"As Long as they're funny" part III: Stephen Colbert

He's not Conan.

But he's funny.

And white.

And male.

Stephen Colbert is going to do a fine job as the second host of The Late Show. I notice that much of what I said in "As Long as they're funny" has been repeated by many "journalist" [it feels wrong calling entertainment columnist journalist]. Although, I can hardly use the phrase "repeated" since it was not from me these "journalist" first heard their ideas.

With Comedy Central losing it's host for the 11:30 spot, it seems all but certain that a woman should and probably will land that time slot. Jon Stewart [and his 10 Best Variety Show Emmys] probably has a say in who follows him, since the 11:00 & 11:30 time slot with The Daily Show and The Colbert Report have been so link as a one hour block of entertainment/mock-news. Further, with Craig Ferguson being passed over I do predict he will leave the 12:35 time slot and move on to bigger and better things. I still feel HBO will make a good home for him.

That is all for now. Nice and short. Just like my readers like it.

"As long as they're funny" part II: an apology to Ms. Chelsea Handler

Today Ms. Chelsea Handler wrote a post on the Huffington Post Entertainment Section. It seems that in the wake of my first "As long as they're funny" there seems to be a flurry of writing about late night TV.

FULL DISCLOSURE: the plethora of late night TV related writing has nothing to do with my post. Only in my head did my post spark a late night TV writing craze. In actuality, this all steams from Mr. Fallon's first week as host of The Tonight Show. [which AV Club gave a "C" - calling it an "emperor's new clothes" show].

I quickly want to re-visit two topics I glossed over in my first "As long as they're funny"; 1) the youth viewership & 2) Ms. Chelsea Handler.

It may have seemed that Mr. O'Brien, whom I cast as suffering alone in TBS oblivion, was failing in all regards. He is not failing, simply put, his show is funny, day in and day. It is a joy to watch his relationship with Mr. Richter and the ease that these two men work together. Mr. O'Brien's bits and interactions with guest are refreshing to watch as well. And although he does not have the same viral effect that Mr. Fallon has I did touch upon Mr. O'Brien's presence on social media. Mr. O'Brien does do very well with the younger audience. Conan, The Daily Show, The Colbert Report, and yes...Chelsea Lately all do well among the under 35 demographic.

But mostly, I defer to Ms. Handler's own words:

"The particular paragraph I was mentioned in was about the competition Jimmy faces for younger viewers. Depending upon whose research you look at, I share the distinction of having the youngest average viewership with Colbert, The Daily Show and Conan. So from a purely statistical standpoint how, in this paragraph, could I only be mentioned as an aside? Was it because I'm a woman?"

Let me state, I failed in my first "As long as they're funny." I know of Ms. Handler's show. I have seen Ms. Handler's show. I now several friends who fave about her books. And yet, in a post about how women should be more included I left out Ms. Handler. I did not even include her in a parenthetical sense. As I typed my [4 1/2 page! wtf] blog I know I was taking a chance by not including her. I was running long with my words and felt that by bringing up Ms. Handler I would dive further into my point about women in late night, but using the one woman who is on late night as being on E! rather than any higher viewed or power network. I did not want to use Ms. Handler to make my point. She is not a prop in my argument. She is a wonderfully funny & talented woman. So I made an editorial choice and left her out.

Ms. Handler, I am sorry.

I should have made a stronger case. As I continue to form my thesis of late night TV and continue to touch up on this topic that I enjoy, I will be sure to expand my argument with an inclusion of an "As long as they're funny" Chelsea Handler edition.

And you are right Ms. Handler, no one puts baby in parenthesis. But NBCUniversal Cable sure did hide baby on E! [which is owned by NBCUniversal Cable - where I wonder did the executives even give Ms. Handler the courtesy of putting her in a parenthesis in their Tonight Show transition Memo?].

Mr. Harold Ramis

director...
Caddyshack, National Lampoon's Vacation, Groundhog Day, Analyze That, & The Ice Harvest

and an actor...
Second City, SCTV, Stripes, Ghostbusters I & II, & Knocked Up.

Harold Ramis was arguably the most influential force in movie comedy in the last two decades of the 20th century. In doing so, Mr. Ramis influenced a slew of comedic minds which will insure his legacy well into the 21st century.

I can not say anything new or original that has not already been said through out today. I did not know know Mr. Ramis. I do not have an anecdote to add to the richness that his Mr. Ramis' story. And yet, as it was with Mr. Philip Seymour Hoffman, the death of a well know actor/entertainer has hit home for many. Although not as tragic as the death of Mr. Hoffman, many have been affected by the news of Mr. Ramis' death. It is easy to understand why, in both cases, the news that we no longer have Mr. Hoffman nor Mr. Ramis to contribute their talents, has left many, who neither knew or had ties to either man, searching for closure. Both men were giants. Mr. Hoffman with his presence and Mr. Ramis with his wit.

