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A Punchline Without the Punch?
Indiana v. Massachusetts
The Tonight Show v. The Late Show
Stand-Up v. Stand-Up:
Jay Leno and David Letterman are recognized as kings of late night television.
Leno has always been more popular than Letterman (for comedic and personality reasons), yet both stand on the steps below Johnny Carson. Each stand-up comic has a strong following in America. Most people have a favorite between the two legends, but they can see a few positive traits in their “rival.” The story of Leno and Letterman growing up together in the same comedic circle is a surreal reality to say the least. Jerry Seinfeld and Robin Williams were a couple people in this group of up-and-comers in Los Angeles, which is just all kinds of epic. Of all their differences and bitter history though, these late night comics helped define a golden generation of comedy.
In a Hollywood Reporter story just released, Letterman revealed an unknown offer as Leno was wrapping his stellar run as host of The Tonight Show.
“Jay asked me to be on when he was finishing his show, and I said, ‘That’s a lovely offer, but I think it should really be more about just Jay on his final week of shows.’ So I declined,” said the Late Show host. “I think he may feel the same way about this situation.”
A surprise Leno appearance on the final episode of the retiring David Letterman on The Late Show would be a ratings smash. However, more importantly, a televised reunion would be a crazy final chapter decades in the making. While a non-reunion may be the reality, one final sit down would be closure the nation has been waiting for.
We’ll literally have to wait and see if it happens, like a certain Super Bowl party.
What’s really entertaining about their rivalry is that mutual friend Jerry Seinfeld shows that they’re actually quite similar and seem to speak about each other rather fondly in conversation before they “made it.” Supposedly, they resolved enough of their issues during the past few years to be friendly. Here’s some proof.
Whether or not Leno and Letterman sit down one final time on network television by May 20th, it’s nice to know that they respect each other enough to let the other person shine when the spotlight is on him.
And that’s what friendship is about, isn’t it?
P.S. Zinging your buddy with hilarious punchlines on national television is also what being friends is about, so…either way!
The Power of a Pen and Paper
Despite the fact the video interview below is from December of 2012 of The New York Times Magazine, it’s always insightful to get a peak inside the mind of a truly great, creative writer. Jerry Seinfeld is an excellent, iconic stand-up comedian (lucky to have seen him twice), but he’s first a writer. And that’s why this interview is being posted. It’s partly about the subject matter (comedy), but it’s mostly about listening to and seeing the complex, simple, predictable and unpredictable process for writing material that entertains and captures widespread attention and imagination.
And listening to Jerry Seinfeld describe his method is worth your time, especially for a few minutes on a random Tuesday.
Consistently making “nothing” sound interesting and engaging to an audience for a half-hour on television for nine seasons or for an hour on stage or during a five-minute interview is a skill that requires knowing more than a little something about the things we see and do everyday, but just don’t realize until he starts reminiscing about the joys of Pop-Tarts.
Being able to discover those perceptive reveals is nothing to laugh about.
Well, maybe it is…
A Comedy Icon with a Golden Legacy
In a show about virtually everything, Emmy-winning writer Chuck Martin and his good friend and boss Jerry Seinfeld rocked the Ohio Theatre last night with daily observations that left the audience with nothing but pure laughter, joy and appreciation for two men from the world of entertainment that hilariously exposed all the annoying things in life that they and we encounter and comment on on a daily, continuous basis.
One example?
How about how we directly define our own personal energy with the precise battery percentage on our phones (you know it’s true!). Once it gets below 20%, the game’s over. Your day has ended. Sadly, it’s only 2:17 p.m.
The show (and the 2nd row seats: a sincere thank you to my sister!) were the real deal and it was all spectacular.
Now, here’s a juxtaposition for you to contemplate this Friday before the Oscars: What would Jerry Seinfeld be like hosting the Academy Awards?
He would be the host of an awards show about nothing.
Genius.
A Picture About Nothing?
What Year Is It?
(NY Daily News)
Worlds are colliding!
Yes, that is Jason Alexander (ie-George Costanza) and Jerry Seinfeld walking into Tom’s Restaurant in New York City, which was renamed “Monk’s Cafe” for the sitcom favorite Seinfeld. Not only were they spotted at this Upper West Side eatery, but they did so in classic George and Jerry attire.
For the record: this photograph is real and it’s fantastic!
But why the nostalgic get together with cameras filming inside?
That appears to be question on everyone’s mind. That, and where are Kramer and Elaine!?
Here are a few ideas to ponder…just imagine you’re sitting on a bench on a quintessential New York boardwalk one peaceful afternoon with beautiful white birds ready to part like the Red Sea upon reaching a conclusion with the internal soundtrack of Lionel Richie’s “Hello” playing with precision and purpose:
- It was for an episode of Jerry’s web series Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee
- Jason and Jerry discussed a play that Larry David has reportedly written to bring Seinfeld to Broadway
- Jason and Jerry met to arrange a Seinfeld reunion movie
- Or, perhaps, this was ultimately a get together about nothing.
Except, as fans of the ’90s sitcom know too well, the show was never really a show just about nothing.
Whatever the reason for bringing George and Jerry back together in public, it was well worth it. It’s very likely the meeting had something to do with the recent announcement that Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David are collaborating on an exciting new project.
Jerry and George got some food at their sitcom hangout, they talked a little bit, something amazing happened, yada yada yada, the world will never be the same again.
Jimmy's Daily Planet 