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Post by CentreHice on Sept 14, 2009 18:54:50 GMT -5
As he starts his 1-hour prime-time show.....I gotta say, I've had enough of this guy. He's an admitted workaholic....and I've always admired his doggedness and dedication, but his comedy has always seemed forced to me. Granted, comedy is always subjective. There are reports that Conan's not too happy about it (and understandably so)....as why will people wait through the news for him once Leno's been on with his monologue and A-list guests already? In the 2002 Seinfeld documentary "Comedian", Leno appears saying that he hadn't (til that moment) spent one cent of his Tonight Show money. He lives off his stand-up performances. At double-digit Tonight Show millions since 1992, how much money does the guy need? For a good read about the Letterman-Leno battle for Johnny's spot.... The Late Shift 1994. A good synopsis in the blog, too. |
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Post by habernac on Sept 15, 2009 10:02:13 GMT -5
he likes to work, people keep wanting to pay him for it, why not keep going?
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Sept 15, 2009 10:05:18 GMT -5
A good read, CH. Thanks.
I haven't watched either Leno or Letterman with any consistency at all. However, when I tune in the very odd time, I usually enjoy what I see.
If it came down to it, I perfered to watch Letterman. I always enjoyed listening to Letterman's Top-10 and his spot with Paris Hilton (on You Tube) just after she got out of jail was hilarious. She didn't want to talk about jail, but Letterman was persistent.
Leno said something in the press a week or two ago that miffed some of his peers. I can't remember what it was but I remember thinking whether or not we had heard the whole scoop or just some reporter's edited version. Still doesn't change my opinion of Leno. I think he's a pretty funny comedian.
Cheers.
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Post by CrocRob on Sept 15, 2009 10:43:52 GMT -5
I'm a much bigger Leno fan, but mostly because I cannot stand Paul on Letterman. Not that Eugene is much better, but he's less involved in the show. And Letterman just isn't funny to me.
I think it makes a lot of sense to have a 10pm "late show." An exponentially bigger audience than those staying up until 11:30 and the format wasn't bad. Conan is funnier, but I think that now that he's on the Tonight show he's been dialed back by the producers.
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Post by habernac on Sept 15, 2009 11:07:58 GMT -5
A good read, CH. Thanks. I haven't watched either Leno or Letterman with any consistency at all. However, when I tune in the very odd time, I usually enjoy what I see. If it came down to it, I perfered to watch Letterman. I always enjoyed listening to Letterman's Top-10 and his spot with Paris Hilton (on You Tube) just after she got out of jail was hilarious. She didn't want to talk about jail, but Letterman was persistent. Leno said something in the press a week or two ago that miffed some of his peers. I can't remember what it was but I remember thinking whether or not we had heard the whole scoop or just some reporter's edited version. Still doesn't change my opinion of Leno. I think he's a pretty funny comedian. Cheers. Leno was chided by some for saying that TV was a dying medium. He was getting grief from others in the industry for going on earlier than the talk shows. There were threats of boycotting his show. He shrugged his shoulders and wondered aloud why you would boycott advertising your new film/album/TV show. He kept saying his job is to promote the medium, which is what he is doing. |
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Post by CentreHice on Sept 15, 2009 13:59:55 GMT -5
NBC is getting a less-expensive hour-long show, when compared to the 10 pm dramas. As Leno himself quipped, "We can do three shows for what it costs to blow up one helicopter." And if he gets the ratings, who's to argue? NBC (and Leno) will be laughing all the way to (and from) the bank. I haven't been a fan of his comedy/style....but I am a big fan of his work-ethic in how he got to where he is. 100% dedicated to the craft, and a model of not taking NO for an answer. My hat's off to him in those regards. Some Leno facts... Early years in the Boston area....used to go into non-comedy clubs/lounges and put $50 on the bar. His deal? If he did well, he got to keep the money. If he didn't do well, the bar could keep it. In L.A. he dropped off his photo and resume with a prospective agent. He forgot something, and returned to find his picture already in the waste basket...ripped in half. An agent once told him he had a face that would frighten small children. Spied his future wife in the audience at a comedy club, and met her by standing outside the ladies' room door, knowing she'd have to walk by him at least twice at some point. Married for 29 years now. His longtime (late) manager, Helen Kushnick, was very pushy and outright abusive (played brilliantly by Kathy Bates in "The Late Shift" movie) and had a huge role in his success, even though she burned a lot of bridges along the way. She got tired of waiting for Carson to retire, so she planted the story that NBC was pushing him out to make room for Jay, forcing his hand. Carson was very upset, understandably. Jay seemed oblivious to the abuse (he was the target many times along the way). After NBC fired her as exec. producer of the Tonight Show...they gave him a decision to make: She's fired...if you want to join her, we can get Letterman in here within 24 hours." Leno stood behind the firing and fired her as his manager as well. Clean break....had to be done. Very intriguing story. The Late Shift in 10 parts |
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