Each of these programs is on at 11:30 p.m. on NBC and CBS respectively and features a comedian discussing pop culture and current events, interviewing celebrities and ushering in new talent. However, each show is rather different than the other.
The Tonight Show
The Tonight Show first aired in 1954 with host Steve Allen. He was succeeded by Jack Paar, Johnny Carson and various other hosts in between. Each host eventually announced his retirement and named Jay Leno as the successor beginning in 1992.
Jay Leno began his career in commercials and then moved on to stand-up comedy, which he uses heavily in the monologue sections of the show. Some of the recurring segments featured on the show include Headlines, where Leno presents amusing headlines sent in by viewers, Jaywalking, where Leno walks around town speaking to citizens on the streets about various topics often lampooning how little these people know about current events, and Battle of the Jaywalk All-stars, where some of the people from Jaywalking return to compete in a contest to see who knows more than the others. Leno’s guests are often pretty, younger and ‘Hollywood’ types.
In June of 2009, Leno will step down to be replaced by Conan O’Brien, the current host of Late Night. Leno will have his own show in prime time, The Jay Leno Show, at 10:00 PM after the change of hosts on The Tonight Show.
Late Night and Late Show, Leno vs. Letterman
Beginning his career as a radio talk show host, David Letterman is the other option for late night talk shows starting at 11:30 PM. From his job as radio talk show host he eventually moved over into Late Night with David Letterman in 1982 on NBC. Moving from NBC to CBS and moving time slots, Late Show with David Letterman premiered in 1993. Some recurring segments of Letterman’s show are his Top 10 lists, which spoof current events or people with a list of the Top 10 things pertaining to the topic, Stupid Pet Tricks and Stupid People Tricks, both of which showcase animals and people performing stunts and gags. Letterman’s interviewing style is often straight to the point and hard hitting, and he features grittier, older guests.
Each host has his own style, each show has a legion of fans and both shows compete for viewers in the same time spot. While ratings have often proven The Tonight Show as front runner, it is definitely a matter of personal preference between the two shows. Time will tell if Conan O’Brien will fill in for Leno as well as Leno did for Carson and if The Tonight Show will stay at the top of the ratings game.
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