What's on Late Night TV

    

     Since news has been so heavy recently, I decided to write about something completely different.

     I used to be a late night talk show watcher but as I get older I to get to bed earlier. Remember when we were kids we couldn't wait to be an adult so we could stay up late. I know I'm dating myself here but I remember Friday nights I was allowed to watch the Tonight Show with Carson when that was the only thing to watch after the news.

     Surprisingly, the late night show template has not changed since the 1950's. White male sitting behind a desk in a suit with an oversize microphone (which is just a prop because of the standard clip on mic). The  host does a topical monologue and banters with band leader or sidekick. Guest enter from stage left and sit to the right of the host to plug their latest movie, album, show etc. while giving what appears to be off the cuff answers to scripted questions.

     Snore. There have been attempts to change this format without success mostly because the producers and audiences have entrenched expectations and no imagination.

     The monologues, which should be the strongest draw are now the weakest element on many of the shows. We live in a time where politics aren't funny and satire is dead.

      The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. Why Fallon was chosen to replace Conan O'Brien, who replaced Jay Leno, who replaced Johnny Carson is still a mystery to me. His gushing-although well meaning- comes off as phony and the interview feel as scripted as they are. Despite being a terrible winner/loser he should be hosting a game show instead. The Roots are a great band but occasionally gags and providing bumper music is a waste of their talent.

   The Late, Late Show with James Corden. Corden does some clever skits and frankly I find him more entertaining without a loud audience to shout over. He tries to be witty like Grahman Norton and fails spectacularly. Frankly, I miss Craig Ferguson's irreverent approach.

   The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. I have always liked his style and he pays attention to his guest but without a an audience to boost him, the jokes fall flat. I prefer John Bastiste as a soloist, to better show off his talent.

    Jimmy Kimmel Live. Three years ago I wouldn't watch his show. I couldn't stand that "ain't I clever" smirk he had during his weak monologues. Then he got married, had kids and it mellowed him. His timing and writing has improved. Having done radio for years, he handles the show at home really well. ( Not really, some may have been done from home at first but if you look closely, it's a studio shoot.)

   The greatly reduced productions proves you don't need an audience, over qualified band or heavily scripted interviews to be entertaining. Seeing guests in their natural state ( I'm guessing there is some grooming involved) is refreshing. I'm amazed at how many actors wear glasses.

    Seth Meyers writing is good and his delivery clever. As an interviewer he plays it safe by having a lot of his SNL friends on. The only original concept is his Getting Drunk with a guest

(like his hard drinking family) and the segment with Rihanna is a classic.

    Conan O Brien is by far the wittiest, hippest guy on TV. His remotes from other countries where he plays the clueless American bumpkin are gold. He is also, by all accounts an unpretentious gentleman. Check out his podcast for a real conversation.  

   The Daily Show with Trevor Noah. I had  doubts about this unknown comic filling the large shoes of the brilliant John Stewart, but he and the writers deliver the sharpest commentary around.

     Bill Maher does on the left what Bill O Reilly did on the right with their scathing self righteous polemics where their opinion matters more than the guests, no matter how informed the guest may be. They are about raising blood pressure not insight.   

     Daytime shows are by design, for women. You know, like mothers who stay home to raise the kids and take care of the house. Like the night time counter parts, they have not changed in decades. Easy chairs or couch, bright sets and fluffy content except for The View which is just more agitating talking points.

    I understand the desire to bookend the broadcast day with light fare but genuine entertainment has been replaced with blandness for a long time. The shows succeeds when the host let the guests shine rather than keep it to themselves.

    Wake me when a woman break the late night glass ceiling or real conversation happens. Good night.

 

Jimmy Kimmel, Conan O' Brien, Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon. Late night talk show, Bill Maher, James Corden