Full Version: Conan O'Brian: Takes Over the Tonight Show
God, I am so excited for this. I love me some Conan and hate me some Leno. TiVo set!!
I'll have to start watching Conan again because Richter is back. I really hope the writing stays strong.
For the hell of it I watched the last Leno on Friday night. He closed the show introducing the daughter of a band member who was born within the first couple weeks of when he started. Now she's 17. And then he talked about all the staff that met at the show. Then he introduced the 68 kids (some are still in the oven) that exist because their parents worked on the show. It was a pretty amazing sight. The families that have supported themselves via this show over the last 17 years convincingly put into perspective why he just couldn't bring himself to retire.
For the hell of it I watched the last Leno on Friday night. He closed the show introducing the daughter of a band member who was born within the first couple weeks of when he started. Now she's 17. And then he talked about all the staff that met at the show. Then he introduced the 68 kids (some are still in the oven) that exist because their parents worked on the show. It was a pretty amazing sight. The families that have supported themselves via this show over the last 17 years convincingly put into perspective why he just couldn't bring himself to retire.
i'm interested to see how conan translates to this new time slot. i haven't watched the show regularly over the last three years, but still tune in when there's an interesting guest on. hopefully, conan's taken some interviewing technique classes during his break.
I'm guessing we've seen the last of the masturbating bear
QUOTE (MattW @ Jun 1 2009, 12:08 PM) 
I'll have to start watching Conan again because Richter is back.
I was wondering about this. Could not imagine him passing up the opportunity like that and with the new slot I suspected they could get him back.
QUOTE (TJENZ @ Jun 1 2009, 12:28 PM)
I'm guessing we've seen the last of the masturbating bear
Not according to a Sun Times article today:
QUOTE
Amid all the novelty, however, fans also can expect tried-and-true standbys. One of them, Dorff reveals, may well be onanistically obsessed.
The costume has made the trip, he says. Oh, did I say costume? The Masturbating Bear is real, of course. The Masturbating Bear is so iconic to the last show that theres a danger to bringing it and theres a plus. You dont want to rest on anything that youve done. And by the way, were not talking about the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Were talking about a bear that plays with himself. But while you dont want to rest on what youve done, you also dont want to throw away things that are valuable and that people do like. [And] if you think that fans like the Masturbating Bear, writers like him, too. We love the Masturbating Bear.
I cant speak on the topic of whether hell be back or not, because thats ultimately up to Mike [Sweeney, the head writer] and Conan, Dorff adds. But Id be pretty surprised if we never saw him again. That would definitely take me by surprise.
The costume has made the trip, he says. Oh, did I say costume? The Masturbating Bear is real, of course. The Masturbating Bear is so iconic to the last show that theres a danger to bringing it and theres a plus. You dont want to rest on anything that youve done. And by the way, were not talking about the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Were talking about a bear that plays with himself. But while you dont want to rest on what youve done, you also dont want to throw away things that are valuable and that people do like. [And] if you think that fans like the Masturbating Bear, writers like him, too. We love the Masturbating Bear.
I cant speak on the topic of whether hell be back or not, because thats ultimately up to Mike [Sweeney, the head writer] and Conan, Dorff adds. But Id be pretty surprised if we never saw him again. That would definitely take me by surprise.
QUOTE
“There was an idea I had that’s not making it on the show,” McCann says, “but it was ‘This is not your daddy’s “Tonight Show.” ’ And I just thought it would be funny to have your cake and eat it too, where we could do something a little crazy or a little arbitrary and then just throw up this graphic that was kind of really in your face, going [rock ’n’ roll singing] ‘Not yo’ daddy’s “Tonight Show!” ’ And that practically happened. I pursued it for a couple weeks. And I even had them make up a funny animation and graphics with explosions. It was way over the top. And so far that has not been embraced. But it’s made, and I’ll continue to gently suggest it every once in a while.”
