The Fall TV Season So Far - Talk Shows

There are a bunch of talk shows on the air right now, mostly because they are cheap to produce. Here's a look at the throng:

Jay Leno - For those of you who read this blog semi-regularly, you know I was among the few who thought the Jay Leno Show started well. I thought the first episode showed promise. Since then, though, I have to be honest and join the throngs who think this was a big mistake. Leno seems defeated and discouraged. The whole enterprise has become tedious and almost unwatchable. There is no wonder the show has lost nearly all its audience. If they want to salvage the show, they need to get an entirely new writing staff, get better guests, and rework the format entirely. (D+)

Conan - Conan has worked out some of the early jitters and seems to have a sense of confidence in his new gig. There have been some good moments, but the show is a pretty big disappointment for me. When he's really clicking, he's great, but those moments are the exception rather than the rule. The trend seems to be in the right direction, though, so I am still hopeful. (B-)

Jimmy Fallon - I must admit I don't stay up that much to watch Fallon like I used to with Conan, but he makes for an affable host and has a nice rapport with his guests. He seems like a good choice for the program and my guess is that he will be there for a long time. (B)

Jimmy Kimmel - Last year, Kimmel seemed to peak, but hasn't been able to hold onto the creative mojo he had going. This isn't a show you look forward to seeing, but one that you might watch if you are channel surfing. It's not bad, but he seems to be trending in the wrong direction. (B-)

Craig Ferguson - I've never watching the show much until this year, but I have to admit that Ferguson may be one of the most talented guys on all of television. He has a sharp mind and a remarkable wit that makes him a joy to watch. If you haven't checked out the show yet, it's worth setting your DVR to record it for a few nights. (B+)

Wanda Sykes - She's a funny person, but her debut was entirely forgettable and wouldn't make you want to watch it again. She seemed scripted and stilted and she lost a lot of her spontaneous humor that should make you glad she has her own show. (C+)

Letterman - Dave started his uptick before his little scandal and since then, he has only done better. He had gotten lazy with his monologues and the character bits were abysmal, but the show has definitely gotten much better in the past half year. (B)