who is your favorite late night personality?

[TwinsinCA]

Bill Maher -- even though he is only on once a week. His show is the only one that I won't miss. Ever.

The only time I watch any of the late night shows is if there is a guest on that I want to see. I probably enjoy Ferguson the most of the nightly shows. I used to love Letterman and watched his show nightly. But I stopped years ago. The rest have their moments here and there, but not enough to make me a regular viewer.

 

[KiminChicago]

Um, can I say Johnny Carson (now I'm really dating myself!) There never will be anyone who can come close.

That being said, Jay Leno would probably be my 2nd favorite. I liked Conan when his show was on later but I can't really warm up to him in his new time slot. I guess I expected more from him now that he's on an hour earlier -- his show still seems pretty sophomoric to me.

The one I'm finding surprising is Jimmy Fallon. I watched the first week and thought he was awful -- so nervous and he seemed to be fawning over his guests. But he's starting to grow on me -- I enjoy the "Beer Pong" spots and the way he gets the guests to participate in all kinds of stunts.

 

[Diva of Dragons]

Hands down, Craig Ferguson.

AMEN!! LOL! We're going to go to his show soon! DH, Mom & I just need to agree on a date.

 

[CourtasanSatine]

Jimmy Kimmel, Craig Ferguson and Jon Stewart

 

[merryweather20]

I never "got" Jay Leno, never understood why people think he's funny. I guess people could say the same about my fave, but man, I just never understood Jay at all.

I will always have a soft spot in my heart for David Letterman, but I'd have to say that hands down Conan is my favorite. He barely has to do anything to make me laugh. I like the way he makes fun of himself, I love the imaginary hip strings, I love in the year 2000, I just love everything about Conan. he has a certain boyish charm.

I really like Jimmy Fallon but haven't given his show a look yet.

You sound like me with Letterman. Every so often I'll catch the beginning of his show, and just be shaking my head, all of his jokes fall flat and the top ten hasn't been funny since Carson did it. Years ago I stayed up to watch a particular interview and the show seemed so weired he was completely unprepared for the guest. When the guest didn't carry the show (sorry Dave thats your job) he resorted to poking them and going "muahaha, muahaha".

My Mom said it was because Leno and Carson made sure that the guest was laughing too, whereas Letterman just makes jokes at the guests expense. I don't know though it seems like alot more is missing than that!

Hey how about Arsenio!

 

[PlainJane]

1# Craig Ferguson: The monologues are always genius. The last thoughts are also amusing.

2# Chelsea Handler: I watch for round table.

3# Jay Leno: Jay Walk All-Stars.

4# Conan O'Brian: His lullaby skit and the skit where he insults countries A-Z are always amusing. He's also very good at making fun of himself.

I haven't watched the rest enough to rank them....

Jimmy Fallon: Loved him on Weekend Update. He seemed a little awkward the one night I tuned in, but he was still funny.

David Letterman: Has a stick up his butt.

Jimmy Kimmel: I saw him do one skit about the weather that was amazing.

 

[beattyfamily]

Conan O'Brian

 

[Sir Robin Hood]

My favorite by far is Conan.

Ditto

 

[Camicar]

My favorite was Jay Leno. I thought he was generally pretty funny and I loved his easy rapport with guests, the band, and the audience. You could tell he LOVED what he was doing, wanted to do it well, and viewed the audience as important.

Conan is just...I have always felt like he's trying too hard. He's like a puppy dog who was neglected at the ASPCA and now that someone's adopted him, he's so hungry for attention and petting, that he's about ready to wiggle his tail off and in the process ends up peeing all over your expensive new shoes.

Craig Ferguson is okay. Jimmy Fallon I think would be better off if he had a co-host to play off. Chelsea Handler is occasionally funny, but she can get a little shrill for my taste. I used to love Maher but I have refused to watch one second of him after he said the 9/11 hijackers were courageous. He has a right to his opinion and I have a right to mine and to stop watching him.

You sound like me with Letterman. Every so often I'll catch the beginning of his show, and just be shaking my head, all of his jokes fall flat and the top ten hasn't been funny since Carson did it. Years ago I stayed up to watch a particular interview and the show seemed so weired he was completely unprepared for the guest. When the guest didn't carry the show (sorry Dave thats your job) he resorted to poking them and going "muahaha, muahaha".

My Mom said it was because Leno and Carson made sure that the guest was laughing too, whereas Letterman just makes jokes at the guests expense.

ITA with you and your mom. For me for you for me (joke at Randy Jackson's expense there), I have always felt that Letterman is one of those comedians whose comedy masks a deep misanthropy, anger and/or negativity. I think his so-called comedy is merely a thin layer over disdain and condescension, if not downright nastiness. I don't think he likes people in general and I think he especially dislikes a lot, if not most, of the guests on his show. I don't find him funny at all.

 

[moon]

ITA with you and your mom. For me for you for me (joke at Randy Jackson's expense there), I have always felt that Letterman is one of those comedians whose comedy masks a deep misanthropy, anger and/or negativity. I think his so-called comedy is merely a thin layer over disdain and condescension, if not downright nastiness. I don't think he likes people in general and I think he especially dislikes a lot, if not most, of the guests on his show. I don't find him funny at all.

Do you watch him?

 

[KiminChicago]

I used to watch Letterman when he was on after Carson and I agree with the opinion that his comedy masked something darker. I watched him once when he had some lady who was famous for her gardening and all the jokes he was making were just making this woman angrier and angrier. I honestly think that's why NBC didn't want him to take over the Tonight Show slot.

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

all time favorite is Dave.....new found fave is Ferguson, but I rarely stay up that late!

( ETA:I see others are mentioning Stewart ...so if we include that type of host, then Stewart and Colbert tie for first!!!!)

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

I used to watch Letterman when he was on after Carson and I agree with the opinion that his comedy masked something darker. I watched him once when he had some lady who was famous for her gardening and all the jokes he was making were just making this woman angrier and angrier. I honestly think that's why NBC didn't want him to take over the Tonight Show slot.

are you sure that wasn't a set up??? It sounds alot like one of their set ups.

 

[CookieGVB]

Um, can I say Johnny Carson (now I'm really dating myself!) There never will be anyone who can come close.

I completely agree! Nobody has been able to hold a candle to him.

I haven't watched the Tonight Show for quite a while unless there's someone I am interested in as a guest.

Steven Colbert cracks me up, though.

 

[Cool-Beans]

1. Johnny
2. Craig
3. Jay
4. Conan/Dave

Nobody said we couldn't vote for the dead guy.

I loved David back when he made fun of the nincompoops. He was hilarious. But now...snoozefest.