Cool News
LENO Still Beating LETTERMAN?? What??
I am – Hercules!!
Creatures of habit!
Not many members of the Screen Actors Guild have been willing to cross the writers guild picket line to appear on “The Tonight Show With Jay Leno,” leaving the lantern-jawed funnyman to indulge conversations with Republican presidential candidates and SAG C-listers like Howie Mandel and Pamela Anderson.
But because the WGA was willing to sign “The Late Show With David Letterman” to an interim pact, the CBS talkshow has been able to book SAG movie stars like Tom Hanks and Robin Williams (to say nothing of Howard Stern and Chris Elliott, who both returned to the Ed Sullivan Theatre to chat with Dave tonight).
So guess who won in the ratings last week?
Variety has a piece about how the non-WGA shows are faring in the timeslots formerly held by WGA shows here.
Fox and MGM have knocked 48-50% off a number of their series titles, including:
$15.49 The Die Hard Trilogy
$30.99 Rocky: The Complete Saga
$34.99 The Addams Family: The Complete Series
$69.99 Angel: The Complete Series
$74.99 Family Guy: Party Pack
$119.99 Land of the Giants: The Complete Series
$145.99 The James Bond Ultimate Collector’s Set
$164.99 Stargate SG-1: The Complete Series
Sony has organized a 2Fer sale. Buy two or more and you could get:
* MTV’s complete 2003 “Spider-Man” series for $9.50,
* the complete series of the “The Tick” for $11,
* “Soap” season-sets for $11 each,
* “All in the Family” season sets for $11 each
* “Newsradio” season-sets for $14.75 each,
* “Seinfeld” season-sets for $18 each, and
* “Not Just The Best of The Larry Sanders Show” for $18.75.
Lots of others too. Find 171 titles in the 2Fer Sale HERE!!
-
+ Expand All
-
First!
-
Leno panders to the rabble. Always has. There's no big mystery here. For everyone one of who stared blankly at the concept of 'Dancing Itos' there were 8-10 Middle Americans who thought that was the funniest shit they'd ever seen. What're you gonna do?
-
There's at least one word too many, and one word missing from my fucking post. Fucking non-editing AICN.
-
exhibit A: Leno consistently beating Letterman for the last decade or so.
conan's been entertaining, but the lame guests lately have me tuning out after the first commercial break. -
Man, if the suits ever THINK they don't need the writers, the writers will be screwed! I have to admit, I'm watching Celebrity Apprentice, and I never watch reality TV anymore. (And never watched any of the other Apprentices.) But I'll quit watching that as soon as Gene Simmons is gone. (Trump Vs. Gene!) They fired the gymnast! (but not the linguist! ;-) See ya, Nadia!
-
Dave's the man! (and Conan, too!)
-
One show is a TV tradition, the other is not. This is not a surprise.
-
He had Jay Thomas on the other night. The entire interview was about old jobs and a noodling trip he went on. I tells ya, you haven't truly lived until you've heard a Jay Thomas noodling story.
-
The only thing I can figure...
-
Strike or no strike. :)
-
in a country where lowest common denominator programming consistently dominates quality programming.
-
I wasn't expecting anything really and this is one of their best segments together...ever.Dave actually seemed to be enjoying himself -- something that's been missing from the Late Show for about 10 years.
-
It's because this country is over populated by MORONS. I wouldn't want my coma patient of a grandmother have Leno playing in her hospital room even if it was the only sound available and she needed auditory input to somehow survive. He is the worst "interviewer" in the history of recorded entertainment.
-
It's getting old. I can see why people consider Letterman hip b/c he'll rip into people from time to time, but all he is at this point is one rung below Andy Rooney. and if this is still about the whole Carson/Leno/Letterman thing. They both wanted the Tonight show, but Leno had the better agent. Remember? Letterman hired Mike "gay mafia" Ovitz.
-
Isiah Washington is that you? I love how people like to call out people from the safety of their own home. Confront them on the street though and they'll run like a bitch.
-
It boggles my mind to think why people find that guy funny or even appealing in any way
-
Jan 11, 2008 1:23:53 AM CST
Letterman's lightyears funnier, but honestly, I watch Leno.
by themikejonas
I like the corny crap to lull me to sleep. Letterman's stuff keeps me awake, and I gotta get up early for work.
-
...People are arguing the quality of television talk shows? You mean the celebrity product pimping shows that are about half a rung up from infomercials? Please don't pollute the gene pool.
-
And sucking Satan's cock
-
Leno's guests are horrible. If you want see animals three nights a week they you'll love Leno.
-
Conan and Craig are light years ahead of them. AND ANYBODY WHO DOESN'T UNDERSTAND THIS IS A MORON!
-
Forget the fact that he's writing monologues and obviously more bits. FIrst he stated why he was coming back, by essentially calling the writers selfish for putting 160 some odd people out of work just so 20 or so could get their demands. And then he made a truly tasteless joke about how the producers are living in beautiful mansions, and then showed where the writers lived by playing footage of what looked like Darfur or Katrina victims, and saying things like "There's the writers of Desperate Housewives," and there's "Law and Order." I couldn't believe it. I stopped watching shortly after that. I've also been watching Conan. You know what? I've always loved Conan. I think he's very very funny, but I don't always love his show. Some of the bits are a little stale and repetitive, albeit very funny the first few times. I also think his interviews are sometimes too rehearsed and a lot more about Conan getting laughs than really interviewing guests. However, I think that Conan has been hysterical. I like him better without his writers than I do with them. Clearly he really is improvising and killing time, while still doing planned, but not written bits. But Letterman is still my favorite and always will be. His shows have been great lately. He and Stern were on fire tonight. God I love that man.
-
Why is Jimmy Kimmel still on?
-
He's, hands down, the funniest man on television. Proof? The past week he's been just as funny/entertaining without writers. Possibly even more so.
-
But Paul FUCKING Shaffer kills that show. We really don't need a bald midget to repeat everything Letterman says.
