Here's a rundown of the show, one element at a time:
* The show opens with an incredibly understated, fairly lame intro package that does nothing to inspire confidence that this is going to be a good night. I'm already feeling nervous about this.
* The set looks nice and classy. Good to see Kevin Eubanks back.
* Leno comes right out and does the monologue and is loose and in good form. Standard Leno material.
* Cut to a Cheaters skit that is predictable but fairly funny.
* Leno intros a package by comic Dan Finnerty who sings a lady through her car wash experience. It doesn't sound like a good idea, but it completely works. It is the first great moment of the night, though it may have gone on just a little too long.
* Seinfeld is the first guest. He is pretty funny and having him and Leno sit in two big chairs (instead of behind a desk with a couch to the side) works well. Nice surprise appearance from Oprah.
* The Obama "interview" is standard Tonight Show fare, but was worth a couple of laughs.
* Kanye West comes out for an INCREDIBLY awkward interview. West seems contrite, but it has that Michael-Richards-awkwardly-apologizing-too-soon vibe to it. It's clear he has a lot of work to do to get his head on straight. Still, it is news-worthy and undoubtedly drew a crowd.
* The musical number by Rihanna, Jay-Z, and Kanye is very good.
* I love Headlines, what can I say? I think that means I'm officially old.
The whole affair felt mostly familiar. It felt more like The Tonight Show than different from it, but it seems like a show that can work in prime time. There were definitely laughs tonight and some good material. There is room to grow, but this was a solid--though safe and familiar--debut. (B+)
1 comments:
I agree on many points, but I thought the set looked like Ricki Lake with the glass doors and neon lights--not so much a fan of that.
-L King
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