Thursday Night TV and Open Thread

By Jeralyn, Section Media
Posted on Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 07:03:25 PM EST
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The late show wars have ended: Conan O'Brien gets $30 million, his staff $12 million and Jay Leno will be back hosting the Tonight Show in the 11:35 PM ET time slot.

I'm not a regular late night TV watcher (not surprising, given how much prime time I watch) but when I do watch Letterman or Leno, it's because of the guests, not the host. I'm also not a fan of Jimmy Kimmel, too much schtick. (He reminds me of his ex-girlfriend Sarah Silverman who I'm also not a fan of...two peas in a pod.)

The one who stands out to me, and it didn't happen overnight, is Jimmy Fallon. At first he seemed too eager and upbeat, like a kid in a candy store. But now I like his spontaneity and he's funny. He doesn't even need guests. I really like when he joins in to play music or sing. For someone so vanilla looking, he's got some rhythm, and he pulls off the vocals. [More...]

Two nights ago he and Randy Jackson did "Pants on the Ground" from that ridiculously staged American Idol audition, and Jimmy really got into it as the song progressed. The night before he pretended to be Neil Young singing the silly song.

ABC's new lawyer show, The Deep End, starts tonight, right before a new episode of Grey's Anatomy. I hope it's got something new and doesn't just borrow from The Practice, Ally McBeal, LA Law and Boston Legal.

What I'm really looking forward to is tomorrow night's Haiti telethon.

If you aren't into TV, we have 15 other posts today, just scroll down. And, if we didn't cover something you care about, this is an open thread, all topics welcome.

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Thursday Night TV and Open Thread | 41 comments (41 topical)

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Burn Notice also comes back tonight. (5.00 / 1) (#3)
by tigercourse on Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 07:40:29 PM EST

Always good for an entertaining hour.

Air America went off the air today (5.00 / 1) (#4)
by ruffian on Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 07:44:02 PM EST

and declared bankruptcy. I remember when they started and they really were the only liberal media voice in the deepest darkest days of the Bush administration. My friends and I were so happy, and loved Al Franken's show, and later Morning Sedition was so great, with Mark Maron. Rachel Maddow's show was good too, and Thom Hartmann, and many others.

I have not liked their programming more recently - I thought Bill Press in the morning was really bad. Don't know what was up with that. Anyway, I'm sorry it dod not work out but am grateful they paved the way a little bit for a lot of the current internet radio shows and podcasts.

: I canned AA ... (5.00 / 1) (#24)
by FreakyBeaky on Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 10:22:27 PM EST

... when they took sides during the primaries.
Later, Air America. You'll be missed. Or not.

: Apparently (none / 0) (#20)
by Radiowalla on Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 10:04:28 PM EST

960 The Quake will still be on in the SF Bay Area.

Neither am I. (5.00 / 1) (#7)
by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 08:20:37 PM EST

Jeralyn: "I'm also not a fan of Jimmy Kimmel, too much schtick. (He reminds me of his ex-girlfriend Sarah Silverman who I'm also not a fan of ... two peas in a pod.)"

Speaking only for myself, while I'm no prude, there's something I find very disconcerting sbout a woman whose entire schtick as a comedian is variations on old caca jokes. I don't think being patently obnoxious can be equated with good comedy.

Me three (5.00 / 1) (#9)
by ruffian on Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 08:22:27 PM EST

: Sorry, but I find her crude and obnoxious. (none / 0) (#43)
by Donald from Hawaii on Fri Jan 22, 2010 at 03:31:17 PM EST

Of course, Sarah Silverman's more than poo jokes. Doubtless, she has lots of jokes in her repertoire that cover the other three excretory functions, too.
Now, I'm being facetious in my comments, but truth be told, I just don't think she's very funny. I've really tried watching her, and I always end up changing the channel. But obviously, other people do like her, otherwise she wouldn't have a career in entertainment.
Now, Lenny Bruce is before my time. I came of age with Richard Pryor and George Carlin in the late '70s and early '80s. Now, they were on the cutting edge of comedy. As I said, I'm no prude.
But as far as I'm concerned, Sarah Silverman is to comedy, what Child's Play 3 is to cinema. She's edgy and shocking in a "I'm gonna gross you out" kind of way, but not much else.

We're still waiting . . . . (5.00 / 2) (#14)
by nycstray on Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 09:01:06 PM EST

for the "lil' guy"

may have to go c-section. . . .?

Wow.... (none / 0) (#21)
by Inspector Gadget on Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 10:10:56 PM EST

never, ever heard of a doctor allowing a delivery to go beyond 24 hours post-water breaking.

She must be exhausted. Thinking good thoughts for all....