The possibilities for this concept are pretty extensive. I hope it's not dead in the water.
if this weeks musical guests are any indicator...the show is taking a turn for the worse
but i guess that was to be expected
but i guess that was to be expected
QUOTE (MattW @ Jun 1 2009, 01:08 PM)
For the hell of it I watched the last Leno on Friday night. He closed the show introducing the daughter of a band member who was born within the first couple weeks of when he started. Now she's 17. And then he talked about all the staff that met at the show. Then he introduced the 68 kids (some are still in the oven) that exist because their parents worked on the show. It was a pretty amazing sight. The families that have supported themselves via this show over the last 17 years convincingly put into perspective why he just couldn't bring himself to retire.
say what u want about Leno and I am no fan but that ending with the kids etc was total Class
QUOTE (no magnets @ Jun 1 2009, 12:22 PM)
hopefully, conan's taken some interviewing technique classes during his break.
why? him & letterman are the only late night hosts that are actually good at that shit
QUOTE (wh1tep0ny @ Jun 1 2009, 01:37 PM)
QUOTE (MattW @ Jun 1 2009, 01:08 PM)
For the hell of it I watched the last Leno on Friday night. He closed the show introducing the daughter of a band member who was born within the first couple weeks of when he started. Now she's 17. And then he talked about all the staff that met at the show. Then he introduced the 68 kids (some are still in the oven) that exist because their parents worked on the show. It was a pretty amazing sight. The families that have supported themselves via this show over the last 17 years convincingly put into perspective why he just couldn't bring himself to retire.
say what u want about Leno and I am no fan but that ending with the kids etc was total Class
Yep, it was in the league of Cliff and Clare Huxtable dancing off the set. It was that much of a home run perfect ending.
not to be a cunt or anything, but youd think if you loved him so much you'd know how to spell his name.
but yes, i am beyond excited for this. i was a ginormous fan of late night and was really hesitant when they announced he'd be taking over the tonight show, but everything ive read recently from the staff blogs pumps me up. this will be outstanding.
but yes, i am beyond excited for this. i was a ginormous fan of late night and was really hesitant when they announced he'd be taking over the tonight show, but everything ive read recently from the staff blogs pumps me up. this will be outstanding.
What I am confused about is Leno moving to the 10pm slot with his new show, isn't that the same time as local news? Who chooses what to air?
QUOTE (MattW @ Jun 1 2009, 01:54 PM)
QUOTE (wh1tep0ny @ Jun 1 2009, 01:37 PM)
QUOTE (MattW @ Jun 1 2009, 01:08 PM)
For the hell of it I watched the last Leno on Friday night. He closed the show introducing the daughter of a band member who was born within the first couple weeks of when he started. Now she's 17. And then he talked about all the staff that met at the show. Then he introduced the 68 kids (some are still in the oven) that exist because their parents worked on the show. It was a pretty amazing sight. The families that have supported themselves via this show over the last 17 years convincingly put into perspective why he just couldn't bring himself to retire.
say what u want about Leno and I am no fan but that ending with the kids etc was total Class
Yep, it was in the league of Cliff and Clare Huxtable dancing off the set. It was that much of a home run perfect ending.
One man's classy move is another man's example of Leno's bloated ego.
The implication being if it weren't for Jay so many babies would not have been born, because if Jay hadn't got the Tonight Show NBC was going to put on reruns of Manimal.
Fuck Leno
QUOTE (tager @ Jun 1 2009, 02:22 PM)
What I am confused about is Leno moving to the 10pm slot with his new show, isn't that the same time as local news? Who chooses what to air?
10 Eeastern
9 Central
are you new to TV watching?
Did you see it? He was paying tribute to the staff over the years and talked about how much they've become a family over the years. The kids were what drove that message home. It was a good way to do it.
QUOTE (TJENZ @ Jun 1 2009, 12:28 PM)
I'm guessing we've seen the last of the masturbating bear
I don't remember for sure, but I thought they acknowledged this on the stretch run of Late Night. They did a segment where they froze The Masturbating Bear in carbonite or something.
QUOTE (no magnets @ Jun 1 2009, 12:22 PM)
hopefully, conan's taken some interviewing technique classes during his break.
Lesson #1: Don't insist on talking about yourself during every interview and stating, "Okay, I'm an ass" every 30 seconds.
I fear the worst for this. Conan used to be okay. Now I find him to be one of the the most annoying men on television. Unless Conan has (had) a great guest, I watch Craig Ferguson.
QUOTE (TJENZ @ Jun 1 2009, 02:24 PM)
QUOTE (tager @ Jun 1 2009, 02:22 PM)
What I am confused about is Leno moving to the 10pm slot with his new show, isn't that the same time as local news? Who chooses what to air?