Ask anybody older than 30 to name a favorite comedy from the late 1970's or early 1980's. They will name one of Mr. Ramis' comedies. And although Mr. Ramis will forever be linked to the nearly untouchable streak of comedic genius he released in that span, he was so much more. And although the image of Dr. Egon Spengler is how many will forever remember him, he deserves a second, or even third look. And although he will forever be linked to Mr. Bill Murray he influenced so many others [I deeply hope this two great comedic genius of their time found a way to mend their relationship before Mr. Ramis' passing].

I would make a case that Mr. Ramis' true gift he left the world of cinema was Groundhog Day. Further, the father son scene in Knocked Up gave that movie a sense of humanity that Judd Apatow's best directorial fare deeply needed.

Although I was probably too young in the 1980's to have seen any of his films, I did. It can not be denied that many in my generation learned or at least began to ask and understand "what is funny" because we sat down and watched his films. And as we grew, the dept of his humor was more fully understood, ensuring that Caddyshack was, is, and will always be worth watching.

Mr. Ramis, age 69, died today in his Chicago-area home. According to a spokesman for United Talent Agency, the cause was complications of autoimmune inflammatory vasculties. The disease involves swelling of blood vessels.

Today his family privately morns his death. Today a generation of comedy lovers publicly celebrates his life. Mr. Ramis defined funny for many. In doing so, he will always live on.

Mr. Ramis I am glad you crossed the streams. Rest in peace.

“As long as they’re funny.”

Comedy is beautiful.

Supposedly, anything is art if it elicits emotion. Although this definition is very vague it holds up pretty well to scrutiny and criticism. While everything that elicits emotion is not art, everything that is art does cause some emotional response from the participant interacting with the art form.

Since there have been records society has placed artist on pedestals. Make us laugh, make us weep, make us think and we will applaud and celebrate you. Artist speak to a primal, and often instinctual, piece of our souls. An infant does not need to be taught to cry, laugh, ponder, explore, or to desire to feel. All of these emotions are in our DNA. As humans we seek out experiences that drive our senses to these beautiful places. Comedians not only strive to bring out our laughter but they challenge us on how we think of the world. Even in the most basic sense, the court jester or sad clown, both tragic figures in their own right, comedy causes us to pause and respect the spectacle that we are witnessing. A comedian exposes their soul in order to reach out and move our own soul. And while this is evident in nearly all art forms, there is something bold about the self-exposure a comedian will go through for a simple, or not so simple, emotion. You see, comedy is, in fact, beautiful.

Which, when all is considered, makes perfect sense why our country so naturally feels at ease going to sleep with a comedian flickering on their TV. The late night television show, an infant in the grand scheme of art forms, somehow finds itself in the American lexicon with such ease and commonality that one would think late night TV is as American an institution as baseball or apple pie. And yet, in 2014, we found ourselves without a woman on a major network’s late night programming. Although bound to be a winding road, this is the story of how CBS is poised, if they want, to break ground in American TV, comedy, & potentially in gender perception.

With the newest incarnation of The Tonight Show going live tonight [NBC 11:35 pm est] I find it fitting to make a commentary on the “late show” institution. The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon probably will not break the mold of what is the traditional late night model; monologue, sketches/comedy bits, one or two guest, musical guest, and the band [a tip of the hat to Mr. Fallon and the producers of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon for bringing the Roots, one of hip-hops greatest groups, and Philadelphia natives, into millions of American’s homes five nights a week – Mr. Fallon has made an influential change to the “late show orchestra/band” idea but that credit is pre­-The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon & therefore I will stand by my original statement, “The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon probably will not break the mold of what is the traditional late night model”].

