Ahh, there's nothing like some good ol' late night TV to unwind from a long day at work and get you in the holiday spirit, eh? Where else can you get two of my all-time favorite entertainers on the same show improvising like there's no tomorrow?
Now I know what you're thinking. Jimmy Fallon doesn't really compare to the veterans of late night - Leno, Letterman, and company. Well, I don't care what you've heard about Jimmy Fallon's Late Night Show, the guy is amazing. Okay so his monologues aren't like Conan O'Brien's, but that's cuz he's NOT Conan O'Brien. Jimmy's still gotta retain his Jimmy-ness, and he does his best to do just that. Hilarious SNL-esque sketches, some down-to-earth stand up in between introducing his guests, and relatively non-threatening audience interaction. You don't ever have to worry getting completely roasted by Jimmy if he calls you out because, well, he's just too sweet to take it that far.
But let's take Fallon off the pedestal for a sec. By now, you probably know that he generously shares the spotlight with THE best house band to boot: Rockin' the stage every night (and commuting nightly from their hometown of Philly) is the Legendary Roots Crew. It’s like a free mini-concert every night, even sans musical guest performances. Original ‘sandwiches’ (intros and outros composed by the band, led by its amazing drummer and producer ?eustlove) keep the audience members on their toes. Did Max Weinberg and his late night band compose original and personalized intro music for each and every single one of Conan’s guests? Exactly. Hands down: one of THE best moves in comedic (and musical) history since Adam Samberg’s unapologetically crass and wildly successful album Incredibad – another ingenious brainchild of the inherently organic collaboration between comedy and music.
Now I know what you're thinking. Jimmy Fallon doesn't really compare to the veterans of late night - Leno, Letterman, and company. Well, I don't care what you've heard about Jimmy Fallon's Late Night Show, the guy is amazing. Okay so his monologues aren't like Conan O'Brien's, but that's cuz he's NOT Conan O'Brien. Jimmy's still gotta retain his Jimmy-ness, and he does his best to do just that. Hilarious SNL-esque sketches, some down-to-earth stand up in between introducing his guests, and relatively non-threatening audience interaction. You don't ever have to worry getting completely roasted by Jimmy if he calls you out because, well, he's just too sweet to take it that far.
But let's take Fallon off the pedestal for a sec. By now, you probably know that he generously shares the spotlight with THE best house band to boot: Rockin' the stage every night (and commuting nightly from their hometown of Philly) is the Legendary Roots Crew. It’s like a free mini-concert every night, even sans musical guest performances. Original ‘sandwiches’ (intros and outros composed by the band, led by its amazing drummer and producer ?eustlove) keep the audience members on their toes. Did Max Weinberg and his late night band compose original and personalized intro music for each and every single one of Conan’s guests? Exactly. Hands down: one of THE best moves in comedic (and musical) history since Adam Samberg’s unapologetically crass and wildly successful album Incredibad – another ingenious brainchild of the inherently organic collaboration between comedy and music.
Dave Chappelle once commented on the way comedy and music often go hand in hand: "Comedians and musicians - we're like this [interlocks all ten fingers with both hands]. Every comic wants to be a musician. Every musician thinks they're funny." Case in point: Jimmy Fallon and Horatio Sanz perfoming an original Christmas song (first aired on an SNL episode) which Julian Casablancas, frontman of The Strokes, then covered - with a little help from the Roots of course - on a Late Night episode last week. A kick ass cover if you ask me. Simultaneously you get a dose of hilarious comedic effect and astounding musicality all rolled into one song initially meant for laughs only.
Some of you overachievers are probably already thinking about after-Christmas sales, and how to start the New Year off on the right foot. But if you’re like me and winding down from a low key, at-home Christmas celebration, hunkering down in your PJs and watching TV just might be the perfect way to conclude yet another hectic holiday season.
Merry Christmas!
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