10 Eeastern
9 Central
are you new to TV watching?
i seem to remember reading that some mid-size market affiliates balked at leno's 10ET show in favor of doing news instead. then nbc got all upset, even though affiliates can pick and choose much of their programming from the network.
QUOTE (norton @ Jun 1 2009, 02:54 PM)
QUOTE (no magnets @ Jun 1 2009, 12:22 PM)
hopefully, conan's taken some interviewing technique classes during his break.
Lesson #1: Don't insist on talking about yourself during every interview and stating, "Okay, I'm an ass" every 30 seconds.
this is exactly what i was referring it. thank you.
"I’m thinking about all the things I want to do on the show. And I’m not thinking about how I’m going to change myself to fit a certain demographic. I just have to block that nonsense out. In entertainment, you have to stake out what you think is right, you have to put out that signal, make sure it’s pure and then do it and do it and do it and know that they will come. And if they don’t, you have to pack up your bags and say: ‘I enjoyed my time here. Sorry it didn’t work out.’ But the biggest mistake would be to alter my signal to make sure that I reach all these different people. Because then you’re lost.” -Conan
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/24/magazine...t=cse&scp=3
Great article if you have the time.
This show will be great.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/24/magazine...t=cse&scp=3
Great article if you have the time.
This show will be great.
QUOTE (norton @ Jun 1 2009, 02:54 PM)
Unless Conan has (had) a great guest, I watch Craig Ferguson.
I like Ferguson & Conan. I've had a hard time choosing between them.
Ferguson has to be doing much better now going up against Fallon. Fallon's show is unwatchable.
Wait, is this on tonight?
QUOTE (norton @ Jun 1 2009, 02:54 PM)
Unless Conan has (had) a great guest, I watch Craig Ferguson.
Really? I can't for the life of me understand how Craig Ferguson can keep this job. I haven't been able to sit through that show for more than 45 seconds before cringing and changing the channel.
Conan's interviewing doesn't bother me. He mainly comes off as someone whose happy to be there interviewing celebrities. Most celebrities don't interest me in the first place so I rarely watch that part of the show anyways. I'm mostly interested in the sketches, characters, and now once again the Conan/Andy banter. I really hope the Staring Contests aren't too 12:35 either.
id rather watch kimmel over ferguson & fallon. at least he has that uncle with the down's syndrome
QUOTE (TJENZ @ Jun 1 2009, 03:58 PM)
QUOTE (norton @ Jun 1 2009, 02:54 PM)
Unless Conan has (had) a great guest, I watch Craig Ferguson.
I like Ferguson & Conan. I've had a hard time choosing between them.
Ferguson has to be doing much better now going up against Fallon. Fallon's show is unwatchable.
i wish they would have given conans spot to someone like michael ian black...when he filled in before it was craig ferguson he was hilarious
I didn't know Richter was coming back on! This should be great if it retains that silly attitude that Late Night has had the last few years.
QUOTE (MattW @ Jun 1 2009, 04:10 PM)
QUOTE (norton @ Jun 1 2009, 02:54 PM)
Unless Conan has (had) a great guest, I watch Craig Ferguson.
Really? I can't for the life of me understand how Craig Ferguson can keep this job. I haven't been able to sit through that show for more than 45 seconds before cringing and changing the channel.
I'm not a huge fan, but I do think he's damn funny and I can't stand Conan anymore. I used to like his show, but it got to the point where it was the exact same show every single night.
That said, I'll try to remember to watch tonight.
I heard that Jimmy Kimmel's show has actually gotten good. I had written it off, but somebody told me it's worth giving it another chance. Is this true???
QUOTE (norton @ Jun 1 2009, 04:50 PM)
QUOTE (MattW @ Jun 1 2009, 04:10 PM)
QUOTE (norton @ Jun 1 2009, 02:54 PM)
Unless Conan has (had) a great guest, I watch Craig Ferguson.
Really? I can't for the life of me understand how Craig Ferguson can keep this job. I haven't been able to sit through that show for more than 45 seconds before cringing and changing the channel.
