The Tonight Show With Conan O'Brien: So It Begins
After a three month hiatus, Conan O'Brien is back, ladies. And for the rest of the summer, he will have late night television virtually to himself (no offense, David Letterman). I just mean that he won't be dealing with Jay Leno's intrusive new 10PM show, Who Wants This?. Last night's debut episode of the Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien was, in a sense, a geek triumph. The success of Conan's tenure depends on the accumulation of years of shows, duh, with the unexpected interview moments, and the surprisingly on-point bits, but one thing is clear: this is literally not your father's Tonight Show. While the studio has a very classy, rat-pack throwback feel to it--a return from Jay Leno's garish outlet mall pink and orange monstrosity of a set, because apparently I am Professor Sets over here, but seriously, that thing was hideous. It was like the late night set equivalent of one of those license plate purses--but Conan himself is altogether new. Not to us, obviously, but to America. He's younger than David Letterman, and a little more bookish. He's gawky and odd and seems happy to take on the mantle of the Other in a way that Letterman has never quite had to do. Dave may have played America's goofy outsider for the past 27 years, but he's going to have to struggle now in a head-to-head weirdo competition, and he is going to lose, because he doesn't have what it takes to "go full retard."
But so, OK, the first episode. It was, in a word, fine.
The opening monologue was mostly pre-taped sketches of Conan acclimating to his new city, with a couple of interstitial jokes thrown in. But the guy literally hit the ground running, (sorry), not just with the bit about him running across the country to get to the new studio, but with his self-deprecating humor. One can imagine that the joke about being on the fourth place network, in a bankrupt state, working for a show that was sponsored by General Motors did not play particularly well off of the Leno audience, who I am going to make at least one sweeping generalization about: they think self-deprecation and honesty about the way the world works is for fags. Maybe that's not fair, but I do think that smart, witty, self-loathing humor is not what the red-blooded Sam's Club Belt audience for whom pride is an occupation goes for. Conan ain't care. This is his house now.
Nice Jay Leno diss, too. That guy. Yuck!
For the most part, the pre-taped bits were mixed. The part where Conan was in the stands at the Laker's game was funny, if for no other reason than his insistence that we're all just going to have to deal with it.
The pre-taped bit on the Universal Studios tour bus was mixed, which is one of the problems Conan faces. With Jimmy Fallon, for example, he has nothing to do but surprise us. He literally can only go up. But Conan does have a reputation, at least among his fans, and if his jokes seem to fall flat they are falling flat in relation to jokes that have soared. (Jokes that have soared, I'm basically going to get a Pulitzer for this post. I'm going to put it in my bathroom as a conversation starter!) But the pre-taped bit on the Universal Studios lot was not bad, and when it cut back to the studio and everyone in the audience was chanting "CIRCLE!" it suggested that the Tonight Show audience is ready to keep up, and pitch in when need be.
As I mentioned, the set is actually really nice. It's very CLASSY. I feel like I am on the deck of a COCKTAIL OCEAN LINER. Although I did have one complaint. Please get rid of these weird, distracting plastic pylons that appear right behind Conan's head when he is at the desk.
Who built that thing? Doozers?
The interview with Will Ferrell was great. Very smart first guest. TBS Very Funny.
I particularly liked his goodbye song. WE WILL MISS YOU, CONAN O'BRIEN!
For the record, the number of Twitter updates containing the phrase "Forget Twitter, I'm on the CB" is in the low to high millions. Speaking of Twitter, that is a smart place to gauge what people thought about the new show, and they're obviously not all in agreement that Conan O'Brien is great and that we're excited to have him hosting this show.
GOODBYE, TONIGHT SHOW. You LOST him*. If this guy's grandchildren explained to him what "Epic FAIL" means, he would think it was applicable!
This guy is UNIMPRESSED. Sorry, Conan.
The one thing we know about this viewer is that she watched the beginning of the show. She should basically replace Nancy Franklin at the New Yorker, because there's a new critical thinker when it comes to TV, and it is this lady.
So, Conan is back. Here is to at least 18 years more of this so we can shove this legacy in Jay Leno's stupid FACE. I know this should be focused on the positive aspects, and there's no reason to look back, but I'm sorry, Jay Leno, YA BURNT!
*This guy reminds me of when I used to work at a convenience store and customers who were upset about something would say "you just lost yourselves a customer!" and then they would always explain how much money they spent at the store each month, just to let us know how bad it was going to hurt our business. The number was always ridiculously high or ridiculously low. "I spend 20 dollars a month here!" Or "I spend 10,000 dollars a month here." That is this guy all over the place.
