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I haven’t watched Leno in ages but tonight I was tipped that he did a segment on the Oscar nominations so I tuned in to see if it was worth posting on Deadline. Jeez, when did Jay stop giving a damn about generating laughs? (No wonder I keep hearing rumors he wants to quit the show after this season.) He looked bored, the show’s writing was worse than ever, and not only was his monologue unfunny but the Academy Awards segment was a lamefest. Oh wait, Justin Bieber just walked out. Now this is truly a crapfest.
Editor-in-Chief Nikki Finke - tip her here.
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you’re a little late to the funeral on this one.
bringing back Leno was Zucker’s parting shot to nbc/comcast
That Oscar spoof was painfully stupid and desperate
Same thing happened to me a couple of nights ago. Stopped on Leno while channel surfing, and was amazed at how aggressively unfunny he was. He’s always been a bad comedian – obvious gags, milking the punchlines – but this was bad even by his low standards.
I’m with you. In the end, I think the “I’m With Coco” thing was less about liking Conan than it was about hating Jay. The guy is just boring… every single late show on every single network or cable station (w/ the exception of George Lopez) is better than the Tonight Show w/ Jay behind the desk. When my wife stays home from work and I’m writing, she’ll watch something like Wendy Williams on TV and I’ll be like… Jay Leno could learn something from this woman’s passion. The Tonight Show is kind of like the movie Hannibal, it’s just a bunch of really famous people eating their brains out of respect for something that came before it (i.e. Silence of the Lambs)
All talk shows these days are borefests. Why? Political correctness has flooded everything now, so talk shows are bland and safe. You have to watch reruns of Larry Sanders, Mr. Show and Arrested Development if you want to find laughs on TV.
Gus, in another context, I’d be ready to defend “Hannibal” as I’m pretty sure that Ridley Scott was on the joke and expanded on what Thomas Harris had imagined in the novel. This is a movie where almost everybody wants Lecter to come out of retirement because he’s a star (his memorabilia sell for a fortune on eBay) and a rich and disfigured Gary Oldman tries to do him what he did to him without originality (an unnecessary Hollywood remake or sequel). Lecter becomes more or less an Harris substitute, a guy who does cruel practical jokes at the expense of idiots (bad musicians, crooked cops) and ends up feeding these idiots their own brains. The movie isn’t really great but take it as a comedy about giving people what they want and ruining their fantasies in the process, and it works.
Comedy is dead? How about “Community”, “Archer”, “30 Rock” (which is recovering this season), “Childrens Hospital”, “Delocated”, “Parks and Rec”, “Sunny in Philadelphia” and “Mike & Molly” (just kidding). There are more truly funny shows on air these days than a decade ago. And how a show such as “Eastbound & Down” would be an example of political correctness?
Like the guy above you said, try Wendy Williams. Nothing p.c. about her. She’s not only passionate but she really rips into celebrities. Definitely not boring though she’s a bit of a hot mess (doesn’t know where to look, embarrasses herself, etc. but it adds to the funny.)
And don’t forget “Tim & Eric’s Awesome Show”. And “Archer” is worth watching.
I’ll add Modern Family — as well-built a sitcom as ever existed — and Louie which is brilliant, amazing, wonderful stuff. Meanwhile over on radio, Howard still rules.
Comedy is dead?
I’ve got three words for ya pal: Blue Mountain State
Okay, and Children’s Hospital has so many laughs per minute that I’m absolutely positive Rob Corddry is an alien from the planet of the funniest people EVER.
I LOVE Wendy! Its the best talk-show on TV. She knows her audience, she likes her audience, and unlike every other talk show (including Ellen and Oprah), she doesn’t have contempt for the audience. It reminds me of Joan River’s daytime talk show years ago.
I wonder what Comcast and Bob Greenblatt will do with Leno now that run NBC? Is it possible to replace him? With who? Conan?
If his ratings continue to dip, he may have to hide on TBS.
i hate how obvious his card reading is but…his on the street stuff is funny….better than letterman..then i switch to dave..but yeah he was never great, i guess i finally just got used to him….
I think NBC needed to have Jay’s Tonight Show (which was #1 at the time) run it’s course and then Conan should have take over in 2012. NBC has no idea how to handle their talent. Keith was fired last week…NBC needs to let their talent do their jobs not micro managing them and end their shows when they are #1 and fire them as well, all with lack of caring about all their talents audiences!
