Well, not quite. George Lopez made his talk-show-host debut on Lopez Tonight with a bright, loud party that was neither revolutionary in format nor a laugh-a-minute, but it had a lot of energy and established a good mood.
Ellen DeGeneres showed up early on, wearing pyjamas and a sleeping cap. The joke was that she was trying to sleep somewhere nearby and Lopez’s tumultuous band and audience were keeping her awake.
Then she welcomed Lopez to the talk-show fold, said, “Everybody needs to be represented on television,” and had jello shots served to some folks near the stage. Well, Lopez did yell at the top of the show, “The revolution starts right now!,” didn’t he? Who knew it would come complete with jello shots?
Lopez, looking sharp, like the long-lost Latino Rat Pack member in a tight black suit, seemed perfectly at ease shouting his jokes over the frequent cheers of an audience who rarely sat down during the hour. His opening monologue was a combination of crowd-flattery (“This is what America looks like!”) and the kind of jokes you probably wouldn’t hear from, say, Conan O’Brien: “50 Cent has a fragrance called ‘Power’– it smells like illegitimate children and gun-powder.”
Lopez Tonight wasn’t necessarily funnier than the other talk show that debuted in the past week — The Wanda Sykes Show — but it had a more polished surface, and two things in common with Sykes. Lopez and his Latino heritage play as important a part in his humor as being black does for Sykes, and both have announced their intentions to bust open the white-boys club of late-night.
The opening-night guests here included Kobe Bryant, Carlos Santana, and Eva Longoria Parker. Guess which guest was invited to wriggle around on a stripper-pole? (Not that this was sexist or anything — Lopez himself took a turn on the pole.)
While some of Lopez’s jokes seemed pretty random (“Even Glenn Beck is black in bed”), he maintained an air of controlled celebration that was fun. As an interviewer, Lopez lobs the softballs that are standard for most of the white men (to Bryant: “Do you know how beloved you are?”), but he already has a disarming, relaxed air that puts him ahead of, say, Jimmy Fallon’s jittery opening night.
Lopez Tonight, which will air Monday through Thursdays on TBS, will take a while, as all talk shows must, to reveal its true quality. But for once I don’t have to write that it will take the Lopez show a while to find its groove. With its heavy use of good music from his house band, that’s one thing Lopez has already accomplished.
Did you watch? Did you find Lopez Tonight amusing?
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Comments (1-15) of 56 Add your comment
i am hispanic, i should love him, yet i cannot stand george lopez.i think my reason why comes from this line in the post: “shouting his jokes”. I feel like he is always shouting and just isn’t funny.
The man is consistently funny. I’ve seen his live shows several times and he always know how to crack up his fans. Some won’t like him, but most of those would rather watch Fox News and listen to Rush anyway.
Unfair statement Ben. I’m a big fan of George Lopez…but also watch Fox news!
Not fair Ben, I watch both also. It is all about being Fair and Balanced
i dont like lopez or fox news!
Yeah, let’s throw the race card in here.
Hey Ben… You’re clueless and bigoted, just like all of those who listen to FOX News and Rush, right? You fail.
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I really hopes he’s the next Arsenio Hall. Late night is in need of that kind of funny!
So true, Gigi. The show had an Arsenio feel to it. And as much as I am thrilled that George has his own show, what I saw last night was not enough to make me abandon Jon Stewart. Too bad they are in the same time slot.
I only saw the first few minutes, but it was already funnier than Wanda Sykes’ show. I hope they both improve and keep their shows.
OMG, the Wanda Sykes debut was such a disaster!
I thought the show had an amazing opening night- It did not have the pasty white guy thing going on, which was a great change. This show is only going to get better and better
I love george lopez his funny as hell.I’m Hispanic too… and you don’t need to be hispanic to like george lopez(PJ). Oh yeah and I also watch fox news!!!
Had mixed feeling. I am a Lopez fan. I didn’t like the set. I know it was meant to look like a club, but that part of it was too much sensory overload for that time of night. However, having Carlos Santana as his first musical guest was a real treat. He is one of the best guitarists of all time. He took a 30+ year old song (which happens to be my ring tone) and it still sounds brand new and exciting. Back to the set – I think it almost distracts from the conversations with the guests. But I am still going to watch. And don’t count Wanda out. That is one very funny woman and I will be tuning in for that show. Her joke delivery is so quick and natural. Love her.
Watched the opening monologue. He needs to remember that most of us are watching at home and stop playing so much to the overexcited crowd. He also needs some sharper jokes. He seems polished, he just wasn’t funny enough.
He also needs to tell the audience to SIT THE F DOWN!!!
well stop watching it then : )
In a word – NO – no impressed – will not be coming back for more
I’d take Wanda over this hack any day.
I watched the first part and wow I didn’t laugh once I’ve always liked Lopez but he was trying to hard with the racial jokes sure a couple are fine but that was his whole format it seemed. I ended up turing it to the Daily Show which made me mad I missed Lewis Black.
I love george lopez and his show was funny last night!!
I love George. He just needs to polish up his act a little. Too much interaction with audience. We do not care about the audience. I don’t. It was funny but not hysterical. I will for sure tune in and give him a chance. Oh and poor Wanda, her show really sucked big ones. But i still love her too.
I loved it. I think he brings something different to the table that other hosts don’t. Its like he doesnt give a s**t whether u like it or not. although i think he needs to prepare better questions for the guests…things related to what their doing and not talking about m&m’s. I will be watching again though!
I ken never do nothing!!!