Category Archives: Network Television
Jesse & The Rippers Perform On ‘Late Night With Jimmy Fallon’
Jimmy Fallon has not matured since 1995. The man loves his 90s shows, which explains the recent reunion of Full House‘s Jesse & The Rippers on Late Night. Every part of this clips is perfect. Danny Tanner is in the audience and Aunt Becky kisses Uncle Jesse at the end. What more could a Full House fan ask for?
Want more Jesse & The Rippers? Check out their classic “Forever” music video.
The CW Gets 5,000 Points For ‘Whose Line?’
The only show where the points don’t matter and everything is made up on the spot is back. This time on The CW. Despite a six year absence from television, Whose Line Is It Anyway? never skipped a beat. Drew Carey didn’t come back, but Aisha Tyler holds her own against old favorites, Wayne Brady, Colin Mochrie, and Ryan Stiles.
Fans of the Drew Carey version of Whose Line? will notice that Aisha doesn’t participate in the skits like Drew did. Hopefully, Aisha comes out from behind the desk and joins the gang in later episodes because right now she is funny and clearly not using all of her potential. Those who are used to the UK version where Clive Anderson interacts with the performs, but never leaves his desk probably won’t mind that Aisha doesn’t move.
Johnny Carson’s Memorable Moments
Since TCM airs some of Johnny Carson’s interviews every Monday night at 8pm in July, Wait! What’s a Dial? has compiled other memorable moments from The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. None of these moments are rare. We’ve all seen them in every Johnny Carson special, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t fun to watch them again. In no particular order, here are four memorable moments from Johnny’s 30 years as host of The Tonight Show.
The Tomahawk Incident
‘Hollywood Game Night’: Fun Show, Obnoxious Host
Hollywood Game Night combines elements from all of the classic game shows, specifically Password and Body Language, and makes them modern. It may also be the first new game show that allows the viewer to participate at home, which is something that Minute to Win It and The Winner Is lack. Watching people make fools of themselves on television is only fun for so long.
Television is usually a passive experience, but the reason why Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy, and The Price is Right have been around for over 30 years is because people love to feel like they are participating at home in a way that doesn’t involve consuming large amounts of alcohol. Hollywood Game Night‘s producers understand that. Although, host Jane Lynch did recommend a Hollywood Game Night drinking game five minutes into the show; it was tongue in cheek.
Richard Branson is The Man
Richard Branson is awesome. The British billionaire is the only person who can talk about a Pamela Anderson shaped cola bottle and legitimizing the mile high club and not come off as a total sleaze. Despite his antics, Branson has somehow managed to stay married to the same woman since 1989. In the clip below, Conan interviews Branson as Branson shamelessly flirts with Salma Hayek.
Conan’s New State Quarters
In honor of Independence Day, today’s video is from one of Late Night with Conan O’Brien‘s most patriotic skits: New State Quarters.
The Man Who Invented Television Appears On Television
Philo T. Farnsworth may have invented television, but he only made one television appearance ever in 1957 on I’ve Got A Secret.
[He appears at around the 13 minute 20 second mark in the video below.]
Jimmy Fallon Will Be ‘Starring’ in “The Tonight Show”
For some reason, NBC insists Jimmy Fallon is the new Johnny Carson. In order to make those beliefs clearer, the Peacock Network will change the “with” in The Tonight Show With Jay Leno to “starring” for Jimmy Fallon’s tenure, which conjures up images of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. Obviously, Jay Leno’s name will no longer be in the show’s title.
It may seem like an argument over semantics, but NBC changing “with” to “starring” is a big deal because it is symbolic. Bringing “starring” back into The Tonight Show title makes it seem like NBC wants to get away from Jay Leno’s tenure and Conan O’Brien’s already forgotten time as host. However, the network cannot relive the past. In fact, there are several reasons why a show starring Jimmy Fallon is a bad idea.
Late to the “Arrested Development” Party? No Problem!
Netflix released the fourth season of Arrested Development on May 26. Now that the initial frenzy is over, it is fair to say that fans who waited seven years for a new season were disappointed. However, I was not one of those fans, which worked out in my favor.
To be honest, I was 12 when I saw first two episodes, which means I was way too young to understand the show. Instead of jumping on the bandwagon once all my friends were declaring it their favorite show, I waited because popularity doesn’t necessarily mean good. Well, my friends were right this time: Arrested Development is an excellent show, but I am happy its new to me.
So, Why am I glad I was late to the Bluth party?
1. I haven’t been annoyed at Fox for the last 7 years.
For some reason, Arrested Development fans are hardcore. Fans who became fans well after Fox canceled the show were annoyed that the show was cancelled. Until recently, half the time a fan brought up Arrested Development, it would be followed by a bitter swipe at Fox. Granted, most fans do not have an attachment to the show that parallels Buster and Lucille’s relationship. However, those that do were the most vocal and tainted even the most well adjusted fans view of Fox and its treatment of the show.
Wait! What's A Dial? 