-
......because it obviously makes you all look like losers. Let's examine the facts: Leno has consistently beaten Letterman for over 10 years now; 10 frakking years!!!That's normally enough time for anyone worth their salt to re-tool and at least get even just one W
Granted it's "Hip" to hate on Leno - especially on AICN - as it always has been ever since he allegedly "stole" the job from Letterman. But "hip" isn't always right - especially where the numbers tell otherwise. Now go ahead, pile on me because I dared to have a different opinion; go ahead and call me a "faggot", an idiot or a moron for 'defending' Leno over Letterman....even while I personally think they're both not that funny. And then you tell me who the real moron is. -
the only way to explain how that shitstain stays on the air, but i think the devi is questioning if it was worth it at this point. As for Leno winning, why is that a surprise? This is the Tonight Show, the power of Johnny Carson from beyond the gave is still strong. And Letterman? Well one time i tried to bite into months old bread and it was not as stale as that guy, i'm sure he was funny back in the "good ol days". Leno's standup roots dominates in monologue over Staleman.
-
......because it obviously makes you all look like losers. Let's examine the facts: Leno has consistently beaten Letterman for over 10 years now; 10 frakking years!!!That's normally enough time for anyone worth their salt to re-tool and at least get even just one Win. And he hasn't been able to . And now he has the equivalent of a headstart or an unfair advantage, by having his full complement of writing staff, better A-lister guests, while Leno has none of that, and yet he still can't beat him? What does that tell you about how funny he is. Oh yeah I forgot; it's because America is full of Morons - which is just the lazy thinker's way of trying to explain away the fact that his tastes don't square with those of the majority. 'Everybody's an idiot and I'm the genius' - yeah, that's doesn't sound moronic to me too. So go ahead, bash me for daring to 'defend' Leno over Letterman or rather pointing out the obvious fact that in the eyes of those who matter, Letterman is not now, never has been and probably never will be as good as Leno. Call me a "faggot" or idiot or whatever other appropriate put-down you can come up with for doing the non-hip thing here on AICN. It still wouldn't make Letterman get higher ratings than Leno........any time soon.
-
.....for the double post I mean,
-
1. Habits and curiosity brought Leno ratings his first week back.
2. Leno wouldn't last two weeks without going bonkers if he weren't scabbing by writing his own monologue.
3. It is the considered opinion of some professional comedy writers (who shall remain nameless) that Leno must be tapping old writer friends of his from hither thither and yon to help him with his monologues. IOW not only is he scabbing, but he's cheating too.
IMHO, this is Leno's Elia Kazan moment. And he's singing for the HUAC. -
Once again, like this, go figure I guess.
-
The man who recognized the talents of Harry's buddies Quentin, Robert and Kevin has signed an interim with the WGA.
I predicted this as soon as I heard about the UA deal (which I didn't predict). Lions Gate should be next. I have heard Lucasfilm is also a possibility.
The tighter the AMPTP's grip, the more production companies slip through their fingers. -
The 411 on Kimmel is he's genuinely a cool guy, which is the only explanation I can come up for how he could pull Sarah Silverman. I mean, other than that soul-sales thing....
-
Yes, plus Letterman is tired. The show always feels the same and the Top Ten List wore out its welcome 15 years ago. Not that Leno is any better. Leno laughs at his own jokes. Which are usually corny as shit. For me, Conan is the only talkshow worth watching. He really makes it fun. You never know what he's gonna do and he makes me laugh out loud. Go Conan!
-
I know not all Americans are the same for f*cks sake, but when a retard like Leno gets more viewers than a freaking legend like David Letterman, it really only contributes to the negative stereotypes. Sorry guys.
-
package of toilet paper you pick up at the market without looking twice. Gotta have it, not abrasive, does the job without having to ponder the colors or patterns.However, calling Letterman hip? He hasn't been hip for almost 20 years. WWP probably had an easy time with the WGA because his "writers" come in once a week, write a set of inane, repetitive jokes that are used for that entire week, and then take off to enjoy a full week's pay. I liked Dave in his prime, but now, if the guests aren't interesting, I switch to Nightline.
-
Jan 11, 2008 6:09:00 AM CST
It's going to take some time for people to change their habits.
by rbatty024
If you tune into Leno at 11:30pm regularly then it might take you a week to figure out you might want to tune to a different channel. Of course, if you watch Leno in the first place you probably don't have much taste. Even an older, less funny Letterman is light years beyond Leno. Leno's jokes are obvious and boring. Letterman's jokes are far more self-referential, oddball, dadaesque, absurd, and post-modern. Granted, he was much better in his prime (dipping himself into a pool of water with an Alka-Selzer suit is classic) but again, he still leaves Leno in the dust.
-
I have lived in three states in which I didn't have cable or satellite because of money. In all three states I had trouble getting CBS and never watched Letterman. I'm sure others have had that problem. Plus, I think a majority of people don't really keep up with the strike so they don't even know Leno is screwing the writers as we speak...
-
was amazing! All those bitches lined up at the end. Probably the best dog show I have ever seen.
-
......suck my cock? Or perhaps you would prefer to kiss my ass. Your choice really. But if faggot and dipshit sheep (whatever the hell that is - is that the lingo they use in nincompoop land these days?) are the best you can come up with by way of a put-down or insult, then I rest my case regarding the moronosity and general stupidity of Leno-haters. I'm here all week whenever you're ready for the cock-sucking or to, you know, KISS MY ASS.
-
...Let's see if we can follow your logic here. You assert that Leno's best bits are stolen from other guys like Stern and yet, Leno is still the better liked and more effective comic of those "stolen" bits? Yeah, that makes a ton of sense. Letterman an innovator? Of what? An annoying silly laugh with hopelessly flaccid one-liners? Seriously, you should really leave the jokes to the professionals.
-
Just like it is fashionable to wail on Star Wars and Lucas, Leno seems an easy mark for those that consider themselves refined viewers. The numbers speak for themselves, Leno has won the late night war ever since Hugh Grant appeared after getting busting with that ugly ass prostitute. There is a serious disconnect with those that would ridicule Leno's brand of humour while glossing over the stupid pet tricks of Letterman.... I personally could not care less for Letterman's constant grinning at his own jokes as if they were funny.
-
So Letterman is no where near as cool. Frank Caliendo's Robin Williams impersonation is Hilarious. Leno should book him. Can he get K.I.T.T. 2008 on the show?
