Poll: Which Late Night Talk Show Host

RomaGoth · 07-09-2008, 03:07 PM

So I was sitting around last night preparing to fall asleep (amazing how much time I have at night to do nothing when I am not playing WoW

), and I was watching the end of the Late Show. Then Conan O'Brien came on and I thought about a poll on the FOFC forum.

Which one of the "Big Three" late night talk show hosts do you like the most or think is the funniest?

MikeVic · 07-09-2008, 03:14 PM

Conan. I liked Letterman the most a few years ago, before I found Conan. I liked Leno's headlines thing but that's it. I think Conan is the funniest.

molson · 07-09-2008, 03:20 PM

Letterman has been mailing it in for at least a decade now.

Conan still makes me chucke most times I watch his show, and every so often he really strikes comedic gold in a way you just don't see on late night

cubboyroy1826 · 07-09-2008, 03:22 PM

I love Conan's "The Year 2000"

clemsonfan · 07-09-2008, 03:22 PM

Conan for me too. I love the weird stuff on his show.

RomaGoth · 07-09-2008, 03:23 PM

I liked Letterman in the late 90's, but since then I feel he is rather lame. Leno is pretty funny with his headlines, and he does a few other things that are pretty funny ("jaywalking", and the game show spoof is hilarious). With that being said, I have watched Conan since his show first came out and he is absolutely beyond a doubt the funniest of the three. You can tell he really enjoys just being goofy. His hair is hilarious too.

When you see Conan O'Brien think of 3 things:

Comic the Insult Dog (the skit he did with the people waiting in line for the Star Wars movies was some of the funniest stuff I have ever seen)
Andy Richter
Amy Poehler

He is taking over for Leno in a year or two, it will be interesting to see how that turns out.

Ksyrup · 07-09-2008, 03:29 PM

I haven't watched a late night talk show since...early 90s, maybe? I used to tape Letterman during high school and watch it in the morning (late 80s), and I watched Letterman during college, but haven't bothered with any of these shows since then, other than for the occasional musical act.

Honolulu_Blue · 07-09-2008, 03:32 PM

I don't watch any of these, but I voted for Conan. The few times I have caught it, I liked it.

Galaxy · 07-09-2008, 03:34 PM

What about Jimmy and Craig?

RomaGoth · 07-09-2008, 03:38 PM

How sad that at this moment, Trout has more votes than Jay Leno. Johnny Carson is rolling over in his grave.

BrianD · 07-09-2008, 03:41 PM

This might be the first time I've ever taken the trout option. Dave does seem to be mailing it in and the fact that he doesn't even pretend to listen to the people he is interviewing has always annoyed me. Jay seems to have a good corporate team of joke writers whose jokes all seem very obvious. Conan seems to be goofy without actually being funny. Trout for me.

larnott · 07-09-2008, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RomaGoth

Which one of the "Big Three" late night talk show hosts do you like the most or think is the funniest?

Just FYI, the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson's (which follows Letterman) ratings have often matched Conan (whose ratings have leveled off after a peak a couple years ago) in the past six months or so, so I'm not sure why you excluded him as an option.

I can't think of anything less appealing than Tonight Show w/ Conan and Late Night w/ Jimmy Fallon (as has been announced). I detest Leno and his shitty show, but the way NBC opted to basically shove him out despite the fact that the show is still incredibly successful is mind blowing. This will prove out to be a major disaster for NBC.

larnott · 07-09-2008, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RomaGoth

When you see Conan O'Brien think of 3 things:

Comic the Insult Dog (the skit he did with the people waiting in line for the Star Wars movies was some of the funniest stuff I have ever seen)
Andy Richter
Amy Poehler

Maybe in 1999, but that Conan is long gone.

timmynausea · 07-09-2008, 03:48 PM

I never thought I'd say this, but I think right now it's Jimmy Kimmel by a wide margin. He makes the others look really phony and overly PC.

I used to like Conan, but I think his show has gone way down hill over the past 4 or 5 years. It reminds me of the way Letterman kind of lost something at some point and really started going through the motions every night. I think late night talk show host is the kind of job that takes years to get good at, but once someone actually finds their stride they tend to get content with themselves pretty quickly and let their show get stale.

