I love Jay, and have watched him for all these years before he got pushed off The Tonight Show by NBC (stupid move!!!)
I thought he was nervous last night, and he needs to go back to his shorter haircut. I missed The Tonight Show format ... he needs to interview at a desk, and I thought the skit with Kevin was lame. The car wash skit was funny but too long, the Obama interview was clever and funny, and he always does a good monologue and Headlines. The Kanye interview was a waste of time, and I don't like Rap so I can't judge the musical portion.
I'm sure, with time, they'll work some kinks out, and we'll see if it's what people want at 10 PM. I'm afraid some of his more risque humor will not play in the new timeslot, and his monologue will suffer from that. I really wish he'd gone to another network, and kicked NBC's butt at 11:30, just to repay them for such a dumb move!
I will never watch. I am protesting the loss of 5 hours a week for scripted television. I think NBC is cheap and insane. I have already sent them my feedback, but my real vote is with my eyeballs.
I will never watch. I am protesting the loss of 5 hours a week for scripted television. I think NBC is cheap and insane. I have already sent them my feedback, but my real vote is with my eyeballs.
Isn't all television technically "scripted"? Even reality shows are somewhat scripted.
There's a big difference between scripted shows (dramas and comedies) and "unscripted" or "reality" TV.
One is how many writers are employed and which guild gets to cover them.
Another is how many actors are employed.
NBC's move has left a bad taste in a lot of people's mouths -- they've basically given up the game of being a major network (and really messed up the local broadcasters' revenue stream if Leno doesn't work out, because people will not be tuned to the 11pm broadcast).
Isn't all television technically "scripted"? Even reality shows are somewhat scripted.
I was kind of emphasizing scripted on purpose. Not that I don't love The Amazing Race or Survivor, but when I think of the 10:00 pm slot, I think about wonderful dramas - ER, Hill Street Blues, etc. There might be a few reality shows at 10:00, but isn't that timeslot usually for what I would consider truely scripted TV? Not to mention cutting 5 hours from a week of programming, cuts 5 slots (and the remaining slots are glutted with CRAP).
I watched. I was underwhelmed. The carwash skit was funny but too long. The rest was just the Tonight Show without the desk (and, apparently, a hair stylist on staff). I was disappointed that he let Kanye West talk, but thought that it deserved a setup since a lot of Jay's demographic will have no clue who Kanye is nor what he did that warranted an apology.
I doubt that I'll be a regular watcher. Jay is someone that I used to doze off to, not someone I want to watch in prime time. I can't see this lasting more than a few months.
Okay, just watched the SECOND show ... WAY, WAY better, the only lame part being the thing with Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz. Now if he'll just get that hair cut!
There's a big difference between scripted shows (dramas and comedies) and "unscripted" or "reality" TV.
One is how many writers are employed and which guild gets to cover them.
Another is how many actors are employed.
NBC's move has left a bad taste in a lot of people's mouths -- they've basically given up the game of being a major network (and really messed up the local broadcasters' revenue stream if Leno doesn't work out, because people will not be tuned to the 11pm broadcast).
There aren't many shows that there is a visible difference between scripted and unscripted anymore. But what with all the editing and certain situations, even with the select few, not much comes off as unscripted.
As a viewer, it makes no difference to me how many actors or writers are employed. I don't think that train of thought pertains to most of the viewing audience. Anymore, they all just sort of blur together. Do I still watch it? Heck ya! If I want quality scripted shows, I just turn to HBO or Showtime or watch some of my old favorite reruns of really old shows.
I was kind of emphasizing scripted on purpose. Not that I don't love The Amazing Race or Survivor, but when I think of the 10:00 pm slot, I think about wonderful dramas - ER, Hill Street Blues, etc. There might be a few reality shows at 10:00, but isn't that timeslot usually for what I would consider truely scripted TV? Not to mention cutting 5 hours from a week of programming, cuts 5 slots (and the remaining slots are glutted with CRAP).
I totally get it. I have been a huge Law and Order fan from almost the getgo. I had really been enjoying all the Datelines they had been airing as of late though. It's going to take something truly special to get me back watching primetime television again.
You get Mad Men though; right? I love Mad Men -- absolutely my favorite show on television. I think Dexter is great too. I can't wait to see what they are going to do with this next season.
Who Watched The First Jay Leno Show Last Night?
