Did Anyone Watch Leno's Last Show?

[Mitchell]

Did any forum members happen to catch Jay Leno's last show? I'm sorry to say that I didn't. I had to get up early today for a meeting.

I watched clips of the monologue and end comments on Youtube.

I watched Leno's first show in 1992, as well as Johnny Carson's last show.


Leno always swore when he took the job that he wouldn't do it for nearly as long as Carson did, but,, Jay ended up staying for almost 22 years.

Although I was by no means a "Regular viewer" of Jay's, I did watch his show numerous times, and thought he was very funny. I saw him when he was a stand up comedian in Atlantic City in the 1980s.

I want to give Jimmy Fallon a chance before making any calls on what kind of host he will be.

Thoughts on Leno's departure?

 

[kurchatovium]

I saw a few of Leno's shows when he first took over but I thought he was not nearly as funny as Carson so I just stopped watching. I might give Fallon a watch to see if I like him.

 

[desdemona]

I admit I prefer David Letterman. I think Fallon will bring a new flavor to the show, especially since he's "moving" it to NYC where he's been filming his Late Show. Leno's final show was a nice, fitting tribute to the end of a legacy. He became quite choked up and emotional. It was a classy way to go (unlike his previous departure with Conan O'Brien replacing him as host).

 

[rdhd]

I always liked Leno's "headlines". Yes, he wasn't Carson, but Letterman wouldn't have been either (and I actually like Letterman more). Leno had his times, and he got better at it with time. Fallon won't be Carson, or Leno (or Allen, or Parr). He has his own style, may give Letterman a run, we'll see.

 

[kurchatovium]

I was not too crazy about Letterman either and did not watch him much. 😀 😛 I did not expect either of them to be Carson just to be funny. Which for the most part they were not.

 

[paracarl44]

I liked Leno although he was not as funny as Carson I will have to see what Fallon brings up.

 

[kis123]

I saw a few of Leno's shows when he first took over but I thought he was not nearly as funny as Carson so I just stopped watching. I might give Fallon a watch to see if I like him.

Leno got better with time and gained his own audience. I hadn't watched the show in years myself but my friend likes watching night television so I ended up watching Leno by default, then Fallon if I couldn't sleep.

Jimmy Fallon is going to turn the tonight show upside down and honestly, I'm not sure if he's going to make it. NBC makes me sick; this is the second time they've gotten rid of Leno; all that drama between him and Conan O'Brien was all created by NBCs bright idea to change the demographic and capture a younger audience. Leno is the #1 night talk show host...why fix what isn't broken? But NBC has a reputation for doing stupid stuff then wondering why it didn't work.:microsmiley:

I wish Fallon well, but I don't think he's a good fit for the Tonight Show; I think he's better where he was on Late Night. We'll all get to see how this turns out. At least we won't have the melodrama that happened between Leno and O'Brien...it was a much more amicable transition but Leno still isn't happy about the outcome-he was literally forced to retire yet again.

Maybe he should just give it a few weeks and keep his smartphone on....he just might get "the call" again!

 

[maniactickler]

Sean Connery was my favorite

 

[Myriads]

I saw the last Leno, and it was a solid exit. His last on air words were "Honey I'm coming home" Which was true. After taping he went home, changed, then hopped a plane for Flordia where he did a stand up gig. Leno can't not work. He'll be fine.

When Fallon first started with Late Night it was very rocky. But within a month he found the formula that worked for him. He doesn't interview well, but what he does do is RELATE well to celebrities, and he gets them to do all sorts of silly things that as they play out show us the audience a different side of the celeb, and often makes for unguarded moments that are quite illuminating. In my opinion far better then a route interview about the newest project.

Fallon also has the gift of being a brilliant vocal mimic, and it extends to musical styles. He has produced some of the best musical parody pieces in some time.

He will change the Tonight show a lot. But Carson and Leno did the same when they took over. If he brings the 'celebrity pal' aspect of his Late night show forward, it will take the Tonight Show from the somewhat predictable rut it's been in for some time, and freshen it. NBC is looking to the future. For many of the viewers this is not going to be 'their' Tonight Show. But for many it will be, and NBC is also mindful that Fallon clips are strong internet draws the day after they air, driving people to the NBC site, and the advertisers that lurk there.