Fidatelo · 07-09-2008, 03:53 PM

I still like Conan the best, although I can rarely stay up late enough to watch any of them. Leno is a waste of time. Letterman was good before moving to CBS, at which point he tamed down too much and then just completely started to mail it in. Also, Paul Whatshisface is beyond annoying.

What ever happened to Craig Kilborn? I used to love the Late Late Show when he hosted. Then I remember him being funny in Old School (I think it was Old School... he was the dick boyfriend and Vince Vaughn was hot for his girl). Then he seemed to disappear.

larnott · 07-09-2008, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timmynausea

I used to like Conan, but I think his show has gone way down hill over the past 4 or 5 years. It reminds me of the way Letterman kind of lost something at some point and really started going through the motions every night. I think late night talk show host is the kind of job that takes years to get good at, but once someone actually finds their stride, they tend to get content with themselves pretty quickly and let their show get stale.

Ditto.

Conan's shtick has devolved into him shamelessly mugging for the camera to get through one sex/drugs/gay themed comedy piece targeted at teenagers/immature adults after another. His show worked ten years ago or so, when he had Andy to lean on & rein him in. Not to mention the fact that he was ten years younger- at 45, it's just pathetic.

MikeVic · 07-09-2008, 04:04 PM

Actually, best was when Bob Saget was hosting some show temporarily (after Kilborn left or something?), and had John Stamos as his guest. I want to see video of this again. I remember laughing a lot.

RomaGoth · 07-09-2008, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by larnott

Ditto.

Conan's shtick has devolved into him shamelessly mugging for the camera to get through one sex/drugs/gay themed comedy piece targeted at teenagers/immature adults after another. His show worked ten years ago or so, when he had Andy to lean on & rein him in. Not to mention the fact that he was ten years younger- at 45, it's just pathetic.

I disagree and think his show is still funny.

Dr. Sak · 07-09-2008, 04:30 PM

Conan was great with Andy. Even without he is better than the other two.

RomaGoth · 07-09-2008, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bsak16

Conan was great with Andy. Even without he is better than the other two.

+1

Additionally, look at Richter's career since leaving Conan's show. Although his show on Fox was fairly entertaining, it was predictable and did not leave a lot of plotlines to be discovered. Whatever happened to him anyway?

Fidatelo · 07-09-2008, 04:46 PM

Andy was just in Semi-Pro with Will Ferrell.

RomaGoth · 07-09-2008, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fidatelo

Andy was just in Semi-Pro with Will Ferrell.

Yeah now that you mention that I remember seeing the commercial for it.

Schmidty · 07-09-2008, 04:52 PM

I was just about to post something about this the other day.

Craig Ferguson is BY FAR the funniest and entertaining. It's not even a contest.

I used to love Conan (and he's still ok), but his schtick is a bit tired.

The lack of a Ferguson option automatically makes this poll useless.

RomaGoth · 07-09-2008, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmidty

I was just about to post something about this the other day.

Craig Ferguson is BY FAR the funniest and entertaining. It's not even a contest.

I never remember to watch his show. Perhaps I should catch it, eh?

Quote:

The lack of a Ferguson option automatically makes this poll useless.

Logan · 07-09-2008, 05:37 PM

I have no idea who larnott is, but my guess is he's the only guy who ever got his ass kicked by Conan O'Brien.

General Mike · 07-09-2008, 06:08 PM

I like Kimmel best.

RomaGoth · 07-09-2008, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Logan

I have no idea who larnott is, but my guess is he's the only guy who ever got his ass kicked by Conan O'Brien.

Strangely enough, Conan is actually a very tall guy (6'4 or 6'5, don't remember which). Still, I wouldn't be scared of him. Just keep picturing his crazy tv antics and just laugh yourself out of a fight.

Groundhog · 07-09-2008, 06:19 PM

Conan during the writers strike was brilliant. His normal show is funnier than the other two, but he's hit or miss at times.

Izulde · 07-09-2008, 06:51 PM

Conan has never made me laugh in any of those shows I've watched.

Leno's monologues I find hilarious quite a bit of the time. The rest of the show, bleh.

Schmidty · 07-09-2008, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RomaGoth

I never remember to watch his show. Perhaps I should catch it, eh?

