So let's try a lighter post: the late night television wars. This is one war America can actually win. Once upon a time things were simple and straightforward: Johnny Carson hosted the Tonight Show. Maybe you watched it, maybe you didn't. Now there are late night choices, and Leno is back on the menu. I guess if all three went head to head, I'd pick Leno. Both Dave and Conan started out with late late shows (the 12:30 slot) and never really left their late late antics behind when they moved up to 11:30. I'm not sure if Conan's refusal to take the 12:05 slot, turning Tonight into Tomorrow, was noble or just good negotiating (nice severance package, Conan), but I think he was right that Tonight at 12:05 just wouldn't be the same.
I vote for Dave.
Posted by: Eric Nielson | Jan 22, 2010 at 12:36 PM
Conan, by default, because I no longer like either of the others personally, and it's hard to laugh along with someone you can't trust.
Posted by: Ardis Parshall | Jan 22, 2010 at 01:16 PM
I vote for Jimmy Fallon because his house band is the Roots.
Posted by: Susan M | Jan 22, 2010 at 04:27 PM
Conan. Getting even is surely not the right thing to do, but it sure makes for entertaining tv.
Posted by: Molly | Jan 22, 2010 at 04:45 PM
I'm going for Jay. I don't find Dave that funny, and Conan is annoying in my book. Plus....I just love headlines on Monday night.
Posted by: BYUAgnostic | Jan 22, 2010 at 05:17 PM
I used to like Dave, but now it's Conan. I'll never forget that old-timey baseball sequence.
Posted by: Ben Pratt | Jan 22, 2010 at 08:54 PM
I'll take Jon Stewart as a write-in.
Posted by: Geoff J | Jan 23, 2010 at 10:54 AM
I'm with Geoff, and go with Jon Stewart.
Posted by: Dan | Jan 23, 2010 at 01:51 PM
I just viewed Conan's farewell remarks on his last show. Very classy. I am considering changing my vote. Jay Leno is going to have some explaining to do. And it's hard to be funny while you're explaining to the audience why you are now in front of the camera and the classy guy isn't anymore.
I'm expecting Conan to be a guest on Late Night (Letterman's show) sometime soon ...
Posted by: Dave | Jan 23, 2010 at 03:15 PM
Conan, because he has Max Weinberg.
Posted by: Ann | Jan 24, 2010 at 09:56 AM
1. Jon Stewart, especially during major election years.
2. Conan
3. Letterman
4. Colbert
5. Craig Fergeson, who I've only seen a few times, but I really liked his show. He seems to actually listen to his guests. Honestly I'm too tired to watch it though.
6. Jimmy Kimmel
7. Jimmy Fallon. He's horrible during interviews. But I like his band, and he seems to latch onto funny memes pretty fast. Which can be good or bad.
8. Leno. He's really bad with interviews. Sometimes I can tell he's looking at the teleprompter (or cue cards) for the next question instead of actually listening. His best bits were things Letterman was doing when I was a kid. His monologues are more obvious than the other hosts and something about the main dude in his band drives me absolutely nuts, even more than Paul Schaffer.
Oh yeah, and I really got tired of his Mormon jokes during the SLC Olympics. I know all the hosts did it, but his were always the lamest. I like a good polygamist or WOW joke as much as anyone, but his were a whole other level of stupid.
I hope he fails. I know I won't be watching.
Posted by: jjohnsen | Jan 24, 2010 at 03:55 PM
Ted Koppel--the last late night host I watched for more than 5 minutes.
Posted by: Last Lemming | Jan 25, 2010 at 07:57 AM