Heeeeeere’s Jimmy

Some of my most vivid memories as a child are of watching Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show. I’ve been a late nite kat since day one. Johnny was the smoothest dude in the room, always, and no one has done it better since. Many have tried and failed horribly; Chevy Chase, Keenen Ivory Wayans, Pat Sajak, and perhaps the biggest traveshamockery Magic Johnson.  There were those that had a good run; Arsenio and Bob Costas. Those that have have crept into the mainstay; Jimmy Kimmel, Carson Daily and Craig Ferguson. And the two who have valiantly carried the torch from Carson; David Letterman and Conan O’Brien. Jay Leno, as far as I’m concerned, has tainted the thrown.  It was just announced NBC will shake up their primetime line-up with a talk show hosted by Leno. Let the taint continue. Conan’s replacing Leno, and although I haven’t tuned in much of late, I’m interested in  how he’ll brings his quirky off-the-wall style into the coveted time slot. I’m also quite interested in how newcomer, Jimmy Fallon, will fill the seat Conan has flourished in.   

I’ve just discovered Fallon’s video blog on the show’s web site http://www.latenightwithjimmyfallon.com.   The videos thus far have composed of his typical SNL style comedic stylings, providing viewers with the show’s updates, stage progress, show staff and most exciting announcement thus far; his house band being The Roots.  The people creating Late Night with Jimmy Fallon are capitalizing on the social media market tip by creating accounts with flickr, Facebook, Youtube, Twitter, etc. This should create a solid buzz leading up to the show’s debut, which is still yet to be determined. 

However, a solid buzz alone doesn’t always make for a happy high.  Fallon will have to build a loyal audience base, then utilize that relationship to take some risks.  I think the incorperation of the interwebs is obviously a pertinent and necessary tactic. Other necessary tactics are carrying a monologue, conducting an interview and creating a bridge to the audience.  To see how successful he is at that, we’ll just have to stay tuned.