Seriously. Do check him out. He is EFFORTLESSLY funny. Everything that comes out of his mouth is hilarious, and from what I've heard, that's exactly how his is in his real life.

lighthousekeeper · 07-09-2008, 07:36 PM

I've found Craig Ferguson to be completely unwatchable. On par with Carson Daly

Schmidty · 07-09-2008, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lighthousekeeper

I've found Craig Ferguson to be completely unwatchable. On par with Carson Daly

Your funny bone has been broken and replaced by a synthetic composite supplied by my Grandma.

ISiddiqui · 07-09-2008, 09:19 PM

Letterman, than Ferguson... followed by O'Brian and Leno.

Schmidty · 07-09-2008, 09:35 PM

Letterman used to be very funny and edgy. Now he just seems to have given up, and is riding his own wave of a comfort zone.

I guess it happens to every one eventually. I guess I just see it happening to Ferguson, because he really is a funny, insane person. Conan is funny as heck, but his randomness is very much well-planned.

Just my opinon. I really hope Craig gets a chance someday, even at his own sitcom. He was the only thing good about "Drew Carey" (other Ryan Styles, mostly because I see him all the time around here). I'll be quiet now, but I'm just a big fan.

ISiddiqui · 07-09-2008, 09:37 PM

Yeah, you best not be slamming the Drew Carey show in your wanting to prop up TV's Craig Ferguson!

Maple Leafs · 07-09-2008, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmidty

Letterman used to be very funny and edgy. Now he just seems to have given up, and is riding his own wave of a comfort zone.

It's almost sad to watch if you remember what he used to be.

I really think losing the ratings war with Leno broke him. I hate seeing him make jokes about his show being worse than Leno's -- the old Dave would never have done that for a cheap laugh.

korme · 07-10-2008, 03:39 AM

In a poll like this, you've got to do all of the correct timeslot people going against each other or just all of them (Ferguson, Kimmel, Daly, anyone else?).

I'd have taken Kimmel over Leno or Letterman, though.

RomaGoth · 07-10-2008, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lighthousekeeper

I've found Craig Ferguson to be completely unwatchable. On par with Carson Daly

Bleh....Carson Daly? The only funny thing I have ever seen him on was an episode of the Chapelle Show.

Dr. Sak · 07-10-2008, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmidty

. He was the only thing good about "Drew Carey" (other Ryan Styles, mostly because I see him all the time around here). I'll be quiet now, but I'm just a big fan.

*COUGH*KATE WALSH*COUGH*

st.cronin · 07-10-2008, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timmynausea

I never thought I'd say this, but I think right now it's Jimmy Kimmel by a wide margin. He makes the others look really phony and overly PC.

I used to like Conan, but I think his show has gone way down hill over the past 4 or 5 years. It reminds me of the way Letterman kind of lost something at some point and really started going through the motions every night. I think late night talk show host is the kind of job that takes years to get good at, but once someone actually finds their stride they tend to get content with themselves pretty quickly and let their show get stale.

I mostly agree with this, although I never really liked Conan.

Subby · 07-10-2008, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by larnott

Conan's shtick has devolved into him shamelessly mugging for the camera to get through one sex/drugs/gay themed comedy piece targeted at teenagers/immature adults after another. His show worked ten years ago or so, when he had Andy to lean on & rein him in. Not to mention the fact that he was ten years younger- at 45, it's just pathetic.

Good to see that in addition to wives, we now let posters' grandpas on the site.

SOLID ANALYSIS, CORNELIUS!

Dr. Sak · 07-10-2008, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Subby

Good to see that in addition to wives, we now let posters' grandpas on the site.

SOLID ANALYSIS, CORNELIUS!

You sir are on a roll!

JS19 · 07-10-2008, 10:14 AM

Conan by far for me. IMO, Conan has a different type of humor which isn't for all, you either appreciate and love it, or you think he's kinda just a goofy guy. For that very reason I'm a little skeptical he might change his ways when he takes over for Leno. Some of my favorite Late Night shows were during the writer's strike when he would come up with some of the most far out stunts and such to fill the air time.

larnott · 07-10-2008, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Subby

Good to see that in addition to wives, we now let posters' grandpas on the site.

SOLID ANALYSIS, CORNELIUS!

At 26, I fall squarely into Conan's target audience. I'm just calling it as I see it.

RomaGoth · 07-10-2008, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by larnott

At 26, I fall squarely into Conan's target audience. I'm just calling it as I see it.

Does that mean that at 35 I am no longer in Conan's target audience? I think he is funny.

Crapshoot · 07-10-2008, 07:20 PM

The correct answer is Jon Stewart.