-
Jan 11, 2008 7:57:22 AM CST
America watches AMERICAN IDOL, DANCING WITH THE STARS & Jay Leno
by spyguy
Do I need to connect the Dots of Suckness, people?
-
Letterman is never funny he's just awkward and creepy. People here think that these bits of will-it-float, dave caughting awkwardly, or the electric saw girl are funny and have the arrogance of calling everyone who watch leno instead stupid?? How many hundred times do you need to see the same bits?
this is just stupid and arrogant. Leno is a classic stand up comedian
giving out almost 15 minutes of stand up every night. Dave is in re-runs since the 80s.
-
Or is Paul just too sophisticated for us plebs?!
-
Leno because he is just crap, and Letter man because he has been doing the same thing for years and seems bored himself. The best thing about the Late Show is the writing, not Letterman. Conan is the man though, he is killing it on Late Night without his writers and he is funnier than ever (the best Conan bits have always been the stuff where he is fucking around, particularly the filmed VTs, not the monologue nor the sketches, which rely on the whole 'humor is in the repetiton' concept far too much).
-
Jan 11, 2008 8:08:26 AM CST
Darfur, I think by criticizing Letterman you have pointed out...
by rbatty024
why his audience is more sophisticated. You note that you could care less about Letterman's "stupid pet tricks," but don't note that Letterman himself calls them "stupid pet tricks" (or stupid human tricks as the case may be). This is the exact kind of self-referential mockery that Letterman fans enjoy. He makes fun of conventions even if he is also fulfilling them. It's the Ouroboros phenomena that stamps our post-modern era. It is also why there is more depth to Letterman and why he is more influential on younger comedians like Conan than Leno is. Letterman fans understand this self-referentiality while Leno fans are left scratching their heads. Hence, Letterman fans are more sophisticated than Leno fans.
One other thing, citing whatever film/show makes more money does not indicate quality. This is a fallacy that is used all too often on this site. Just because the majority of people believe it's true does not make it true. At one time the majority of the U.S. believed in slavery, but it was still an immoral institution despite this fact. -
Just a small example of how stupid it is to strike when you don't have much leverage. But keep it up writers... what'll we ever do without more according to jim?
-
style, which middle America prefers to cuddle up to in the late night hours before nighty night time. Letterman has always seemed a little prickly, kind of the anti-talk show talk show. The college crowd that made him big in his CBS days are older and probably watching Leno. Conan just takes the format and has as much fun as he can fill his time slot with. I always chuckle when my mother says she doesn't like Conan because "he makes me nervous".
-
The ratings Variety published are for the 18-49, so you can't blame the older people for weighting in. Plus, they're in bed.
By the way Craig Ferguson in an a whole another stratosphere of funny. -
Seriously, watching Leno is a relaxing and entertaining affair. Many relate to Leno because he is affable and does not take himself too seriously. When a joke bombs he is the first to indicate that. Letterman arrogance is what turns many people off...
-
Even if Letterman is cognizant that his humorous pieces are lowbrow, the amount of mileage that he would get from such a skit is very short. Yet he keeps on doing it..... It is like an artist parodying the small subject matter, in this case cheap gags, over and over again. If the audience is so sophisticated they will undoubtedly say enough already. By hitting us on the head with the same sort of message he essentially is the same as Leno but without the amiability.
-
because Leno has zero self-awareness he's more likable? I guess Leno is more likable if you enjoy watching fawning sycophants. Let me guess, you're also a fan of Inside the Actor's Studio? Besides, not all of Letterman's acts are lowbrow. As I mentioned before they can also be absurdist dadaesque set pieces. However, when they are lowbrow he doesn't just accept it, he also comments on it. I loved when they were using the image of Kevin Eubanks laughing after Letterman told a joke. Classic.
-
I was cracking up when Conan started talking in fake German. His show has been just as good without writers, go conan!
-
best time spinning his wedding ring? Conan wins the "if you make it entertaining, people will watch any damn thing on television" award. I can't wait till he takes over the Tonight Show. An entire viewing audience won't know what hit them...
-
after Dumbfuckistan re-elects a bozo like Dubya, anything is possible.
-
Leno is self-aware enough to understand when some of his joke miss the mark. Granted he does not challenge his guests, but then again this is not 60 Minutes is it? As far as absurdity in Letterman, I do not see it. Letterman seems to be part of the joke rather than a commentator of it... Letterman is no Swift or Pope. He is not some satirist who is commenting on what it takes to make people laugh today. He is merely are chap trying to get people to laugh....
-
... the wingers won't watch anyone else.
-
Jan 11, 2008 8:53:57 AM CST
This is the last piece I need for my Thesis
by nomoredirtyjokespleaseweareyanks
"Undisputable Proof of the Mass Ignorance of Americans and How they are Killing Culture". Thanks general population, I knew you wouldn't let me down
-
is because irony is so '80s?
-
glad aussies don't have leno, crap that we don't have conan, colbert sucks.
-
Craig Ferguson is hilarious. He reminds me of the old, early, low-budget Lettermans from the early 80s and Conans from the early 90s. And he performs his own theme song! How awesome is that?
-
Letterman has become too partisan and that just turns off a segment of the audience. And he does seem awfully crabby and unhappy for a multi-millionaire.
