Tag: late night TV

James Corden joins late-night talk show circuit with ‘The Late Late Show’

This blog was originally published on elkharttruth.com on March 24, 2015.

Sometimes the only thing decent to watch late at night is a talk show.

But it’ll take a little more time for James Corden, the newest late-night host, to be up to par with Jimmy Fallon and Jimmy Kimmel.

Corden replaced Craig Ferguson, who left “The Late Late Show” after almost 10 years, and started his hosting stint Monday night, March 23. Well, technically, Tuesday, March 24, since it was after midnight.

After a lot of thanking and one choke-up about his parents, Corden poked fun at himself and the idea that no one in the U.S. really knows him and the fact that he’s never been a host.

Basing his first sketch on “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” with hints of other movies such as “Whiplash,” Corden got his golden ticket and tips from Meryl Streep, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Shia LaBeouf, Allison Janney and, of course, Jay Leno. Because who else?

Honestly, the bit felt like a ploy to get as many celebrities on the show as possible to boost ratings. And after Corden picked up the chocolate bar with the golden ticket that Chelsea Handler dropped, I couldn’t help but wish she wouldn’t have dropped it … even though the bit was fake.

Kudos for getting Simon Cowell to be the greedy celebrity seemingly desperate for a new gig, though.

Corden continued his run of stellar celebrity guests by having Mila Kunis and Tom Hanks be his first interviewees.

The British actor’s interviewing skills could use some work — he talked too much about himself, he struggled to include both celebrities in the interviews (why they did two interview sets together wasn’t clear to me), and he seemed nervous.

He’ll probably improve over time, but it wasn’t enjoyable to watch his first night.

What was fun was an homage to Hanks’ films. It allowed the men to show off their acting chops.

Most people don’t know Corden yet — he’s best known for playing the baker in “Into the Woods” alongside Emily Blunt, but in time, I hope he’ll improve. He has good improv and singing skills, but his interviewing, a key component of late night talk shows, could use some work.

“The Late Late Show with James Corden” airs on CBS at 12:35 a.m. weekdays, after “The Late Show with David Letterman.”

Stephen Colbert is no David Letterman

This blog was originally published on elkharttruth.com on Sept. 9, 2015.

Can a Comedy Central guy hack it on CBS?

After watching only one episode, I’d have to say … no.

CBS’ “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” premiered Tuesday night, and Colbert brought his brand of satirical humor to late-night TV.

I get the feeling people will either love or hate this new talk show, based on how they feel about Colbert and his previous show, “The Colbert Report.”

Colbert has an ego; there’s no doubt about it. Unlike James Corden, his CBS late-night counterpart, he’s not humble or gracious about his new gig.

He almost seemed to be poking fun at his job, even making a joke about how he had nine months to make one hour of TV.

The episode felt like a news show, which is not what the show was when David Letterman hosted. That might have had something to do with his first-night guests, actor and activist George Clooney and presidential candidate Jeb Bush.

Late-night talk shows are supposed to be entertaining, but all the political talk may be too polarizing for viewers.

I’m not sure Colbert has broad appeal, and I definitely think there were better options to replace Letterman.

But Colbert did have some funny moments.

There was a bit about Trump and Oreos which was funny for a bit, but like some of his other jokes, it ran too long.

At least Colbert admitted early in the show that you can’t replace Letterman. Because Colbert can’t.

Not right now, anyway. It’s an adjustment, and viewers will have to wait and see how Colbert molds into his new gig.

But I probably won’t be watching.

What do you think of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert”?

Colbert, Letterman: Late-night talk show shuffleboard

This blog was originally published on elkharttruth.com on May 4, 2014.

Jimmy Fallon. Seth Meyers. Jimmy Kimmel. Conan O’Brien. Chelsea Handler.

All of these people are late-night talk show hosts.

Anyone else notice they are all men, except for Handler? And her late-night show isn’t even on a big network. It’s on E! And it’s only half an hour.

On April 3, David Letterman (who, in case you didn’t know, is a Ball State alumnus) announced he would retire from the late-night talk show circuit in 2015.

On April 10, it was announced that Stephen Colbert would replace Letterman.

Really? Why?

I personally find Colbert a bit intolerable. I don’t enjoy his show, and it really annoys me when people call it a news show. It’s news satire.

And what about Craig Ferguson? You would think the person who has a talk show after Letterman’s would be next in line.

To me, it wasn’t a surprise when Ferguson announced his departure from CBS on April 28.

And what about women in late night?

There are plenty of women in the talk show world. But most are featured during the day, and many of them are in groups (Ex: The View, The Talk).

A woman could easily hold her own on a talk show. Rachael Ray does it. Ellen DeGeneres does it. Handler does it.

And, in case anyone forgot, Oprah did it with flair. Her show had heart, but it tackled tough issues, too.

Woman like talking, so what’s holding major networks from throwing a woman in the late-night ring? Is it too risky?

If it is, it’s 2014, so get over it.

According to news reports, Ferguson’s departure had been in the works for some time. But since he doesn’t step down till December, I say it’s time to give a woman a chance.