View Poll Results: Which late night talk show host do you like the most/think is the funniest?
Jay Leno	4	4.44%
David Letterman	22	24.44%
Conan O'Brien	47	52.22%
Don't watch any of them, too busy watching for trout	17	18.89%
Voters: 90. You may not vote on this poll

07-09-2008, 03:29 PM	#7
Ksyrup This guy has posted so much, his fingers are about to fall off. Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: In Absentia	I haven't watched a late night talk show since...early 90s, maybe? I used to tape Letterman during high school and watch it in the morning (late 80s), and I watched Letterman during college, but haven't bothered with any of these shows since then, other than for the occasional musical act. __________________ M's pitcher Miguel Batista: "Now, I feel like I've had everything. I've talked pitching with Sandy Koufax, had Kenny G play for me. Maybe if I could have an interview with God, then I'd be served. I'd be complete."

07-09-2008, 03:32 PM	#8
Honolulu_Blue Hockey Boy Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Royal Oak, MI	I don't watch any of these, but I voted for Conan. The few times I have caught it, I liked it. __________________ *Steve Yzerman*: 1,755 points in 1,514 regular season games. 185 points in 196 postseason games. A First-Team All-Star, Conn Smythe Trophy winner, Selke Trophy winner, Masterton Trophy winner, member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, Olympic gold medallist, and a three-time Stanley Cup Champion. Longest serving captain of one team in the history of the NHL (19 seasons).

07-09-2008, 03:48 PM	#14
timmynausea College Starter Join Date: Dec 2002	I never thought I'd say this, but I think right now it's Jimmy Kimmel by a wide margin. He makes the others look really phony and overly PC. I used to like Conan, but I think his show has gone way down hill over the past 4 or 5 years. It reminds me of the way Letterman kind of lost something at some point and really started going through the motions every night. I think late night talk show host is the kind of job that takes years to get good at, but once someone actually finds their stride they tend to get content with themselves pretty quickly and let their show get stale. Last edited by timmynausea : 07-09-2008 at 03:57 PM.

07-09-2008, 03:53 PM	#15
Fidatelo Pro Starter Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Winnipeg, MB	I still like Conan the best, although I can rarely stay up late enough to watch any of them. Leno is a waste of time. Letterman was good before moving to CBS, at which point he tamed down too much and then just completely started to mail it in. Also, Paul Whatshisface is beyond annoying. What ever happened to Craig Kilborn? I used to love the Late Late Show when he hosted. Then I remember him being funny in Old School (I think it was Old School... he was the dick boyfriend and Vince Vaughn was hot for his girl). Then he seemed to disappear. __________________ "Breakfast? Breakfast schmekfast, look at the score for God's sake. It's only the second period and I'm winning 12-2. Breakfasts come and go, Rene, but Hartford, the Whale, they only beat Vancouver maybe once or twice in a lifetime."

07-09-2008, 03:14 PM	#2
MikeVic Head Coach Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Hometown of Canada	Conan. I liked Letterman the most a few years ago, before I found Conan. I liked Leno's headlines thing but that's it. I think Conan is the funniest.

07-09-2008, 03:20 PM	#3
molson General Manager Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: The Mountains	Letterman has been mailing it in for at least a decade now. Conan still makes me chucke most times I watch his show, and every so often he really strikes comedic gold in a way you just don't see on late night

07-09-2008, 03:22 PM	#4
cubboyroy1826 College Benchwarmer Join Date: Jun 2002	I love Conan's "The Year 2000"

07-09-2008, 03:22 PM	#5
clemsonfan High School JV Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Dayton, OH	Conan for me too. I love the weird stuff on his show.

07-09-2008, 03:34 PM	#9
Galaxy Coordinator Join Date: Apr 2005	What about Jimmy and Craig?

07-09-2008, 03:41 PM	#11
BrianD Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Appleton, WI	This might be the first time I've ever taken the trout option. Dave does seem to be mailing it in and the fact that he doesn't even pretend to listen to the people he is interviewing has always annoyed me. Jay seems to have a good corporate team of joke writers whose jokes all seem very obvious. Conan seems to be goofy without actually being funny. Trout for me.

07-09-2008, 04:04 PM	#17
MikeVic Head Coach Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Hometown of Canada	Actually, best was when Bob Saget was hosting some show temporarily (after Kilborn left or something?), and had John Stamos as his guest. I want to see video of this again. I remember laughing a lot.

