Jay Leno Show - After Two Months
Does Jay's New Primetime Gig Have What It Takes To Succeed?
Nov 3, 2009
It’s been two months since The Jay Leno Show premiered in September 2009, at 10:00 PM on NBC. Since that time, critics have had a field day slamming Jay’s new home in prime time. Actors, producers, directors, and writers have lamented the loss of original scripted dramas that once aired in the timeslot.
Viewers initially flocked to the show in early September, with the debut show posting almost 18 million viewers. Gradually, once the curiosity and media exposure settled down, ratings have tended to be in the 5 million viewer range. Football games, the World Series, and new scripted programs on rival networks have also affected viewership.
So, after two months and approximately 35 episodes, how does The Jay Leno Show stack up?
Jay's Monologue
Beginning with the show’s introduction, Jay walks out to greet his audience, exactly like his former gig on The Tonight Show, and continuing his “man of the people” persona. Thus, he sets himself apart from the other late-night talk show hosts, making the viewer feel a certain kinship to him. Jay appears to be approachable and down-to-earth, attributes that no doubt led to his reign of late night since 1995.
He delivers a monologue generally lasting no longer than ten minutes. Nothing is different there from his former gig. Some jokes work, other do not. He does not adopt a political stance, preferring to poke fun at both sides of the political spectrum. Short video sketches, no longer than one minute, accompany each monologue, often inserting Jay or bandleader Kevin Eubanks as goofy characters.
Where Is Fred Willard?
For fans of The Tonight Show With Jay Leno, comedian Fred Willard is sorely missed. He would appear during the monologue, usually in a remote video as a foreign dignitary or other newsworthy icon. Often breaking character and departing from the script, his interaction with Jay could lead to hilarious results. Hopefully Jay will consider bringing him back, because his presence elevates any sketch.
Once the commercial break begins, a McDonald’s Monopoly Challenge is introduced by Jay. Its only purpose is to bring advertising revenue into the show, and seeing it night after night becomes incredibly annoying.
Hamish And Andy: Two Hilarious Comedians From Australia
After the break, a comedy skit airs. Around six minutes in length, these segments often enable struggling, young comedians to get more exposure. Some are truly memorable, including the Ghosting skit performed by Australians Hamish and Andy, and the Girl Talk in Harlem videos by gifted comedienne Marina Franklin.
For the Ghosting skit, Hamish and Andy take turns sneaking up behind people in the street, and then following them as close as possible until the unsuspecting person realizes someone is behind them. The comedians play the Ghosting game very seriously, with plenty of laughs ensuing.
Marina Franklin: That Girl Is Funny
Marina Franklin, probably best known for NBC’s Last Comic Standing, has the Girl Talk in Harlem segments. In these, she travels to a beauty shop in Harlem, assuming the role of a straight woman, letting the black women of the salon offer their funny, pointed, and sometimes outrageous comments on current happenings. She has a bright future on the horizon.
Nick Thune is another new comedian who has appeared several times on the show. With guitar in hand, he delivers his comedy monologue in deadpan, always getting laughs.
On the other hand, some of the comedy skits featuring younger comics simply fall flat. One wonders how some of them got on the air. This only provides additional ammo for critics of the show.
The Jay Leno Show continues to offer the perfect vehicle for Jay Leno's comedy, yet some alterations are needed. To read the conclusion of this discussion, please click here.
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