Vote for why you think it jumped
Jay instead of Dave
Never Jumped
Exit...Stage Left (Johnny hangs it up)
Ross the intern
Announcer John Melendez
Shark Bytes
The show jumped when Carson left, but technically it has already jumped once before, and that was when Steve Allen left. From what little I have been able to see, Allen was absolutely hilarious. I am aware that several of his skits were turned into Carson material later on. Carson's length as head of the show seems to obscure Allen (and Jack Paar, it should be noted), and I have seen plenty more Johnny than the others, but Allen seems like a true genius.
It jumped after 57, held it's ground for many years, and appears to have slowly faded out w/Leno.
It jumped after 57, held it's ground for many years, and appears to have slowly faded out w/Leno.
To "sergio" below:
I agree with you; however, Carson had the inherent comedic mind that could have bantered him silent, with the audience genuinely laughing in response (instead of clapping at the "applause" sign).
It does becomes disrespect because 99 percent of the time Leno cannot think of anything funny to say back.
What no one in charge seems to realize is that for many of us viewers, it's uncomfortable to witness Jay struggling to make it through the whole monologue (and interviews, by the way) without being interrupted.
(Good gosh I wish he'd stop saying, "ok, uhhuh, ok, ok, ok, uhhuh, ok. . . ." after every sentence from a guest! You'd think after all these years. . . .)
I agree with you; however, Carson had the inherent comedic mind that could have bantered him silent, with the audience genuinely laughing in response (instead of clapping at the "applause" sign).
It does becomes disrespect because 99 percent of the time Leno cannot think of anything funny to say back.
What no one in charge seems to realize is that for many of us viewers, it's uncomfortable to witness Jay struggling to make it through the whole monologue (and interviews, by the way) without being interrupted.
(Good gosh I wish he'd stop saying, "ok, uhhuh, ok, ok, ok, uhhuh, ok. . . ." after every sentence from a guest! You'd think after all these years. . . .)
I don't expect Leno or anyone to match Carson but I do get tired of the current music director slouching in a chair and voicing his approval or disapproval of the jokes in the monologue. Carson didn't have to put up with that lack of disrespect.
The hosts of this show have all had their trajectories. Paar kinda wacked out, Carson worked it maybe too long, as Carsoni points out in the previous post. Leno started out disappointing and took the show to the bottom with the Dancing Itos, etc. However, it looks like Jay will make atrong finish. Will Conan make the grade? The beat goes on...
I'd agree that Carson was the gold standard, but the last decade or so of his run had gotten highly predictable. How many times can jokes about Ed McMahon's drinking or all of Johnny's wives still be funny? Doc Severinsen was a fine trumpet player and had good patter w/ Johnny, but his band was straight out of the 1940s. Why is it a rule that the band leader has to have constant banter w/ the host? Paul Shafer stopped being funny years ago. Kevin Eubanks plays a good guitar, but his patter sucks. Branford Marsalis was the ultimate deer in headlights when it came time to talk w/ Jay...
Two words. John Melendez.
He was good on The Howard Stern Show, but how could Jay ever think that talent would ever transfer (if you want to call asking celebrities funny pre-written questions talent).
He was good on The Howard Stern Show, but how could Jay ever think that talent would ever transfer (if you want to call asking celebrities funny pre-written questions talent).
Jay got fired?
Jay got better - it was most noticable during the writers strike - and he has kept that edge since the strike. I do love how he jokes during the monologue about not stepping aside when its Conan's time to take over.
Jay got better - it was most noticable during the writers strike - and he has kept that edge since the strike. I do love how he jokes during the monologue about not stepping aside when its Conan's time to take over.
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