|
From Letterman to Leno, and Mad TV to Saturday Night Live, Late Night comedy shows have lost their special touch in the last 20 years.
Late night television is a fairly new idea. Talk shows had dominated the eleven o'clock hour starting with the phenomenon of The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. Later in the '70's, a Canadian producer by the name of Lorne Michaels had designed a Saturday Night event.
On October 11th, the debut of Saturday Night Live set new boundaries for late night television on Saturday. In 1994, FOX decided to hire a copycat producer by the name of Joe Spishak to produce a sketch comedy show by the name of Mad TV. FOX placed the show at eleven o'clock, a half-hour before SNL.
Today, ratings for such shows as Leno, Letterman, Conan, SNL, and Mad TV have plateaued since 9/11. Leno and Letterman, competitors for more than 12 years, were set back 5 shows last season due to national events. After the event of 9/11, late night has taken a dive into patriotism. What about comedy? Mad TV's attempt to be funny after September 11th didn't really set a good example when they opened the show with bathroom humor. SNL, though, since their hometown is New York, chose to do a sweet and patriotic opening with the fire fighters and Rudolph Guilliani introducing what had happened. Later in the show, a song by Neil Simon left the world in tears.
Ever since the first season of Mad TV started off, SNL and it have been feuding enemies. Producer of Mad TV, Joe Spishak says, "People look for more comedy and less commercials. Our show gives you about 19 sketches in an hour and SNL will give you half of that in an hour and a half."
Well Mr. Spishak, I think we should focus on quality not quantity. If you would look at ratings for both shows, SNL's ratings doubled Mad TV's ratings in the past 4 years. Also, the advantage of having a LIVE television show as opposed to taped show would really affect the outcome.
Letterman recently reached its 20th birthday with guests Cher and Demi Moore, raising its ratings to a mere 20% higher that week. Leno and Conan O'Brien are basically the same show, just one guy's got a disgustingly fake chin and the other's a Canadian with a disgustingly fake chin. They both share a 2 ½ hour period around the 11 o'clock hour. Lorne Michaels, producer of Conan and SNL, quotes, "The insanity of what happens on set of both shows, makes it hard to express the comedy that you heard in the writing room."
Late Night Television may be strong competition, but it becomes even larger competition with one word: EMMYS.
Recently, the 54th Annual Emmy Awards were a big hit for the comedy industry. Many sitcoms and made for television movies were awarded, and that's nothing new. The biggest surprise this year, however, was the increase in Late Night awards. First of All, The Late Show was nominated 3 times for best variety and music, best directed, and winning best late night. The Tonight Show with Jay Leno was nominated only for best variety and music, surprisingly enough. Conan O'Brien, just like Leno, was nominated for best Variety and Music. Now, the jackpot of them all was SNL winning 2 Emmys for Best Written and Best Variety and Music, and its nomination for Best Directed and Best Late Night Show. Mad TV (I'm not surprised) wasn't even nominated in any category.
Now, the Emmys, of course, is just a name and a statue, but does it affect ratings? Beth Richards, director of SNL says, "If you are the most hilarious show on television, but have a very low ratings, low ratings dominates." Jimmy Bolmont, director and producer of Letterman, says, "Many people think the Leno and Letterman are the same show. Well if you look through the producers eyes, it's different. Leno is more crude and unusual, but cute. Letterman is more comedy and physical humor. There is a big difference."
Well, do you think a 50 year old cigar smoker is starting to get past his prime? Mad TV's director Jonathan Uewstra had recently resigned, leaving the show into little bits. Do you think it's the end of Mad TV? What do you think late night comedy will bring us?
MjSNLGodofAll@msn.com
|
|
