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« TVGuide.com Asks....
Late-night TV's Return: Who Had the Write Stuff?
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I've recorded Leno and Dave to watch later. I imagine Letterman will be funny at times, but Jay? Having writers hasn't helped Leno up until now. Without them he'll be even more clumsy,repetitive,smarmy with female guests (Ever notice how many times one will say that he barged into their dressing room just as they are changing clothes to say "hello"?)and just plain unfunny.
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Jan 3, 2008 2:44 AM
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I thought Leno's monologue was not much different from when he uses a team of writers. Not bad, really, when you consider he had to be current to the day's topics and write all the jokes himself. The Q&A session was a bust, but his real strength is in interviews, and that part was fine. He doesn't come off as pompous like Dave does.
Dave's show was a train wreck. He oddly made the right call when he said, "This crap is written?"
Terrible monologue and cringe inducing one-sidedness with regard to the strike. Dave did have the best joke of the night, though: "Show or no show, I still love to drink in the morning." Other than that, it was no fun. Robin Williams was eh, and the WGA bits were getting less and less applause as they went on. Not quite crickets, but close enough. And Dave seemed unready to be back on the air. Unsteady and unfocused.
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Jan 3, 2008 3:32 AM
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I'd agree that Letterman was a bit of a letdown. But Leno actually scored big with the question-and-answer session. For the first time in a long time, I saw the REAL Jay, and I gotta say, I liked it.
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Jan 3, 2008 5:28 AM
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As much as I usually love Letterman, it really sucked and was boring tonight. On the other hand, Leno was great. He seems to be better without the writers.
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Jan 3, 2008 5:43 AM
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I agree. But the King of last night? No question: Conan. He rocked! And he was just being himself! Such a great show. I may start watching him every night now.
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Jan 3, 2008 7:46 AM
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Letterman was exactly like Letterman always is, which is what I expected since he had his writers. He spent a bit too much time talking about his new beard (I like it; my wife says it's got to go), and the bits about the strike did seem to get old as the night wore on, particularly since he was just kidding about it and not actually explaining the issues (the top ten list with the striking writers was great, though). Robin Williams was his usual funny self.
Leno was just...blah. Honestly, we usually watch more of Leno than Letterman in our house, but last night he was not impressing. The Q&A session he did seemed really contrived and strained. The "monologue" certainly wasn't up to par at all. And let's just say that I'm not a Huckabee fan, and the interview only confirmed for me that I have no interest in voting for him...or seeing more of him.
Both obviously need a couple of shows under their belt to find their usual stride...two months off made each a tad rusty, but that's understandable.
I would like to re-watch both episodes and get a second, more distant impression. But right now I give the nod to Dave over Jay.
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Jan 3, 2008 7:51 AM
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I only watched Leno because I can't stand Letterman at all, never could.
But Jay did a great job last night. I'm sure it wasn't easy putting together the monologue by himself (although he has about 30 years experience writing his own material), and it was quite funny. He really seemed pumped, too--maybe his nerves, who knows--but he looked genuinely excited to be there.
I'm just sorry he chose to have that despicable Mike Huckabee on as his big guest.
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Jan 3, 2008 8:18 AM
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You people are so funny with your politics.
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Jan 3, 2008 8:31 AM
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I agree, Letterman was his usual self. He was funny, and stupid, and just as Dave as he has ever been. Robin Williams was great as always. Dave always drags the joke out until it stops getting laughs (Umma meet Oprah)...his top ten for the night was great, and really depicted how so many diverse writers are out on stike. For those of us that are faithful watchers of Letterman it was impressive, but Dave also got to show his softer side (talking about under the blanket with his son Harry).
When Dave brought out a longtime staff member to interview, and he was able to show how there is more to the Late Show family than just the jokes and comedy bits. The woman has worked as part of the Letterman team for almost 15 years; she met her now husband because of the show (husband also works for Dave); she just gave birth to a child last summer, and she is now back working.
Of course the funniest part of the Letterman program was the opening with Hillary Clinton; The writing team always does a great job of making her seem funny (and that takes real writing and creative talent)...if this running for President does not work out for Mrs. Clinton, maybe Dave can hook Hillary up with a half hour prime time comedy show through World Wide Pants...and if by a strike of lightning she does become our next Commander in Chief, maybe Dave can get his writing team to create Hillary an inauguration speech that the world will cheer with laughter.
Craig, on the Late, Late Show was as stupid as ever...every time he pops in those Prince Charles teeth I hit the floor laughing. Craig frequently goes too far to get a laugh (and will miss by a mile), but of course that can be funnier than any joke itself. Craig made the comment that Letterman will be the only late night host getting A-list celebrities...but Craig pointed out how all the D-List celebrities will still be welcome on his program (please call Craig, he needs some D-listers to save us from another Sean Connery in a thong skit)...
I can not comment on Jay last night. I did not watch Jay because he crossed a union picket-line, and any jokes he told would be a slap in the face to the out on strike writers.
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Jan 3, 2008 8:51 AM
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I didn't stay up for anybody last night but it is interesting to hear everyone's opinions. For Leno and Conan, the real challenge will be getting guests who are willing to cross the picket line to come on.
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Jan 3, 2008 8:52 AM
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I can't believe that Leno admitted to breaking strike rules on-air (he admitted he wrote the monologue himself, and that writers usually do it for him. Under strike rules he can't write any part of his show that he didn't write pre-strike).
Leno has been good to his staff during the strike, so it will be interesting to see whether the WGA makes an issue of it.
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Jan 3, 2008 9:16 AM
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I saw all 5 shows, and would rank them thusly:
1. Craig Ferguson--all comedy bits showed off the writers the best without hitting you over the head about the WGA stuff
2. Letterman--format was pretty normal except for a meet the staff piece that was a bit quiet. Lots of funny bits--beard is too much.
3. Conan--looked like Dr. Benton Quest on Jonny Quest. Naturally funny, but guests were weak and show a bit ragged. Taped piece was fun!
4. Leno--tried monologue--not as sharp as it's capable of being. Question and answers segment a good idea--but questions were dull. Soft interview with Huckabee, but the cooking segment was fine.
5. Kimmel--sour tone throughout (he isn't always) and rude to the first 2 guests and to the striking writers. Music guest Kid Rock was on tape from Tuesday night. Very disappointing from someone I expect more from.
If the stars mostly stick to the CBS shows, the late night ratings may really get shaken up. The writers made a difference!
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Jan 3, 2008 10:30 AM
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I always enjoy Letterman, while Leno literally puts me to sleep. It was no different last night.
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Jan 3, 2008 10:34 AM
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I always enjoy Letterman, while Leno literally puts me to sleep. It was no different last night.
Amen! I thought Letterman's show was uneven, but that's somewhat normal for all talkers. Nonetheless, it was funny and engaging, Robin Williams was just dandy and a perfect foil for Dave's beard, while Lupe Fiasco (with Matthew Santos) did a hot new version of the sublime "Superstar."
Leno, on the other hand, was as close to tele-Sominex as it gets. The monologue was basic Leno but he rushed through several jokes (the cost of the writers' strike should have gotten bigger laughs), the Q&A was boring and by the time ole Huckabee came out I was trying to Google Jim Lehrer's phone number to see if he could take over.
In my opinion, Letterman had the better premiere despite the shorter preparation time for his return than Leno.
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Jan 3, 2008 10:51 AM
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