Episode 67

SIXTY-SEVEN!!!

MONOLOGUE: I’m sure someone tells Jimmy to open the monologue with Rob Ford jokes, but the question is who… Is it A.D. Miles (the show’s head writer) or does it go all the way up to Lorne Michaels?  Solid monologue filled with an Obama impression on living in NYC after his presidency and wanting hot pockets. President Obama May Move to New York, Apple Unveils Yosemite -- Monologue An appearance from Mark from the Roots on Teleportation Juice (a bottle of peach schnapps). The Roots' Mark Invents Teleportation, Marijuana Coffee -- Monologue And Higgins being silly, talking about sleeping with the Hamburgler.  

PROS and CONS:  The actual pros and cons weren’t the funniest part of this segment, but rather the throwback to monologue jokes. I think this is what makes Jimmy and his show so great. Once they first say the joke, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the end of the gag - because, by golly, you might hear it again, or some version of it. And of course, at the end of the segment, on the musical bump to break we hear the excellent transition from the Pros and Cons music to their bump song… And we see Mark talking to a Star Trek character See! A joke continues well after it was done) Pros and Cons: Horse Racing in New York

GUESTS:  Jonah Hill, starting the interview off in a way we’ve never really seen on a Late Night talk show. A shame really the crowd wasn’t prepared for an apology from Jonah on his altercation with the paparazzi earlier this week and cheered when Jonah said he had something to say. Jimmy does a great job of breaking the quietness and transition by saying “Thanks, Jonah, for coming out” which, may have been unintentional, but whether it was or not, it was a great way to go from this three minute apology address from Jonah back to the fun of the interview. Jonah Hill Practices His NASCAR Grand Marshal Skills

After the break we see a normal Jonah Hill, definitely seemed freer having issued that apology, and told some great stories filming 22 Jump Street.

Next, was Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. I watched a NBC News special on this guy back when he worked in the Obama Administration and the dude is a workhorse. In this interview, we saw a much looser version of Emanuel. Sorta like a Brian Williams in that, he really does have a funny side to the serious business side. I liked how Emanuel and Jimmy rehashed the Polar Plunge back in November. With Jimmy promising to take the Tonight Show on the road more, (will be in Orlando in a couple weeks at Universal Studios), I was happy to see him agree to take the show to Chicago. Whenever Conan did shows in that city, they were tremendous and the crowd really took to it.

Musical guest, Soundgarden, did not disappoint! The last few time’s I’ve heard Chris Cornell, he’s sung very mellow and sad, but he rocked out tonight and it was an incredible performance.