Grading NBC’s Late-Night Carousel, Part I: The Tonight Show With Conan O'Brien
Conan’s getting better, but his first month as host of The Tonight Show has been rocky. In short, he has toned down his personality, most noticeably ditching the amped-up opening routine for a more subdued stroll out to center stage. It’s symbolic: The jokes have been broader, lazier and safer, and Conan has conceded some of his trademark silliness. Plus, the guests haven’t been as starry as expected, and the first-night lineup of Will Ferrell and Pearl Jam was a flat-out letdown (and c’mon, Conan, did Pearl Jam really merit a “Good Lord!”?). It won’t be long before the host and his extremely talented writing staff strike the perfect balance between the Average Joe-ness of Jay Leno and the offbeat sensibilities of Late Night-era Conan, but June certainly left something to be desired, and viewers seem to agree: The Tonight Show recently suffered its first ratings defeat at the hands of David Letterman’s Late Show since 2005. No pressure, Conan!
Grade: C+ KEEP READING: Grading Jimmy's Late Night