TV Column 4/5...
Volume 71, Issue 120, Wednesday, April 5, 2006
Life & Arts
New kids on the block close to taking over late night TV
The TV Guide
Seth Mintz
When most people think of late night TV, Jay Leno, Jon Stewart and David Letterman are usually the names that come to mind. These men are not the only ones who are worth staying awake for. Steven Colbert, Conan OíBrien and Craig Ferguson have all become among the funniest men on TV, and all of their shows have become great late night fare.
The Colbert Report (at 10:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday on Comedy Central) is the first ever spin-off from another late night show. Host Steven Colbert, who was Jon Stewartís go-to fake anchorman on The Daily Show, now finds himself behind a news desk as funny as ever.
Colbert is the head of what is basically a show that does all it can to skewer Bill OíReilly and his fans. The show uses Colbertís high level of self-love and constant obnoxiousness to not only mock OíReilly and all that he stands for, but to give more fake news to people who love The Daily Show.
The Colbert Report continues what The Daily Show starts. The key to the show is ìThe Wordî segment near the beginning of every episode. Colbert talks about the topic of his choosing, while a teleprompter makes funny quips at everything he says. The Colbert Report is worth watching for this segment alone, because it will leave you laughing until your sides hurt.
Late Night With Conan OíBrien (at 11:35 p.m. weekdays on NBC) has been on for more than 10 years. With Jay Lenoís departure from The Tonight Show in the next couple of years, OíBrien has started his ascent from being the goofy-looking talk show host to late night king.
Late Night With Conan OíBrien has been one of the most consistently funny shows on TV. While OíBrienís insane sense of humor isnít for everyone, he does a remarkable job of always keeping himself very funny.
OíBrien has seemed reinvigorated this year, with the help of Finland. OíBrien became a huge star in that country when it was discovered that he looked like the Prime Minister Tarja Halonen. OíBrien began openly campaigning for her to be re-elected, and was credited with helping her secure her victory.
OíBrien also recently visited Finland and dedicated a special episode to showing the world his trip.
The biggest surprise in late night comedy is Craig Ferguson, the host of The Late Late Show (at 12:05 a.m. weekdays on CBS). Ferguson, who was best known as Drew Careyís boss on The Drew Carey Show, has become the best reason to postpone your bedtime by an hour.
Ferguson has quietly emerged as late nightís best interviewer, and has by far the funniest monologues of any show. Unlike Conan OíBrien and most others on late night, Ferguson does not depend on cue cards and prewritten notes for doing his show. Ferguson seems to be at ease telling his jokes and stories, as well as conducting his interviews.
Ferguson also scores big for his willingness to constantly mock himself with self-deprecating humor that mostly centers on his former days as an alcoholic. With his cleverly written skits and jokes, Ferguson will have a long career in late night TV.
Late night TV and its personalities have become more than just Letterman, Leno and Stewart. While all of these men are great, their proteges-- Ferguson, OíBrien and Colbert --are gaining in popularity.
Why go to bed when some of the funniest shows on TV are on? Just stay awake and enjoy the comedy.
Life & Arts
New kids on the block close to taking over late night TV
The TV Guide
Seth Mintz
When most people think of late night TV, Jay Leno, Jon Stewart and David Letterman are usually the names that come to mind. These men are not the only ones who are worth staying awake for. Steven Colbert, Conan OíBrien and Craig Ferguson have all become among the funniest men on TV, and all of their shows have become great late night fare.
The Colbert Report (at 10:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday on Comedy Central) is the first ever spin-off from another late night show. Host Steven Colbert, who was Jon Stewartís go-to fake anchorman on The Daily Show, now finds himself behind a news desk as funny as ever.
Colbert is the head of what is basically a show that does all it can to skewer Bill OíReilly and his fans. The show uses Colbertís high level of self-love and constant obnoxiousness to not only mock OíReilly and all that he stands for, but to give more fake news to people who love The Daily Show.
The Colbert Report continues what The Daily Show starts. The key to the show is ìThe Wordî segment near the beginning of every episode. Colbert talks about the topic of his choosing, while a teleprompter makes funny quips at everything he says. The Colbert Report is worth watching for this segment alone, because it will leave you laughing until your sides hurt.
Late Night With Conan OíBrien (at 11:35 p.m. weekdays on NBC) has been on for more than 10 years. With Jay Lenoís departure from The Tonight Show in the next couple of years, OíBrien has started his ascent from being the goofy-looking talk show host to late night king.
Late Night With Conan OíBrien has been one of the most consistently funny shows on TV. While OíBrienís insane sense of humor isnít for everyone, he does a remarkable job of always keeping himself very funny.
OíBrien has seemed reinvigorated this year, with the help of Finland. OíBrien became a huge star in that country when it was discovered that he looked like the Prime Minister Tarja Halonen. OíBrien began openly campaigning for her to be re-elected, and was credited with helping her secure her victory.
OíBrien also recently visited Finland and dedicated a special episode to showing the world his trip.
The biggest surprise in late night comedy is Craig Ferguson, the host of The Late Late Show (at 12:05 a.m. weekdays on CBS). Ferguson, who was best known as Drew Careyís boss on The Drew Carey Show, has become the best reason to postpone your bedtime by an hour.
Ferguson has quietly emerged as late nightís best interviewer, and has by far the funniest monologues of any show. Unlike Conan OíBrien and most others on late night, Ferguson does not depend on cue cards and prewritten notes for doing his show. Ferguson seems to be at ease telling his jokes and stories, as well as conducting his interviews.
Ferguson also scores big for his willingness to constantly mock himself with self-deprecating humor that mostly centers on his former days as an alcoholic. With his cleverly written skits and jokes, Ferguson will have a long career in late night TV.
Late night TV and its personalities have become more than just Letterman, Leno and Stewart. While all of these men are great, their proteges-- Ferguson, OíBrien and Colbert --are gaining in popularity.
Why go to bed when some of the funniest shows on TV are on? Just stay awake and enjoy the comedy.