Jay Leno was gracious and funny during his final night as host of The Tonight Show. His main guest was the program’s new host starting Monday, Conan O’Brien. Seeing them together, the difference in comedy styles and sensibilities was striking. Where Leno is straightforward and old-fashioned in going for the big, topical guffaw (one major reason he commands the time period’s largest audience), O’Brien is more sly, ironic, and self-deprecating (qualities he shares with his time-period competition, David Letterman — hmmm, a possible problem for Conan?).
This night, however, it was just interesting to see Leno and O’Brien interact — or rather, not interact. There wasn’t much chemistry between the two men. O’Brien came out with some clever material about moving to California and the new studio from which he’ll do the Tonight Show. Leno looked on, smiling politely.
At one point, an audience member yelled out, "Conan rocks!" Leno said, "I agree. Conan rocks."
In some ways, it was a typical Tonight Show. In his final late-night monologue, Leno went out with jokes that characterized his run. The man who brought us The Dancing Itos yukked this night, "I was cleaning out my office today, and I find O.J.’s knife! I had it the whole time! How could I be so stupid!" Ooof. Taking a jab at NBC’s current low prime-time ratings, he referred to his future 10 p.m. time slot as "a secluded spot where no one can find me."
But toward the end, a different Leno was on display. Instead of the mighty joke-machine he prides himself on being, Leno allowed some nice, non-sappy sentiment to fill his final moments. He talked about how some staffers had met, married, and had children during his Tonight Show tenure… and then brought those offspring onstage. Sixty-eight young people of varying ages, smiling and waving.
It was a very sweet, low-key, and sincere way to end his version of The Tonight Show. And come Monday, we’ll see what Conan does with the job.
Did you watch? Will you follow Jay to 10 p.m.? Will you watch Conan’s Tonight Show?
Every host is different and brings their own sytle to their late night show. I find Jay to be very relaxing, while Dave and Conan are a little different. I am usually catching up with my TIVO recordings at that time of night, but I will watch Conan in the beginning to see how he is doing. I will set my TIVO to record any of the shows with Jay, Dave or Conan if there is a guest I am interested in seeing. Once in a while, I might check out their monologues, and I appreciate their different styles. I do believe that both Jay and Conan are really nice guys, and I wish everyone the best. I admire their talent in comedy writing and delivery, and good luck to each late night host!!
Watching Jay, Letterman and O Brien at their different shows, Jay for me has always been my favorite and I shed a tear for his last show. He always described himself as a comedian who got lucky enough to present one of the best shows on TV and that came across in any of his interviews. He leaves the Tonight show on a high which is an appropriate tribute. My only fear that his move to primetime might not work out for him. I for one will be watching and wishing him the best in this and whatever else he does. Well done Jay, you will be missed.
If you watched the last show with Leno, he had Conan on. You could just see the tension between them. I still say Leno, is a tuff ack to follow. I don’t give a darn who a guest is on any show. That being said, The Tonight show belongs to the greats, Steve Allen, Jack Par, Jonny Carson and Jay Leno. Please Conan is just too much into himself, cocky redhead.
I like David L. Will switch to that show if need be. Then can’t wait for the return of Leno. Conan and his dancing bears (whatever he does to disgust, and so much into himself will be a loser doing or stealing the show from Leno. Conan is the biggest LOSER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jay’s had a very good run. I’ve really enjoyed him, but I’m really looking forward to Conan taking over. Will definitely be watching on Monday!
To “lynn”:
I don’t think Conan is cocky at all. How can you tell? He seems to be a nice, HILARIOUS guy. And as far as his “dancing bears”, of course Conan won’t be able to do what he did at 12:30am. (I thought those skits were pretty funny, by the way)
I wish Jay the best at 10pm and I HOPE CONAN ROCKS IT at 11:30pm!!
let me guess: you’re a rather corny, sheltered old white woman aren’t you? maybe you live with a few cats? your comments seem to insinuate this.
Lynn, you are the LOSER…I love CONAN!!!
I am excited for Conan, he will do great. Good luck to both of them!
Please!!!!!!!!
You either like someone or not. I’m sorry just don’t like Conan. Simple!
I wish Jay Leno all the best.
I once saw Jay Leno’s stand-up act…one of the best live shows I’ve ever seen…but I found his Tonight Show reign borderline unwatchable…milquetoast, tame, lame…more like Merv Griffin than Johnny Carson.
I’m a Letterman guy, but I’ll tivo Conan and watch him after Dave each night.
p.s. Ken your segments on Fresh Air are terrific!!!
I disagree with the chemistry aspect. I felt that you could see two men who genuinely respected one another. Jay was gracious, as he always is to his guests, letting Conan do his material and tell his stories. I think Conan will do great! I am definitely in Conan’s camp and have watched him from day one. (I even remember him from the few SNL sketches he was in long before Late Night.) And I agree 100% with the audience member and Jay, “Conan Rocks”!
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno was the end of a long tradition at NBC.
Leno never had the charm, charisma and style of Carson. The show became an afternoon talk show formatted for the mindless and clueless generation of anything goes.
Although Leno has an appeal as a stand up comedian in a comedy club circuit atmosphere, he should have never been chosen and positioned as the Tonight Show host to begin with.
Actually, Conan has already done some test shows this past week. In them, the back-up drummer, James Wormworth, has joined the band which is now called Max Weinberg and the Tonight Show Band. The Masturbating Bear and Triumph were a part of the shows. So, it seems that Conan may not have changed too much in moving up an hour. Thank goodness.
Leno is very good at what he does whatever you feel that is. Conan is a talented person who I stopped watching years ago after tiring of constantly puerile and homophobic material written by puerile and homophobic writers.
I couldn’t care less about Conan O’Brien. I don’t see him as a good late-show TV host. Nothing funny about him for sure! Too many of his jokes are just plain stupid… maybe like the man himself.