Stephen Colbert jumped on the 'clobber Trump' train early and rode that thing all the way to number one in the ratings. Personally, I enjoyed his show the most during the first two years (you know, before Trump was elected). Inside stories say Colbert was doing almost everything but cleaning up afterwards. He was his own announcer. He appeared in goofy sketches with his guests (remember the Big Furry Hat?) He taped a segment where he went back to his old elementary school where one of his teachers was still working there. He had a very moving discussion with Joe Biden about losing family members too young (both have gone through a great deal of loss). To me, this was enough to differentiate himself from the Stephen Colbert of Comedy Central fame but CBS disagreed and made him fire many producers and writers who followed him over from the old show because they wanted it to be more 'BIG TIME!'. It is now. And I find myself often bored with the nightly Trump whippings (I'm not a fan but there is such a thing as overkill!). What will happen if anyone else becomes president? Jon Stewart is an Executive Producer and made several appearances early on but has also stepped back because of other causes and projects.
Jimmy Fallon used to be the cool young rich kid on the block with the fun games and gadgets. As an interviewer, I find him channeling Chris Farley often because he always starts a sentence with "Remember that time you were doing that show and (something)...…that was funny!" He's high energy which the youngsters love. He'll be around for a long time whether I like it or not.
Jimmy Kimmel is the other Jimmy. He started out all over the place and most of his comedy partners were members of his own family. Some are still there but he has phased them out (Where's Aunt Chippie?). He's matured (look at the beard!) and has become the best interviewer of the three.
He is very emotional and his talks about his infant son's health issues were genuine whether people agreed with his politics or not. He has also recently gotten rid of most of his opening titles and is already on stage when the camera points at the studio audience. See, he's trying to cram as much content in his show as possible. I miss his version of "The Generation Gap" quiz show which was a update of a short lived 1960s game show. I understand Kimmel's production company is trying to turn it into a regular daily game show. I would love it but shows like that are difficult to get on the air these days unless you have a big name host.
Let's face it; these are not even talk shows anymore. They're comedy shows with some stars and musical guests thrown in. Stand up comedians rarely appear anymore because they are so many other outlets for that content. Podcasts are the new old-style talk shows. The more things change...…..
UPDATE:3/6/2020-Jimmy Kimmel is getting shot at hosting a big time game show. He will be leading an all-star version of "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?" this April on ABC. Like the other celebrity versions, the winnings will go to various charities.
UPDATE:3/6/2020-Jimmy Kimmel is getting shot at hosting a big time game show. He will be leading an all-star version of "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?" this April on ABC. Like the other celebrity versions, the winnings will go to various charities.