I think this transition will go more smoothly then the Conan one, because I think Conan made a big mistake when he neutered himself when he moved to 11:30. He chopped out too much of who he was, and became a weak reflection of who he was. I don't think Fallon will make that error.

Myriads

 

[Mitchell]

As usual, a great analysis by Tzar Myriads.

Myriads mentioned how Leno changed the Tonight Show when he took over. What NBC was doing at that time, is what they hope to do again, I think.

Both Leno and Carson were in their 60s when they left the Tonight Show. Carson's early days were before my time. but.. I think.. initially.,. NBC's intention with having Leno as host, were to attract a younger audience. At the time.. Jay seemed more.. "Hip". The other thing.. Jay had been guest hosting the Tonight Show for years before he took over permanently.. almost like a new manager on a baseball team.. who had been pitching coach,. and acting manager.. before taking over for good.

I think Fallon will be okay. I just wonder if he will change the audience any.

Tonight has been successful for sixty years, through four different hosts, with the longest of course being Johnny and Jay. Somehow, they will get through.

 

[primetime]

I saw the final episode of the Tonight Show with Leno and it was sad. I remember when Leno first took over. Over the years he was enjoyable to watch. I love his style of humor and how he tells the jokes. His skits such as "Jaywalking" and "Headlines" will be missed.

I didn't watch Fallon, but I am a loyalist kind of guy. Leno was forced out again. We will see what happens in the future...

Here is Jay's final goodbye..

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[kurchatovium]

The few shows of Conan O'Brian I saw I liked, ashame the whole fiasco there happened. I think he would have been better host then Fallon. I have not seen any of Fallon so perhaps thats not fair to say. Should be interesting to see what happens.

 

[Myriads]

@Kurch

I think that Conan would have grown into the roll if he'd been given the time. Leno's first year was pretty bad also, but he got the gift of time. Conan also had the added problem of a bad lead in. Local news is what proceeds the tonight show, and local news ratings play a huge part in how strong the tonight show performs. Local News had an issue on NBC that year it was called the 'Jay Leno Show' running every week night at 10PM. The results were so bad that NBC faced a virtual insurrection from their affiliates who's late night news shows were dying on the vine. That was the big mover in Conan getting the boot.

I think Fallon will hit the ground running. He's seasoned enough to know he has to perform off the top.

The fact that he moved the show to NYC shows that he has some clout.

The hidden king maker in all of this is Lorne Michaels. He now controls every hour of NBC Late night but Sunday (Where there is none) If there are issues with Fallon, He'll be on the spot with fixes.

Myriads

 

[kurchatovium]

@Kurch

I think that Conan would have grown into the roll if he'd been given the time. Leno's first year was pretty bad also, but he got the gift of time. Conan also had the added problem of a bad lead in. Local news is what proceeds the tonight show, and local news ratings play a huge part in how strong the tonight show performs. Local News had an issue on NBC that year it was called the 'Jay Leno Show' running every week night at 10PM. The results were so bad that NBC faced a virtual insurrection from their affiliates who's late night news shows were dying on the vine. That was the big mover in Conan getting the boot.

I think Fallon will hit the ground running. He's seasoned enough to know he has to perform off the top.

The fact that he moved the show to NYC shows that he has some clout.

The hidden king maker in all of this is Lorne Michaels. He now controls every hour of NBC Late night but Sunday (Where there is none) If there are issues with Fallon, He'll be on the spot with fixes.

Myriads

I think you are right, time is always a big issue. Many old tv series would not be around if they ran them these days because they would be given enough time to grow. The same is certainly true for talk shows as well. Though perhaps Chevy Chase would have needed a century or two to grow into his role. LOL 😉 😛

I will watch a few Fallon shows. I honestly dont know anything about him. I have not seen a show of his at all. I dont expect him (or anyone) to be a Carson clone. Just to be funny. I like the comedian Lewis Black too but I think he is a bit too abrasive for the talk show circuit. LOL

 

[Luv2tickleher]

No but I will watch Fallen!

 

[SlaverTickler]

Jay Leno... Jay Leno? Never heard of him. 😉