Watching the first Late Night with Seth Meyers reminded me of what I don't like about The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. It's like the executive producer of both, Lorne Michaels, sat each staff down and said, "Now, listen. Our host is a very nice, funny guy but we still have to make sure there isn't one second on his show when he has to improvise and you don't know what he or anyone else on that stage is going to say and do."
This article notes how Fallon's Tonight Show contains less talk than most other talk shows to the point where "variety show" might be a better category for it. The first new Late Night seemed to have a bit more talk but it all felt rehearsed and written. Amy Poehler was very funny to the point where I'll bet some NBC execs thought, "Gee…too bad this can't be Late Night with Seth and Amy." But she was funny in the way she's funny in a sketch where all or most of what she says is on the cue cards.
The Joe Biden interview was exactly what I don't like when so-called talk shows have on a political figure. He knew what they were going to ask. They knew what he was going to say. There wasn't one question about the news or policy or The World We Live In. It was just about the fact that the Vice-President is funny…and funny the way almost anyone would be with that much prep and planning. I don't think elected officials should get this kind of Free Pass to show America how charming they can be with largely-scripted dialogue. (And I'm not suggesting Meyers should have asked him hard-hitting, unexpected questions. That isn't the time or place for that. I'm suggesting they shouldn't have politicians on these programs.)
The big surprise for me with the first new Late Night was the utter lack of surprises. It's like Michaels also said, "And make sure we don't do anything that people haven't seen before on a talk show. I want a typical opening, typical entrance on a typical set, a typical monologue including some typical banter with the bandleader, a typical desk comedy bit, two typical guest spots, then close with a typical musical guest. Oh — and make sure everyone in the studio audience laughs and applauds everything." That last directive probably wasn't necessary because the material was pretty strong…but the audience still sounded like it was composed of Seth Meyers' relatives.
I like Seth — how could anyone not like Seth? — but he does kind of have one way of reading every line he speaks. He never stops smiling…something I guess you can forgive on a first show. The guy's very good at what he does so I'm going to keep watching because Late Night is supposed to be the talk show that brings something new to the form and I'd like to think he will. Maybe he can start with something daring…say, an ad-lib or two.