tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post4297485707105407081..comments2023-11-03T06:02:02.128-07:00Comments on By Ken Levine: Late Night Talk Shows suspendedBy Ken Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-16278670631415812602020-08-04T22:19:43.803-07:002020-08-04T22:19:43.803-07:00I'm not a late night talk show dude at all. Mo...I'm not a late night talk show dude at all. Most of the hosts are unfunny one trick ponies and I've had enough of Trump in real life I don't need more of him all the time thanks to them lol. The only late night talk shows that were worth a damn were Lopez Tonight with George Lopez and The Monique Show. But the days of late night with actual talent like Carson, Paar, Letterman, Leno and Arsenio Hall are long gone. Kendall Rivershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16401646799797849078noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-77444081691482478732020-03-30T08:37:51.291-07:002020-03-30T08:37:51.291-07:00You're absolutely right about John Oliver. He ...You're absolutely right about John Oliver. He had very little dropoff in the quality of last night's show, and he seems the most able to be able to roll with the (hopefully temporary) new normal.slgchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05947656936483533667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-31787438333765569402020-03-24T07:03:58.872-07:002020-03-24T07:03:58.872-07:00I really can't watch Colbert. His interviews s...I really can't watch Colbert. His interviews seem quite combative, as if he's annoyed with his own guests. The monologues are good but too long and too political and his musical sidekick is one of the worst. Just weird, exaggerated laughter for the jokes that fall flat. It's odd because I loved SC on The Daily Show and The Report. My main beef is that late night shows should be light, breezy and absurd. Letterman nailed it for his NBC shows and for some of his run on CBS.Rocketmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06687665000722610466noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-25198411956051510202020-03-22T22:09:48.357-07:002020-03-22T22:09:48.357-07:00Honestly, I enjoy not hearing about Trump all the ...Honestly, I enjoy not hearing about Trump all the time. Why be reminded of living the nightmare?Just a guynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-37731233554893088902020-03-20T22:10:33.839-07:002020-03-20T22:10:33.839-07:00I recall Cavett would occasionally do shows withou...I recall Cavett would occasionally do shows without an audience (Katharine Hepburn, most famously) and they were just fine. I also remember one time Carson had Orson Welles on, and for around 15 minutes both he and the audience mostly kept quiet as Welles regaled them with tales of his days in radio. The best hosts know that having a conversation with their guest(s) is paramount, and it shouldn't matter if an audience is there are not.mike schlesingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15824197221204862706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-19583104236196900242020-03-20T02:06:01.082-07:002020-03-20T02:06:01.082-07:00Tom Snyder had an audience through most of his run...Tom Snyder had an audience through most of his run on Tomorrow and The Late Late Show. It was just an audience of one. I suspect it was his producer or technical director. During his open, that guy would chuckle at one of Tom's comments, and that made it work. His show didn't work as well when they did have a studio audience (the "Coast To Coast" era in 1980)Paul Harnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05577977932977319601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-85742964802401219142020-03-19T07:59:51.013-07:002020-03-19T07:59:51.013-07:00As much as people say that David Letterman was not...As much as people say that David Letterman was not as funny in the final years of his show, I think he got better at relating one on one to viewers. His post 9/11 shows, his apology to his family after his affair, extortion attempt, etc. I think were some of his best moments on the air. As others have mentioned here, I think Letterman, Paar and Cavett could have done shows without an audience and would have been a comforting late night retreat during a crisis like this.JR Smithhttp://www.fogdog-photography.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-65192732481651615552020-03-19T06:25:33.663-07:002020-03-19T06:25:33.663-07:00Ken, a Friday question: ISTM that it's going t...Ken, a Friday question: ISTM that it's going to be a really tough job for sitcom writers mapping out the next season. I remember that after 9/11 every show had to decide whether the attacks had happened in its world; the NYC shows that included the WTC in their credits imagery had to decide whether to keep it or not. One of the writers interviewed on the West Wing Weekly podcast said he thought that after 9/11 the show was increasingly in a parallel and less and less relevant universe. This, however will affect every part of the US in unpredictable ways. I was watching the latest episode of BOB HEARTS ABISHOLA, for example, and there were scenes of loads of people jammed in together in church. My immediate reaction was to marvel: "Look at all the *people*." In a few months, audiences may be uncomfortable looking at a scene like that. How does a writer's room start to think about this?<br /><br />btw, I note that Conan announced today on Twitter he will be back on the air March 30. They're going to be doing various sorts of virtual hookups so very few people will actually have to be in the same place. Not surprised he's the first up.<br /><br />wgWendy M. Grossmanhttp://www.pelicancrossing.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-32814692714831185012020-03-18T07:22:46.701-07:002020-03-18T07:22:46.701-07:00Some of the late night hosts are doing daily mini-...Some of the late night hosts are doing daily mini-broadcasts from home now that are on YouTube. Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel and Trevor Noah all had videos on there early week. It even seems that, starting last night, Colbert has been adding them to the show on YV, with repeat guest segments to fill out the shows. I'm checking tonight to see for sure. <br /><br />Fallon's was a bit awkward but very charming. Kimmel, who usually doesn't wait for the laugh before going on to the next joke anyway, did a good job. It was a nice touch having a picture of David Letterman c. 1982 "overseeing" things (Jimmy's hat obscuring the other 2 pics from his camera angle). Noah had a more serious tone much of the time, with shorter segments as well.Mibbitmakerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17649369314906738690noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-77854304214474257822020-03-17T15:44:53.753-07:002020-03-17T15:44:53.753-07:00I haven’t watched a late night show in years.
