Will Conan be better than Leno?

Will Conan be better than Leno?


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Oooo, see I never liked Kilborn. The whole arrogance thing he had going on was probably part of the act, but I just didn't like it all that much.

I do think it was part of his act (even if it was real at heart). It reminds me a little bit of Colbert playing dumb/arrogant, just a more frat-boy version. I can understand that it would be totally annoying if you didn't find it particularly funny, though.
 
Ratings wise, Leno ruled the 10:35 PM (Central time) slot pretty consistently for the last decade. In that regard, Conan has big shoes to fill.

According to a discussion I heard on one of the local CBS-owned radio stations last week, Leno is a very personable, genuinely friendly person outside of the show. Letterman apparently is rather opposite, and his "friendliness" on the show (such as it is) is mostly contrived. The theory that the people involved in this discussion had was that viewers pick up on this, and tend toward the genuine personality, even though Letterman might actually be "funnier". They weren't particulalry complementary of Letterman. I found that quite interesting coming from a CBS-owned station.

Personally, I've felt that way about Letterman for some years now. The guy is just dark and seems like he's continually got an axe to grind, and I just don't care for that before going to bed (I get enough of that during the day). The only redeeming quality I find in his show is Paul Shaffer and his band, who do an excellent job with the music.

I haven't heard much about Conan's off-air personality. He seems to relate well to people. I enjoyed his show, so I hope he does well.

Leno plays to the lowest-common denominator. His style/comedy is easier to get and has an "aw shucks" appeal that draws in the masses. That's why he consistently won the ratings.

Letterman is as good as it gets when it comes to interviewing and thinking on his feet. I've never thought his stand-up/monologue was very good. But when it comes to playing off a guest, the audience, the band, etc., nobody's better. I'll never forget one of the times Richard Simmons was his guest, and Letterman was getting in some digs, and Simmons says: "Dave, can we talk man to man here?" And without hesitating Letterman says, "I don't know, can we?" There's nobody quicker than Letterman, and if that's the kind of humor you like, nobody else comes close.

From what I've seen of Conan, he's really good. He just seems a bit more contrived.

I couldn't care less who the nicer guy off-camera is. Not like I'm ever going to have a beer with any of them. And unless you've actually met them and/or know them, you'll never really know what kind of person they are.
 
i dont watch letterman because of shaffer. he just drives me up a wall. I cant wait not having to wait til 1130 to watch conan. I just hope they dont make him tone it down. I am sad that the masterbating bear couldnt come with conan.
 
Leno's monologue is painful. I have honestly not been able to listen to it without cringing multiple times the last few years.
 
I do think it was part of his act (even if it was real at heart). It reminds me a little bit of Colbert playing dumb/arrogant, just a more frat-boy version. I can understand that it would be totally annoying if you didn't find it particularly funny, though.
I miss the Craigster.
 
From what I've seen of Conan, he's really good. He just seems a bit more contrived.

I couldn't care less who the nicer guy off-camera is. Not like I'm ever going to have a beer with any of them. And unless you've actually met them and/or know them, you'll never really know what kind of person they are.

Conan more contrived? He may be a lot of different things, but contrived is not one of them as compared to Leno or Letterman.
 
Conan more contrived? He may be a lot of different things, but contrived is not one of them as compared to Leno or Letterman.

Maybe not the best choice of words. The brilliance of Letterman comes out when he's spontaneous and shooting from the hip. From what I've seen Conan's at his best with the bits that are planned out in advance.
 
Conan IMO will be better. Leno was so boring. Wasn't even funny in most cases. People that think Conan sucks obviously dont like his humor. Which I think is hilarious.
 
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Leno really grew on me in the end and he was about the only guy I watched. Nobody thought he'd fill Carson's shoes, but he didn' t do too bad when it was all said and done.

I haven't watched much of Conan because I don't stay up that late most week nights. I did watch his final show out east and I thought he was pretty funny.
 
Conan's the best already. Leno's humor is safe and is dumbed down to the lowest level. Any idiot can understand it. Conan's humor is natural. That guy is just hilarious looking and is smart and quick as a whip.

I've never liked Leno, but I grew up with Conan on The Simpsons and I love his humor.
 
We're about to find out. Go Conan! If they show him running across Wrigley Field, I was there!
 
Leno really grew on me in the end and he was about the only guy I watched. Nobody thought he'd fill Carson's shoes, but he didn' t do too bad when it was all said and done.

I haven't watched much of Conan because I don't stay up that late most week nights. I did watch his final show out east and I thought he was pretty funny.

My opinion on Leno "filling Johnny's shoes" - first, he was never going to be able to, nor was he ever going to be able to, so it's ridiculous for people to compare the two and then he sucks because he never lived up to Johnny's standards. Second, he knew he was never going to live up to it, so he never tried. Third, all he had to do was be himself and build his own legacy - and I think it's safe to say that considering he's been #1 in his time slot, his legacy is safe.

BTW, we'll see how well he does, cuz he's on now...
 

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