I'm not a huge fan, but I do think he's damn funny and I can't stand Conan anymore. I used to like his show, but it got to the point where it was the exact same show every single night.
That said, I'll try to remember to watch tonight.
I heard that Jimmy Kimmel's show has actually gotten good. I had written it off, but somebody told me it's worth giving it another chance. Is this true???
kimmels pretty good...but i dont catch it that often
craig ferguson i think is hysterical...those monologues (impromptu stand ups) he does at the begining are fantastic...
there was one episode i saw a while back where he was up there for 20 minutes just cracking jokes
I think Kimmel's pretty well actualized on the show at this point. If you like Jimmy Kimmel, you should be watching. I think he's funny sometimes, but I still haven't forgiven him for how tacky 'the Man Show' was yet.
QUOTE (norton @ Jun 1 2009, 02:54 PM)
Lesson #1: Don't insist on talking about yourself during every interview and stating, "Okay, I'm an ass" every 30 seconds.
This is like exactly what Ferguson does to the tenth power. He was pretty good with Kristen Bell a few months ago, though.
I'll be very curious to see what the opening monologue is. O'Brien never has done more than just a few jokes before getting into that first sketch, where Leno (and Letterman and Carson) let their monologues go a little longer. I think Conan isn't going to do a lot of stuff up front...
a Triumph appearance would not surprise me.
a Triumph appearance would not surprise me.
QUOTE (TJENZ @ Jun 1 2009, 02:24 PM)
Fuck Leno
sounds about right.
QUOTE (norton @ Jun 1 2009, 02:54 PM)
QUOTE (no magnets @ Jun 1 2009, 12:22 PM)
hopefully, conan's taken some interviewing technique classes during his break.
Lesson #1: Don't insist on talking about yourself during every interview and stating, "Okay, I'm an ass" every 30 seconds.
spot on. used to be a pretty big fan when he first took over but the self-deprecating humor schtick got old very quickly. in small doses it can actually be charming but if you keep going back to it you just look the like the kid in the room who cries to be the center of attention. don't watch much late night talk these days but yea, i'll tune in tonight.
QUOTE (Sam @ Jun 1 2009, 02:42 PM)
QUOTE (TJENZ @ Jun 1 2009, 12:28 PM)
I'm guessing we've seen the last of the masturbating bear
I don't remember for sure, but I thought they acknowledged this on the stretch run of Late Night. They did a segment where they froze The Masturbating Bear in carbonite or something.
But Carrie Fisher unfroze him and set him free!
http://www.nbc.com/Late_Night_with_Conan_O...-21709/1022681/
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tonites show was ok...some of these quick cuts to andy are more creepy than funny
pearl jam was god awful
and i usually find will farrell to be annoying in interviews like tonite, but he was actually pretty funny
these video bits seem way over produced though
pearl jam was god awful
and i usually find will farrell to be annoying in interviews like tonite, but he was actually pretty funny
these video bits seem way over produced though
QUOTE (KENAN THOMPSON @ Jun 1 2009, 05:38 PM)
That is seriously hilarious.
i went to the taping of the first show. it was awesome. if anything for the reason because i could never see Conan live in New York.
on a side note, i live near that 99 cent store. my claim to fame for the show. time to score at the bar with that information.
on a side note, i live near that 99 cent store. my claim to fame for the show. time to score at the bar with that information.
QUOTE (nagode @ Jun 2 2009, 06:11 AM)
If you're young and not liberal, you have no heart. If you're old and not conservative, you have no mind."
-Winston Churchill
-Winston Churchill
Why on earth would Churchill have said this considering he was a Conservative aged 20 and Liberal aged 35 and although he re-joined the Tories his wife remained a Liberal all her life?
I just keep wondering, "what are the OLD people going to watch?" People my parents' age are pretty iffy with Letterman. I have an aunt that HATES him, and I think it's based solely on his irreverence. Between him and Conan now, it seems like anyone over 60 just gained an hour of sleep.
QUOTE (Johnny Feathers @ Jun 2 2009, 09:42 AM)
I just keep wondering, "what are the OLD people going to watch?" People my parents' age are pretty iffy with Letterman. I have an aunt that HATES him, and I think it's based solely on his irreverence. Between him and Conan now, it seems like anyone over 60 just gained an hour of sleep.
