Monthly Archives: February 2014
The New Old Tonight Show
First impression?
Jimmy Fallon is not Jay Leno.
That can mean several things, both positive and negative, but it’s the truth nonetheless. It’s unequivocally a new era in the long, esteemed (though recently fumbled) history of The Tonight Show. In an opening few minutes that appeared sincerely surreal to the newly crowned 39-year old prince of late night television, Jimmy Fallon expressed his gratitude and excitement for the tremendous (sorry, wrong host and network) treasured opportunity of receiving the baton of the show in late night.
The Tonight Show is back in New York City as The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
He thanked his parents who were in the audience (a great moment!) and recapped how, in his younger days, he would sneak off to watch Johnny Carson’s monologue, first guest and so on. He then recalled how if somebody had told him that one day he would graduate high school, join SNL and then become host of The Tonight Show, he would have been shocked…he graduated high school!?
It will be that kind of humbleness (and more smiling!) that will help guide Jimmy Fallon in the early stages of his tenure as the host before he fully dives into the treacherous waters of late night comedy with its natural and inevitable rivalries and cross-networking jabbing.
The show’s opening sequence was directed by Spike Lee (how’s that for a New York introduction) with musical support by his trusty house band: The Roots. The set has a classic, old-school New York theater/lounge aesthetic with a Carson-inspired floor to ceiling curtain with a heavy focus on wood…lots of wood. Visually, it looks like a bit of an homage to the past, perhaps trying to channel respect for what this move represents for the show and the city of New York.
Jimmy Fallon seemed right at home last night (well, this morning) by engaging in a history of hip-hop dancing with his first Tonight Show guest Will Smith. The clothes, the moves and the comedic chemistry between the two were pitch perfect. Then, U2 rocked the top of 30 Rockefeller Center with an electric performance of their new hit single from their Super Bowl commercial, “Invisible.”
U2 + the top of New York City for the opening night = a magnificent beginning!
The night was also filled with several of Jimmy’s friends who humorously lost a bet that he’d become the host one day. One after the other, Robert De Niro, Tina Fey, Seth Rogen, Lady Gaga, a former NYC mayor, Joan Rivers, coin prankster Stephen Colbert and many more stepped out from behind the curtain to give Jimmy Fallon a funny anti-welcome that was constantly surprising and ultimately entertaining.
Plus, an acoustic U2 performance on the new couch to close the show isn’t bad either.
Where does Jimmy Fallon and The Tonight Show stand at this point?
It’s far too early to tell or to judge. First, some reaction needs to be reserved until the show premieres at its quintessential time slot of 11:35 p.m. Then, we need to witness the comedic and creative energy and endurance of a 10-minute monologue five days a week…every week.
The monologue was key to Jay’s success as it was his winning first impression night in and night out for 20+ years. Let’s not forget about his comedic bits and engaging interview skills as well.
“What the hell were you thinking?”
But that was Jay. He’s America’s stand-up comic. And, as the recent 60 Minutes story revealed, Jay and his writing team worked relentlessly to fine-tune each joke and each monologue, night and day, night and day.
But alas, Jimmy Fallon is more comfortable as a masterful impressionist, singer and sketch artist (more like Johnny than Jay). His show will be the same in many ways, but also different in many ways. Emphasis on certain aspects will vary as his style will define his Tonight Show legacy. As I wrote in a previous article about Jay Leno, the move to Jimmy Fallon symbolizes a generational shift in comedy, style and personalities, and not just in late night.
This will not be the only article about Jimmy Fallon’s Tonight Show, but instead (like last night) just the first.
Millions of Americans laughed with Jay Leno for 22 years…will these same people see Jimmy Fallon as a rising star to watch for some good laughs five nights a week?
The dynamic of returning (fans, city, style) certainly is the question for the host.
P.S. Congratulations to the real new King of Late Night: Lorne Michaels.
Only one more night left…
Happy Monday!
Last night, Olympic viewers were treated to one of the most anticipated events by one of the most anticipated nations: The Two-Man Jamaican Bobsled Team. Despite a less than stellar time, that wasn’t the core reason for the excitement and widespread jubilation surrounding their return to the Winter Olympics for the first time in 12 years. It all dates back to the 1993 Disney classic, Cool Runnings, based on events from their improbable bobsled debut at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary.
We all know the story and we all love the story.