-
First of all, people have some strange ideas about why people watch certain shows. At this point, people like to watch either Leno or Letterman (or -- this may shock you -- they flip back and forth), and much of it is based on which host they like better. At this point, I think material has little to do with it. If you preferred Leno to Letterman when both had writers, you're not going to miraculously decide you like Dave now cuz he has writers. It's stupid to presume that. Personally, I don't HATE Leno, and it's definitly popular to bash him. But, I just don't like the humor on that show. His monologue jokes are all pretty obvious and predictable. I prefer Letterman's often stupid, goofy and just plain weird sense of humor. It may not be cutting edge anymore, but I like the fact that he seems to hate the whole Hollywood worshipping attitude that Leno's show excels in, as the Tonight Show always has. I also prefer Dave's unpolished show. Even after all these years, it still feels like a bunch of people just screwing around in the TV studio. This probably sounds silly to some people but the example someone used was the "Will It Float" segment. Letterman puts it on simply because he thinks it funny BECAUSE it's stupid and pointless. He even once said on his show that others on the show have said it's been done long enough and they should retire the bit. Letterman puts stuff on his show that he thinks is funny. Leno puts stuff on his show that he thinks other people will think is funny.I also like his banter with Paul Schaffer. He occasionally comes out with some casual remark that's damn funny. Or he tries to say something witty, doesn't, and gets laughed at for it. Leno's banter with Kevin Eubanks is a complete waste of time, contributing nothing but Eubanks laughing and laughing and laughing.And finally... applause all around... maybe this counts for nothing, but Carson seemed to like Dave more than Leno. Dave and Paul will occasionally do the Carnac bit as a straightforward homage, and maybe I'm wrong, but I think Carson had to give him permission to use it. Did I have a point when all of this began?
-
Conan is fantastic, then there's also Trailer Park Boys, the greatest tv show ever. That episode with Bubbles and the Ventriloquist dummy is the funniest thing I have ever seen.
-
Making reference to how bad your last joke just was is classic Johnny Carson. Leno and Letterman learned that from him.
-
Now lets get that greenlight for "Ow! My Balls!"!!!!!!!
-
Stern was on last night! Damnit I TeeVooed Leno and Kimmel, just to see Kimmel. Kimmel keeps getting funnier.
-
I used to have cable, but I remember it cut out right at the end of true lies..I'm still shocked to this day, it just disappeared, no more nickelodeon, or nick at night. and now there's CN and toonami, and HBO. but $40 bucks a month isn't something I can afford for cartoons and old episodes of "monkey"..atleast letterman is free to air, but that shit with the phoney phone, where dave answers the phone and talks to the wichita lineman or somethin'.. not funny.
-
Leno/Letterman switchers..yes, we do switch back sometimes depending on the guests. And as old school as it is Lenos "Headlines" can be funny at times (of course, by no doing of his own).
-
Jan 11, 2008 9:33:29 AM CST
Series7 search for it youtube, the best letterman since '97
by ironic_name
stern's funniest appearance on dave. the two were throwing out jokes, it was like jazz they were so good.
-
I watched all the shows on their first night back, mainly out of curiosity. Letterman let the writers turn his show into a bully pulpit with picket line jokes. Most of America doesn't give a furry red shit about the writers strike, they just want their nightly distractions back. Leno and Conan didn't want to come back when they did, but to keep their staffs employed they did it. I fully support both of them.
-
It feels like the old peoples network. Also the letter C looks depressing and having BS in there. Crappy BullShit Network. NBC seems more popular, more important.
-
Jan 11, 2008 10:16:51 AM CST
Will Smith shitfest beats No Country for Old Men at the Box Offi
by inwosuxred
Shock of shocker. I'd also say the Daily Show without writers is terrible, but Colbert is as good as ever.
-
David Letterman is terribly overrated! He has his moments, but they have become fewer and farther between. I think that the Academy loves him because he embraces their political views much more than the Independent (and Republican-friendly) Jay Leno.
-
Just sayin.
Leno has the advantage of the name 'The Tonight Show'...he owes as much of his success to Johnny Frickin Carson than he does his writers or anything else. He's on the 'original'...Letterman use to follow 'the original'...now he competes against it...people stay with 'originals'...it's just that simple.
I watch Letterman's monolog...if he has a crappy first guest...I switch over and see who Leno has...if that guest sucks...I flip over to Kimmel...If that one sucks...I beat off to a picture of Amanda Bynes and pass out.
Unless, of course, Amanda Bynes IS one of the guests...then I just beat off to that.
It will be interesting to see how Letterman does once Conan takes over the Tonight Show. Maybe they can have a "beard war". -
Is that he's just "too" cool. He's like the rich kid at school trying to prove how cool he is by making fun of the other rich kids. He hangs out with the plebs, yet when he goes home it's in a fancy car to a home where the maid cleaned his room and his tutor will help him with his homework. He's actually mocking the plebs he's pretending to be friends with. It's all just phony because he actually thinks he's better than "anyone".
Letterman oozes that fake humility out his pores.
-
Don't get me wrong: Letterman and Stewart do have their moments. And I agree that Letterman is a better interviewer than Leno. But I don't watch the show to simply watch an interview (I could watch that on the morning talk shows). I watch the late night shows to LAUGH. And guess what? I get far more laughs from Jay Leno! And don't get me started on that crock that "Letterman, Stewart and O'Brien are talk shows for a more intelligent audience." That is 100% B.S. I think that the MAJOR DIFFERENCE is that Letterman, Stewart and O'Brien can relate to the CELEBRITIES, while Leno and Colbert can relate to the AUDIENCE.
-
i am a letterman fan, but this guy checked out a couple of years ago. i still watch, but it's almost painful. the writing has sucked for the last few years and dave knows it. he gets bigger laughs making fun of the jokes, then the actual jokes. it's a shame really. since he had his kid, the show has gone down hill.
-
after reading through your comments, it's clear that many of you didn't even read the fucking article. Most shitty drivers think everybody else is a shitty driver. Enjoy American Gladiator fucktards
-
Preview of Oscar night: "And this year's Tom Cruise Award, for Worst Professional Blunder, goes to--the WGA" (canned applause) "They couldn't be here tonight; accepting the award is Tori Spelling..."
Me, I'm going to develop a reality show called "Howdy, Neighbor" (some little rustic hamlet in the mid-West where citizens annoyingly address each other with "Howdy, Neighbor". That's the premise: if it competes against 30 ROCK, it'll draw HUGE ratings). -
Don't forget about Ass the movie!
It's getting to that point folks. -
Cuz I always thought that Leno was celebrity ass-kisser while Dave's much more likely to make fun of 'em.
I'm not gonna speak to what Letterman's thoughts are about other people. I never met the man. But I admit that I, too, will flip around depending on guests, but I find Dave's comedy bits much funnier than Leno's. Headlines is great, though. Of course, in reality, it's all about personal taste. Let's all just agree to watch our respective favorite show until some hot woman comes on the other, then switch back when she's done. Also, switch it if you like their musical guest better. Now we can all be happy. -
LENO=HACK
-
FORGET LENO HE STINKS!
