I've always been a fan of Jimmy, liked his work on SNL, enjoyed his movies such as Taxi and Fever Pitch. He's funny in a humble way, which is unique for comedians.

But the man has diverse talents, particularly musically and when it comes to doing impressions.

Take a look at two of his most recent performances, and then tell me who in the history of late night talk show hosts could have pulled them off so well.

I'm a big big Jimmy Fallon/Tonight Show fan but I wouldn't say he's the most talented ever. I'm also a big fan of Letterman and I'd say he's the best talk show host right now because he actually interviews and makes it funny. I'd say that each host brings their own thing.

What I will say is that compared to previous Tonight Shows, I'd say that the current is the most liberal or progressive. I mean....never in any day would there be references to marijuana use or same sex marriages and used in comedy sketches.

he's a talented dude, but his interviews are uninteresting and mainly consist of him kissing his guest's arse

NO

No

I think Mr. Fallon is a throw back to Jack Paar.

The Tonight Show has always had a tradition of giving up-and-comers exposure; I hope Mr. Fallon brings that tradition back. I've been a big Fallon friend every since he took over, "Late Night". Moving the show back to New York was damn good idea.

Hell No.

I absolutely adore Jimmy Fallon but I have to say no, also. Because Stephen Colbert doesn't pick up where Letterman leaves off until September.

No.

The best talkshow host of all-time is Oprah.

I do like him, and enjoy the shows. It's light hearted entertainment and I love the Roots.

I love Graham Norton and Ellen Degeneres too.

They are just different and all bring their own qualities to the table.

These shows are one big advertisement campaign for movies and so forth, but it's cool because it's positive and funny.

He seems like a very nice guy and I'm very happy for him that his show is going well.

He is from the not-so-funny cast of SNL. These days, that is all that it takes. Add some good writers and a kick ass band and you have late night magic. Nothing will compare to Letterman in his prime. But people will probably say that about Jimmy one day. Who knows............who cares........

I wouldn't say most talented but he has definitely moved The Tonight Show in a more fun direction where you don't mind watching it no matter if he's interviewing someone you aren't even interested in. I love that he's gets celebs to participate in his little "game show" segments....it helps to make the show more fun and you get to see celebs let their guard down. It's ironic for me because I never thought that Jimmy Fallon was all that funny when he was on SNL...and I didn't catch him when he was doing the Late Show, but once he became The Tonight Show host, I gave it a go to watch it and I've been enjoying it ever since. It's wonderful that he moved it back to NY.

missfee said:

I wouldn't say most talented but he has definitely moved The Tonight Show in a more fun direction where you don't mind watching it no matter if he's interviewing someone you aren't even interested in. I love that he's gets celebs to participate in his little "game show" segments....it helps to make the show more fun and you get to see celebs let their guard down. It's ironic for me because I never thought that Jimmy Fallon was all that funny when he was on SNL...and I didn't catch him when he was doing the Late Show, but once he became The Tonight Show host, I gave it a go to watch it and I've been enjoying it ever since. It's wonderful that he moved it back to NY.

Yep.

I know that I'm dating myself but this is why Fallonr reminds me of Jack Paar. The Tonight Show was always a light hearted affair. With all due respect to Letterman, The Tonight Show didn't fit his humor / personality, and the folks at NBC knew it. As I mentioned, I hope Fallon brings forth new talent as Allen, Paar and Carson did.

3rdeyedude said:

Add some good writers and a kick ass band and you have late night magic.

Well that's the whole thing, we can't really put too much weight into the interview questions and the jokes because it's usually behind-the-scenes writers that are behind them. However when it comes to the delivery, the participation in the skits, and the performances I think that's where Fallon seperates himself. His movie career and SNL experience definitely help with that aspect. Guys like Leno, Letterman, Carson, Conan and Kimmel didn't have the acting and performing background with the exception of a few brief sitcom appearances by Letterman.

TD3 said:

missfee said:

I wouldn't say most talented but he has definitely moved The Tonight Show in a more fun direction where you don't mind watching it no matter if he's interviewing someone you aren't even interested in. I love that he's gets celebs to participate in his little "game show" segments....it helps to make the show more fun and you get to see celebs let their guard down. It's ironic for me because I never thought that Jimmy Fallon was all that funny when he was on SNL...and I didn't catch him when he was doing the Late Show, but once he became The Tonight Show host, I gave it a go to watch it and I've been enjoying it ever since. It's wonderful that he moved it back to NY.

Yep.

I know that I'm dating myself but this is why Fallonr reminds me of Jack Paar. The Tonight Show was always a light hearted affair. With all due respect to Letterman, The Tonight Show didn't fit his humor / personality, and the folks at NBC knew it. As I mentioned, I hope Fallon brings forth new talent as Allen, Paar and Carson did.

Well I can tell you for certain that since watching the show, he's featured musical artists on the show that probably wouldn't normally get a phone call from NBC to be featured on it. As a result, I've enjoyed some of the artists that I've known absolutely nothing about prior to and have ended up downloading some of their music on iTunes.

Pokeno4Money said:

I like how he has reinvented what seemed like a tired genre of entertainment. I think it would be hard to come out every night and try to make light of the news of the day, listen to a parade of stars sit on your couch and push their latest project while you pretend you are genuinely interested, and try to prove to everybody you are somehow better than Leno, Carson, and Letterman. If you can tolerate his schtick... like his banter with Steve and routine set-ups like #hashtags and thank you notes, you are probably a fan. I actually prefer him as a late night host rather than a skit player on 'SNL.' There, he was never really known for an ongoing character (like, say, Mango or Drunk Uncle or the Target Lady) and that's probably good --- as he seems to be doing fine, playing the role/character of late night talk-show host... and that, I do enjoy.