The...I haven’t watched a late night show in years. <br />The formats are all the same, the jokes are predictable, the celebrity interviews are painfully scripted, and if they ever do by some miracle have a real honest funny moment, I will see it on YouTube or Twitter the next day.cd1515https://www.blogger.com/profile/13442641020639066876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-80264513928236294002020-03-17T10:57:31.090-07:002020-03-17T10:57:31.090-07:00"Talk show hosts use the audience as a crutch..."Talk show hosts use the audience as a crutch. They play to them and not to me." <br /><br />This doesn't just apply to talk shows. Too many sitcoms have that same problem. Ken, you've said many times how you prefer to write for a live audience. But a lot of these writers, "pander" is too strong a word, but they seen to write for the studio audience and not the viewers at home. I can't tell you the number of times an audience, not a laugh track, is going crazy over a joke meanwhile, I'm saying to myself, What are they laughing at?! <br />I'm one of the few who prefered the first season of "The Odd Couple" shot on film. Not that the later seasons weren't funny at times, but it was a different humor. "Happy Days" was another show where the audience reactions were disproportionate to the jokes. <br />Audience or not, most of the time I'm not laughing because the shows aren't funny.<br />M.B.Mike Bloodworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04755626259169126800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-64375422488439684452020-03-17T08:47:52.651-07:002020-03-17T08:47:52.651-07:00I can just see Carson without an audience: "I...I can just see Carson without an audience: "I didn't get laughs when they were HERE, either."Michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01998867386294693956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-18952972025284800792020-03-17T05:43:39.286-07:002020-03-17T05:43:39.286-07:00Huh. No comments on Seth Meyers. I'm really go...Huh. No comments on Seth Meyers. I'm really going to miss him during this. And not just him, but his supporting players like Amber and Jenny. They make me laugh. I'd love to see a webcam version of "A Closer Look" from his home. Maybe, "A Sofa Look."Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00956428739568815800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-86625383923762410162020-03-17T02:27:21.711-07:002020-03-17T02:27:21.711-07:00Johnny Carson connected directly with his audience...Johnny Carson connected directly with his audience? Part of the Carson mystique was an emotional wall so tall and thick that a dozen Donald Trumps couldn't have built it. That was a connection where the audience did all the work.<br /><br />David Letterman would have thrived on a "no audience" curveball, because he luxuriated in awkward silences.<br /><br />Stephen Colbert has been the subject of some long-form interviews (e.g. Anderson Cooper, Howard Stern) in which his "connectability" was on full display. I agree that his Thursday show didn't work. Reportedly CBS sprang the format on Colbert and his staff early, and at the last minute. The empty studio was supposed to have begun yesterday (Monday). It takes a lot of preparation to be impromptu.Floyd Rutherford Turbonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-48195849033145878812020-03-17T00:58:25.229-07:002020-03-17T00:58:25.229-07:00Ken, FQ - As I shelter in place, I'm watching ...Ken, FQ - As I shelter in place, I'm watching Fosse/Verdon, which portrays someone you respect, Neil Simon. Curious if you've seen it and what you think. But also, what are you streaming this apocalypse? I am always entertained by your choices. Jonny M.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-75656221550003716752020-03-16T18:32:37.838-07:002020-03-16T18:32:37.838-07:00Probably not a good spring to take time off. Ther...Probably not a good spring to take time off. There may not be a Writers Guild Strike in the late Spring this year but we don't know for sure just yet. It's just that IF there is a strike, we know the late night hosts will be off the air again. <br /><br />Not surprised Colbert wasn't very good without an audience. Even with an audience he still hasn't been as good since the jump to CBS. I don't get it; when he was doing THE COLBERT REPORT he was must see tv. But ever since the jump to CBS, I've been disappointed. I can see the punchline to his jokes coming from a mile away. That didn't happen on the REPORT but now I only check in every couple of months and I still see punchlines before he delivers them. DougG.https://www.blogger.com/profile/16453653494494441510noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-83135110229404333442020-03-16T16:43:53.941-07:002020-03-16T16:43:53.941-07:00I thought that Thursday's Colbert show was one...I thought that Thursday's Colbert show was one of his funniest he has done. Constantly joking with the crew, playing off of John, seeing him direct the director about where inserts should go or when the camera shouldn't follow him, etc. It was a fun look behind the curtain.DwWashburnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03057278992504418291noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-7878751463688645342020-03-16T16:41:59.574-07:002020-03-16T16:41:59.574-07:00I went to a few tapings of Carson's Tonight Sh...I went to a few tapings of Carson's Tonight Show in NY in the mid to late '60s. <br />What struck me was how his staff gathered in a semi-circle around the main monologue camera.<br />It looked as if Johnny was talking to them at a cocktail party, which added to the intimacy of his delivery.