I agree. So underrated. He was quick and creative and quite funny. We saw him last month at the Improve in Addison TX. Still funny. Conan O Brien is as well, the few times I've seen him. The rest come across as tired company hacks who simply echo whatever narrative pleases the bosses. They aren't interested in entertaining anyone.
There's a college course I teach called Foundations of Television. Every term I ask my students if they watch late night television. The answer is almost always a resounding "no." The main reasons they state are less about the shows being unfunny and more about how they can see the highlights on YouTube! They are not used to just sitting down to watch a show with monologues and guests that don't mean anything to the. They'd rather get the high points. Not a surprise!
I was thinking the same thing, the fact that the clips consistently have millions of views. I’m amazing anyone at all is watching this garbage but it makes sense that the kids are only watching the clips. The question is if this is enough to sustain an otherwise unsustainable business model.
That’s kind of how I was. Back in the 80s, I watched Carson’s opening monologue and maybe his routine before his first guest. I only stayed up if it wasn’t a school night or maybe if it was a guest I liked (Joan Rivers, Rodney Dangerfield, Richard Pryor, Bob Eucker, a few others).
I would lean in with Dan Pal. It's a tough call when you're 18-54 demographic has been raised by and for the Internet. Sure, my parents stayed up late to watch Johnny Carson (I mean, who didn't?) and for a long time as kid-tween, I wanted to be with them, doing the grown-up thing. I eventually graduated to Carson and then Leno, but having lived this long, I do have to agree the landscape has changed immensely. A lot of the pointed satire back then wasn't done by the hosts; it was the stand-up comics who Carson brought on: Carlin, Rivers, Brenner, Letterman, Pryor and of course the master, Robin Williams. Ironically, the only way to view the golden age of television is by watching clips (or if copyright permits) entire episodes of Carson & Co. Jonathan Winters? Side-splitting! And my favorite ep, which should be required viewing by any talk show host: 1969 on the Tonight Show with Bob Hope, Dean Martin, Buddy Rich, Carol Wayne, George Gobel, Judy Carne and Robert Wagner. The clip to end all clips.
Isn’t that the entire schtick of Colbert though? “Conservatives bad! Look how dumb they are” Not only is it not funny, he’s been reduced to a one-trick pony. I have no idea how it still works.
I haven't been amused with late night talk shows since Craig Ferguson left. I came of age in the day when late night shows smacked more of the Rat Pack than Meet the Press. Carson always hit both sides of the aisle, so did Leno. Letterman became a bitter old man and while his early years were fun, I stopped watching as he decayed. Conan O Brien was an is still hilarious. Craig Ferguson is so underrated and we like him enough to see him live five times. The current offerings are like going to lectures with strident liberal aunts. If I wanted to do that, I would do it.
They're all NPCs at this point, right? Some govt "agency" hands them some talking points while pretending to not pay (our) money to make sure they only push the preferred narrative. The nadir of this phenom has to be Colbert's execrable "Vax Scene" skit. May they all sink slowly into the sea of irrelevance.
Oh, they are playing characters alright. It’s called being the front man. They know who butters their bread, and it’s not the audience. They all know how to please the ones who sign the checks.
Comedy is many times ridicule of an individual or institution based on fact. The current late night participants try to be funny through attack, sometimes malicious, based on personal or prevailing opinion. It isn’t funny, and no one laughs, they just agree and clap. Johnny Carson, Letterman (in his early days), Leno, Ferguson, Cavett, nor their guests ever attacked anyone.
The world and late night talk shows have changed so much. I used to enjoy watching all the shows back 25 years ago, but none today. Do you guys miss Larry King too?
Both Jay Leno and David Letterman drew good ratings even though they were rivals ... in fact, they infamously competed for the same job (Tonight Show). Conan came along a bit later. I would say that Larry King's show wasn't in the same genre. His was more a news-oriented interview. No audience. No band. No skits. Just interviews. But he was good.
