“My face stayed like this permanently. Isn’t it funny?”
As you may have heard, the word is out that Jimmy Fallon, the SNL alum and general entertainment phantasm, will be taking over as host of Conan O’Brien’s Late Night on NBC in 2009. This will put Fallon head to head with CBS’s “TV’s Craig Ferguson,” who has ascended in the ratings and in the funnay-ness as of late. Does a great Aquaman, too. And of course, Conan takes over for Jay Leno on The Tonight Show, putting him against one David Letterman.
Unless you’re sponsored by Ambien, I’m sure everyone has an opinion about how this plays out next year. Does Fallon piss you off or is he a quaint guilty pleasure? Will Conan’s “me no talk comfortably with women, hee hee” aging sense of humor play to the Activia-slurpin’ Leno crowd? Does Carson Daly continue to starve himself for no apparent reason? Oh, yeah, and Jimmy Kimmel. Let us know in the comments. Does the Internet rule these shows out completely for your insomniac lifestyle? And no, this isn’t patented Slashfilm fodder, but it’s not a major sign of the apocalypse either. Or is it?
My take: I hate Fallon. He’s friggin’ terrible. I’ve met him twice in person, and he’s just like he is on screen. Smug and distant. Craig Ferguson will pwn the time slot. Conan will bomb like Couric in his new gig. Leno finds a new home and him and Dave continue their non-feud feud. Saw The Late Show live in the Rotten Apple on Monday and it was a strange experience (and subpar show). Being told to clap and laugh over and over while you’re shivering (cliche, but true) and half-way listening to Billy Crystal’s pope jokes was like subtle science fiction. But Letterman’s still the man, as is Chris Elliot and his gut.
Discuss: How will Fallon do? How about Conan vs. Letterman? Why not give one of these time slots from the Land of Predictable Monologues to Paul Scheer and Human Giant? Shake it up…
April 26th, 2008 at 10:38 pm
I.. hate.. Jimmy Fallon.
April 26th, 2008 at 10:39 pm
I think your Conan prediction is about as far off as can be. I don’t think I’ve ever even met anyone who’s said they don’t like Conan.
April 26th, 2008 at 10:40 pm
Fallon is awful. This is a terrible choice. He doesn’t have that class and poise that a talk show host needs. Honestly I’d rather see skeletal Carson Daily, who has both radio and TV hosting experience try and move up. I think with a good writing staff and some unique ideas (Human Giant?), that could work. But Fallon? Retch.
I fear that it will be like you say: Leno will find a new ?ABC? slot.
Conan on at 11:30? Not sure he’ll bomb like Couric, but it won’t play well with the masses unless he changes up things from what he does now. The things that are funny at 1 AM aren’t always funny at 1130. Love the Tall Wonder to death, but…
Letterman: class act and still my favorite…though I can never say why. Fallon is the Anti-Letterman. Awful Awful choice.
~Sauce
PS. Where’s Billy Crystal been? He and Danny DeVito need to make another movie together. Just because.
PSS. Did I mention that Fallon is not funny and an awful choice?
April 26th, 2008 at 10:44 pm
“We’ve decided that we’re tired of getting good ratings and making people laugh. Get Fallon asap!”
April 26th, 2008 at 10:46 pm
They should get Queen Latifah to be his own “Andy Richter” so she can help him setup jokes like in Taxi Cab.
I’m laughing right now just thinking about it. It’s like all this funny in my skull at the moment. ALL TEARS PEOPLE!
April 26th, 2008 at 10:49 pm
I thought a lot of people loved Conan, Im pretty sure he will do just fine. Your the few that i know that dint like Conan :(
April 26th, 2008 at 10:53 pm
All these replacements for late night suck. Hellen Keller is funnier than jimmy fallon
April 26th, 2008 at 10:56 pm
man,, i check slashfilm everyday….but what u said about Conan is efing crazy.. i cant wait for him to take over!!!
April 26th, 2008 at 10:57 pm
DK,
I love Conan. My only fear with him taking over Leno is that his comedy will be watered down. Leno was basically a comedian for senior citizens. Leno stuck around long enough to buy all those wacky antique cars.
God damn, Leno sucks and so does Fallon.
Conan is awesome though, as was the great Late Night fight with Stewart and Colbet :)
April 26th, 2008 at 11:09 pm
fuckkkkkk jimmy fallon.
he is not funny and all his movies are pure shit. i could maybe understand giving him a talk show if it was one of those shitty obscure ones like carson daily, but to be one of the huge ones on nbc for the next 10+ years? jesus christ. how the hell did that happen.
