Conan O’Brien returns to late night television tonight as host of “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien,” and I’ll have more on this show, as well as others from the first few weeks later on, but for now I just want to voice a few questions about the big change.
Will Conan alter his style for the new time slot and show? He addressed this issue in the close of his old show, and was adamant that it would basically be the same show. I’m hesitant to say it will be vintage Conan, simply because he’s already retired characters and skits that aren’t suitable for the mainstream audience at 11:30.
While acknowledging that reality I still don’t think the show will feel noticeably different. Conan only works when he gets to be Conan, and to try to be something else will end in failure. The network knows this, and obviously recognizes that they’re not getting the next Jay Leno, which is why I think they’ll give Conan room to operate.
Overall I think he may have to pull some punches in terms of his skits, but the bigger changes could come in terms of the interviews, as he’ll know have to deal with more A-list stars that might not be keen on his style of humor. That means a little more kissing up and a little less, well whatever it is that Conan normally does with his guests.
Will Conan draw viewers from Colbert Report? In the past I loved television from eleven to midnight, and then a half an hour later until one thirty in the morning. That lineup included “The Daily Show,” “The Colbert Report” and “Late Night with Conan O’Brien.” Now someone will have to get DVRed, because the “Tonight Show” comes on at eleven thirty against is frenemy Stephen Colbert.
I feel like I’m not alone in this predicament, as the pairs fans are usually the same. Personally, I don’t see Colbert fans skipping their truthiness for what they think will be a toned down version of Colbert (I watch “Daily Show” and “Colbert Report” the next day on Hulu, so I’ll probably watch Conan live.) Thus, if Conan can’t bring the younger viewers with him, it makes it even more important that he holds on to Jay’s (how do I put this politely?) older viewers? And if he can’t hang on to the geriatrics, will they finally switch to Dave or will they just take their Viagra earlier?Will people stay up for Conan when Jay comes on in the fall at ten? This is moot point for now, but in the fall it could become dicey. That’s why Conan needs to establish himself right away as a credible replacement, but also as a perfect complement so that people will tune in for Jay and want to stay for a nightcap with Conan.
A sidekick?!?!?!?!? Apparently Andy Richter will be back only as an announcer and will appear in various sketches. I know this means he won’t be a sidekick, but I wish he was off trying to start another failed sitcom instead of stealing air time from Conan, who always seems so awkward sharing the limelight.
Anyway, I hope it all goes well and America gets to know someone I think is funnier than Leno on his best day.
1 comment:
For the most part I agree with your general statements, but I think having Andy back is a fantastic addition to the show. 'Late Night' was never the same after he left.
Sure, it was funny; but it lost a certain angle in its humor that, once it was missing, was easy to trace back to Andy (especially because it showed up in those failed sitcoms of his - or at least 'Andy Richter Controls the Universe' and 'Andy Barker, P.I.' - both hilarious shows mainstream audiences didn't embrace).
Some of my best recollections of the early years of 'The Late Show with Conan' were off-the-cuff riffs/conversations between Conan and Andy. In fact, rather than seeming awkward sharing the limelight, I think Conan is the type of comedian who is the most funny playing off someone else - whether it's Andy, Max, or one of his interviewees.
At any rate, last night was a pretty strong start, and I can't wait to see how the show progresses once it gets some steam underway.
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