LETTERMAN IS GETTING OLD AS HECK, AND THAT BRIT GUY IS TERRIBLE!
CONAN OWNZ ALL!!! -
Craig Ferguson!!
-
Can someone explain to me why those two are not considered scabs. Or are they? Watching their shows it is obvious they are using writers. I do not understand the strike enough to pick a side, but are we to beleive that those guys are not using writers.
It is obvious Leno is doing the stuff himself, and is always unbearable. Letterman was funny once upon a time, now he just comes across as bored, repetitive, angry and bitter. Conan rules -
You're trying to tell me that Leno who didn't start beating Letterman at the very beginning of his late night career only got this far because of "The Tonight Show?" you've gotta be kidding me. If Leno wasn't funny, had no charisma, couldn't interview a guest, had not guests for that matter, and ran a shit show, I with 100% certainty would guarantee that "The Tonight Show" wouldn't be the #1 late night show on TV.
-
letterman is the only one of the latenight lot that gives of a prick vibe, like he's too cool for school. Not even Conan does this who's the quirkiest and zaniest of them. I could give a shit less about him doing his jokes because HE thinks they're funny, he should just do it in front of his mirror at home, better yet he should remove his lower ribs and suck his own cock to please himself further. I barely crack a smile during his monologues. While people said Leno's jokes are corny, someone once said standup is 90% timing and 10% jokes a standup comedian is just going to deliver over one who's not, like letterman's lifeless corpse. Leno is an awful interviewer but he's getting better, and i dont watch latenight for interviews unless it's a legend/icon there. Not to mention even Conan had to borrow Headlines from Conan. Ferguson is also refreshing, his comedy seems honest, true, genuine. Kimmel might be a good guy but his humor is better on the Man Show. I'd rank them as Conan>Leno>Ferguson>Kimmel>Letterman
-
Conan had to borrow Headlines from Leno
-
His monologues are ok. All he does is gawk at the female guests. He makes fun of a guest's movie after showing the clip. That's rude, classless, and can effect people's opinion of the film in a negative way. You arrogant shit fuck, first off Leno, this job you hold was given to you. You tried you're own show and it sucked so bad there was only one show. Letterman at least started his own show and it became very successful. Letterman is respected among the actors and actresses.I hope one of the 70+ cars you own (you materialistic, cocky, Carson wanna bee, turd) runs over your over inflated giant fucking head.
-
He is too cool for the masses. Leno appeals to the masses because his jokes are derivative and unoffensive just like most popular drivel. Hell, didn't Full House have like 10 seasons or some shit like that. Just because a show is successful doesn't mean it is better.
-
I couldn't agree with you more!!
-
Those that know funny, professional comedians, almost universally think that Letterman is better than Leno.
On a side note, is it just me or does Carson Daly seem marginally funnier WITHOUT WRITERS?? -
...and Leno relates to "normal" Americans. Letterman is certainly a great interviewer. At times, Letterman is extremely funny. But there is no doubt that, in highsight, NBC is glad that they didn't offer THE TONIGHT SHOW to Letterman. Leno is just funny! Perhaps he has the ability to make people laugh because he still frequents various comedy clubs at least four to five nights a week? This certainly has caused Jay Leno to have a great understanding of everyday people. That is why Leno's ratings are so much higher than the ratings of Letterman, O'Brien, and Stewart. Those guys just relate to the fellow celebrities. But the ratings don't lie: Leno is THE late night comedian of the 1990s and 2000s.
-
That is all.
-
Leno gets better ratings for the same reason that some dreadful reality shows get better ratings than many quality shows. It's the same reason that "Rush Hour 3" made more miney than "Shaun of the Dead." Leno appeals to the lowest common denominator of humor. Ratings do not always equal quality.
When it comes to originality, can't hold a candle to Letterman. Can any Leno fans out there list anything truly original that Leno has or had on his show?
-
He wrote his own material and was a stand-up comedian before he was a talk show host. Don't you guys study history?
-
Letterman is for more selective tastes.Both are fine for their target audience.Letterman has more talent in a single hair follicle than Leno has in a lifetime of trying, but falling short.
-
I download Conan and would love to download Mr. Ferguson's show too but I can't find it anywhere. Does anybody know of a site where I can download the show daily ?
-
Jan 11, 2008 11:01:39 PM CST
I've watched both Leno and Letterman since the strike...
by willowfan2001
...and they seem about the same as they were before. Conan, if anything, seems better. So much for those vaunted WGA members. I admit, I haven't caught Jon Stewart or Stephen Colbert yet, and I can't imagine they'll be better than usual, but I bet they'll still be pretty damn funny even without their jokesters. The lesson here, as far as I can see, is that when it comes to talk shows, writers make about as much difference as set designers. I'm sure the same holds for most sitcoms and some dramas, which are basically paint-by-number. Any group of moderately intelligent Americans could turn out a clone series, something that would only suck as much as, say, "Yes Dear" or "Still Standing." People along the lines of Aaron Sorkin, Joss Whedon, Seth MacFarlane...these people are certified geniuses, deserve every penny they make. But just like most small roles could be played by any person fitting the rough description who'd seen something like that character before, most writing gigs could be filled decently by educated fans of the genre. Suck on that. And speaking of MacFarlane, I have this for the Leno bashers, from no less a luminary than Stewie Griffin: "You know, it is so fashionable to take a shot at Jay Leno. Look, the fact is the man is out there every bloody night, with fresh material...and he's charming!" QED, bitches.
-
I was going to quote Stewie on this but before I did I checked to make sure it wasn't already done. Well guess what, I was about ten minutes and two posts late. Thanks a lot. Jackass.
-
Leno and Conan are allowed to write their own monologues. The WGA has no grounds to tell them otherwise, despite the fact that they're trying to do it anyway with Leno right now. And working for your own show, as long as you're staying within the law (which they are), isn't scabbing, you idiot. I bet you think all Leno's guests are scabbing too, don't you?