Yeah, we think (none / 0) (#25)
by nycstray on Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 10:34:40 PM EST

(my sister (her mom)and I)that she may have gone in for a c-sec. Apparently her water broke, but she didn't go into labor for awhile after, and then more active labor even later, but still not active enough. My mom also thought there was a time limit, but apparently niece is all hooked up and mom isn't leaving her alone. They couldn't help her along so far because she hasn't been dilated enough according to sis who also thinks there's a time limit.

I'm debating whether to call again . . .


All quite common... (none / 0) (#26)
by Inspector Gadget on Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 10:53:44 PM EST

except for exceeding the 24 hour part. She's hooked up to all kinds of monitoring, I assume. The doctors won't do anything that is risky to mom or baby (or their own reputations).


Sister just contacted me (5.00 / 1) (#31)
by nycstray on Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 11:12:32 PM EST

she's at the starting to push phase.

We were both surprised at the "past 24hrs". As was my mom who is there. But she is all hooked up and mom was casual about it late today, so I guess things were going fine. We are going to have some tired folks though! The upside is that my niece has always been a real trooper. Here's hoping for pics in the AM :)


7lbs 13oz {grin} (5.00 / 3) (#36)
by nycstray on Fri Jan 22, 2010 at 07:56:09 AM EST

: CONGRATULATIONS (none / 0) (#37)
by Inspector Gadget on Fri Jan 22, 2010 at 08:21:07 AM EST

to all :)

: Congratulations! to Aunt Nycstray and (none / 0) (#38)
by vml68 on Fri Jan 22, 2010 at 08:35:19 AM EST

the new mom, grand mom and great grandparents.
Looking forward to pics of the little guy.
I am currently spending two weeks caring for my little neices. All the fun and joy of parenting with very little of the responsibility.... :-)!

: Cool.... (none / 0) (#41)
by kdog on Fri Jan 22, 2010 at 09:30:12 AM EST

spoil the little bugger rotten!

The best host on late night (5.00 / 2) (#18)
by andgarden on Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 09:40:08 PM EST

is Craig Ferguson, IMO.

: I agree (none / 0) (#22)
by Inspector Gadget on Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 10:12:36 PM EST

with you on that. He's just funny...no gimmicks or OTT antics...simply funny.

: Ferguson (none / 0) (#32)
by TeresaInSnow2 on Fri Jan 22, 2010 at 12:00:33 AM EST

is the most talented man in late night. He's funny without a script, charming, self-deprecating, makes the guests comfortable. He's about the only host who has never peeved me off.

Had to get a new laptop today (5.00 / 1) (#23)
by Militarytracy on Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 10:14:11 PM EST

The house computer is a brand new sort of broken. It acts like it is dying but I decided to read the news no matter how long it takes on the house computer cuz I need a break and I don't know what the hell I'm doing getting this new laptop up and running. With husband gone this is very experimental, maybe even comical. I got those computer speakers though that oculus uses with her stuff. You're just standing there, and there's the speakers. I suppose my husband should thank the BestBuy sales guy because he did steer me away from the Bose. Told me that that was more for home theater and movies.

: No highs? No lows? Must be Bose! ;-) (5.00 / 1) (#30)
by andgarden on Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 11:12:25 PM EST

: See what happens when you vent via (5.00 / 1) (#34)
by oculus on Fri Jan 22, 2010 at 12:16:20 AM EST

the computer? But think of all the good opera you will be able to listen to no while venting.

Anyone else surprised by this? (5.00 / 2) (#39)
by vml68 on Fri Jan 22, 2010 at 08:41:46 AM EST

Cindy McCain comes out for gay marriage, poses for anti-Prop 8 ad

Good for her!

I totally agree about Jimmy Fallon. (none / 0) (#1)
by Tony on Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 07:36:09 PM EST

I couldn't stand him on SNL, but his show has really grown on me. It is great, actually.

The thing I like about him is his sketches involving audience members and regular people, like this one where people on the street do celebrity impression, are laughing WITH us. It's the exact opposite of the mean-spirited stuff that Leno does like Jaywalking, in which we are just supposed to laugh at people because they can't remember answers to questions with a camera shoved in their face.

The thing about the Neil Young (none / 0) (#2)
by tigercourse on Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 07:39:18 PM EST

impersonation wasn't just that it wad dead on, but that it was actually really good singing. I'd buy that song.

I must highly recommend this youtube: (none / 0) (#5)
by RonK Seattle on Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 08:04:52 PM EST

"Hitler Finds Out Scott Brown Won Massachusetts Senate Seat" (part of the larger "Hitler Finds Out" genre, and brilliantly executed ... had me rolling on the floor).

: Bruno Ganz is watchable... (5.00 / 1) (#27)
by EL seattle on Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 10:58:01 PM EST

... in any role he plays. I think that even the lamer "HFO" variations are usually still watchable because of his performance.
That said, this is definitely one of the better "HFO" variations that I've seen. They must have done a few cut-and-paste sorties to various blogs for some of the best lines. "Health care was supposed to be done by August, now it drags on forever, like Stalingrad!"
I always feel a little guilty after watching any of the "HFO" variations. But I'm sure that if I watch The American Friend or Wings of Desire again this weekend, I'll feel much better.

