# Who would be the best possible "Tonight Show" or other late show host? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 20, 2010, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-be-the-best-possible-tonight-show-or-other-late-show-host/525695 "2010-01-20T14:58:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2010, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-be-the-best-possible-tonight-show-or-other-late-show-host/525695/41 "2010-01-21T12:38:03Z")
No votes for Sarah Palin yet? Hell no to Dennis Miller. Way too political. I still like Leno and am glad he’s coming back. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2010, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-be-the-best-possible-tonight-show-or-other-late-show-host/525695/42 "2010-01-21T13:06:52Z")
Just yesterday (Wednesday, Jan 20) Stephen Colbert had Dick Ebersol (head of NBC sports) on his show and during the conversation about Olympic Coverage, Colbert agreed to wear an NBC logo during his coverage of the speed-skating team, who he will be working for under the title “Assistant Sports Psychologist”. Colbert suggested he should get an additional title for his effort: “Host of _The Tonight Show_” I chuckled, and then spend a few second in serious thought on the matter… ---
**Author:** ![TV\_time](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f17d59/32.png) [@TV\_time](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TV_time)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2010, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-be-the-best-possible-tonight-show-or-other-late-show-host/525695/43 "2010-01-21T17:45:52Z")
I think the essense of a good “Tonight Show” host is that they are interested not necessarily interesting. That’s what made Carson good, and Parr good. For heaven’s sake Carson was a second rate magician and Parr was a DJ. That they could be entertaining fell to second. They are there to represent us, the fans. Entertainers have long fallen short in that way as our representatives. Going back to Jerry Lewis, Joey Bishop, Chevy Chase et al., they saw themselves first as entertainers and second as interested fans. That’s why their shows fell in late night. That’s why Oprah is as good as she is. Is she a great talent? No, she is a great stand-in for us. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2010, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-be-the-best-possible-tonight-show-or-other-late-show-host/525695/44 "2010-01-21T19:10:42Z")
Kimmel does better interviews than the other guys. he blurts out questions that surprise the guests and are exactly what I was thinking when he asks. Then the interview goes in a different and amusing direction. Craig can do that too. Leno not very often. Letterman seems to be getting bored with the show. i think he is just there for the paycheck. ---
**Author:** ![Rafe\_Hollister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/fbc32d/32.png) [@Rafe\_Hollister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rafe_Hollister)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2010, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-be-the-best-possible-tonight-show-or-other-late-show-host/525695/45 "2010-01-21T19:36:01Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > Letterman seems to be getting bored with the show. i think he is just there for the paycheck. And the interns. ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2010, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-be-the-best-possible-tonight-show-or-other-late-show-host/525695/46 "2010-01-21T19:44:09Z")
I know I’m in the minority but I found Johnny Carson to be so boring. He was like Lucille Ball where he had a few good years at the start but then spent the last 75% of his career living on his name. You need an inoffensive host, and this is why Leno was good. Joan Rivers for instance, was a very funny host. But a little Joan went a LONG way. It was hard to take Rivers night after night. What is funny once a week is not funny 5 times a week. I like Ellen DeGeneres but her show fits her perfect now and I’m not sure it’s adaptable to the traditonal talk show format. I would like to see a female late night host, though I don’t know who it could be ---
**Author:** ![Livardo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/43a26b/32.png) [@Livardo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Livardo)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2010, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-be-the-best-possible-tonight-show-or-other-late-show-host/525695/47 "2010-01-21T19:51:12Z")
I’d love it if Norm MacDonlad would do it but I’m afraid people just won’t get his deadpan delivery. ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2010, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-be-the-best-possible-tonight-show-or-other-late-show-host/525695/48 "2010-01-21T20:33:37Z")
> [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](#): > > I think the winner is…_Dennis Miller_. Hilarious, edgy, capable of bloviating for hours on end, and conservative enough to resonate with the older folks as well as the young’uns… “Older” folks? I’m one of the older Boomers (born in '48) & Dennis Miller nauseates me. If my mother were still alive, she would also find his politics disgusting. I remember the _Tonight Show_ of Jack Paar & Johnny Carson; never got into Leno. Have nothing against O’Brien. But I don’t have a nighttime TV routine. _Daily Show_ & Colbert, sure. Or maybe Letterman before his guests arrive–unless they’re\* really\* good guests. But falling asleep in front of the same old show every night is one aspect of Old Fart-dom I’ve managed to avoid. There are other shows. And this here “internet” thing. And books… ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2010, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-be-the-best-possible-tonight-show-or-other-late-show-host/525695/49 "2010-01-21T21:24:46Z")