Posted by Gabe at 10:35 AM in Late Night
Tags: Conan O'Brien | The Tonight Show | Will Ferrell
for something to distract from conan's head means it is really distracting. like it would distract me even if I was eating a volcano taco from taco bell.
Score = 5
Or a Choco-Taco infested with Swine flu.
Score = 4
so you go from bashing celebs and tv shows to now bashing ordinary people on twitter? congratulations.
Score = -42
That's fair. I still think their Twitters are funny, and one could make the argument that by publicly publishing a Twitter post you're making your opinion available for ridicule and counter-argument, but that's sort of a mean-spirited battle to fight. I blurred out their names.
Score = 39
I hope Gabe bashes Ordinary People. That movie could use a bashing. (Also, congratulations!)
Score = 10
As long as the names are blurred, this is very much consistent with the site's past habit of including insightful (not insightful) youtube comments in posts.
Gabe's right, when you write something on a public forum, you put yourself out there in a way that's very much criticizable - whether it's 'get off my lawn, conan' on a public twitter or 'drew has a tiny dick' on a public bathroom stall.
Score = 6
Basically when I post a short, banal update for my friends to see, what I'm really saying is PLEASE RIDICULE ME, ESPECIALLY IF IT'S IN SUCH A WAY THAT I HAVE NO REAL MEANS OF RESPONSE. Semantics!
Score = 2
Right.
And that seems like a totally reasonable position to take.
Score = 1
I'm going to miss watching Dave every night. Guess I'll only be seeing him when there's a Conan rerun on now.
(btw, did you guys catch Craig challenge Jimmy to "naked on-air wrestling" last night? hopefully something comes of it)
Score = 4
Choco Taco!
Score = 10
YES! I love Choco Tacos! I have such fond memories of them. Conan made me want one so bad...
Score = 1
Today, the audience got free choco-tacos. Hah
Score = 1
You forgot about his musical guest The Pearl Jams!! All of the websites are abuzz about their fresh-faced singy-songs!!!
Score = 7
Maybe it was my TV, but the sound on in the new studio is 100 times worse than the old one.
Fact.
Score = 11
You are not wrong.
Score = 1
I think this could be the translation from stage to tv? It sounded fine in the studio.
Score = 2
I really hope Andy gets his groove back (in Jamaica, preferably). The moment in the intro when he and Conan talked at the same time really ruined my Cheap Trick buzz from just a few minutes earlier. Who knows, though? Maybe he can make "awkward schlub" work for him.
Score = 8
That was kind of harsh. I take it back in honor of memories of Original Andy (because, ya know, he may read this...?). He was probably just nervous being so far away from the couch and all.
Score = 11
conan's fake, uncomfortable laughter during will ferrell's entrance rivaled jimmy fallon at his worst (or best). and i find it amazing that after 100 years of hosting late night, conan still doesn't know how to conduct an interview. i'm thinking colbert at 11:30 and the internets the following day to see if conan or dave had any highlights worth watching.
Score = -35
I didn't know the Dean of Wrong University posted on Videogum
Score = 29
seriously, what's your damage, bro
Score = 3
yeah because Colbert conducts interviews much better, he never interrupts the guest or makes the entire interview about himself
Score = 0
I liked the Universal Tram bit.
All in all, the best compliment that could be provided is that it played mostly like an episode of Late Night. And that's good.
Score = 10
he was great and he'll only get better.
Score = 9
My favorite parts were the opening filmed piece of him running to LA and the Biden bit. Both of those videos are here:
http://www.gotchamediablog.com/2009/06/conan-runs-to-la.html
Score = -6
I don't know, I think Hollywoo is pretty catchy.
Score = 5
where is joel goddard in all of this? kicked to the curb?
Score = 3
Consorting with young Asian males.
Score = 20
that was about the strongest debut show i've ever seen -- weak points and all. can't wait until they have time to talk to andy about his *accomplishments* since leaving the show.
Score = 2
Well, Jay made a joke about being on a fourth place network on his last show, so I think Conan's fine.
Score = 5
I hope Andy eventually does more than just laugh awkwardly into the mic.
Score = 12
No kidding. Its not like Conan needs a Paul Schaffer to make the show work.
Score = 3
That's actually what I thought about Max Wienberg. I mean, I have no problem with Andy talking, but Max didn't say a single word. He should. He should say several words.
Score = 10
Didn't I read somewhere that Max wouldn't be a permanent part of the show due to his family not wanting to relocate?
Score = 1
I really don't have any complaints about the opening episode. I liked the Universal Tour bit and the opening and the interview and everything else. Maybe it's just that I was so happy to see Conan back, but I thought it was a really strong start.
