On Feb. 17, 2014, the world stopped, took a deep breath and moved forward again as Jimmy Fallon took over the reins of The Tonight Show as it moved from Los Angeles to New York City.
It was a seismic shift in show business. The show began in the ’50s in New York City but moved to L.A. in 1972. Hosted through its halcyon period by Johnny Carson, the show defined the genre. By the time Carson left in 1992, the TV landscape was no longer the province of three networks, but a smorgasbord of new networks and cable stations.
Jay Leno took over the mantle for NBC, but no one seemed to be happy about it except for audiences.
Critics and other comics never liked Leno. He wasn’t hip or cool, his interview skills were pedestrian, but they ignored his major strengths. Leno is one of the best stand-ups in the world, and his nightly monologue proved it. I used to hire Leno before he was famous, and I can tell you this: rarely have I worked with anyone nicer or more benevolent to my wait staff. He would take them all out for a bite after the show and pick up the bill. In all ways, he was a real mensch.
But his appeal was to an older audience. NBC needed to refresh the franchise, and so they promoted Jimmy Fallon.
I think their choice was brilliant. But if you looked at Fallon 10 years ago, you’d never guess he would land the coveted job.
He was all right on Saturday Night Live, but far from the most valued player. His movie career has been appalling, with a string of flops to his credit. But what made Fallon a contender was a counterintuitive persona. While other talk-show hosts are arch (Conan), intellectual (Stewart), cynical (Letterman) or sarcastic (Kimmel), Fallon projects a sunny enthusiasm that is infectious.
The move also places the show under direct control of Toronto’s Lorne Michaels. As exec producer of SNL, The Tonight Show and Seth Meyers’ Late Night show, Michaels has risen from king of late night to its emperor.
It’s the first time that The Tonight Show has had a strong, celebrity producer at its helm, and it’s got to help. The show premieres and the opening credits and billboards are suspiciously similar to SNL’s graphics. Then the camera swoops into Fallon’s renovated studio, and it’s drop-dead gorgeous, like an expensive New York steak house.
Fallon’s opening monologue is tense and pinched, but he’s carrying the weight of expectation here, so let’s cut him some slack.
At the end of the monologue, he sits at his desk and a stream of prominent New York celebrities give him a tenner: Madonna, Giuliani, Lady Gaga, Sarah Jessica Parker, Mike Tyson and many more. The crowd goes nuts.
First guests are Will Smith, who does a funny history of dance moves with Fallon and U2. The production of their song is a genius move, shot at the top of the Rockefeller Centre at dusk. No point trying that in Burbank.
Personally, I like the show, its feel and its look. Fallon’s major asset, his likeability, shines through. I also like his competitors.
One thing is certain: it’s a good time for late night.
