MovieChat Forums > The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (1992) Discussion > Jimmy is funny and I like the show but,

Jimmy is funny and I like the show but,

posted 11 years ago by supercygnus
7 replies | jump to latest

I miss Jay. It could be the plane captain thing. You like to know the guy flying the plane doesn't look like a peer. Maybe it's because as I've watched the host was always significantly older than me so it's comforting having a "Dad" type presence on the Tonight Show (and Jay wasn't "cool" but he was a comforting presence, which usually the case when you don't have to be worried about trying to remain cool) and/or maybe because the fact that the set seems so different than the previous shows (you can feel the New Yorkness) but it feels a little alien. It's probably both things plus the previous shows kept the LaLa land illusion alive (which is the way I like to to think of it, and not the most likely depressing reality of Hollywood) that made it all kind of relaxing at night. Late Night seems better suited for the more inside east coast style, but then I never saw the show when it was on the East coast years ago. Jay made me laugh even though the show wasn't as sharply written as many of his contemporaries. Don't get me wrong though, I really like Fallon. The guy is likable and funny. I just miss Jay and was curious if anyone else does too or am I just going to get a lot of trolls raging because someone under 40 doesn't damn him?

[–] FangsMcWolf 11 years ago

I miss Jay as well but let's face it, he was going to have to leave at some point. I still think that NBC handled this all wrong though. Instead of the way they ended one and started the other, they should have had times when Fallon would guest host in place of Leno (and Myers filling in for Fallon on those same nights). Not only let Fallon get his feet wet with TTS, but also be able to get a sense for how he will do as the host, a sense of what the ratings will be, etc. After several months of that, have him starting to fill in for a week at a time. After a total of a couple of years (instead of only one year), do the switch. By that time, Fallon will have had time to get feedback on what people liked (or not) about his guest hosting and also could have won over some Leno fans.

Look at how Leno became the host of TTS. He was guest hosting for Carson for awhile, so if he wasn't going to be a good fit, they would have known before giving the show to him. You would think they would have learned from the Conan fiasco that they shouldn't just drop someone into the seat and say "PUT THE PEDAL TO THE METAL!" For real, had they made it a gradual move, it would have been better overall. The guest hostings would have helped to bring in some extra ratings (knowing Fallon is supposed to take over, his guest hosting would have been the reason), feedback after hosting could have helped him to learn what does and doesn't work. Also, again, Leno fans would have been able to get used to Fallon over time, so when he took over, they would already have a feel for how he is and be more accepting. Since Leno fans would have had a chance to 'bond' to the upcoming host, it would seem more natural and worked out highly in Fallon's favor.

As for Myers. I dunno, I have a feeling he is going to tank. His voice just doesn't strike me as being that of a talk show host. Who knows, maybe he will pull it off. If not, then see if Leno will work it. That would definitely be wild, Leno hosting Late Night, which in turn would have Leno fans staying with TTS to watch him. Suddenly, Fallon gains some of the Leno fans and cements his ratings even when Leno leaves. :D

[–] megafauna005 11 years ago

We all miss Jay. He is the KING of the monologue while Fallon SUCKS with his stupid dancing!

Jesus NEVER existed! He is Judeo Christian MYTH!

[–] FangsMcWolf 11 years ago

megafauna005 (Wed Mar 5 2014 04:15:26)
We all miss Jay. He is the KING of the monologue while Fallon SUCKS with his stupid dancing!

Please don't try to associate missing Jay with your obsessive hatred of everyone else.

[–] supercygnus 11 years ago

Yeah these posts don't always have to crazy negative

[–] megafauna005 11 years ago

I am telling the truth and am entitled to my opinion. Fallon ' s dancing is incredibly stupid and his monologue sucks compared to Jay. Bring Jay back!

Jesus NEVER existed! He is Judeo Christian MYTH!

[–] FangsMcWolf 11 years ago

megafauna005 (Mon Mar 10 2014 08:40:50)
I am telling the truth and am entitled to my opinion. Fallon ' s dancing is incredibly stupid and his monologue sucks compared to Jay. Bring Jay back!

Just because YOU think/feel that way doesn't mean what you say is true or accurate.

Fallon is cool, his dancing isn't stupid (except when it's supposed to be but then that's on purpose so that doesn't count) and his monologues don't suck. You can't really compare how he is doing things to the way Jay did things because they each have their own style. Each are talented and great hosts in their own way. I am a Leno fan myself, but I believe Fallon is a good host for taking over the show. The way Leno said bye this time, I get the feeling that he knew Fallon would do well and it wouldn't be another Conan fiasco. He knew it was indeed the end of his run on the show. It had to come sometime and while I wish it had been another year or two down the road, at some point it was going to happen. He knows it and I have a feeling he's happy for Fallon. Fallon turned out to be a great host, despite his first week of hosting Late Night.

Would be awesome if Leno were to guest host on the show once in awhile. Like if Fallon needed a day or week off or something, instead of doing a repeat, keep having new episodes, like when Carson was host. Not only keep Leno fans happy, but would be a way of showing support for each other (Leno for Fallon by filling in, commenting how well Fallon is doing and even making jokes like, "No I haven't taken over the show again, Fallon just asked me to fill in for him so he could have some time off." Fallon showing that he admires and trusts Leno by asking him instead of others to fill in).

Don't get me wrong, as much as I'm giving Fallon kudos, I still like Leno and consider him to be as worth of the show as Carson was. (Carson was the best of course, but Leno did the show justice.) I'm sure Fallon will end up successful as well.

[–] supercygnus 11 years ago

That is a really good point fangs. It was pretty common practice for guest hosts to come in. Joan Rivers did it until she jumped shipped for her own show and obviously Jay did it as well. It would have made the transition a bit more seamless, but on the other hand the network seemed to be going for a major departure. New host, band, set....state! Perhaps that was the plan. Maybe they felt would have been more of an event and not a continuation.