Conan O’Brien returns – but on the Tonight Show. 1st night was ok (well, I’m not a Will Ferrell fan, so I can’t judge how he was as a guest, nor am I a Pearl Jam fan) – did enjoy that opening video skit – Conan literally running out of NYC – through the country to Universal Studios in L.A.
Slate’s TV critic Troy Patterson on the 1st episode:
The rest you must see for yourself. Look at the purpose in Conan’s cross-country stride, the fine line of his back, the slim suit a Reservoir Dog would die for, the flow of his Eero Saarinen hair as he cruises. In the opening sequence of the new Late Night, Jimmy Fallon goes running every show, but it feels as if he’s anxious and rushing, as if he’ll get fired if he’s tardy for work one more time. Conan is swift with confidence.
The setup for the pay-off is gorgeous. Even as your heart swells at seeing the sights of all America—or, at least, of those parts of America hosting the network affiliates Conan has been working to woo—it starts sinking with the worry that the trip will conclude with the host sprinting straight onto his new stage. That would be cheesy. That would spoil the whole thing. The tension is palpable, and then you get that forlorn shot of the forgotten keys and a sweet release.
Conan’s hot cold open says this is action, this is a national institution, this is physical comedy as sophisticated as Harold Lloyd’s or Jacques Tati’s, this is absurdity as deft as John Ashbery’s or Spike Jonze’s. He wants mom and dad rolling with laughter on the couch, and he wants to go the distance.
I do agree – that opening was funny and the new studio looks classy. In fact, the studio reminds me of the old Carson Tonight Show (which I barely remember, but I’ve seen clips!). But, still – Conan, did you have to leave NYC? …
The second night was more enjoyable, in that I like Tom Hanks, and Green Day was pretty much their usual crazy band mode. I’m already getting tired of the running joke abou Conan’s exploring LA (maybe because LA doesn’t hold my fascination all that much), but he’ll settle in and do ok, I think. I thought it was amusing that he and Andy Richter did “In the Year 3000” lines – “In the Year 2000” got a little silly once we were in the year 2009.
NY Times’ Alessandra Stanley puts in her review of Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien at the end of the week and makes the point that things did get more interesting as the week went on. Conan’s not a rookie; but we’re all going to have to get used to this.
Two high school seniors didn’t realize the guy next to them on the plane was Justice Clarence Thomas:
High school seniors Terrence Stephens and Jason Ankrah, star football players at Quince Orchard High School in Gaithersburg, Md., were sitting on a plane returning from a recruitment session at the University of Nebraska when they struck up a conversation with the man sitting next to them.
Their seat-mate just happened to be a major Cornhuskers fan. […]
“I was amazed this guy knew so much about us as football players and as people,” said Stephens. “That was shocking. I felt honored to be known by someone of his caliber. He was just a regular old guy, sitting in coach, which really shocked me.”
I think it was especially nice of Thomas to speak at the kids’ graduation. Kind of amazed that he flies coach, but oh well.
Monica Youn writes in Slate about the further context about why Judge Sotomayor is in the position of talking about race (and, for that matter, Pres. Obama) – somehow, so-called “ethnic” or “minority” attorneys – attorneys especially, I should say – are put into this position that aren’t asked of white attorneys (as if they’re no less “ethnic”? oh well). Not that there’s anything wrong with that – you kind of can’t avoid talking about diversity in the profession when your very presence and what you are put diversity on the table at all. Youn makes some great points:
Of course, “nonethnic” professionals are often invited back to their home communities—at Rotary Club functions, alumni gatherings, or similar events. But they are not usually asked to speak about race relations (just as they are not usually asked to speak on abortion, gay marriage, or any other potentially controversial topic). Yet prominent “ethnic” people are constantly asked to lay bare their opinions on the subject of race and their personal experiences of racial issues. At first, these invitations come from one’s community, one’s family, one’s classmates, mentors, and students. Later, as with a certain first black president of the Harvard Law Review, such invitations may well come from major publishing houses.
Such figures rightly view it as their professional responsibility—and their honor and privilege—to step up to the podium when invited, to act as a role model, to offer commiseration and encouragement for communities often deeply in need of inspiration. That such invitations are extended to prominent “minority” figures has resulted in immeasurably important contributions to our national dialogue about these issues and hopefully has helped to chip away at the glass ceiling.
But this podium should not become a pillory. Frank talk about racial identity is neither racism nor its reverse and should be invited from “ethnic” and “nonethnic” figures alike. It’s hardly fair for minority candidates to be attacked for accepting invitations to talk about race when members of the silent majority are allowed to remain silent.
I think the point is that we should try to talk about race (or sex or anything else relating to how we might want to define “diversity”) without denigrating each other and to have an open mind. Kind of what Obama or Sotomayor might actually desire – although, sometimes that’s easier said than done. I personally don’t think we’re in a post-racial world yet.
Judge Sotomayor’s career path is an interesting example of one’s work reputation (i.e., do good work and your bosses love you) becoming one’s network to getting great work opportunities.
NY Times’ Adam Cohen on the British judiciary holding that Pringles are potato chips and thus Proctor & Gamble must pay up taxes. First of all: the Brits tax on chips? Second: I guess, sure, Pringles are potato chips the way tomatoes are fruit; but, they’re not exactly made of potatoes (check those ingredients – Lays chips may be oilier like those old Pringles ads use to show, but Lays chips are made of real potatoes).
There is inexpensive food midtown? (ok, yeah, the carts, but cheap restaurants? hmm). At least someone blogs about it.
Speaking of midtown – NY Times’ Jennifer 8. Lee on Koreatown.
Is it strawberry season already? NY Times’ Mark “The Minimalist” Bittman on strawberries and custard (almond creme anglaise, specifically); the video was also quite pleasant.
Still trying to catch up on the coverage about the Obama speech in Cairo; this is what happens when history is made, while you are asleep due to time zone differences between you and the place where history is made.
The passing of actor David Carradine (who is not Asian in real life, but played a half-Asian on tv).
Otherwise, in Manhattan for the 10th undergraduate reunion. Time flies…