Mr. Fallon’s closer, Seth Meyers, has a fighting chance of making a ripple of how the format looks with his version of Late Night. No matter the effort though, Mr. Meyers will also struggle to change or revolutionize how it sounds, feels, and resonates into our American homes. Late Night has, and will always be, a show aimed at, and for college age students. The show is symbolic of their transition from youth to adult hood as marked by their willingness to stay up and/or be up at 12:35 am to the years where 11:35 pm is more reasonable and will be better pandered to by whomever is holding the Tonight Show mantle. Since 1982 Late Night has seemed cutting edge and ready to revolutionize the format of late night TV. Whether it was Dave Letterman or Conan O’Brien or Jimmy Fallon the Late Night host always seemed, on the surface, to be on the brink of changing to format. But a deeper look shows they just fine tweaked a song we already know. Even with his rebellious attitude toward the late night format Mr. Letterman, due to his Late Night contract, was bound to the need for a monologue and an orchestra/band. Even when freed from Mr. Carson's production company he stayed true to the model he had grown comfortable with [to his credit Mr. Letterman's production company, World Wide Pants, did not place those same restrictions on Mr. Craig Ferguson]. Mr. O’Brien has never been shy about his respect and love for Mr. Letterman’s show & style. It is obvious then that his Late Night was a his ode to Mr. Letterman’s wilder days on Late Night. Mr. Fallon, ever the TV historian and appreciative star, worships at the altar of the comedians and pop culture icons before him would never stray too far from the mold made famous by Mr. Letterman and made mainstream by Mr. O’Brien. Both men are also adamant fans of the late, and great, Mr. Johnny Carson. By extension, Mr. Fallon’s Tonight Show will bare a stronger resemblance to Mr. Carson’s Tonight than Jay Leno’s version ever could.

Moreover, and here lays our problem, every person mentioned [and we have only touched on NBC’s late night players] are all of the following; white, mid-late 30s when they first hosted [Mr. O’Brien was a spring chicken when he first started on Late Night at age 30 while Mr. Meyers will be 40 when he starts], college educated, and television journey men. Key word…MEN. It is hard to revolutionize something when the keeper of the keys looks the same, sounds the same, and comes from the same world. In the late night world the story, although there are outliers, have similar narratives. Just look at birth places of the current crop of late night players; Mr. Kimmel [NY], Mr. Letterman [IN], Mr. Leno [NY – recently retired he will pop up I include him in this list], Mr. Fallon [NY – Bay Ridge, Brooklyn to be exact – the same birthplace of Mr. Kimmel], Mr. O’Brien [MA], Mr. Stewart [NJ], Mr. Colbert [SC], Mr. Maher [NJ], Mr. Meyers [IL], and Mr. Ferguson [Ireland]. Seven of ten men born in the eastern United States. Six of those ten in the North Eastern United States. All six in New York or Massachusetts. Two of the ten in the mid-West and of course, one immigrant. A white Anglo-Saxon immigrant. We could spend more time here examining the other similarities between these men, but for the sake of time and your boredom let us not.

Let me now say, that I am not trying to blend these ten men in one mold, each is unique in their style, humor, delivery, definition of funny, comedic priorities, and what they deem important to relay to their audience. My larger point is to say that in order to break the mold that is late night TV the mold need not be broken on the set, but rather by who is placed on that set, and therefore, what is brought to the set.

I stand behind the choice of Mr. Fallon to hold the keys to The Tonight Show. He will do a great job. He will bring the show into our homes, and while our parents & grandparents made comment of Mr. Carson’s monologue, guest, and the legendary invite to the couch, our generation will speak of Mr. Fallon’s musical talent, willingness to make us laugh, and his comfort with his guest. This point being, The Tonight Show will be a cultural institution not because it’s supposed to be, as it was under Mr. Leno, but it will be a cultural institution because it will again EARN its place there [see my future post on SNL]. Mr. Fallon will do well in holding on to a great American television institution as did Mr. Allen, Mr. Paar, Mr. Carson, Mr. Leno [say what you will – he did not break The Tonight Show, he just lived for twenty two years under Johnny’s shadow and the stench of his backdoor entry into what many, including Mr. Carson, thought should be Mr. Lettermen’s show], and ever too briefly Mr. O’Brien before him.

In fact, I believe Mr. Fallon will hold on to The Tonight Show for a long while. And when it is time NBC will be ready to pass along the torch, not to the next TV man in line, but rather to the most qualified funny PERSON [imagine Ellen DeGeneres hosting The Tonight Show…let it sink in]. Unfortunately, Mr. Meyers is an veteran comedy man of NBC [in fact a year older than his lead in, Mr. Fallon] and unless Mr. Fallon fails at 11:35 pm [I find it hard to imagine – his style is easier to translate to 11:35 pm than Mr. O’Brien’s was in 2009 and he does not have Mr. Leno lurking at 10:00 pm] Mr. Meyers will more than likely be 55-60 before NBC lets go of Jimmy. At which time NBC will want to go younger [although not at both time slots – 11:35 will go to a mid-30's to late 40's established comedian/host/writer with a "brand" to bring to The Tonight Show – also I can see Mr. Fallon bringing back the “guest-host” in his later years to test run different host in his spot].