<br />In those days, he performed the monologue to the side downstage from the desk & couch, not center stage. <br /><br />Exhibit A from 1964:<br />https://youtu.be/TW0_npkgG_M<br /><br />One thing Carson, Paar and Steve Allen all respected was the fact that late night was a more mellow time for viewers. Their shows were a reflection of New York winding down after a hectic day. If you couldn't be at the comic's table at Lindy's, the last set at Birdland, or schmoozing with the Stage Deli's owner, Max Asnas (a Paar regular), the Tonight Show brought them to you.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02055257554401286070noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-55441082613174930032020-03-16T15:23:44.541-07:002020-03-16T15:23:44.541-07:00Tom Snyder was best at this. Just thinking of his ...Tom Snyder was best at this. Just thinking of his name conjures up the mental image of him looking directly at me through the screen. Can't say that for any of the others.<br /><br />Fallon is juvenile and fawning. Kimmel is unfunny. Cordon does seem pretentious. Of the current crop, only Conan is consistently good.Mark Morettihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16948375640931983194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-638281162976722352020-03-16T15:22:55.593-07:002020-03-16T15:22:55.593-07:00Tom Snyder was best at this. Just thinking of his ...Tom Snyder was best at this. Just thinking of his name conjures up the mental image of him looking directly at me through the screen. Can't say that for any of the others.<br /><br />Fallon is juvenile and fawning. Kimmel is unfunny. Cordon does seem pretentious. Of the current crop, only Conan is consistently good.Mark Morettihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16948375640931983194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-61010534809223045342020-03-16T15:22:26.104-07:002020-03-16T15:22:26.104-07:00Craig Ferguson was always excellent despite the re...Craig Ferguson was always excellent despite the reply about him being creepy. Those women played along. I don't know of any that complained. Snyder was great. He did not need an audience. I think Bill Maher could do a show with out an audience. He did so Friday. I think what ever laughter there was was coming from staff. If you are going to do a daily talk show you do need guests. sanfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06580867647162091670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-19733158748721220012020-03-16T14:38:35.222-07:002020-03-16T14:38:35.222-07:00Thank you for saying this, Ken. I have said simila...Thank you for saying this, Ken. I have said similar things online, and I always get accused of being a right-wing partisan. But I have written jokes for and about people across the political spectrum, and all I care about is that the jokes are funny. I laugh at Marc Maron and at Greg Gutfeld. I thought Colbert was brilliant on CC, but on CBS, he's gotten flabby flogging the same dead horse night after night. <br /><br />I taped the Colbert show to see how his stuff went over without the hooting audience, and it was as deadly as I suspected it would be. I've been saying for a long time that he's become lazy and repetitive and is playing to his crowd by doing the same tired Trump mocking schtick every night, and it just seems better than it is because of the rabid clapter supporting it. But as a longtime writer of topical humor for radio, I know weak material when I see it. He's been in a rut for a while, but all the noise was masking it. It was like watching a "classic" '60s sitcom or "The Big Band Theory" without the laugh track. Once you hear that, there's no forgetting how lame it was, which might be a problem when the show returns (and is another reason the suits wanted to pull the plug fast.) Yet you can watch "M*A*S*H" with the laugh track turned off and still laugh at home because the material is so strong. Maybe it will be a good thing for Colbert in the long run if he uses the time off to reassess and try to reignite his creativity. <br /><br />Personally, I think Conan can relate on a more human level, as he proves in his longer, online interviews. He just goes overboard when he has the audience egging him on. And it is possible to be laugh-out-loud hilarious without a studio audience or laugh track. Try Bob & Ray, or Jean Shepherd, or Ernie Kovacs. All guys who came out of radio, where you have to learn to be funny without the crutch of an overcaffeinated studio audience. Pat Reedernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-6950150757737253652020-03-16T14:37:45.305-07:002020-03-16T14:37:45.305-07:00Here's a worthy message from Brooks and Son:
h...Here's a worthy message from Brooks and Son:<br />https://pagesix.com/2020/03/16/mel-brooks-and-son-max-team-up-for-coronavirus-psa/Lemuelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-14282488343635345172020-03-16T14:12:46.898-07:002020-03-16T14:12:46.898-07:00There isn't one late night talk show I'd w...There isn't one late night talk show I'd watch if you paid me handsomely. Cap'n Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11783977137812876489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-92057484005572530202020-03-16T13:42:07.187-07:002020-03-16T13:42:07.187-07:00Speaking of Graham Norton, how about him hosting t...Speaking of Graham Norton, how about him hosting the Oscars someday? He's got tons of experience of hosting the BAFTAs and Eurovision, and his style should win over Americans like it's won over his Hollywood guests on his BBC show.Liggienoreply@blogger.com