Jimmy did a Saved by the Bell parody with the original cast. Mario Lopez and Elizabeth still look almost the same. Tifanny Amber-Theissan and Mark-Paul Gosselaar are showing their age. I noticed Lark Voorhies is missing. I think Dustin Diamond got arrested.

My ranking as of now is:

1. Johnny Carson

And then way below Johnny Carson -


2. David Letterman
3. Jon Stewart
4. Stephen Colbert
5. Jay Leno


I like Jimmy Fallon but he rarely makes me laugh. However, let's see how he does over a 15+ year career. He might end up in my top five one day.

Sometimes Jimmy says funny things but his delivery is so poor that he never actually makes me laugh. Like EVER. I never understood his singing either. It's not bad enough to be funny or amazing enough to be impressive. It's just him poorly singing. I don't really get any of it. Then he plays child-like games with guests. Still don't get it. I never liked him on SNL either though...laughing during every fucking skit!

I don't like any late night hosts actually. I just don't like the premise.

MoBettaBliss said:

he's a talented dude, but his interviews are uninteresting and mainly consist of him kissing his guest's arse

^^^This. His talents are limited to impressions mainly. He is not a good actor (see his movie-yawn.)

Craig Ferguson is nuts. I find him very funny.

I Love Jimmy and I knew once "The Tonight Show" was ALL his he'd be a Success...Jimmy is an Entertainer to the Highest degree...He will do whatever he has to do to get a laugh and Entertain his viewers. Jimmy also has the Smoothest & most Swagerlicious talk show Set EVER.....Jay Leno had "Heart"..I Liked Jay because he seemed to be a nice Guy with a Big heart and I hated that he was forced out for the 2nd time. Craig Ferguson is hands-down the FUNNIEST Late Night Host EVER..Craig is a straight up Fool....Bottom Line...Jimmy seems to be Nice, Funny & Talented so that pretty much makes him the all-around Best in the Late Night Game, (for right now)....

morton downey of course

luvsexy4all said:

morton downey of course

That name is a blast from the past, I totally forgot about him!

His show lasted less than 2 years, but he'll always be remembered as a trash talk pioneer.

He's good - definitely a step up in terms of taking the show to new & funny places.

My all-time fave late night SHOW has got to be Letterman on Late Night c. 1981-87. So funny, so well-observed, it was regularly a can't miss kind of event.

My all time fave host though, is definitely Carson. He was watchable in a very old fashioned showbiz way that you never see anymore.

Chancellor said:

I Love Jimmy and I knew once "The Tonight Show" was ALL his he'd be a Success...Jimmy is an Entertainer to the Highest degree...He will do whatever he has to do to get a laugh and Entertain his viewers. Jimmy also has the Smoothest & most Swagerlicious talk show Set EVER.....Jay Leno had "Heart"..I Liked Jay because he seemed to be a nice Guy with a Big heart and I hated that he was forced out for the 2nd time. Craig Ferguson is hands-down the FUNNIEST Late Night Host EVER..Craig is a straight up Fool....Bottom Line...Jimmy seems to be Nice, Funny & Talented so that pretty much makes him the all-around Best in the Late Night Game, (for right now)....

Craig's show reminded me of David Letterman's NBC late show.

Chancellor said:

I Love Jimmy and I knew once "The Tonight Show" was ALL his he'd be a Success...Jimmy is an Entertainer to the Highest degree...He will do whatever he has to do to get a laugh and Entertain his viewers. Jimmy also has the Smoothest & most Swagerlicious talk show Set EVER.....Jay Leno had "Heart"..I Liked Jay because he seemed to be a nice Guy with a Big heart and I hated that he was forced out for the 2nd time. Craig Ferguson is hands-down the FUNNIEST Late Night Host EVER..Craig is a straight up Fool....Bottom Line...Jimmy seems to be Nice, Funny & Talented so that pretty much makes him the all-around Best in the Late Night Game, (for right now)....

Craig's show reminded me of David Letterman's NBC late show.

kewlschool said:

Craig's show reminded me of David Letterman's NBC late show.

Interesting that you should say that...I was not a fan of David's NBC show (I was a kid during those years)...I became a Fan when he moved to CBS..He wanted the "Tonight show" of course, but the move was the BEST thing that happened to his career...It's an interesting "tale" how David & Jay use to write for Jimmy Walker back-in-the-day and if I'm not mistaken he could not get a guest-spot on either Late Night show...We don't know how Jimmy treated Jay & David back-in-the-day...He still talks about them and he frequents Republican Talk Radio which is also odd...

Chancellor said:

kewlschool said:

Interesting that you should say that...I was not a fan of David's NBC show (I was a kid during those years)...I became a Fan when he moved to CBS..He wanted the "Tonight show" of course, but the move was the BEST thing that happened to his career...It's an interesting "tale" how David & Jay use to write for Jimmy Walker back-in-the-day and if I'm not mistaken he could not get a guest-spot on either Late Night show...We don't know how Jimmy treated Jay & David back-in-the-day...He still talks about them and he frequents Republican Talk Radio which is also odd...

The last few years Dave's NBC show was a little more mainstream, but all the years leading up to it was he could give an F. If it was funny they did it period.

Hell no. And I lke Jimmy.

Man, there's a ton of late night talk show host going back to Jack Paar, Mike Douglas, Jim Nabors, Dick Cavett, Alan Thicke, Arsenio Hall, ect.