April 26th, 2008 at 11:10 pm
RE: Captain Awesome
Brilliant! I lol-ed at that.
Hunter I agree with everything you just said minus Conan’s humor aging. I still find him very funny. Saw Fallon at the ArcLight tonight and he just seemed like an unapproachable dick weed.
I say they give the slot to Chris Elliot.
April 26th, 2008 at 11:25 pm
but even if Conan leaves from Late Night he’s still gonna replace Jay Leno on the Tonigh show so we’re stil gonna get to see him and earlier so it’s good…………right????
April 26th, 2008 at 11:30 pm
Conan is one of the only late night shows I like. I hate Leno, I hate Carson, Letterman is weird and boring, etc…
But really, The Daily Show and Colbert Report are the only ones actually WORTH watching. I don’t think Fallon will be that bad.
April 26th, 2008 at 11:33 pm
the last time Fallon was funny was on SNL’s Weekend Update
April 26th, 2008 at 11:38 pm
I can’t wait when Fallon is interviewing his first guest and inexplicably starts cracking up in the middle of a question and completely ruins the interview. God he sucks.
April 26th, 2008 at 11:41 pm
jimmy fallon is going to be horrible, i don’t think they could have made a worse choice
nbc should have given conan a pay raise, and extended leno’s run for a couple of years since leno is dominating ratings….and will now most likely dominate against nbc too on fox or abc
April 26th, 2008 at 11:54 pm
This is going to be worse than Chevy.
April 26th, 2008 at 11:54 pm
Uuuuum, who gives a shit? I mean I like Conan and all but is it really worth raising the pulse over these talk shows? It’s just celebrities pushing their latest junk with pre-planned jokes. A tired old formula, let’s push things forward….
April 27th, 2008 at 12:01 am
Network late night sucks. I’ll stick to Comedy Centrals lineup.
April 27th, 2008 at 1:03 am
Rotten Apple?
Fuck you asshole.
April 27th, 2008 at 1:08 am
Hunter: As always, you’re about half wrong. Conan is hilarious, and already has a large installed fan base. There is no way he will bomb. He has been on 15 years for a reason.
You are correct about Jimmy Fallon though. What a joke.
(although I kind of liked Fever Pitch)
April 27th, 2008 at 7:06 am
Only good thing Fallon has done (that I have seen) is Almost Famous. with that said, I’ll give him a fair shake.
April 27th, 2008 at 8:03 am
the fuck? Conan is awesome and won’t bomb at all. horrible prediction
April 27th, 2008 at 8:05 am
I refuse to watch that douche bag Fallon laugh at his own jokes again. I hope he gets stabbbed in the neck with a crack pipe and dies screaming in the street.
April 27th, 2008 at 8:31 am
I think you are right Peter. I love Conan but i dont see him doing well with a wider audience. He will have to change a lot of the things that make him who he is now.
What has Fallon done since SNL? Taxi…thats all that i can think of. I dont HATE him, but i wont be watching when Ferguson is doing so well.
But i am with gah, if you want something different stick with ComCen…
April 27th, 2008 at 8:41 am
@ The Dude
I think Jonny has dibbs on the death by crack pipe line. ;)
@ Jackson
Thanks for solving the equation that is my life. Conan O’Brien had a good thing going post-Andy, but his interviews are utterly predictable (hot babe = tired cat call, plays up his unattractiveness, nervousness et al) and he’s seemed out of it since he bred. I think it’d be really smart if Conan hired another sidekick for his Tonight Show. He’s quicker and wittier when he can bounce off someone.
Fact is, Conan’s “outcast nerd” act doesn’t work as well as he gets older and I’m not sure how he’ll tweak it for the Carson/Leno hour. Compare Conan’s consistency to Craig Ferguson, whose interviews and monologues aren’t scripted and are off the cuff and who can get ultra personal with his audience (i.e. when his father passed away, it’s on YouTube) and whose skits are perfect for the midnight oil set. Not only this, but he twists up the late night formula by not having a band and continually breaking the fourth wall. This is why Ferguson now gets the coveted younger/hipper demographic over Conan. The best part is when Ferguson doesn’t give a shit about a show or a movie or a band, he doesn’t fake it. Fallon will pull a Chevy, for sure, with all due respect to Chevy Chase.