Ferguson was the absolute best. The current bunch should just deport themselves like they promised. I’d rather watch late night reruns of Seinfeld or Charlie sheen.
Largely agree with all of these takes. Did Kimmel having kids himself dull his edge? He’s had them and his wife on and (despite her being a writer) it’s just a yawn. I saw “Colbert Report” live 15 years ago and was worried I’d have to perform to “laugh now” signs as an audience member but I actually ended up having to suppress laughter for fear of ruining the taping, it was that fucking funny. Fast-forward to him thinking that popping on “Biden, amirite?” aviator glasses rightfully garners him adoration and multi-millions in salary and I’m just over it. The most salient point in the “Gutfeld!” part of the analysis may be “captive audience”—I don’t mean this politically or to denigrate the guy but I have seen recaps of the “jokes” on that show and I have literally just sat blinking in bafflement, to the point that I wouldn’t know it was comedy without being told it was supposed to be. Fallon is a talent, his impersonations may actually be a bit unsung but you are absolutely right that his show is pandering. I watch Maher for his bits which are about 10% of “Real Time” (whoever writes his puns is a genius) but the rest of the show is people increasingly escalating their vocal tones to court applause.
I think the whole medium has sailed. And possibly sunk.
Craig Ferguson was the best.
I agree. So underrated. He was quick and creative and quite funny. We saw him last month at the Improve in Addison TX. Still funny. Conan O Brien is as well, the few times I've seen him. The rest come across as tired company hacks who simply echo whatever narrative pleases the bosses. They aren't interested in entertaining anyone.
My students used to say that I was random, and that's how I think of Craig Ferguson.
There's a college course I teach called Foundations of Television. Every term I ask my students if they watch late night television. The answer is almost always a resounding "no." The main reasons they state are less about the shows being unfunny and more about how they can see the highlights on YouTube! They are not used to just sitting down to watch a show with monologues and guests that don't mean anything to the. They'd rather get the high points. Not a surprise!
We have a national attention-span crisis. Nevertheless, I'm with them. I'd rather stick an ice pick in my ear than watch Colbert.
The only reasons I watched were for the bands and the stand up comedians. I can see both more easily on Youtube. BTW, I'm 68.
I was thinking the same thing, the fact that the clips consistently have millions of views. I’m amazing anyone at all is watching this garbage but it makes sense that the kids are only watching the clips. The question is if this is enough to sustain an otherwise unsustainable business model.
That’s kind of how I was. Back in the 80s, I watched Carson’s opening monologue and maybe his routine before his first guest. I only stayed up if it wasn’t a school night or maybe if it was a guest I liked (Joan Rivers, Rodney Dangerfield, Richard Pryor, Bob Eucker, a few others).
You can say the same about SNL. It was ALWAYS 30 minutes too long. I haven't watched a full 90 minutes in decades.
The least funniest pieces were in the final 30 minutes.
I would lean in with Dan Pal. It's a tough call when you're 18-54 demographic has been raised by and for the Internet. Sure, my parents stayed up late to watch Johnny Carson (I mean, who didn't?) and for a long time as kid-tween, I wanted to be with them, doing the grown-up thing. I eventually graduated to Carson and then Leno, but having lived this long, I do have to agree the landscape has changed immensely. A lot of the pointed satire back then wasn't done by the hosts; it was the stand-up comics who Carson brought on: Carlin, Rivers, Brenner, Letterman, Pryor and of course the master, Robin Williams. Ironically, the only way to view the golden age of television is by watching clips (or if copyright permits) entire episodes of Carson & Co. Jonathan Winters? Side-splitting! And my favorite ep, which should be required viewing by any talk show host: 1969 on the Tonight Show with Bob Hope, Dean Martin, Buddy Rich, Carol Wayne, George Gobel, Judy Carne and Robert Wagner. The clip to end all clips.
I miss Craig Ferguson.
