I remember vaguely Jack Paar, but Johnny Carson stand most in my memory. Loved his show. I actually like all the late night people (Letterman, Fallon, Conan & Leno as well). I am not as familiar with Jimmy Kimmel so can't really say.

Anyway I am so please that it's Jimmy Fallon taking over Leno's spot. I gotta say, I seldom watch his show beyond monologue but have seen some clips from the show and the guy cracks me up. His impersonations are outstanding. I think he's the perfect choice. Just my two cents.


TIS

I am so pissed that they cancelled Leno. We DVR'd him every night and watch with our lunch the next day, thus eliminating commercials. His monologues were great especially after he got canned and by his own admission "Doesn't care anymore". He was interviewed over the weekend and said he was ambushed. Had the top rated show and gets dumped. Wish FOX or someone would give him a show.

I like Leno too. I remember way back when he was guest when Johnny Carson hosted.





TIS

I really don't watch too much anymore but i used to watch Jimmy Kimmel before they moved up the shows time slot...i always liked when he had his Uncle Frank (RIP) and Aunt Chippy on. Cousin Sal too. Don Rickles was on a lot....used to crack me up.

I liked Conan too. Between Leno and Letterman i usually preferred Dave but it really came down to who they had on the show that night. Leno did a good job i think he was number 1 in the ratings a vast majority of the time.

That Tonight show is a tough gig.....good luck to Jimmy Fallon.

I loved his monologue and his man on the street segement and of course his messed up headline segments. I am going to miss him. I think he was the best in late night TV.

I really liked Letterman when he was on NBC at 12:30. He was always so cranky and constantly telling his guests off....used to crack me up.

Not sure what NBC's problem with Leno was. All the guy did was win the ratings year after year for the network yet they always seemed to want to replace him. First with Conan and now with Fallon.

Leno had a great run. I too preferred Letterman though.

The Tonight Show used to be the flagship of all night-time talk shows. With the passing of it to Fallon, who is a very talented guy and will make it his own, it is now just another vessel in the fleet of talk shows.

It has just reached the point that now Leno and Letterman are the shows that appeal to older generations, like mine.

I remember Letterman's short-lived daytime series in the summer of '81, I think. It was fresh and probably a bit too edgy for 1981 mornings.

I don't think there's any mystery here. The networks want a younger audience.

Very true. But Leno was the ratings King year after year. But i guess he just wasn't getting as many of the 18 to 30/35 year olds all the networks seem to want.

Jay was a pretty edgy comic before he took the Tonight Show ...it would be great to see him go back to that in his live show. He definitely toned it down for the show. Jay's a good guy...i wish him well.

Btw, has anyone caught Arsenio? I know he's back with his own show but I haven't seen it. I wasn't a regular viewer (tho I don't view any late night shows regularly) but I like Arsenio.



TIS

I, too, liked Arsenio's show back in the day, TIS. I did NOT like the new one, though.

I switch back and forth between Leno and Letterman. I think Leno does a better monologue, IMO, but I think that Letterman is better with the guests.

As for Fallon, he's not only funny, but he's got the best band on TV.

I used to watch Leno, Letterman, and Conan when I had more time on my hands, and also was not able to watch Daily Show and Colbert Report, but since I can get these two, I don't watch any of the talk shows anymore.

I had always heard how great Johnny Carson was from people, and was expecting him to be very funny. I saw some recent clips of his old show that are running on cable, and I was disappointed. Yesterday I watched an interview he did with Robin Williams and it was not funny at all. Last week they had one of him with some other old star, it just as bad. Jay Leno is way better, so are Conan O'Brien and David Letterman. I believe Jay Leno will make another come back within a year.

I've seen them all, going back to Jack Parr- who I thought was boring. Leno beats them all by far. We used to DVR him every night and watch the monologue and first skit the next day while having lunch. I am already going through withdrawal

Now watched 2 episodes of Tonight with J. Fallon and didn't laugh once. He's a nice likeable guy but justcan't compare with Leno- just my opinion.