07-09-2008, 04:30 PM	#19
Dr. Sak Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Stuck in Yinzerville, PA	Conan was great with Andy. Even without he is better than the other two.

07-09-2008, 04:46 PM	#21
Fidatelo Pro Starter Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Winnipeg, MB	Andy was just in Semi-Pro with Will Ferrell. __________________ "Breakfast? Breakfast schmekfast, look at the score for God's sake. It's only the second period and I'm winning 12-2. Breakfasts come and go, Rene, but Hartford, the Whale, they only beat Vancouver maybe once or twice in a lifetime."

07-09-2008, 04:52 PM	#23
Schmidty Coordinator Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Early, TX	I was just about to post something about this the other day. Craig Ferguson is BY FAR the funniest and entertaining. It's not even a contest. I used to love Conan (and he's still ok), but his schtick is a bit tired. The lack of a Ferguson option automatically makes this poll useless. __________________ Just beat the devil out of it!!! - Bob Ross

07-09-2008, 05:37 PM	#25
Logan Head Coach Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: NYC	I have no idea who larnott is, but my guess is he's the only guy who ever got his ass kicked by Conan O'Brien.

07-09-2008, 06:08 PM	#26
General Mike Pro Starter Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: The State of Rutgers	I like Kimmel best.

07-09-2008, 06:19 PM	#28
Groundhog Coordinator Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Sydney, Australia	Conan during the writers strike was brilliant. His normal show is funnier than the other two, but he's hit or miss at times. __________________ Politics, n. Strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles. --Ambrose Bierce

07-09-2008, 06:51 PM	#29
Izulde Head Coach Join Date: Sep 2004	Conan has never made me laugh in any of those shows I've watched. Leno's monologues I find hilarious quite a bit of the time. The rest of the show, bleh. __________________ 2006 Golden Scribe Nominee 2006 Golden Scribe Winner Best Non-Sport Dynasty: May Our Reign Be Green and Golden (CK Dynasty) Rookie Writer of the Year Dynasty of the Year: May Our Reign Be Green and Golden (CK Dynasty)

07-09-2008, 07:36 PM	#31
lighthousekeeper College Starter Join Date: Oct 2000	I've found Craig Ferguson to be completely unwatchable. On par with Carson Daly __________________ ...

07-09-2008, 09:19 PM	#33
ISiddiqui Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Decatur, GA	Letterman, than Ferguson... followed by O'Brian and Leno. __________________ "A prayer for the wild at heart, kept in cages" -Tennessee Williams

07-09-2008, 09:35 PM	#34
Schmidty Coordinator Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Early, TX	Letterman used to be very funny and edgy. Now he just seems to have given up, and is riding his own wave of a comfort zone. I guess it happens to every one eventually. I guess I just see it happening to Ferguson, because he really is a funny, insane person. Conan is funny as heck, but his randomness is very much well-planned. Just my opinon. I really hope Craig gets a chance someday, even at his own sitcom. He was the only thing good about "Drew Carey" (other Ryan Styles, mostly because I see him all the time around here). I'll be quiet now, but I'm just a big fan. __________________ Just beat the devil out of it!!! - Bob Ross

07-09-2008, 09:37 PM	#35
ISiddiqui Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Decatur, GA	Yeah, you best not be slamming the Drew Carey show in your wanting to prop up TV's Craig Ferguson! __________________ "A prayer for the wild at heart, kept in cages" -Tennessee Williams

07-10-2008, 03:39 AM	#37
korme Go Reds Join Date: May 2001 Location: Bloodbuzz Ohio	In a poll like this, you've got to do all of the correct timeslot people going against each other or just all of them (Ferguson, Kimmel, Daly, anyone else?). I'd have taken Kimmel over Leno or Letterman, though.

07-10-2008, 10:14 AM	#43
JS19 College Prospect Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: NY	Conan by far for me. IMO, Conan has a different type of humor which isn't for all, you either appreciate and love it, or you think he's kinda just a goofy guy. For that very reason I'm a little skeptical he might change his ways when he takes over for Leno. Some of my favorite Late Night shows were during the writer's strike when he would come up with some of the most far out stunts and such to fill the air time.

07-10-2008, 07:20 PM	#46
Crapshoot Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Dec 2003	The correct answer is Jon Stewart.

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