Can Jay Leno get any respect? From anybody?
You're No. 1 in your late night time slot for about a dozen years. You bring in millions of dollars in revenue to NBC. You're an amiable guy, not sharp-witted like your late night rival, but likable and consistently funny. You occasionally break real news, like when your buddy, Arnold Schwarzenegger, announced he was running for governor.
Yet it seems NBC can't wait, Jay Leno, to shove you out the door to make room for a younger, hipper model to host The Tonight Show. Worse, a lot of people don't seem to care that you're leaving.
I'll admit I'm more a fan of your rival, David Letterman. He's caustic but can be so deeply-in-the-moment, as in the days after 9-11. A lot of us thought he was the rightful heir to the Tonight job in 1992. Heck, even legendary Tonight host Johnny Carson (who's impending departure was bemoaned for months before it happened) clearly favored Letterman, appeared on his show and even secretly wrote jokes for Letterman monologues. Carson never once shared the Tonight stage with you.
I do, however, feel sorry for you. The NBC bosses finally announce that Conan O'Brien starts June 1 with nary an accolade tossed your way. I guess it's downsizing Hollywood style. But, I suspect you're already lining up your next TV gig. And, let's face it, you are a millionaire so-many-times over.
But let's see if we can drum up some love for you here.
Folks, who's the better late night host? Leno, Letterman or O'Brien? And why?
Comments:
Jay Leno gets no respect from me. He's not funny and his bigotry slips out a little more often than I'd like from someone in his position. Granted, he's no Chris Matthews or Bill O'Reilly, but he's let slip a dumb thing here and there, all in the name of humor.
He can retire.
Posted by: adam at July 22, 2008 12:15 PM
One time, a guy tried to tell me (and a group of others) that Jay Leno was funnier than Dave Chappelle.
That was the most absurd thing, I think, I've heard in my life.
Leno is horrible. Most of the network guys aren't great, IMO. I like Conan, but that's about it.
Gimme McHale, Stewart or Colbert.
Posted by: Mike Oz at July 22, 2008 3:45 PM
Here you go, Felicia: Entertainment Weekly is showing some love to Jay Leno.
Posted by: Heather at July 22, 2008 4:13 PM
"Most coveted, sought-after" man in show biz right now? Perhaps, but it has the taint of an emotionless business transaction (like when CBS courted Katie Couric, and we know how dismal that's turned out so far) rather than the glow of an inspired union. So, I'd say, yes, EW showed Leno a scant bit of love but in a subdued way.
Posted by: felicia matlosz at July 22, 2008 4:41 PM
Leno is the biggest hack in TV. He/his writers, steal all their decent bits from Howard Stern, Letterman, O'Brien and Kimmel. Yes, everybody lifts things from everyone else, but he steals them and then F%^&# them up.
Plus Leno is a crap interviewer. The Tonight Show will be such a better show once he's gone. It may not get better ratings, but the quality will greatly improve.
Posted by: The Fresnan at July 22, 2008 5:04 PM
Whoa!
And I thought I liked Jay Leno! (although I don't watch TV much anymore)
His jokes or not, I always thought he was funny.
I don't think it's fair to compare so many different types of comedians and show hosts. The crowds they cater to are quite a bit different from each other and they all do a specific job for a specific audience.
But, the smart people have spoken... guess I hate him too.
Down with Leno!!!
~Rell.
PS: Gosh, I hate O'Reilly.
Posted by: 559rell at July 22, 2008 10:28 PM
At best, Leno is a so-so stand up comic. I've always considered him to be the non-thinking man's Jerry Seinfield. He's extremely lucky to have had the opportunity to host the legendary Tonight Show but there are so many more talented and amiable comics that should have that gig. See ya, Jay.
Posted by: The Suppressors at July 23, 2008 8:45 AM
I dont like his face.
is it wrong to judge him based on the ugliness of his face?
of course it is, but still.
i dont like his face.
Posted by: MsJoey at July 23, 2008 9:05 AM
Well, MsJoey, I don't want to judge his face. But I have always wondered why his jaw is so darn big.
Posted by: felicia matlosz at July 23, 2008 9:11 AM
Damn! Leno-haters abound on the Beehive. I like Jay over Dave. Not that Dave isn't funny, but I just prefer Jay. I made a goal when Jay announced he was leaving to see the show in person before he left. Guess I'd better get crackin'.
Posted by: Ernie at July 23, 2008 11:31 AM
Since when does 'what everybody else thinks' have to be what an individual finds as funny?'
...what did they, put pods in yer basements overnight?
I like Lenno.
I don't watch late night TV all the time, but when I do, I'll try to catch Leno, and often will compare between Letterman and he, --nine times out of ten Leno wins my attentin. I like his timing, I like his set-up, he's got a great double-back sense on things, and can work an audience well.
I think he's flown the ship pretty well and his stand up still shows...
I've also watched Letterman since he's been on in the AM. (I remember the hail the size of canned hams broadcast,)
He used to be really good, but truthfully, over the (decades,) he's kind of slipped to being little more than an opposing anchor that you switch channels to catch... But he's resting on his laurels/tenure riffs on insider stuff that hardly anyone gets, and just hasn't funny.
They have different approaches to humor anyway.
None of them are Carson, and if you were raised on Carson, almost everything is an also-ran.
My vote?
Craig Ferguson... (Late-Late Show)
lightning wit, excellent timing, and presents guests in a manner that is both (happy edgy, --and very endearing (not unlike Carson or Mike Douglas.)
This guy is good.
Posted by: wet towel at July 23, 2008 2:25 PM
You make an excellent point about Ferguson, but I've only seen him a few times. I just can't stay awake that late.
Posted by: felicia matlosz at July 23, 2008 2:30 PM
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