If we’re keeping the same format of the show my vote definately goes to _Ellen_. Opening monolouge- She’d actually have one I’d want to listen to. Letterman and Conan’s are unlistenable as far as I’m concerned. Too much mugging and making goofy faces. Leno’s monologues at least consisted of good jokes albeit very vanilla. Ellen has the stand-up background and can deliver a joke. Skits and Bits- Even though much of this depends on the writers she’s pretty fearless about getting her hands dirty in any skit/bit and can make the mundane funny. She’d be great doing man(woman)-on-the-street bits, or headlines, or jaywalking. Interviews- Guests always seem to be verrry comfortable with her. She lets them talk, actually LISTENS to their answers, and can make an interview entertaining. Guest on-stage interactions- You know run-of-the-mill chefs, animal experts, new toys this year experts, stuntman interactions where they join a guest in demonstrating items or baking something or driving something. Ellen can make these entertaining. Her show now may be geared towards the stay-at-home mom audience but a jump to a late night audience and the tweeking it would take does not seem to be much of a stretch. ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2010, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-be-the-best-possible-tonight-show-or-other-late-show-host/525695/50 "2010-01-21T22:02:29Z")
> [@BrassyPhrase](#): > > I’m reading _Between the Bridge and the River_. It’s wonderful if you have a sense of humor, but don’t read it if you’re gay. Or straight. Or a Christian. Or an athiest. And especially not if you’re English. Or Scots. Or if you have any opinion on pyschotherapy. Or Tv. Or… > > Well, it’s a fun book. No kidding! I just finished it a little while ago, and I loved it. It’s definitely a book that Craig Ferguson would write – with all that that implies. ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2010, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-be-the-best-possible-tonight-show-or-other-late-show-host/525695/51 "2010-01-21T22:08:13Z")
The show should be cancelled and they should run syndicated re-runs of Law and Order. The Late night show format just has no redeeming qualities. Terrible monologues, stupid sketches, and inane interviews. ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2010, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-be-the-best-possible-tonight-show-or-other-late-show-host/525695/52 "2010-01-22T00:18:29Z")
You need someone reasonably erudite, enough to be an authority. You need someone who’s stood in front of a crowd and done monologues. You need someone everyone’s seen on TV, someone familar. Someone non-threatening. Someone with an eye for talent in not just his field, but others. > **[John Hodgman](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Hodgman)** > > John Kellogg Hodgman (born June 3, 1971) is an American author, actor, and humorist. In addition to his published written works, such as The Areas of My Expertise, More Information Than You Require, and That Is All, he is known for his personification of a PC in contrast to Justin Long's personification of a Mac in Apple's "Get a Mac" advertising campaign, and for his work as a contributor on Comedy Central's The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. > His writings have been published in One Story (to wh... This is your man. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2010, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-be-the-best-possible-tonight-show-or-other-late-show-host/525695/53 "2010-01-22T00:40:46Z")
He’s too PC. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2010, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-be-the-best-possible-tonight-show-or-other-late-show-host/525695/54 "2010-01-22T01:28:39Z")
Groan. How about George Stromboulopoulos? Then you Murkins’ can see what a REAL socialist looks like! ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2010, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-be-the-best-possible-tonight-show-or-other-late-show-host/525695/55 "2010-01-22T01:41:04Z")
> [@singular1](#): > > Along the same lines, I think Adam Carolla is a really good interviewer as well. He was in the running for Ferguson’s job along with DL Hughley, and he did a very good job. Of course I’d miss his podcasts if he stopped doing them, so I’m glad this is just hypothetical. I was thinking of Adam Carolla, too. I thought he and Dr. Drew were both very good when they did Loveline on MTV. I don’t know why the Tonight Show couldn’t have rotating hosts. (At the end of a year, they could tabulate the numbers and declare a winner, if they must.) When David Letterman was out sick, there were dozens of people filling in for him, and it was very interesting to watch and see how they did. Maybe no one person has the almighty power to command a big audience any more. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2010, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-be-the-best-possible-tonight-show-or-other-late-show-host/525695/56 "2010-01-22T02:21:30Z")
Another vote for Jon Stewart, with Bryan Williams as his sidekick. ---
**Author:** ![Eternal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ecb155/32.png) [@Eternal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eternal)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2010, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-be-the-best-possible-tonight-show-or-other-late-show-host/525695/57 "2010-01-22T13:43:06Z")
Being as I don’t watch the show anyway, I want Jon Stewart to do it just to take him down a peg. Maybe once he gets a resounding “no thank you” from the American people he’ll tone down his whole “voice of the people” act on Daily Show. ---
**Author:** ![joyfool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@joyfool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joyfool)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2010, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-be-the-best-possible-tonight-show-or-other-late-show-host/525695/58 "2010-01-22T14:29:20Z")
Both of mine (Stewart and Ferguson) have already been picked, so I’m going to throw in a write-in vote for Will Ferrell. And before anyone laughs me off the board, think of his turn in **Stranger Than Fiction**. He was perfect and I think he could handle the job with aplomb. ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2010, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-be-the-best-possible-tonight-show-or-other-late-show-host/525695/59 "2010-01-22T14:56:54Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > He’s too PC. Oooh. Good one. But seriously, I think he’d do a good job. Remember, he did discover Jonathan Coulton and… er, someone else? already. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-be-the-best-possible-tonight-show-or-other-late-show-host/525695.md?page=2)