News Update

One of the great things about being ridiculously rich, world famous and owning every car that ever caught your eye, is that the downside never looks that steep.  Despite weeks of public reservation from the NBC executives, and even a little harsh reality dished out by Leno himself, when the fans warmly embraced Leno on his patent monologue stage Jay inauspiciously got to work banging out a predictable monologue that half the audience could have written out the night before.  But that’s Leno.  What most people missed was Jay showing us a glimpse of the one thing that might make him compete in the Drama-rich time slot.  The Jay Leno Show has a shot – 51 weeks to see how it plays out.  

The message is clear at NBC, and everyone appears to be on message.  Be calm and realistic, downplay any initial success, this show has months to determine.  NBC hasn’t owned much of Leno’s new time slot.  Their News and talk shows are successful, and Jay’s paid his rent for a long time.  Not to mention Leno owns the show, so the risk is minimized.  As for the boss, Mr. Leno didn’t appear the least bit concerned, a picture of a performer at ease in his role.  However, the reality is that it will be an uphill battle if The Jay Leno Show is really going to compete in Primetime.   

The Jay Leno Show opened with Leno’s obligatory monologue.  Most of us have seen his monologues enough and, and are barraged by the same media storm as Jay and his writers.  It isn’t hard to predict what his routine is going to consist of — yeah, know that really popular story you’ve all been hearing about, this is why it’s funny.  It’s the late night talk show host’s shtick, and their fans would be livid if they abandoned it. Much of the show was drawn right from the Tonight Show.  Jay’s goofy clips that America loves, a music act, and a couple of guests were all there. The Dan Band carwash clip was hysterical, and if you don’t agree, then I just don’t know who you are anymore.  While most of the reviews of the show have been critical of this resemblance and have overlooked that which I had never seen before.  Jay asked a hard question.  I mean a damn-near-made-a-grown-man-cry hard question.  Jay also gave a young man a chance to display humility.  Something Kanye desperately needed in order to move on with his life.  

Most importantly Jay Leno added the one thing that might compete if he’s going to play in the Drama Dominated 10 o’clock time slot.  America loves Drama, that’s why clips of what Kanye West did are being splashed all over the news, Internet, and radio waves.  Americans love comedy, but their junkies for witnessing Drama unfold before their eyes.  This is Drama’s time.  You Know What?  Jay was good at it, which gives him a fighting chance.  

When the Greeks and Romans spoke of Tragedies and Comedies, the only discerning trait between the two was the ending.  The Greeks and the Romans had a great passion for hedonism and entertainment.  Their documentation of their imaginations as well as their history and philosophy, created the inspiration for many contemporary stories.  The reason their plots and themes have been reused throughout history is that they understood every great story has comedy and tragedy.  The Jay Leno Show Watch is on 51-weeks to go.

News Update

While the Nation gears up for his primetime return, the Face of Late Night Television is “hopefully optimistic.”  Jay admitted to Reporters “I don’t know what TV is anymore.” While the fans of comedy celebrate the move to primetime, the success of Jay’s new show is less than certain.

News Update

In one fell swoop Bill Maher called out President Obama for cowardice, dubbed the Democrats “pussies,” and determined that 30% of the country is stone cold crazy.  Maher’s tirade ended with a presidential plead: “What we need now Mr. President is an Asshole,” and uproarious applause from the other 70% of the country.

News Update

Tina Fey Wins Emmy for best guest actress in a comedy.  Fey received her award at the Creative Arts Primetime Emmys.  She will have to wait until Friday to find out if a repeat for best actress in a comedy will occur at the Emmys main ceremony. Fey’s Impression of Palin, captured the attention of the country, the ire of her Republican parents, and maybe even the envy of the former candidate herself.