Monday, January 24, 2005
Goodbye, Johnny
The passing of Johnny Carson is a sad moment. Neither Leno nor Letterman come close to filling Carson's shoes in my opinion. He made us laugh, made us feel more sophisticated, he brought us new talent.
Carson was out of the spotlight for the past several years but his impact continues to be felt through the work of the current late-night hosts as well as Jerry Seinfeld, Ray Romano, and virtually every other stand-up comedian currently working.
Letterman is all about Letterman. Leno just lacks an edge -- he's a corporate guy. Carson, however, had a humility and quiet confidence that made him a bit of an everyman (watch the animal skits). It wasn't all about him -- it was about entertaining the audience. He wasn't afraid to make a fool of himself if it would get a laugh. He consistently pushed the envelope. Best of all, the comedy holds up today.
Carl Reiner suggested that someone run the old Carson shows each night on TV. I second that motion.
We'll miss you, Johnny.
In another sad passing, former Boston Globe political columnist David Nyhan died of a heart attack while shoveling snow this weekend. Nyhan was an intelligent and thoughtful voice whose work appeared in the pages of the Globe for 31 years. More recently he wrote for the Lawrence Eagle-Tribune.
Carson was out of the spotlight for the past several years but his impact continues to be felt through the work of the current late-night hosts as well as Jerry Seinfeld, Ray Romano, and virtually every other stand-up comedian currently working.
Letterman is all about Letterman. Leno just lacks an edge -- he's a corporate guy. Carson, however, had a humility and quiet confidence that made him a bit of an everyman (watch the animal skits). It wasn't all about him -- it was about entertaining the audience. He wasn't afraid to make a fool of himself if it would get a laugh. He consistently pushed the envelope. Best of all, the comedy holds up today.
Carl Reiner suggested that someone run the old Carson shows each night on TV. I second that motion.
We'll miss you, Johnny.
In another sad passing, former Boston Globe political columnist David Nyhan died of a heart attack while shoveling snow this weekend. Nyhan was an intelligent and thoughtful voice whose work appeared in the pages of the Globe for 31 years. More recently he wrote for the Lawrence Eagle-Tribune.