-
I never liked Letterman's brand of smug "I'm too cool to be entertaining" humor. I'd rather just cut to the chase and actually be entertained. Leno works incredibly hard - when he's not doing the show, he's working the clubs. Letterman's just been getting staler and staler. Look at what Letterman does today as opposed to when he started the show. Look at Letterman's show. One's evolved, one hasn't.
-
Leno did beat Letterman their first three days back. On Monday of this week, Letterman topped Leno.
-
Leno did beat Letterman their first three days back. On Monday of this week, Letterman topped Leno.
-
...and Letterman pundits still take every opportunity to mock both Leno and fans of THE TONIGHT SHOW. I simply feel that Leno's monologue is much better than Letterman's. Leno's comedy is the type that you find in a good Comedy Club -- that is audience-centric. Letterman's comedy is the type you would find on Comedy Central and relates directly to celebrities. No offense, but I have found Dave Letterman to have grown just slightly B O R I N G and tired in his old age. I suppose the ratings prove that either the bulk of the country feels the same way, or (as the Letterman pundits claim) there are a lot of "morons" in this country who like Jay Leno. Get a life, little dickheads. It's just comedy!
-
he lost his funny back when NBC gave the Tonight show to Leno...really, he never got over it, and the audience can tell. Some nights you can tell the only thng keeping Letterman on the stage is his own bruised ego that won't let him quit.
Leno may be a more traditional "safe" comedian..but it really is the smart move on his part, given that the Tonight show has always drawn an older more conservative audience. People born before 1964 are the largest single group in the country...they buy the most, and watch the most...and Leno gives them the comfortable usually safe experience they desire...and that equals ratings.
-
I used to listen to Howard..listened for YEARS...Listened back when Billy West and Jackie made that the funniest show to ever grace the airwaves...I used to watch the channel 9 shows for fucks sake!
But Howard hasn't been funny since Alison left him, Jackie quit, and he became the very sort of Narcissist celebrity he used to mock daily.
I remember how he'd crow about never becoming the guy who got rich, ditched his wife and dated his daughters best friend. Look at him now...self parody.
The only fun thing left on Howards show is betting whether or not Artie will die from a heroin fueled overdose or suicide; the rest is tired bits, sybian rides, and endless stories about his horse faced amazonian gold digging girl friend and their fuckin dog.
-
...though your intentions are good, producers of a show are allowed to do what they want with a script once they buy it. They own it. Its their property. If they want to rewrite it and its not in your contract as a writer that you have first rewrite, they can add or delete any or all the writer's material. They can put giant, flying horsecocks in place in a sceen instead of My Little Pony prancing around if they want. Now, I don't know what Leno's contracts are with his past writers were, but since its his show and his bosses are NBC/Universal and he has no writers on staff presently, he has the right to do what he wants by writing his own material. He's got the power and NBC/Universal is behind him every step of the way. They don't want to lose adversiting sales either. You think any of the corporations give a shit about the writers and their stance? No, they worry about who's going to buy their Brand X product. Does it suck? Yes, but that's just the way it is.
-
because his jokes are so simple a letterman viewer can call the punch line before he says it. There is no real thought involved with any of his monoluge. So Jay you can hire me and I will write your predictable jokes for you.
-
Because his are just so unpredictable and fresh. Derisive snort.
-
.........you really told me off there. Please stop. No, really. You're scaring me. I'm shaking in my little space boots here. No, seriously, I'm wetting my pants in primal fear right now. Really. That was indisputably the come-back and put-down of the year, no wait, of THE CENTURY!!!! For realz. And it wouldn't be topped any time soon. I mean it. After that tongue-lashing, I can fairly say that I'm utterly crushed and will slink away to my little corner to contemplate the rest of my sorry existence. But one thing puzzles me, if you'll indulge my ill-advised curiosity for just a moment. What's this obsession you seem to have with farms (fat ass farms) and farm animals (dipshit sheep)? Given all the "faggot" comments I thought that sucking cock and taking it up the ass was more your kind of thing.........in a, you know, still-in-the-closet and trying-to-compensate by-making-lots-of-homophobic-insults kind of way. Are you actually, or rather, indirectly trying to say that you also often Ram (pun FULLY intended) that little pencil thunder-in-your-pants prick of yours, down a few woolly bleating asses every now and then, as well? Wow. just be careful though; I understand you struck out with the human race and now have to settle for the animal kingdom, but be careful man, you could PICK UP some nasty mad-cow-like disease crap from banging all those sheep and farm animals. (Oh wait, is that how you came up with the dumb-ass name "PickUp" - and here I was thinking that it was short for "PICKED UP a nasty case of IDIOT as I fell down the stupid tree and hit every single branch on the way down". Oh and by the way Cupcake, you still have a sumptuous helping of Kiss-my-ass waiting for you here any time you're done banging sheep and making amateur 4th grade level supposed-insults. Now I'll crawl right back to my little corner and cower in fear as I await what I'm sure will be the most vicious comeback ever dished or witnessed this side of 'dipshit "faggot" fat-ass farm' and 'bla-bla banging woolly Creek smat insult faktori'.
-
....no but seriously. We all know how easy it is for you to lose focus, forget easily and get distracted by all those farm animals so consider it a public service.
-
.......what's wrong there sport? Did someone forget to change your diapers today? Not getting enough attention there, all by your lonesome? Baby wanna bwottle? Why sooo crabby? You sound so bitter like your hero Letterman. Are you also getting your ass kicked everyday, by supposedly 'inferior' competition as well, like he is? EVERYDAY? Night in and Night out? I would be crabby too, I guess. Hang in there though, Cupcake, when I'm done with her I'll send your mommy along shortly to change those stinky diapers. Too bad she wouldn't be able to do much about the moronosity, though. I understand one is born that way.
-
After reading some of the comments in this TalkBack I decided to switch to Leno tonight during one of Letterman's breaks. Leno played a completely unfunny filmed segment in which "Ross the intern" reported on the food for the now-cancelled Golden Globe awards. I guess they didn't have time to film a funnier and more relavent segment
I tell you, every time I watch Leno I realize that most of the stuff he does is a blatant rip off of something Letterman did years ago. I would still like a list of anything on Leno's show that is totally original.