I never understood Jay’s appeal or success. I guess blandness always works for the masses.
“when did Jay stop giving a damn about generating laughs?”
As soon as he’s done warming up the audience, that’s when.
Leno never used to be this lazy. The show is beyond horrid now. He doesn’t even try anymore. Letterman doesn’t either though. Both should have retired years ago.
Dunno if you’ve seen Letterman in a while, but he’s godawful, too. As if he and his writers are 100 years old, yet with zero interest in the world of pop culture. See also: the JayZ interview from late last year.
Leno is the ultimate corporate stooge he is the walking example of lowest common denominator idiocy masquerading as entertainment. He hasn’t been funny since he got the Tonight Show. He used to be hilarious and brilliant when he’d guest on Dave’s Late Night show back in the 80′s he was always the funniest guest. Then he got the Tonight Show and he completely threw away his sense of the absurd he became Mr. Middle America White Bread and now that’s all he’ll ever be. He’ll be remembered as the guy who did what they told him to do to the detriment of everyone. He’s such a damn coward so afraid of having more talented comedians on his show. Johnny loved having bright new comedians on it’s how they all got their big break but not Jay no sir he’s terrified of giving comedians the same chance that Johnny gave him. His hypocrisy is disgusting.
So are Hollywood actors boycotting Jay? I mean sometimes he gets A-list guests but I never saw so many reality show celebs before. He has reality show celebs every week now when you maybe you only saw them once a month before the scandal and only if they were really making a lot of news. The rumor Chelsea Handler replacing Jay would probably be a smart move since now Comcast owns NBC. But will the big league change her like it did Jay long ago when he was actually edgy.
Chealsea Handler?! Ms. Teleprompter? That woman can’t chew gum without a teleprompter in front of her that says “Chew Gum.” Every line is delivered Charlie Sheen style, i.e. flat and in exactly the cadence and tone as the line before. Sure, Comcast is crazy, but THAT crazy?
The rumor Chelsea Handler replacing Jay would probably be a smart move since now Comcast owns NBC.
Are you allowed to say “Fuck you, bitch” on network tv these days? Because those three words represent the sum total of Handler’s “punchline repetoir.” She has NEVER, and I mean NEVER, written or delivered an actual JOKE in her alcohol-slurred “career.” Leno may be losing it, but at least he once HAD it.
Early- and mid-career, Leno was the number one booked stand-up speaker on college campuses. He wrote relentlesly and his humor was topical and funny. No on can recite a single actual JOKE that Handler has ever written. She is nothing more than an insecure attack dog, constantly trying to repay the girls at her high school who accurately commented on her canine visage. If that is what late night has been reduced to, then it is time to retire the genre altogether. Just put Jersey Shore on in the 11:30 slot (you’ll have to bleep them the same number of times you would Handler anyway). They are worlds funnier that Fido Handler any day of the week.
Edgy? Jay Leno was edgy? Jay Leno was never edgy. Since he stole the Tonight Show (both times) his humor is mean spirited. He always puts people down in his monologues and the monologues are old and tired.
And why does he never look directly into the camera or make eye contact with his guests? Did you ever notice that? NO eye contact. He’s always looking off to the side. Like he’s got something to hide. Shifty bastard, IMO.
How on earth could Chelsea Handler replace Jay when she barely has an audience on E!? Aside from that, she’s vulgar and just as unfunny as Jay is. In order for her transition to network televison she’d have to sell out, which I’m sure she’d have no trouble doing because she’s been halfway there since she was befriended by Jennifer Aniston and signed Stephen Huvane as her publicist. Anyone who saw that ridiculous rant of her’s against Angelina Jolie had to have questioned the motives – and people – behind it. Currently Handler books a lot of celebs who are, surprise surprise, also Stephen Huvane’s clients. So the question is – does NBC really want to get in the business of being accused of playing favorites with one PR firm’s clients over other firms? I doubt it. Handler would have to clean up her comedy, her boozy reputation, her obvious bias against certain celebs and more importantly – she’d have to actually be funny instead of meanspirited, tacky and not funny.
isn’t chelsea handler basically joan rivers without the cosmetic surgery bills?