Isn't that the whole point of putting Leno on at 10pm now?
I haven't watched a late night show since Letterman in the late 80s, so I'm pretty much unaffected by all of these people. I'm usually up past midnight, but I'm watching sports.
QUOTE (ParticleHustler @ Jun 2 2009, 08:49 AM)
I'm usually up past midnight, but I'm watching sports.
You sir, are a real man.
Eh, just not interested in talk show humor and definitely not interested in the people they interview. It's either sports or serial murderer profiles/true crime shows I've recorded. Got to get in a suitable frame of mind for sleeping!
QUOTE (Johnny Feathers @ Jun 2 2009, 08:42 AM)
I just keep wondering, "what are the OLD people going to watch?" People my parents' age are pretty iffy with Letterman. I have an aunt that HATES him, and I think it's based solely on his irreverence. Between him and Conan now, it seems like anyone over 60 just gained an hour of sleep.
Letterman booking Bill Cosby last night and Jack Hanna tonight = stroke of marketing genius.
I thought Conan did ok. He got a few good laughs in there but he wasn't comfortable yet. I think Andy needs to be on the couch and the monologue was pretty choppy. I'll probably watch for the rest of the week and just go back Colbert next week.
they def. need to utilize andy in a different way. im happy hes there, but its not really adding anything to the show. though as always i am amused at the sound of his laughter.
the cold open was amazing and the monologue wasnt as bad as i thought it was going to be. pearl jam were lame, but they are pearl jam, it is to be expected. the remote, other than "CIRCLE! CIRCLE!" kind of blew. but everything else was aces. GOOD JOB TONIGHT SHOW.
the cold open was amazing and the monologue wasnt as bad as i thought it was going to be. pearl jam were lame, but they are pearl jam, it is to be expected. the remote, other than "CIRCLE! CIRCLE!" kind of blew. but everything else was aces. GOOD JOB TONIGHT SHOW.
all in all, i dug Conan last night. I took the episode largely as an introduction and a small sample of what he's capable of. I also like that he likes to exploit his budget and spend bucks, be it on driving a forklift through a fake wall or on a giant, absolutely unnecessary letter 'D.' The dude knows how to spend money.
Definitely looking forward to watching more of the new Tonight Show, especially the focus group bit he filmed. The premise alone is pretty good. Hopefully it's just as good in execution.
QUOTE (KENAN THOMPSON @ Jun 1 2009, 04:38 PM)
Oh my god, that's funny.
QUOTE (tager @ Jun 2 2009, 09:57 AM)
QUOTE (KENAN THOMPSON @ Jun 1 2009, 04:38 PM)
Oh my god, that's funny.
"i want the robut to do nice things"
fucking guillermo
i don't know what's up with the pearl jam haters, but that's one great live band. energizing rock and roll right there
I enjoyed the show last night. To me it felt pretty much like the "late night" show just started up again after a few months in a new city/set, which is fine with me.
The personal problem I'm having is I'm still a big Letterman fan. It's been a simple no brainer for me all my life...watch Letterman at 11:30 who I like infinetely more than Leno. Then at 12:30 switch to Conan who I like about the same as Letterman. This has been my routine anytime I'm home and awake at that time since I was about 13. I don't know what to do now. I guess I should get with the 21st century and buy a DVR or something.
The personal problem I'm having is I'm still a big Letterman fan. It's been a simple no brainer for me all my life...watch Letterman at 11:30 who I like infinetely more than Leno. Then at 12:30 switch to Conan who I like about the same as Letterman. This has been my routine anytime I'm home and awake at that time since I was about 13. I don't know what to do now. I guess I should get with the 21st century and buy a DVR or something.
QUOTE (lurker @ Jun 2 2009, 03:02 PM)
The personal problem I'm having is I'm still a big Letterman fan. It's been a simple no brainer for me all my life...watch Letterman at 11:30 who I like infinetely more than Leno. Then at 12:30 switch to Conan who I like about the same as Letterman. .
truth
Colbert's writing staff mops the floor with both of them anyways.
QUOTE (MattW @ Jun 2 2009, 01:13 PM)
Colbert's writing staff mops the floor with both of them anyways.
But I always have a chance to watch Colbert on one of the 2 or 3 reruns the next day anyway, so that's not an issue.
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