Someone said that Letterman relates better to celebrities than regular people. I don't get that. Letterman has been in more feuds with celebrities than anyone. How can you say he relates to them?
As a USA Today article once pointed out, Leno HAS stars on his show, Letterman MAKES stars on his show. -
It's simple as that.
-
I hate Letterman and leno. They are both really fucking awful interviewers and their jokes are retarded. Conan and Stewart are okay but Jonathan Ross in the UK is the best of the lot.
-
........had to be asked.
-
Leno is funnier than Letterman. Dave is acerbic and cruel. Jay is the guy next door. People don't like to be talked down to or criticized when all they want to do is relax a little before bed. Dave makes that impossible. Leno is friendly and warm, Dave not so much. It's a question of style. No doubt, some people like Letterman better, but he hasn't had anything new since he had a morning show 20 years ago.
-
Leno is funnier than Letterman. Dave is acerbic and cruel. Jay is the guy next door. People don't like to be talked down to or criticized when all they want to do is relax a little before bed. Dave makes that impossible. Leno is friendly and warm, Dave not so much. It's a question of style. No doubt, some people like Letterman better, but he hasn't had anything new since he had a morning show 20 years ago.
-
Leno is funnier than Letterman. Dave is acerbic and cruel. Jay is the guy next door. People don't like to be talked down to or criticized when all they want to do is relax a little before bed. Dave makes that impossible. Leno is friendly and warm, Dave not so much. It's a question of style. No doubt, some people like Letterman better, but he hasn't had anything new since he had a morning show 20 years ago.
-
Leno is funnier than Letterman. Dave is acerbic and cruel. Jay is the guy next door. People don't like to be talked down to or criticized when all they want to do is relax a little before bed. Dave makes that impossible. Leno is friendly and warm, Dave not so much. It's a question of style. No doubt, some people like Letterman better, but he hasn't had anything new since he had a morning show 20 years ago.
-
Leno is nothing but a cheap commercial sellout. Carson thought that Letterman should of took his spot. Johhny kept writing jokes but had no outlet for them. Instead of sending them to Leno and THE TONIGHT SHOW where he worked for 30 years he sends his jokes to Letterman. He'd call the station and give them to Letterman to use in his monologue. The Letterman audience never knew till Johhny died that some of the jokes were Johhny's. Johhny hated Leno. They never got along. Letterman at least gets edgy with certain guests rather then puss out like Leno. Remember the Parris Hilton interview, Madonna. The Hilton interview was fucking brilliant. Letterman was hilarious. Letterman refuses to say anything bad about Leno. LETTERMAN IS THE ONE WHO STARTED LENO. Leno was a regular on Letterman. Leno was truly hilarious back then. "What's you beef?" SO what does Leno do, stabs evereone in the back. The music for the tonight show sucks ass too. Good musicians, Kevin is great but what's her fuckface singing before the breaks, my God, that sucks. No melody, nothing catchy. It's not a skit, it's the show's music. Come up with a memorable theme.
-
Too bad its not on anymore.
-
Definitely not AWESOME!
-
I hate this daily routine from Late Night with David Letterman! I also hate to see the exercises involving that poor oriental guy in the little convenience shop. Why waste our time with such pointless and unfunny things? It reflects the fact that his show if filled with lazy, classless "filler" material. Why can't he try JAYWALKING instead of filling his program with nonsense? WILL IT SINK OR WILL IT FLOAT? David Letterman sank a lllooonnnggg time ago. That's why I watch Leno. He is genuinely funny (in a kindhearted sort of way), less political (vs. Letterman's and Stewart's political cheapshots) and Jay makes the effort to make his show enjoyable. That is why Leno has won the ratings "war" for the past 15 years. Letterman is just stale, and both Stewart and Conan are starting to smell that way (although Conan is clever enough to still make us laugh).
-
How about this? Who did Drew Barrymore decide to flash her tits at? Letterman. End of discussion.
-
is make fun of people's stupidity. How many people do you think that they find on the streets that know the answers to his retarded questions but that they edit it out? They only show the ones that are funny because they have no clue where Australia or some obvious place or who this person is. Leno keeps putting on that gay fucker that tries to interview people. Especially at the award shows. That dude simply needs to shut the fuck up. Not because he's gay, but because he's annoying and hell, probably because he's gay. Letterman has been doing skits since the beginning. 25 years of doing different things. Some are totally classic moments. Leno in the beginning did "Mr. Brain"? and the that gym guy ? I liked Mr. Brain. Other then that he gave up on doing anything creative. He just shows up does the monologue, interviews 3 people and that's it. All the little skits before the first guest sucks bad. And I fucking hate when they keep putting Kevin's head or somebody's head on another person's body in picture and video. It's not funny Leno. It's not even well done. Cheap graphics. Headlines is the best thing The Tonight Show has to offer. And he didn't even write those.
-
That is a depressing skit, sweet fuck just sucks all goodness out of souls leaving a black void, at least with Leno's street skits there's an effort being made. Whenever i flip over to Letterman sometimes the objects around the TV catch my attention, or i'm patiently waiting for the funny and instead hear the dryest shit to waft out of his cankerous mouth while nodding to Paul like it's an inside-joke no one understands as the audience tries thier best to fake-laugh. I don't give a shit how great or bad they were in the past or beginning, this is now and Leno still beats the shit out of that crabby bowl of watery-soup.
-
...not only starred in, but produced, both Charlie's Angels movies. So you can see what shitty kind of taste SHE has.
-
Just wanted to correct that. Not to be confused with the original British game, "Is It Buoyant?" And they do it once a week, not daily. I could come up with some other pointless corrections, but I'm tired.
-
It's true. Those tight ass bastards wouldn't give the joke man what he deserved. But of course Howard the ___ got his!!!! Notice he's not counting his coins anymore. And Herc, don't be a snob. Leno has crushed Davie the god for about 12 yrs. now. Facts speak for themselves. And Leno does work a lot harder than Dave.
-
"Why can't he try JAYWALKING?"
ARE YOU KIDDING ME???!!
Don't you realize that your beloved 'Jaywalking' is a TOTAL RIP-OFF of something Letterman started with Laryy "Bud" Melman in the 80s??