The difference is – in her heyday Joan Rivers was funny. When she subbed for Johnny Carson (before stabbing him in the back by getting her own talk show without telling Carson first) she did well in the ratings and was funny. Her humor at the time was more self-directed than the mean things she says these days. Rivers can still be funny when she bothers to try, but the problem with Handler is – she’s just not funny no matter how hard she tries.
Last I checked, Joan was a veteran working the fashion scene at award shows. Outside of that brewhaha with Fox News, she is supposed to say mean things to people wearing a horrible outfit. That is why people tune into those things in the first place.
Who exactly is starting THAT particular “rumor?” (re Chelsea Handjob and Leno) Sounds like it could be the work of Handler’s new publicist Stephen Huvane?
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No wonder his other clients like Julianne Moore and Gwyneth Paltrow get neglected, my guess is he’s too busy doing black ops for trashy alcoholic cable tv hosts and former TV sh*t-com hacktresses, like Anuston.
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Hahahaha. Yeah, he floats all kinds of science fiction for his mediocrities. …and by the way, how would the ‘big league change Handler?’ By that you must mean it could actually MAKE her funny? Because she sure is sh(t isn’t now.
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…and calling Angelina Jolie a c(nt, homewrcker, b*tch in a disgusting insane jealous rage onstage while attacking her own audience member, did not exactly endear her in Hollywood, though I’m sure cowardly fellow drunk loser Anuston, loved it.
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Both she and her PR flack Huvane seem the types to delegate their attacks and dirty tricks, so they can maintain that nice image. Handjob is a perfect pittbull for these losers. They’re pretty awful people.
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Believe me, I know.
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As of late, that’s pretty much why the only nominal A-listers you will see on her lineup a couple times a year, are her (now) fellow Hu-VAIN stablemates (ha).
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No self-respecting person of class would go near the toxicity of Chelsea Handjob.
Your post doesn’t exactly paint you as a “self respecting person of class” so I’m guessing that you adore Chelsea?
Wow… so many people with their undies in a bunch. Yes I did read it somewhere and it sounds plausible. Her ex, the former president of E!, who help create her show, just moved to New York to take a larger role at NBC. Personally she’s not my taste but she seems to get more A-listers on her show than Leno these days. And yes Leno was funny before the Tonight Show. My bet she is up there on the list to replace Leno.
Unfortunately Dave has also become nearly as bored and boring.
At least Dave has opinions. When O’Reilly comes on, Dave calls him out. It was Dave after 9/11 who showed real character with how to heal and get back on track. Yes, he’s lost a step, but he still gets me to laugh.
Even when he was on top, Jay remained the ultimate sycophant.
Opinions that more than half the country disagree with…
And that makes him wrong?
Valid points, but let’s remember 9/11 was nearly 10 years ago – a lengthy while in the lifetime of any network show. Not eager to see Dave retire by any means, but it won’t (and shouldn’t) be long now.
All talk shows, except for RED EYE, are borefests these days. Why? Because political correctness has officially sunk its awful teeth into everything, and thus, talk show comedy is bland and safe. In order to find real laughs now, you have to watch LARRY SANDERS, ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT and MR. SHOW reruns or watch current shows like MODERN FAMILY and BORED TO DEATH.
The joke was funnier the first time.
And, God, Modern Family as a safeguard against political correctness? It’s fun but harmless and ultimately full of PC. Almost every episode ends up with collective hugging over a lesson well learned: you’ve got to look beyond the appearances and overcome the prejudices to see what unite us. I’m currently watching Ricky Gervais’ “Extras”. Now, that’s something un-PC.
Did you just say “Red Eye” – as in, Fox News’s “Red Eye”?
LOLllllllllllllllllllll
Wow, you just revealed YOUR IQ, didn’t you?
Doesn’t Red Eye get higher ratings than CNN Prometime, even at 3am?
It has nothing to do with PC. Talk shows have bland formats because they are trying to appeal to as many people as possible. Unless it’s in a comedic setting, like Jon Stewart, Colbert, or Chelsea Lately, making social stereotype jokes is going to cost you viewers. The talk shows aren’t drowning in PCness, they are drowning in odd mix of lowest common denominator offerings such as equating reality stars to real stars and a desire to offend nobody to insure demographic segments don’t depart their offerings. The other problem is that people on these shows are usually hired for their telegenic presence and not their scintillating wit. Do you really expect career driven people who aren’t too clever to deliver more than the mundane?
