I don't know about you folks, but I never look at the first episode of any new late-night talk show as a good indication of how a host is going to start out. Why? Everything's new and shiny and there's a big introduction and everyone's nervous, that's why. It's the second night, when things are settling down into more of a routine, that I pay more attention to.
And after watching the second night of Conan O'Brien's Tonight Show, I'm getting worried that, despite all his assurances to the contrary, Conan is too busy easing up on his edginess to make good comedy.
Today is the day Conan O'Brien takes up the mantle of one of the most beloved shows in TV history - The Tonight Show. And since feelings about O'Brien on some of my previous posts have been so strong, I thought it might be a good idea to do a point/counterpoint on the question, "Will Conan O'Brien succeed on The Tonight Show?"
I will be taking the position that he will be successful, and my formidable opponent will be John Scott Lewinski, who will take the position that O'Brien will not be successful.
NBC has a fake tour of the new Tonight Show set up on the show's site (it features Conan, Andy, and Max doing the show in a giant warehouse with just a school desk and a bucket to bang on), but Access Hollywood's Maria Menounos got a real tour of the set from Conan himself. Spoiler warning: it features a desk, a mug, a couch, and curtains! (Video is also here.)
Oh, thank the late night gods! After some rumors surfaced that Max Weinberg wouldn't be relocating with ConeBone69 to LA for The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien, I was worried. I mean just look at that bored, uninterested face! Because of their bizarre energy and involvement in sketches, the Max Weinberg 7 are the best band in late night (I swear I will fight anyone that suggests anything less).
Late Night would have a totally different tone without elements like Pender's over-energetic, passionate solos and LaBamba's extra-endearing presence. Well, not to worry, people who worry about the same pointless things I do! It looks like Max and the gang are joining Conan in LA.
Step back from the guacamole dip. Put the chicken fingers down. Bruce Springsteen's drummer will stay that way for now.
It looks as though drummer Max Weinberg of Late Night with Conan O'Brien's Max Weinberg 7 won't be going to L.A. when O'Brien makes the jump to The Tonight Show this summer.
The New York Post breaks the situation down like this: Weinberg has too many ties to the East Coast and the E Street Band and moving to L.A. would just complicate things too much. Plus, his true bread and butter is playing for Springsteen and moving to the other side of the continent could cause a huge strain on him and his family.
Late night god Conan O'Brien has been chosen to emcee the Emmy Awards in August. O'Brien's my favorite out of the late night talk show guys (forget Leno, Letterman, Ferguson, and Daly... if he even counts), so I have high hopes for his performance. At worst, he'll get a little too immature with his jokes, but I don't expect anything controversial.
He took the Emmy-hosting gig back in 2004, as well. I don't think I watched that year. To those of you that watched him in 2004, did he do well?
I don't know about you folks, but I never look at the first episode of any new late-night talk show as a good indication of how a host is going to start out. Why? Everything's new and shiny and there's a big introduction and everyone's nervous, that's why. It's the second night, when things are settling down into more of a routine, that I pay more attention to.
Today is the day Conan O'Brien takes up the mantle of one of the most beloved shows in TV history - 
Oh, thank the late night gods! After some rumors surfaced that 
Step back from the guacamole dip. Put the chicken fingers down. Bruce Springsteen's drummer will stay that way for now.
Late night god Conan O'Brien has been chosen to emcee the Emmy Awards in August. O'Brien's my favorite out of the late night talk show guys (forget Leno, Letterman, Ferguson, and Daly... if he even counts), so I have high hopes for his performance. At worst, he'll get a little too immature with his jokes, but I don't expect anything controversial.
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