I still can't find ANYONE that can list anything truly original in Leno's show. Don't you think that's strange? Not a single original idea in the whole show.
BizarroJerry, I loved "Is It Buoyant?" almost as much as I like "Will it float?" !!!
-
Look I dont really like any of the talk shows much except the pseudo comedy ones like the Daily and Colbert but the truth is that Letterman is by all reports a bit of a jerk and he certainly comes off that way whenever I've watched his show. Leno is a bit of a sychophant but not in an overly unpleasant way ... he's amiable. Letterman will always have loyal fans but his demeanor doesn't make him the kind of guy that will win a lot of new viewers. Lets face it the scripted written bits are actually the bits most people find cringeworthy in these shows anyway ... it's the unscripted interviews that people prefer.
-
to get his show but NBC chose Leno because the ratings stayed high when he subbed for Johnny, not dropped like when Letterman subbed.
Even back then Leno was pulling in the numbers that Letterman lacked.
Letterman also, when his show was new, demanded it start at 11:00 and no later. If some other show ran over it would have to be stopped so that his show didn't start late. Boy has *that* changed. Guess even the snobbish have to eat a little humble pie once in a while.
-
Greedy fucker.
-
Chelsea's talkfest is buried in a late time slot but her improvised humor is funnier than her taped routines. The show is low budget (her "celebrity" guests include the likes of Scott Baio) but she negotiates the whole thing like a classic B-movie. She sagely played "straight man" to Howie Mandel ("Is this one of those shows where you're obliged to bring a folding chair?") but Chelsea sticks it to a-holes like Britney Spears and Lindsay Lohan (easy targets but the hostess shines).
-
She's so bad. She is not funny at all. Just mean spirited. She's like a kinda hot version of Kathy Griffith.
-
I see it on the E Channel at 1130pm and/or repeats at different times. She's really raw and hilarious. She talented enough that she probably doesn't need to prey on the losers of Hollywood, but "it's sure good fun". These stupid bitches and morons in Hollywood deserve to be ripped apart in the public eye, as it is the food they feed off of in the first place, and Chelsea is the girl just to do it. Check out her show. To bad Chelsea isn't taking over The Tonight Show in 2009, she'd give Leno's old fogy crowd a heart attack. Hopefully she'll take over Letterman's spot when he retires.
-
She'd be a brilliant choice to take over a retiring Letterman (or Leno) but Chelsea may be too "overqualfied" (i.e. too good for prime time). The suits would prefer a douchebag like Jimmy Fallon over a woman. Skywalker, I like your "She's like a kinda hot version of Kathy Griffith." description--but in a good way!
-
...weird, cuz Jay is simply AWFUL. If you're under 50, and prefer that circus-freak to Letterman, you have my deepest sympathies. Leno has the corniest and lamest jokes/bits, and puts on the kneepads for every interview. Letterman's stuff has gotten a bit old, and Paul can make you cringe sometimes, but looking back at all of his great bits over the years (monkey-cam?), and how he was the show to watch when smoking weed, I'll take day anytime. Leno can go play with his 63 motorcycles and cars.....freak.
-
Jan 14, 2008 10:01:37 AM CST
PickedUp - You, of course, being that retarded Letterman fan, ri
by kai_mah'gra
That response of yours was even more crushingly devastating than I feared it possibly could ever be. Oh, What will I do with myself now that I've been pwned like that? I don't know what to do with my life anymore now - I think I lost the will to live after that response.......... (was I laying on the sarcasm a little too thick back ther? Just a little? And it's nice to see that I can blow your mind with such a silly term like nincompoop, which you haven't stopped crowing over since I mentioned it like a billion posts ago. Anything to entertain the simple-minded moron, I guess - or is that, anything can entertain the simple-minded retarded Letterman fan. Oh well, here's something else for you though -
Ass. Mine. Here. Still waiting for you to kiss it. Pucker up, Cupcake - Stat. -
"He wrote his own material and was a stand-up comedian before he was a talk show host" -- and he wasn't funny then, either. I never understood the appeal of Leno. I've watched him on and off over they years and am still waiting for the first laugh...
-
that's soooo uncool. I assume you're a preferred shopper at realdolls.com?
-
Not to mention desperate shit like hiring "stuttering john" to be the announcer, or blaming his failing to thank Carson on the crazy lady he hired to do his dirty work. Also, "Headlines" was called "Small Town News" when Dave did it, but I think it goes back to at least Steve Allen.
-
to be fair Steve Allen invented everything. He used an inventing machine, called the Stevotron, which he ironically invented.
Readers Talkback
User Login
Top Talkbacks
- Whitney Houston 1963 - 2012 -- 383 total posts 380 posts
- New JUDGE DREDD post production footage pops up -- 111 total posts 111 posts
- WTF HOLLYWOOD: SOLARBABIES -- 75 total posts 73 posts
- HANNA's Saoirse Ronan to boss around seven little people -- 71 total posts 68 posts
- Does ‘SNL’ Rhyme With ‘Deschanel’?? Learn Which SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE Vet Hosts After Sexy Zooey!! -- 77 total posts 55 posts
- If the Behind the Scenes Pics of the Day drops her pen, pick it up, but don’t look at her legs or else it will be on your record. -- 54 total posts 48 posts
- There's a STAR TREK video game that is going to lead into JJ's STAR TREK 2 apparently... -- 165 total posts 41 posts
- Herc’s Seen Tonight’s Return Of THE WALKING DEAD!! Discuss Also DOWNTON ABBEY, FEAR FACTOR, PAN AM, ONCE, SIMPSONS, DYNAMITE, LUCK, SHAMELESS, BAIT CAR, THE GRAMMYS And More!! Sunday Is Sweeps Day 11!! -- 41 total posts 41 posts
- To Commemorate The 3D Release Of STAR WARS EPISODE I: THE PHANTOM MENACE, George Lucas Wants You To Know...Greedo Shoots First!! -- 500 total posts 35 posts
- Avid Comic Reader Hercules Does Battle With Tedium During Kevin Smith’s COMIC BOOK MEN! -- 28 total posts 28 posts