April 27th, 2008 at 9:50 am
What I want to see is Amy Sedaris take over Letterman and Conan be re-born, drenched in after-birth, when he hits Late Show, and move the whole shoot back to New York.
Do any of you remember the shows Conan did during the writers strike? That alone proves he’s not dead inside. But yes, the move to Jays time slot and the angry letters of of uptight Americans everywhere who are used to being dulled to sleep by Leno might not be the best thing for Conan.
Fallon? He’ll fizzle himself out. It might be enjoying to watch just based on how badly he’s going to drown in an hour show 5 times a week. Thats a whole lot different than faking yourself through and ruing a 5 minute sketch once a week on SNL over 6 years ago.
April 27th, 2008 at 9:56 am
I think the masturbating bear will do a better job than JF.
April 27th, 2008 at 10:13 am
I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE Craig Ferguson. He’s the only one that’s actually funny. Though Conan does know a thing or two about interviewing ad how to create witty banter with his guests.
I think I’m one of the few who doesn’t hate Fallon.
April 27th, 2008 at 10:34 am
Not much I can say that hasn’t already been said.
lol @ dude & joshua
Jimmy Fallon, UGH
April 27th, 2008 at 10:50 am
I don’t know Jimmy Fallon, but I live Craig Ferguson. I’m betting that people who used to watch conan that late will probably tune to Ferguson before trying out a new guy. Plus Ferguson is honest does little scripted stuff - look at his monologues - and interviews the guests like they’re his friends and not “people with a movie/book/song etc.” Ferguson’s a cool man, and it took him a long time to get where he is and overcome personal problems, so I hope he succeeds when Conan moves up.
April 27th, 2008 at 10:52 am
Oops, I mean’t I “love” Craig Ferguson, not “live”.
April 27th, 2008 at 10:58 am
Jimmy = Fail in everything you see him in and on. I think Conan will do great, shit I don’t even put much thought into it, cause seriously who cares, it’s happening so already so on with the show. I think Peter should just write all the blog posts and delegate the “Page 2″ ones to Hunter so they’re quick and sparse.
April 27th, 2008 at 10:59 am
Jimmy Fallon fucking sucks
April 27th, 2008 at 11:59 am
Jimmy Fallon’s a pretty bad actor, but that doesn’t mean he won’t be bad at this gig. I think he’ll be OK.
It’s already A WAY better alternative to Craig Furgeson.
April 27th, 2008 at 12:28 pm
Jimmy Fallon: Obnoxious like Letterman used to be back in the 80s…but with less talent.
Conan O’Brien: Ivy League version of Tom Green. Won’t go over well with the Johnny & Jay audience.
David Letterman: If he hadn’t had that kid, I swear that he got neutered when he had the open hart surgery. His show blows these days. Dave should retire.
Jimmy Kimmel: ABC got the wrong guy from the Man Show. Should have snagged Adam Carolla.
Craig Ferguson: He’s different. Different is good.
Carson Daly: Who?
NBC should re-think the Late Night package. Okay, they’re stuck with Conan, but that 1235 slot could be something really off the wall. If they had balls, they’d consider going with fringe talents and do themed shows that air once a week in that time slot. One show could be a humpday liberal love fest with Ariana Huffington and friends, monday night sports Scott Ferrall, a Friday movie show with film bloggers (hint), live comedy tuesday and live music thursdays. Try all those ideas out and if one rises to the top sooner than the others, then see if there’s enough material to make a daily out of it.
PEACE!
April 27th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
Since we all hate Jimmy Fallon…Who else would be good to take over Conan’s spot? Also, will Conan get to stay in New York or will he have to move to LA? God, I hope he gets to stay. There’s just something about people in LA.
April 27th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
Conan should be replaced by Leno since Leno is being replaced by Conan.
April 27th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
First off, Jimmy KIMMEL is the only late night i watch (and seen in person twice). Conan uses the same jokes over and over and over and over and over. leno is alright, i dont think i watched a full episode of letterman. craig is second best. fallon would tank like carson
April 27th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
I’m all for a couple of guys duking it out just like when they picked Ferguson. I thought that for sure D.L. Hughley had it in the bag, but it was a pleasant surprise to have Ferguson. I don’t think they should just give it to Fallon. Lord knows he needs the work.
