The New Face In Late Night...

Hey PEEPS!

Late Night with (Insert Name Here)
Not sure about you, but I have been recently viewing this new late night Talk Show called,"Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" (NBC).

For starters, this was the program originally occupied by Conan O'Brien. Now, I am not much of a late night TV person (Unless we are in Production, for then there is no rest!), however had viewed the promos for Fallon's show during my TIVO shifting viewing habits.

Why not? After all, I did somewhat like Fallon out the few times that I had seen his Weekend Update gig with Tina Fey on Saturday Night Live - why not check out his late nighter as a show of support.

Last week was the official first week of the show on NBC and an all star guest panel that includes the likes of Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore, Justin Timberlake and Robert DeNiro. Truly an impressive line-up for the first full week of the program and quite possibly difficult to expand the momentum during the coming weeks. There are only small number of A-listers - we will exhaust the options soon at this pace.

Quite frankly, I did not expect too much. Again, I am not typically viewing network television after hours, however was pleasantly surprised. The show and the tempo were upbeat and current - finally, I felt as if I were the target the audience.

Other late nighters (Excluding Carson Daly) are extremely dry (Jay Leno) as something a group of seniors or mature parents would actually deprive themselves of sleep to stay up and watch - hardly appealing.

The Jimmy Fallon show feels younger, hipper and certainly more relevant with someone closer to my age group/ generation who "Gets It". A show that I could actually would not mind having conversations with my group. Finally - Thank you Ben Silverman!

No Variety In Late Night
In a landscape cluttered with an abundance of male perspective and bad jokes (Jay, Conan, Colin, Dave, Carson, Jimmy K., Jimmy F.), it is rather questionable as to why there is not, nor has been (For number of years) a female perspective in Late Night.

During the last Rosie O'Donnell vs. The Universe debacle, I was one of the biggest supporters to the prospect of bringing Rosie back to host a show.

For the record friends at NBC, the idea was to REPLACE Jay Leno (When it was announced that he would be 'Retiring' from the Late Show, prior to the last minute deal to keep him on the network with an earlier show).

My point was that someone such as Rosie (Or, another Strong female personality type) would be offered the position as the new host of the show as a breath of FRESH AIR to late night all male talkers.

Of course, the network had plans of its' own and actually offered Rosie O. an opportunity to host not Late Night with Jay Leno show, but instead a variety show - WHAT THE?!

While the rush in motive was unclear - The move was not only expensive (Rumoured at $10 Million), it was also completely unexpected, an untested concept and a total disaster (Descriptive often used by Donald Trump).

We need a FEMALE personality in Late Night!

The Talk Show Particulars...
First, I have not yet produced a Talk show for television, but there is a relative formula of elements that are fairly common.

For example, a bland and uninspiring static set, complete with skyline backdrop, desk and faux living room furnishings - who ever thought that by having the host sit behind a DESK would make for great, comfortable, natural conversation (Completely illogical)?

Take the more successful Talkers (ie. Oprah) - the set is minimal in stage like presence.

Oprah has never warmed up the audience with a monologue of bad pre-written jokes about news headlines, the President or other political fodder, had a marginal anonymous band play unidentified music while the leader of the band chimes in to a weird awkward manner.

Further, Oprah never required loud laughing, applause and silly antics, never needed a backdrop of city lights and has never SAT BEHIND A DESK while her guests flail about on an adjacent sofa!

As well, have a look at her protege, Dr. Phil - the same design aesthetic. I think Oprah knows something the rest may not! Simple and elegant.

The Talk Show Bands
Have you noticed that most talkers have a band (Excluding Ellen who went the route of DJ)?

Perhaps maybe all of the bands from these talkers should get together, release an album and even go on tour...They should profit from the venture, as well.

Which brings me back to the topic of Jimmy Fallon's late nighter (Finally). Jimmy does not have just another anonymous orchestra - Jimmy has actual REAL talent - The Roots (Already a successful and well known). Aside from DJ Tony, having real, professional talent certainly makes a difference and breathes life into a flavorless late night orchestra and sea of mediocrity.

Return to the Old
Jimmy's show is somewhat reminiscent of the Arsenio Hall Show back in the early 90's (Except for the desk). Hip, current and fresh - a show that says, "If you are not watching this, you just don't know what's going on in the world or anywhere for that matter".

The episodes of the Arsenio Hall show that really stand out still continue to be the night then Presidential candidate Bill Clinton blared saxophone for the masses (It made him instantly cool) and numerous live performances by MC Hammer. The Arsenio Hall show was THE BEST late night show with record ratings during it's time on the air.

On side note, I did see Arsenio hosting another show that is currently in syndication.

Alright, so Jimmy's show has all of the potential to be a fun show. Stay Tuned!