretty much endorsed the film.

bc

Originally Posted by CapnSev

I thought it was a pretty obligatory interview, like "Let's get this done so you can go home now."

Huh? After stating that he didn't always agree with him he said that this was the best film he's ever done and that everyone should go see it.

I don't care one way or the other about Michael Moore, but I didn't see him calling him out on his "BS" one way or the other. That was a typical Leno puff piece.

Side note, they're trying to but not succeeding in really making this show any different than what Leno did on the Tonight Show. He seems like a really nice guy but just isn't funny enough (at least in the 1 and 1/2 times I've watched it) for me to want to watch it again.

I will say this though, doing a good monologue every night is a difficult thing. Most comedians craft and hone material for months on the road and talk show hosts have to do a fresh 5-10 minutes every single night. That can't be easy. Personally I think at the moment Craig Ferguson does it better than anyone else in late night.

[jojobean39]

Originally Posted by Jared Lash

Personally I think at the moment Craig Ferguson does it better than anyone else in late night.

+1

He really is good. I liked Leno before, though I have not seen his new show. I used to love Conan, but his new show time just seems to be different. It's too produced or something. His old one used to be kind of crappy and I liked that. This new one just seems overdone. Jimmy Fallon is laughable. I do agree that Craig Ferguson is great. His monologues are the best out there IMO.

[Eric Perry]

Originally Posted by DigMe

I never found his monologues funny at all. I always wondered how he made it as a comedian before the late night thing if his material was so lacking in quality.

bc

This.

[burk48237]

I must admit, he was a habit before the change in schedules. I've tried to warm up to Conan, but I find him mediocre at best. Letterman has some great moments, but some moments where he just seems like a bitter old man. I love his band, like the ten best list, but fine his monologues fair at best. I'm glad to have Leno back. I do think he is the real classic comedian of the bunch and I find his material much more relevant and a bit more even-handed. He doesn't wear his politics on his sleeve near as much as Letterman. Some of his bits aren't funny, but some like Jaywalking I find to be incredibly funny.

It will be interesting how well he does with the new slot against better drama shows. But there is no doubt in my mind that against the vast wasteland of network TV reality shows, he'll clean up.

[McHaven]

I've never found Leno or Letterman funny.Their programs seemed like they were always playing it safe, never doing anything to ruffle any feathers, and relying on the same old lame gags. Letterman's Top Ten? Has that ever been funny? Leno wasn't much better. Jaywalking was just talking to stupid people. More sad that it is funny.

I've always found Conan to actually be entertaining. The absurd humor, random outbursts, and great interaction between the band and Conan. You never knew what Conan was going to do. Some of that has changed since his new time slot, but its a lot freer a show than Leno's IMO. I mean c'mon, he got Martha Stewart to drink a 40 on national tv.

[Jefenator]

I was pretty much over Leno's show before - I was skeptical but I now think bringing Conan over was a major improvement to the Tonight Show (especially the band!!).

My biggest beef with Leno before was that the show got too tame. Maybe that'll fit better at 10. IMHO Leno is a nice guy, is a major comedy veteran and does a decent interview. Next time I'm home at 10 (probably February ) I'll give it a look.

[iamlowsound]

I still think that Conan is the best of late night, but I have always liked Leno as well. Letterman couldn't be funny if his pants were on fire and Jimmy needs a few years to settle in, but after that, he should be quite good. He has the best late night band, followed closely by Conan. I am going to try and track down an episode of Jay's new show on the internet.

lowsound

[rarisgod]

The show is very different due to less guests and a bit more variety. It's a bit more for entertainment and less for interviewing guests. I agree it's not a BIG change, but to say its exactly as it was before is ridiculous.

In response, I've usually found Leno's monologue's to be better executed than Conan's, but I do enjoy Conan just as much. For Leno I enjoy the monologue whereas for Conan I enjoy the random outbursts and such, not to mention the humourous interaction with the band. I seem to find Conan's interaction with Andy a bit unnecessary. I don't find Andy Richter to be all that entertaining, and sometimes its like he's just commenting just so he can be a part of the show, or try to be a sidekick. Besides that, I really enjoy the Tonight Show with Conan. His debut was excellent!!

I've never found David Letterman that funny though. His Top 10 lists are stupid and really, I don't think I've ever laughed at any of them. I don't know how these can be one of the things he is known for.

[ZoomBoy]

I didn't catch the 1st show due to MNF being on. Watched the next night. Not impressed then not impressed now.

[Smurf-o-Deth]

Originally Posted by jojobean39

Jimmy Fallon is laughable.

Not the description I'd choose.