He's on tour in the US. We saw him last month. He came in playing a bagpipe. Still hilarious.
Oh, I’d love to see him. Looking to see if he’ll be anywhere near me. Thanks!
Actually, GenZ just doesn’t think ANYTHING is funny anymore, unless it’s cruel and directed at their enemies.
Isn’t that the entire schtick of Colbert though? “Conservatives bad! Look how dumb they are” Not only is it not funny, he’s been reduced to a one-trick pony. I have no idea how it still works.
I haven't been amused with late night talk shows since Craig Ferguson left. I came of age in the day when late night shows smacked more of the Rat Pack than Meet the Press. Carson always hit both sides of the aisle, so did Leno. Letterman became a bitter old man and while his early years were fun, I stopped watching as he decayed. Conan O Brien was an is still hilarious. Craig Ferguson is so underrated and we like him enough to see him live five times. The current offerings are like going to lectures with strident liberal aunts. If I wanted to do that, I would do it.
They're all NPCs at this point, right? Some govt "agency" hands them some talking points while pretending to not pay (our) money to make sure they only push the preferred narrative. The nadir of this phenom has to be Colbert's execrable "Vax Scene" skit. May they all sink slowly into the sea of irrelevance.
The Vax Scene skit was the worst bit I've ever seen on television.
I saw it later online. It made me want to tear my own eyes out.
Oh, they are playing characters alright. It’s called being the front man. They know who butters their bread, and it’s not the audience. They all know how to please the ones who sign the checks.
Comedy is many times ridicule of an individual or institution based on fact. The current late night participants try to be funny through attack, sometimes malicious, based on personal or prevailing opinion. It isn’t funny, and no one laughs, they just agree and clap. Johnny Carson, Letterman (in his early days), Leno, Ferguson, Cavett, nor their guests ever attacked anyone.
Clapter is a great neologism
Good riddance
The world and late night talk shows have changed so much. I used to enjoy watching all the shows back 25 years ago, but none today. Do you guys miss Larry King too?
Both Jay Leno and David Letterman drew good ratings even though they were rivals ... in fact, they infamously competed for the same job (Tonight Show). Conan came along a bit later. I would say that Larry King's show wasn't in the same genre. His was more a news-oriented interview. No audience. No band. No skits. Just interviews. But he was good.
Too long and too slow.
Ferguson was the absolute best. The current bunch should just deport themselves like they promised. I’d rather watch late night reruns of Seinfeld or Charlie sheen.
He was the best. So underrated and so talented.
When death of late night talk is examined it will be determined it was a suicide
Late night TV is for slackers. Go to bed on time so you can get up early enough to make a difference in the world.
the audience claps for their jokes instead of laughter. Boring AF
The audience claps because a person holds up a sign and tells them to clap, laugh, etc. it is not spontaneous.
Largely agree with all of these takes. Did Kimmel having kids himself dull his edge? He’s had them and his wife on and (despite her being a writer) it’s just a yawn. I saw “Colbert Report” live 15 years ago and was worried I’d have to perform to “laugh now” signs as an audience member but I actually ended up having to suppress laughter for fear of ruining the taping, it was that fucking funny. Fast-forward to him thinking that popping on “Biden, amirite?” aviator glasses rightfully garners him adoration and multi-millions in salary and I’m just over it. The most salient point in the “Gutfeld!” part of the analysis may be “captive audience”—I don’t mean this politically or to denigrate the guy but I have seen recaps of the “jokes” on that show and I have literally just sat blinking in bafflement, to the point that I wouldn’t know it was comedy without being told it was supposed to be. Fallon is a talent, his impersonations may actually be a bit unsung but you are absolutely right that his show is pandering. I watch Maher for his bits which are about 10% of “Real Time” (whoever writes his puns is a genius) but the rest of the show is people increasingly escalating their vocal tones to court applause.
I think the whole medium has sailed. And possibly sunk.