He was awful!
Not only his interviewing (which everybody bags on) - but his monologue.
He looked stiff and uncomfortable. He took FOREVER to get to the punchline. His monologue was filled with at least twice as many words as it is today (comparing the same length).
I've always heard about Leno passing Letterman with the famous Hugh Grant interview and lots of OJ Simpson satire (Dancing Ito's anyone?). But comparing his monologue from back then to a 2007 Leno tells the "rest of the story". Today:
- Jay is doing his shtick (not trying to fit into the Carson mold)
- He uses half the number of words - more descriptive ones today - and gets to each punchline quickly.
- He is having a conversation with the audience (which is why they moved the audience closer to him)
- He is relaxed and no longer shouting (except for effect).
As one who survived the 90's Late Night wars living in the Letterman camp, I have shifted into Jay's bunker. Dave is doing the same shtick. He is more predictable than ever. His bits run well past the punch-line. He is more inside than ever (talks too much to Paul, and not the audience). He just seems unapproachable.
So I am willing to accept the label of "flip-flopper," as I now coach morning shows to be more like Jay than Dave ... And I no longer make excuses for Dave's much weaker ratings.
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