The Deep End is a piece of crap. Don't waste (none / 0) (#6)
by Angel on Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 08:11:05 PM EST

your time on it.....it's nothing more than a bunch of young attorneys screwing around with a bunch of old attorneys. L.A.M.E.

But... (none / 0) (#10)
by Lil on Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 08:27:09 PM EST

"but it is what we do in the worst of times that tells the world who we really are..."you didn't like that line?

I thought the show was all over the place. Lots of eye candy. Anybody notice how often the word srew is used on tv these days. I know what they are trying to do but it just doesn't come off the same way as the f word, but I guess it's as close as it's gonna get.

Totally different but the show reminded me of the old time shows from the 80's like Dallas or LA Law.

I thought it was kinda bad but maybe has some potential down the road.


LOL Nope, that's one of the reasons it's lame! (none / 0) (#13)
by Angel on Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 08:54:07 PM EST

I bet hubby $50 that it won't last more than a few weeks, at most.


: you will probably win that 50 bucks, lol (none / 0) (#16)
by Lil on Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 09:17:23 PM EST

Watching a DVD of a Carnegie Hall Sondehim tribute (none / 0) (#8)
by ruffian on Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 08:21:40 PM EST

from 1993, and Glenn Close looks exactly like she did on the Golden Globes. Also may be my favorite version of 'Send in The Clowns'. Love her! 4 days until Damages!

: I found it interesting to finally see (none / 0) (#33)
by oculus on Fri Jan 22, 2010 at 12:13:35 AM EST

"A Little Night Music" and find out the context of that beautiful song.

finale of Jersey Shore is on (none / 0) (#11)
by Jeralyn on Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 08:28:11 PM EST

I'd call it the worst show in ages, except the new reality show on Aspen takes that prize. Already turned the Deep End off, it was boring and trite.

: you would have doubled your feelings (none / 0) (#12)
by Lil on Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 08:40:47 PM EST

if you stuck it out. everybody is sleeping with everybody. it will get cancelled if they don't reign that show in.

just had to delete a comment (none / 0) (#17)
by Jeralyn on Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 09:33:19 PM EST

that had a very long url not in html format. They skew the site. please feel free to repost using the linkbutton at the top of your comment box to insert the url. Thanks.

: reposted (none / 0) (#19)
by AlkalineDave on Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 09:43:49 PM EST

Our new favorite show is "Modern Family" (none / 0) (#28)
by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 11:00:16 PM EST

on Wed nites.

Friggin' hysterical...

I miss Angel, Buffy and Sex and the City (none / 0) (#29)
by txpolitico67 on Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 11:04:57 PM EST

I don't have cable and rarely, if ever watch tv. I am so uncool because I don't know who anyone is or what show is what....

Ah...the good old days (none / 0) (#35)
by jbindc on Fri Jan 22, 2010 at 07:35:57 AM EST

Here's a fun article from Dec 2008 about how Obama's health care plan was goingt o be different than Clinton's. This will have you shaking your heads....

A couple of my favorite parts (the bolding is mine)

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President-elect Barack Obama and his aides are determined not to repeat the mistakes the Clinton administration made 15 years ago in trying to revamp the U.S. health care system. That means applying some of the lessons learned -- moving fast, seizing momentum and not letting it go.
Tom Daschle, Obama's point man on the issue, discussed the early strategy, although details of Obama's proposals won't be finalized for a while. Already, however, the political and public relations parts are coming into place.
The strategy begins with giving people the chance to highlight their concerns and experiences. Daschle invited people around the U.S. to hold what amounts to house parties from Dec. 15-31. Obama's transition team will gather the information from those meetings and post the material on its website, http://change.gov.
By asking anybody and everybody to share their health care experiences, Daschle is confronting one of the major criticisms of 15 years ago: that the effort to craft former President Bill Clinton's plan for universal coverage was too secretive.

SNIP

Daschle maintains the efforts to bring about universal health coverage in the first two years of the Clinton presidency took too long. In a book published this year, he urged the next president to act immediately to capitalize on the good will that greets any incoming administration. His speech and recent behind-the-scenes meetings with lawmakers and consumer groups address that point.
"We need to be on the offense," Daschle said.
He cited other lessons, too. This time around, lawmakers cannot try to address every detail when it comes to legislation.
"Details kill," Daschle said. "If we get too far into the weeds, if we produce a 1,500- or 1,600-page bill, we're going to get hung up on all the details and we're never going to get to the principles."

Sigh.

With Conan off the air... (none / 0) (#42)
by kdog on Fri Jan 22, 2010 at 09:46:27 AM EST

I really hope this means Jimmy Vivino is comin' back to NYC to play some shows with The Prisoners of 2nd Ave...Jimmy rocks!