Late Night With Jimmy Fallen: A Running Diary

As you know, tonight is Jimmy Fallon's first night as host of Late Night. Being such a special occasion, I have decided to place a running diary of this historic episode. I will be experiencing either the beginning of a new dynasty, or I will be watching a complete and utter disaster as it unfolds.

His Host is Steve Higgens
His House Band is The Roots

12:35 Opening sketch: connan = awsome
C - "Who do you have this week?"
J - "Oh, we have Robert DeNiro, Justin Timberlake, Tina Fey, Drew Berrymore, Ludacris, Bon Jovi, Camron Diaz, Donald Trump, and Serena Williams"
C - "That's great. So, who do you have for next week?"
J - "Next week? um... we have Jarvis..."
C - "Jarvis?"
J - "From Survivor... season one, I think. Um... we also have Right Fred Said."
C - "Uh huh..."

J - "So, are you moving into Jay's office when he leaves...?"
C - "He's never leaving"

12:38 First Joke: always a safe bet to do a Rush Limbaugh joke

12:38 China joke did not land. I hope he rebounds

12:39 California joke was a little unpolished. Apple joke was pretty good. He has started to gain the audience with the ohio joke. Teachers having sex with kids... hilarious.

12:42 audio was off on the mic

12:43 slow jam news... interesting idea - well executed

12:45 HOW THE FUCK DID HE GET THE ROOTS!

12:47 Target Demographic: Blond Mothers - first real sketch... liked the dolphin tatoo joke, but this whole thing was a little bland and pretty short.

12:53 People Licking stuff for $10. Who knew that game Andre and I play would make it on the show. Only thing is, no genitals are involved.
Zach is licking a lawnmower... so dirty. Loved the slow-mo.
Jackie is licking a copy, scanner, printer. Lot of tongue action.
goldfish bowl is next. He really seems to be auditioning for some of the ladies out there.

12:58 All in all, this would be a decent time filler if it wasn't the first episode. It felt kind of like a last minute "We got nothing else... have them lick something!" addition. That is kind of weird for a first episode.

1:01 Robert DeNiro is his first guest. Score. Let's see how he holds his own. He did get a lot of face time with stars like him on SNL, so he might not blow it.

1:02 He is blowing it...

1:04 Crap! I mentioned SNL for one second, and he began to laugh.... I think I just jinxed him.

1:06 Rebounded nicely! did a DeNiro impersonation in front of him... the balls

1:07 Was that it? that was just over seven minutes. It consisted of Jimmy asking him how he was, did he live in New York, and a lot of sweating on Jimmy's part. I just read that Jimmy asked DeNiro to be on his show because he is such a tough interview. What?

1:12 They are back, fake movie. Space Train. Still reading those cue cards Jimmy?

1:13 DON'T WORRY... DeNiro SLAPPED THE SHIT OUT OF HIM

1:14 And we are back on commercial. Really?! that was only 90 seconds.

1:14 [lot's of skin commercials. Gold Bond, Vasoline, Secret. Hey, Jimmy Fallon commercial. His niece is 9, but she thinks her uncle is awesome]

1:18 Justin Timberlake has arrived. He looks like he is 20 when he is clean shaven.

1:19 The Roots?! still can't believe it.

1:19 sexual favors to get a Barry Gibb autograph

1:21 a little unexpected... small impromptu singing session. Timberlake calls Robert DiNero Bobby... kind of weird.

1:22 Holy shit!!! Justin Timberlake is Keifer Sutherland from phone booth.

1:24 The roots playing with Justin Timberlake as "John Mayer". hilarious... they are completely tearing him a new one.

1:25 Bud Lite Lime is the sponsor... more singing. This time Timberlake is now singing as "Michael McDonald". That could really be a commercial.
"Every time I drink Bud Lite, I wish that there was some lime. Having lime would be so nice"

1:29 Van Morrison is performing. I would rather have seen the roots. Seriously, how the hell did he get the roots?

1:34 Performance is over. I don't get it. You have the roots. What age demographic cares about van morrison. I would rather have some unknown local artist that a famous singer who is past his prime.

1:36 Carson Daily is on location this episode. While I admit, he isn't a great late night talkshow host, the man knows good music. He is dedicating the entire episode to unknown artists.

1:38 This girl should have been on Late Night. Her name is Melanie Fiona. She has opened up for Kanye West, but she hasn't even released an album yet. That is the kind of artist that should be on Jimmy Fallon, which is weird, cuz i just said that.


Now that the show is over, it wasn't bad. It wasn't great or anything, but I will certainly give him a chance to get his feet wet. It is a big role to fill, and no amount of online blogging can account for the pressures of hosing a late night talk show. He is a likable guy, and hopefully, his interviewing skills will improve over time. He did much better once Justin Timberlake arrived. I have a feeling he will be more prosperous with younger guests.

The only complaint I have involves Van Morrison. You have the Roots, use them. I don't think DeNiro was a good choice, but the man is a legend. He is better suited for the Jay Leno crowd. Hopefully, the producers were just trying to pull in older demographics for the first show.

Well, that is it for now. Goodnight everybody.

My Long Goodbye

As many of you know, our family had to say goodbye to a beloved member of our family this week. This got me thinking... What would I want played at my funeral?

Fun topic, right? I know, it probably sounds a little morbid, but who cares. Here is this weeks playlist.

1. Somewhere Over The Rainbow/What a Wonderful World - Israel Kamakawiwo'ole
2. The Lure Would Prove Too Much - The Twilight Singers
3. Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel) - Billy Joel
4. Really Gonna Miss You - Smokey Robinson
5. Time After Time - Eva Cassidy

And my "Why the F*#k Not!" song is...

6. The Body Of An American - The Pogues