And leviari, what do you mean by “tanking like Carson.” Carson was and always will be the best of all time.
April 27th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
@ Ohiofile
I believe Conan is moving to LA.
April 27th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
I am excited for Jimmy Fallon.
April 27th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
OF,
Conan is moving to LA. I think Seth Green would be a good fill for Conan.
Fallon sucks period.
April 27th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
Do the corporate dance and move Carson up to Conan’s spot. Then, put Bubba the Love Sponge in to bat cleanup. He could “shock the puss” all night long.
April 27th, 2008 at 5:39 pm
I’d watch an infomercial before I’d watch Ferguson. His show is shit. So Fallon wins by default.
April 27th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
Crazy idea, but I’d like to see Jim Gaffigan take Conan’s place.
April 27th, 2008 at 7:40 pm
Joel from the Soup!!!! Hiiilarious
April 27th, 2008 at 8:40 pm
Honestly?! Jimmy Fallon?!?! I think who really got what Jimmy Fallon is all about, are the guys from Family Guy’s writing staff. He is the worst SNL actor ever. Just stop laughing already! Anyways.
Jimmy Fallon is going to suck. & I will watch just to see him fail miserably. I heard awhile back that Tom Green might take Conan’s place. Which I would have enjoyed very much. Oh well. I guess the Bum Bum Song isn’t funny to everyone.
April 28th, 2008 at 5:36 am
Once Leno leaves everyone in late night will be pretty good.
Although I have my doubts about Fallon.
April 28th, 2008 at 8:18 am
I’ve always appreciated Conan’s merits as a late night host (especially when compared to Leno), but all of his material, is shallow, and you can see it from a mile away. He has a great team of writers, but his monologues are completely uninspired. Which brings me to Ferguson.
Ferguson has the best monologues in late night, almost always thought provoking and hilarious. This is probably one of my favorite late night moments of all time… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bbaRyDLMvA
Oh, and yeah, Fallon can eat my balls.
April 28th, 2008 at 8:31 am
Could not care less.
April 28th, 2008 at 8:51 am
I don’t hate Fallon, but he was my least favorite on SNL over the years. I could only imagine watching him do Barry Gibb Talk Show with J.T. on his first show (much like the Chevy Piano/Basketball Shooting portion of the show).
I dig Conan, and Leno has always been a bore to me.
Why can’t we just get Craig Kilborn back to T.V. to take that Conan time slot. Get him out of the horrible movies he’s tried to make, and put him back in the host chair where he belongs!
April 28th, 2008 at 9:04 am
Personally, I’m looking forward to Conan taking over the Tonight Show. While I used to love Leno, I haven’t really enjoyed his show in a while. Some of his humor just…hasn’t seemed funny to me, to be honest. I’m just hoping Conan doesn’t get watered down, as someone else mentioned.
As for Fallon taking over Late Night, though…seriously, NBC, could you be trying any harder to commit ratings-suicide?
April 28th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
you people are stupid. call Jimmy Fallon what you want. but he has a fucking show and you’re just looking up info that huge online. idiots!
GO JIMMY!! =) I can’t wait. I’m going to continue laughing when you all feel stupid when the show’s a hit and rocks.
April 28th, 2008 at 6:57 pm
First, I LOVE Conan, and I’m glad he has so many defenders here. I am worried though, that the Tonight Show won’t be a good fit for him. That audience won’t be satisfied with him, and NBC will make him water it down, so his old fans won’t be satisfied. I really hope he doesn’t tank.
I’m kind of indifferent about Jimmy Fallon, and actually, I used to like him. I don’t know how he’ll actually do with a whole show to himself, but it probably won’t be good. That being said, I am SO GLAD NBC didn’t move Carson Daly to that time slot. Carson was okay with TRL 10 years ago, but he positively sucks when it comes to late night television. My coffee table has more personality than he does. I have no idea why he even has a show.
Kimmel would have been nice, or whoever mentioned Joel McHale–that would have been awesome! Love that guy. Or Mo Rocca?
May 2nd, 2008 at 7:19 pm
i personally THINK eLLEN dEGENERES would be a good replacement for CONAN. She is a great comedian and talk show host and is edgy like conan.
I always thought Jimmy Fallon sucked, now I see I wasnt alone!!
Conan will do good on leno, keep in mind his fan base will follow him and make up for the old baby boomer and yuppie Leno fans who will be scared of him and his AWESOME antics.