New Shows, 2: The Jay Leno Show, or NBC is Tyler Durden
Yes, Jay gets his own post, because NBC thinks it’s worth five other shows. Below the fold …
I’ve wrestled with how upset to be about NBC abdicating almost a third of their prime time programming to Leno. On one hand, it’s hardly as though there’s nothing else on. Indeed, when I posted on this before, I suggested that it might be beneficial for television as a whole if it encourages yet more viewers to go to cable and support some of the fantastic programming going on there. More viable outlets for good television is a good thing, and NBC just gave their cable partners a helping hand.
But now that I’m reviewing it, let’s look at the other hand – you know, the one with which NBC is punching itself in the face (cf. my title). DVR or no, I still believe (no evidence, mind you) that a lot of late night talk shows are watched at late night. And maybe being in Central Time only exacerbates my sense of this, but 10/9 seems just too early for that style of milquetoast, rambly, put-on-your-PJs kind of humor. Besides, if the business of TV is largely about throwing stuff against the wall to see what sticks, putting all their hope in Jay’s stickiness is foolish.
NBC could be broadcasting five new shows. Let’s contextualize this. Last year, NBC’s 10-11pm slot was filled by My Own Worst Enemy, Law & Order: SVU, Lipstick Jungle, ER, and Life. The year before, they offered Journeyman, SVU, Life, ER, and Friday Night Lights. Pick the five worst of those, and what you have is still way more impressive, and certainly way more entertaining, than five hours of Jay Leno.
It’s just not all that funny. The sketches drag out. The humor ranges from belabored to juvenile to moronic. Sure, there are some occasionally good lines. But it reminded me of a recurring dream I had for the last few weeks in which I had to teach a class on something really dense without any prep whatsoever. Jay just doesn’t seem ready for it (oddly enough, too, given that he’s done this schtick for years). And if this is his grand opening, his first week, one would expect that he’d saved his A material for it. I’ve forced myself to watch two now, and each hour seemed painfully long, the kiss of death for comedy.
What are NBC doing to their brand? Isn’t this supposed to be the network that’s all about “quality television”? And aren’t they supposed to be after a slightly younger, hipper demo than CBS? The Jay Leno Show feels old, hackneyed, and decidedly uncool. His interview with Michael Moore had all the energy of a rave at a retirement home, and it ended up with him asking Moore to sing a version of “The Times, They Are A Changin’” acapella. What’s on tomorrow: Diablo Cody singing World War One marching songs? His “Ten at Ten” (oh sorry – it’s “Ten @ Ten.” Ain’t he hip using that @ sign? I hear the young’uns use ‘em these days in the cybernetmails) 10 question interview with Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz included questions to Diaz about which was the first Cruise movie she saw, and who wears more makeup. And his guest comedian, doing a routine on flying, had even less originality than the average episode of Full House. And that’s worth five shows?
Do yourself, and television, a favor – go watch cable instead.
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