[Cnn.com just reported that Leno is leaving and O'Brien is rising to the occasion. Full story is here.]
I remember the days of watching Letterman on NBC and then Conan. As they grew into their positions and as their time slots moved earlier it seemed that they lost a lot of what made them unique and funny. It’s a whole different audience at 11:30pm and I’m not sure how well Conan will do. However, I think Jimmy Fallon of SNL will do quite well at 12:30am replacing Conan.
As I read this news story I can’t help but think back to the greatest late night host of all-time, Johnny Carson. I was a kid during the time he hosted the Tonight Show, but this guy was the king without a doubt. What a special treat when my parents allowed me to stay up late on a school night so I could watch Johnny interview someone I liked. Carson was quick on his feet and incredibly funny, but the man was class all the way. It’s a characteristic that many people don’t care about much in today’s generation, but I consider myself blessed to have witnessed Carson perform his magic on the small screen and know that it is something that will never be repeated ever again. In my mind, no one will attempt to emulate Carson because it just isn’t possible. His shoes are too big to fill, and when one has the kind of comedic presence and command of the genre as Carson did, the legacy should end with him.
