Austin Improv

The only thing I've been disappointed about with Conan so far are his guests. The music acts are not like his usual line-up (Green Day? John Mayer?) and even the other guests don't feel Conan-like enough. Hopefully, this is only for the first week or two while NBC higher-ups push Conan to have certain "big names" on there.

I mean, what was Gwyneth Paltrow even on there to promote? Because she's not entertaining enough just to be there for the sake of being there.

I tuned in for a few minutes last night. Conan was "visiting" a Foley artist in his sound studio, but the poor guy hardly got a word (or sound) in edgewise, Conan was so frantically "trying to make funny things happen" in the guy's studio - basically, just using the Foley guy as a setup. Not good hosting. Too much "look at me me ME"!!!

I'd much rather watch Mike Rowe on Dirty Jobs. Now, that's a guy who knows how to bring out the funny in other people.

Ha... Conan's job in those situations is to make funny things happen. He didn't go to the sound studio to learn about how sound effects are made. He went there to be silly and obnoxious. That's like complaining that David Letterman didn't get some guy's order right when he did a remote piece at Taco Bell.

I didn't expect a serious tour of the sound studio; I was turned off by Conan's egocentric, childish escapade. I prefer more intelligent forms of "silly" - like Stephen Colbert - and don't care for obnoxious at all. One thing I always enjoyed about Leno was his civility; but there's no point in arguing personal taste in comedy. To each his own.

True. Although I would say that Conan's silliness can be just as intelligent as Colbert's, and Colbert can be every bit as obnoxious as Conan. I realize his Colbert Report persona is a character, but so is Conan O'Brien: Talk Show Host.

But I agree that Conan's comedy is not for everybody. In fact, I think that's what has made the show so successful: It has a unique sensibility. On the other hand, Leno seemed to be try to please everyone. He was remarkably successful at that, but it made for a very boring show, in my opinion.

To be clear, I'm not trying to argue with you, Kathy. Obviously we all find different things funny and entertaining. Your repsonse just got me thinking, and I wanted to respond.

Yes, we enthusiastically agree that Conan's comedy is not for everybody!
But I would not ascribe a motive of "trying to please everybody" to Leno's style or behavior. He just has a different MO.

Curtis + computer wrote: My favorite is when he ditches the opening monologue (typically the lowlight of any late-night show) in favor of random goofs like this:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-4tEUTxdjs[/youtube]

or like this: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdP6bUMjaSc[/youtube]

I like that one even better.

Asaf wrote:So has anyone caught the first two nights of Conan (the episodes are on Hulu.com if you haven't)? What do people think? I like the segments, but it seems there are far fewer than there used to be in the previous slot. Good to see Richter back but I haven't seen them really use him yet.

I have been watching Conan. I don't know if it's just getting used to the new show or what, but I've been kind of disappointed. I used to watch religiously and eat everything up, but I've just been bored for the most part. And Andy has turned into the Robin Quivers--laughing at everything that Conan does like he's a god.

It really pains me to be critical of Conan, but I have to be honest. He is still funny and some of the bits have been good, but as a whole, not great.

Did anyone see Conan's interview with Patton Oswalt last week? It was the exact opposite of tonight's Dane Cook interview: very funny, and too short.

The fake promo with Conan choking Dane Cook seemed all too sincere.

kbadr wrote:

Curtis + computer wrote: My favorite is when he ditches the opening monologue (typically the lowlight of any late-night show) in favor of random goofs like this:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-4tEUTxdjs[/youtube]

or like this: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdP6bUMjaSc[/youtube]

Both of those had me grinning like a big goof. I really like Ferguson, and his monologues are usually better than anyone else.

I love Conan, but I think he needs time to refine and settle. I haven't been particularly impressed with the 2 shows I've seen. He seems to be either holding back, or going way over the top(but not in his usual way).