Which, finally, leads to me explain how CBS can break ground and actually make late night TV interesting and competitive. David Letterman is now 66 and with his contract good through 2015, I can see him retiring after the frenzy of a new Tonight Show host is over and the late night waters are stable. As the elder statesman of late night and a well-respected comedian of his generation, his retirement will bring dozens upon dozens, if not hundreds of stars wanting to pay their respects. He can, although his modesty and apparent dislike for formalities might prevent this, milk his retirement and ride out as the number one late night show. This will mean that CBS will need to replace their 11:35 pm host for The Late Show.

It is here that I will break to say, or better said, forewarn, that it gets zany from here on out.

Let us assume, that CBS [and Dave Letterman who produces both his show and The Late Late Show] does not choose Mr. Ferguson as the replacement in the 11:35 pm CBS time slot. We are now looking at a situation in which two brand new host are needed. Both will rival the Fallon/Meyers block as well as Mr. Kimmell who has a growing and passionate following and Mr. Colbert [a genius] on Comedy Central.

[Ready for crazy pants here?] Mr. Stewart has as solid lock on 11:00 pm both in a 0.7 ratings ["According to in-home viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research for the week of Feb. 3-7. Ratings refelect "live plus same day" date from Nielsen Media Research unless otherwise noted. Season-to-date figures are averages of "live plus seven day" data except for the two most recent weeks, whch are live plus same day."" - tvbythenumvers.com] and more importantly culturally. In fact Mr. Stewart’s 0.7 [ tvbythenumvers.com] stands pretty well against most of his competition. However, Conan O’Brien’s Conan is suffering a 0.4  [ tvbythenumvers.com] and cultural banishment. His online following is strong and present but he is a cultural shadow of what he once was when hosting Late Night on NBC. This should be righted. Mr. O’Brien is both immensely gifted and passionate about his craft. He deserves to be in the cultural awareness. He was scorned by NBC and passed over for a show that should have been his, The Tonight Show. Who else, I mean really, who else can possibly and rightfully step into Dave Lettermen’s Late Show than someone who both idolizes Dave Letterman and share a similar story and back ground with NBC. In short, Mr. O’Brien should return to 11:35 pm by replacing Mr. Letterman in 2015.

Which, finally, leads us to the forward thinking and easily obvious choice at 12:35 am. CBS will hire a woman to host the Late Late Show in 2015. Mr. Ferguson is talented, funny, and genuine [if you have not seen his heartfelt eulogy to his father see it now part one  & part two . No really. Stop. Go see it now. Then finish reading this...actually...watch this too . I said Mr. Colbert was a genius, now let me add, deeply human & simply a good person]. The natural move would be to give Mr. Ferguson a freer, more open, and less censored space to do his show. Mr. Ferguson is a gifted story teller and comedian and has done a wonderful job turning the traditional monologue on its head. 12:35 pm is not allowing him to expand to his full potential nor does it fully utilize his talents. A venue like HBO would be perfect for him [which after seeing what HBO does in April with John OIiver I may recant this or write a whole other blog on it].

So. We finally end up where we started. CBS is poised, if they want, to break ground in in American TV comedy, & potentially gender perception. Mr. O’Brien will offer a perfect foil to Mr. Fallon and a wonderful lead-in and mentor to the host of the Late Late Show [Mr. O’Brien’s foil to Mr. Fallon may be expanded on at a later date. I feel like I have a bit to say about it…we shall see]. For anybody struggling to think of how well a woman can do hosting a major network late night show I; 1) ask that you smack yourself, 2) go to the interweb and type “women of comedy”, & 3) enjoy the free education. 

I will start by saying I am going to fall short here, but the list of women that can brought up to prove that if they would have been placed as a host of a late night show, that they too would draw huge audiences and would have had an impact of changing what is the late night show. Their impact would staggering. Let me list just ten to make a point; Lucille Ball [I should just stop there. Ms. Ball would have been a perfect late night host. Goodness.], Carol Burnett [just look at what she did with her variety show], Tina Fay, Amy Poehler, Ellen DeGeneres, Janean Garofalo, Betty White, Bea Arthur, Jane Curtin, and Gilda Radner. The list of young funny women in comedy right now is growing daily. It makes sense to want a woman as a late nigh host. As a major channel [the big four; ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC] you have everything to gain. And to show how loved a woman in television can be I point back to the wonderful and talented Ms. Lucille Ball. While pregnant on The I Love Lucy Show America did not turn away from the show, rather they became fascinated. “Little Ricky” was not just Lucy’s baby, it was America’s baby. Imagine for a second, the comedic gold that would come from growing older, year by year with a female host of a late night show. As silly as it sounds, how much of an impact could having a woman on TV, with the spotlight on her, go through a pregnancy and child rearing in front of a national audience. For a country that is behind in its pay, treatment, and respect for women in the work place, a female late night host can create small steps in the bridging some of these gaps.