Also, I don't know if I was just buzzing from a Conan-high, but Jimmy Fallon was actually pretty funny last night?
Score = 4
I agree. The whole pizza song to his rude receptionist thing was funny. I stopped watching right there so I could end the night happy.
Score = 1
You should have kept watching, Will Forte's song was amazing.
Score = 2
Jay's audience are all going to be in the nursing home watching re-runs of "Three's Company" pretty soon anyway, so really it's just a waiting game.
Score = 2
If they're Jay fans, Three's Company's way too edgy for them.
Score = 1
What's with all the running? Conan running on the beach promos, running across the country, Jimmy Fallon running. Sitting behind a desk looks exhausting.
Score = 6
Two thumbs up for the use of Surrender alone.
Score = 5
I've never been much of a fan of his. To me, Conan always seemed that he writes funny stuff...but it's always a lot funnier when someone ELSE does it, not him. (He kinda shares that with Seth McFarlane...far better writer than performer.)
Score = -8
I've never been much of a fan of his. To me, Conan always seemed to write funny stuff...but it's always a lot funnier when someone ELSE does it, not him. (He kinda shares that with Seth McFarlane...being a far better writer than performer.)
Score = -14
That "You Lost Me" guy looks like the bastard child of Christopher Walken and Keith Olbermann.
Score = 2
I'm oddly proud of Conan. I watched the debut smiling ear to ear the whole time thinking, "He did it. The guy who had the 'Inappropriate' sketch is now the host of The Tonight Show. Whoa." Keep in mind, I do not know this man, nor does he know me. Still proud.
All in all, I thought it was a great debut and he'll get better as the show goes on. More Joe Biden jokes (Choco Taco) and please more Andy and Max. I miss you Joel and Bull-Whip Producer guy!
Score = 2
I miss Abe...but alas he had to be set free into the wild.
Score = 1
How am I going to be the first and only person to comment on the man in small print. FUCK THAT GUY. Anyone who's ever worked a job where they deal with the people all day has had to cross paths with with this condescending, ignorant, asinine piece of shit and his mother and his brother-in-law and uncle Tim. FUCK THEM ALL. Sorry, needed to get that off my chest. I hate my job.........Bully good, Conan! Bully good!
Score = 4
Your first Twitter quote is from our local NBC affiliate's weatherman here in Nashville - Tim Ross. But I can't find that exact twitter/ tweet?....Maybe his boss made him take it down. What a doucher.
Score = 2
my parents are in their late 50's and they watched Leno all the time. so i was somewhat surprised (and pleased) to hear that they like the new Tonight Show. They seem to like Conando, but maybe they're just trying to connect with me?
Score = 0
First show was ok. Would had been funnier with a better guest. Sorry Will Ferrell, but you've become a disgrace who has gone Eddy Murphy sooner than I thought possible.
Last night was way better! The bit about the Rodeo Road was just too funny. Loved it. That said, I'm missing Letterman now. :(
I was calculating about watching Letterman live and then catching Conan on Hulu. CBS only puts clips online for like 2 weeks. Conan will be full streaming the next day. This is a win-win situation for me really.
Score = 0
And the show keeps getting better and better. The classics are back: In the Year 200...er...3000, Max is a perv, random La Bamba, Pierre Bernard (who's recliner of rage is hopefully none too far behind), random Kenneth the Page...love it!
Score = 1
I thought it was a good but not great first show - Conan still seems a bit nervous. He's at his best when he is being himself. Hopefully by next week he'll calm down into a good groove. I really hope he doesn't water down his show for Leno's audience... they need to be brought up to Conan's level, Conan shouldn't sink down to theirs! Good post Gabe.
Score = 0
Then why don't you marry Conan O' Brien?
I have nothing against the guy, he's funny, but this is just ridiculous.
they think self-deprecation and honesty about the way the world works is for fags. Maybe that's not fair, but I do think that smart, witty, self-loathing humor is not what the red-blooded Sam's Club Belt audience for whom pride is an occupation goes for. Conan ain't care. This is his house now.
Oh wow, you really hit the nail right on the head there. I totally think smart humour is for fags.
But what else can you expect from someone who doesn't share your ridiculous, unjustified hatred for Jay Leno?
Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go watch some Grey's Anatomy, or hey, maybe I'll even catch some Two and a Half Men or Reba.
I know, I know, the very thought makes your skin crawl. However, I'm just a blue-collar Jay Leno loving loser who only cares about cars. It's what I do.
Score = -1
Your name is Jalapeno Business.
Score = 3
It didn't make high school any easier.
Score = 7
Man I wish I could marry Conan. Thanks for the permission!
Score = 0
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Score = -1