My only surprise at this post is that you leave the impression that you might have found him the least bit funny before he stepped down. I feel like he’s been on autopilot for at least a decade.
My thought was that ratings were slipping during Conan’s not so tenure & that the switch back was performed in hopes of profitability. That being made so much more difficult by the advent of now competing cable networks and intellectual property piracy. Zucker was much more a victim of those new normals than he was of anything like poor executive skills. Also, Leno’s funny. If he wrote this obvious attack piece, it would have been written in over embellished cursive and folded into some sort of 99 cent item.
So, in one case, Conan’s ratings were slipping because he wasn’t that good, and in the other Leno’s are slipping because of competition with cable?
Zucker had poor executive skills. “The Jay Leno Show” was an awfully executed decision in which Zucker hadn’t even thought about the affiliates. The way they restored Leno on the Tonight Show was even worse: it cost them a lot in terms of image and indemnities for O’Brien and it didn’t really bring the audience back. Now, they have no credibility, no good ratings, and no succession plan for Leno. Zucker was instrumental in handling these decisions and he screwed them in every possible way.
Jay Leno is the Branson, Missouri of Late Night. Lowest common denominator comedy.
I have never liked Jay. And the way he and his guests meander through lame, preorganized bits is the worst. “So do you have a dog?” “Funny you should ask” and then the guest goes into some joke from their act about dog’s, etc. I actually like Jimmy Kimmell and that Jimmy Falon is growing on me. I think Conan has some funny stuff but I dislike his delivery. He is always so nervous and, well, odd. Not even sure why TV networks like this style of show.
Leno should be playing the Elks Lodge somewhere in the Dakotas. Letterman sounds like a cranky old grouch. The most underrated show is Craig Ferguson. He is creative and funny and it is just him. No announcer, side kick (well he does now have Geoff)or band. Conan is the best by mixing things up and Jimmy Kimmel’s shoe is right up there too.
Craig Ferguson has an announcer. It’s Shadoe Stevens–Mr. Federated Group from the ’70′s-80′s. And me and the hubs think Geoff is voiced by Shadoe as well.
Careful, Nikki. If you get him mad he might just stay longer out of spite.
Jay’s ratings dipped lower than the Tonight Show w/Conan quite a while ago. The show is drowning compared to it’s previous success and that’s mostly due to NBC’s horrendous handling of the whole situation with Conan. They dug their own grave with this one. Jay has always been safe, I don’t think that’s where the real roblem lay.
Yeah, Leno is awful, and Dave is only marginally better at this point. I have to say I’ve been watching a little bit of Fallon lately and I’m impressed. Not everything works, but it’s clear he’s having a blast and that rubs off on the rest of the show. It’s actually fun to watch.
Time to bring up Jimmy Fallon, he’s warm and likable. If Leno goes away and STAYS away and they leave Jimmy alone, the “Tonight Show” will be just fine. Letterman will be no danger, he should’ve retired long ago.
Oh, man, he got ‘em good. No one does Leno unless they have to, studio obligations and all that.
Everybody thinks he is a douche. And he knows it.
Nobody does any talk show unless they have to. How often do you see someone on who doesn’t have a product (movie, TV show, book, CD) to pimp for?
Craig Ferguson is always having friends come on to read tweets/emails with him and not do the normal interview to pimp one of their projects.
Heck Denis Leary was even talking about him on the Daily Show months ago.
Craig Ferguson is getting a lot of love from Hollywood people.
I remember when Carson had the Tonight Show how he would have older celebrities on that weren’t promoting anything. He’d bring on Jimmy Stewart who’d read a stupid, funny poem or tell a joke or two. Or Carson would have Bette Davis(!) and other very famous people show up just to grace the place and share old Hollywood stories. I loved that!
Plus, Carson would promote new comedians. That was a generous thing to do. He wasn’t afraid of some upandcomer stealing his job from him. A true mark of having made the grade for any comedian was to be on the Tonight Show and having Carson wave him/her over to the couch to sit and have a short chat with him after they had done their monologue. You won’t see Leno doing anything like that. Ever.