And for anybody who is having a knee jerk reaction to the thought of a woman hosting one of the late night institutions remember “as long as they’re funny” is all that really matters.

Oh…one last thing…

Dear CBS,

Just make sure her pay is not 77% of Mr. Meyers.  

Isn't comedy beautiful? 

Commitment-phobia: Why Shy Away from Cleaning the Bay? by Payton Brown

February 2^nd, 2014: A brief issued by 21 states was issued in support of the appeal by American Farm Bureau (AFBF), The National Association of Homebuilders and other groups. The AFBF, et al. appeal was filed on January 27^th, 2014 and may be arguing the same or similar talking points as their lost 2010 suit against the EPA for regulating nutrient loading into tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay. Some articles on the matter are linked: The Washington Post, The Bay Journal, Farm Futures. And now that we’re caught up a little…

There is no doubt that it is well within the rights of the AFBF, et al. to appeal the ’10 court decision upholding the EPA’s plan for the Bay and the policies of the EPA to protect the Chesapeake Bay. If upheld, the plan for the Bay will likely influence national policies that regulate the environmental impact on other bodies of water in the US. The plan positively affects markets (tourism, fisheries) within the states in the watershed and, in turn, whomever participates in those markets (e.g. potentially the whole nation). This, falling under the commerce clause (Article I, section 8 of the Constitution) is a huge justification for the Clean Water Act, which the EPA’s plan for the Bay is based under.

The AFBF, et al. argues that markets, such as development and agriculture, may be negatively affected more than others by the plan. This is because they contribute a significant amount of non-point source nutrient pollution entering the Bay. And it is the EPA’s hope to cut this pollution back and to not exceed a watershed’s total maximum daily load (TMDL) of pollutants. TMDLs are standards created  for the EPA by modeling nutrient loading; these models traditionally use parameters and processes such as water flow and efficiency of nutrient cycling. And nutrient pollution (nitrogen and phosphorous primarily) is the main cause of the relatively recent decline in the Bay (e.g. algae blooms, dead zones, functional extinction of eastern oyster, loss of natural nursery grounds).

The EPA points out that the suit against them and following appeal concerning the plan for the Bay is slightly out of place. This is because EPA plans are made available to the public for consideration and comments before it is enacted. I have even seen that they have made changes to their plans based on public input, even since I have become somewhat aware of my political surroundings (e.g. changing of EPA’s carbon emission policy for powerplants). Everyone could have had a say before 2010, so what is the larger reason for the appeal?

It could simply be easier for opponents to let the EPA make a plan and have it deemed unconstitutional, and repealed, thus setting a precedent for little or no EPA involvement in indirectly influencing land use. Suing and appealing for repeal of the plan seems like it could be a quick(ish) and dirty way of getting what AFBF, et al. wants (relaxed restrictions on non-point source nutrient pollution). Especially if AFBF, et al. tried to give their input and to compromise but did not get the deal they wanted or are willing to settle for.

More largely, I think a disparity exist between the value different groups place on not only the markets that depend on the waterways, but the aquatic ecosystem itself. I say this because in a similar brief, counties within the Bay watershed support AFBF’s appeal. These counties are not in Maryland or Virginia, the states that are home to the Bay. Spatial distance from the adored estuary decreases the importance of its revival and the success of markets that depend on it. Additionally, temporal distance decreases this; I have the benefit of hearing wondrous stories of a Bay where you could see your toes in chest deep water, a Bay where you could practically pluck soft shell crabs from eel grass beds because the water was so clear.

Others are not so fortunate.

And the dilemma resides here: how does one inspire value for something they have not seen or touched? My generation has never seen a healthy Bay. People in the watershed and throughout the country that oppose the EPA’s plan more than likely did not grown up with the dynamic & charismatic Chesapeake at their back yard or directly depended on the estuary.

Can we expect the Bay to be “saved” by distant third parties or by the increasingly disconnected upcoming generation? Does a general appreciation and value put into the natural world provide sufficient reason for the nation to support the EPA here? Probably not.

Finding the balance of EPA regulation could be achieved through these appeals. Perhaps the EPA recognizes rigidity in its plan and provides some flexibility. Alternatively, the AFBF, et al. could be silenced by another loss and the EPA proceeds as it pleases. None the less, pursuing the route of EPA regulation via the CWA and TMDLs looks far less reckless than resting the responsibility of cleaning up the Bay on the future generations would be.

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