When the Jamaicans prepared their run last night, everybody was leaning in as close as possible (both in the stands and at home) to try and hear if they would say that magically inspiring phrase…
The following video is fan-made and combines an epic finish with an epic song by Hans Zimmer. 20 some odd years later and people still view this story as unforgettably special and, yes, transcendent (please turn the volume up for the video/song).
This story never needed a gold medal to be seen as a golden Olympic moment.
“Respect!”
Happy Monday Mon!
Happy Valentine’s Day!
February 14th celebrates Saint Valentine. In 2014, this holiday is usually celebrated in the form of delicious chocolates (maybe York Peppermint Patties?), red roses, a romantic, candlelit dinner at a fancy restaurant and maybe a surprise or two depending on the gentleman or the woman. This is the perfect day to do something completely unexpected, amazing and heartwarming that will solidify just how much you care for the most important person in your life, married or dating.
What to do? What to do?
One of the best suggestions Jimmy’s Daily Planet can give to all the lovers out there is to do something subtle and nonchalant…after all, making a big, spectacular scene would totally be the wrong way to go and would be the complete opposite of something unforgettably awesome, right?
Happy Valentine’s Day!
The Relentless Journey of a Champion
There are multitudinous differences between Major League Soccer (MLS) and the prominent European leagues. Speed, style, talent, history, fan culture and culture in general, scheduling for the season and club priorities, to only name a few. The latter provides a fascinating insight into one of the core distinctions between the soccer/footballing mentality of the best clubs from these two land masses separated by the massive Atlantic Ocean.
Exhibit A: Bayern Munich.
On Tuesday, February 12th, Bayern Munich lined-up against Hamburger SV in a German Cup quarterfinal match. FC Hollywood has been dominant to say the least this season (again) and a victory could have been secured with a bevy of bench players (though all are borderline world-class). But did Pep Guardiola pursue such a lackadaisical strategy? No. Why? Because he’s a championship coach and he doesn’t accept anything less than a championship effort.
The starting lineup for Bayern Munich looked like one a fan or analyst would and should come to expect for a top Bundesliga or Champions League clash. The result? A 5-nil drubbing by Guardiola’s men.
It was a championship statement by a championship team.
Next Wednesday will see Bayern Munich travel to Emirates Stadium to face Arsenal for a UEFA Champions League clash. With a weekend Bundesliga match to play a few days prior, the Bavarians should again enter the opening kickoff with a familiar, confident rhythm from all players and coaches.
Time will tell if remaining on 4th and 5th gear will pay off for Guardiola & Co.
Exhibit B: The Columbus Crew (as just one MLS example).
Conversely, the Columbus Crew has, on numerous occasions, chosen to rest a few of its top players for MLS games only. This has, sadly, resulted in unexpected losses in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup by a less talented opponent from an inferior American league or by an MLS team they should have defeated.
2012: The Crew 1-2 Dayton Dutch Lions in Columbus Crew Stadium.
For the Crew, it seems like the mindset is that the Open Cup is nice, but it’s not as prestigious as the MLS Cup. And perhaps this is a big problem. Why? Because championship teams want to win championships. All of them. Period. No excuses. If the coach wants to get more players quality time on the pitch, then a more suitable strategy may be to mix them in as substitutes and even starters (1 or 2 in a game here and there) throughout the MLS season. In other words, the team dynamic should not be an A-Team and a B-Team, but rather one team that can rotate players from the bench/reserves without much disruption in the style of play for the individual and team as a whole. This could help alleviate some of the exhaustion during extremely hot summer conditions in Texas or a busy week or two straight of competition without missing much of a beat in quality or achieving positive results.
This post is not an effort to necessarily hail Bayern Munich and Europe and criticize the Columbus Crew and MLS, but to shine a bright light on the reality of how a championship team is built, how it evolves and then how it capitalizes on every opportunity for glory. The Crew won MLS Cup in 2008, but that comprehensive drive for achieving all titles each season seems to be lacking and it seems to be contagious among its fellow MLS teams.
For the media’s part, not all competitions are viewed through the same lens of importance as the MLS Cup. There are some legitimate reasons for that. However, soccer coverage in the United States is still limited. Yes, that’s a disappointing fact, but it’s getting better. Regardless, the MLS season is not just about the MLS Cup. While it is the best title and the crown jewel of the league, it’s not the only title (Supporters’ Shield, U.S. Open Cup & CONCACAF Champions League).
There is an intense sense of urgency in Munich right now (as there was last year as well) where any single loss or instances of complacency in motivation or effort is felt, scrutinized and immediately corrected from within.
The best tend to do that.
Jimmy's Daily Planet 