No Need for Carter's Late Shift, Part 2

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Conan O'Brien has a little over a dozen shows left as host of Late Night. SNL alum Jimmy Fallon will soon follow. Then, Leno leaves the Tonight show and Conan takes over.

It's amazing, but after only 17 years late night TV is getting another make over. Johnny Carson's 30 year reign will indeed be tough to beat.

As you can imagine it's also a great time to reflect on the past. That's why I decided to read Bill Carter's The Late Shift. It is a fascinating book telling the tale of what happened in the early `90s war to replace Johnny Carson as host of  the Tonight show.

There isn't a need for a sequel, Mr. Carter. The transition was smooth this time. NBC learned its lesson. The only drama was Leno changing his mind at the last moment and being given a primetime show instead.

In reflection mode one has to wonder how history will remember Leno's time as host. It was definitely controversial. Most people felt that David Letterman, original host of Late Night, was the true replacement for Carson. He even proved it in 1993 when he aired opposite Leno on CBS' Late Show. Letterman beat Leno in ratings, critical review, and awards till 1995. Then, Leno stopped trying to do Carson's Tonight show and make it his own. It worked. Leno has been #1 ever since.

Yet many never highly praised Leno's time as host, that includes myself. I enjoy Leno. He has his funny moments and the visual aspects of the show are the best in the genre. Yet he seems lazy. Leno has barely changed his show since 1995. Neither has Letterman which is why he's no longer relevant. That's whats exciting about Conan and even the long-time rumors that Jon Stewart will one day replace Letterman. New blood.

It was also nice to hear that Conan doesn't think an hour makes that much of a difference content wise. I agree. SNL proves that you can get away with a lot during the 11:30pm time slot. What Conan needs to do differently for his Tonight show isn't his brand of humor, but the visual elements. Conan, unlike Leno, likes to re-invent the wheel. Yes, his style of comedy has always been the same but his content always evolves. Now, can you imagine Conan's humor with Leno's production values? That'll be great TV.