26 The Chronicle March 17, 2009
By Nicki Lamont Chronicle Staff Awkward. Stiff. Uncomfortable. Nervous. Four words that you wouldn’t normally use to describe comedian Jimmy Fallon seemed to be the most appropriate to describe his premier in late night TV. With big shoes to fill, Fallon took to the 30 Rockefeller Center stage on March 2 in his debut in the 12:35 slot on NBC as host of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, <strong>and</strong> started the show in a way nobody expected: by not being funny. The eight-season Saturday Night Live vet has plenty of live comedic experience in front of an audience, but you’d be surprised to know that watching the first episode. Fallon opened his Monday night premier with a cameo from the outgoing host of Late Night, Conan O’Brien. Unfortunately for Fallon, the applause the audience gave for O’Brien was the biggest reaction of the night. After the images in the shows intro (which were far to familiar for anyone who has watched SNL in the past five years), Fallon took a swing at his first monologue. Every swing can’t be a homerun, but Fallon barely made it to base. He must have forgotten the techniques he used to use when reading the news on Weekend Update, because he came off stiff ENTERTAINMENT <strong>NEWS</strong> <strong>and</strong> unnatural while reading off his cue cards. Underst<strong>and</strong>able if this was his first time attempting it, but Fallon has four seasons of that under his belt from reading the news on SNL. It was obvious in which areas he did his homework, <strong>and</strong> which he did not. Watching just a few episodes of Late Night with the past two hosts (O’Brien <strong>and</strong> David Letterman) would have made it obvious that the show isn’t a place for formal talk, but Fallon chose to ignore that. On a program that’s infamous for it’s immature humour, Fallon sang a song with his house b<strong>and</strong> The Roots about the state of American politics, dropping Whitehouse names that the audience didn’t recognize, leaving them not only confused, but bored by the end of the number. But not all of his ideas went straight to a comedy wastel<strong>and</strong>. The audience was enthusiastic about a segment called Lick It For Ten, where audience members would lick different items for $10. From the title of the segment alone, the crowd was roaring in laughter, eagerly awaiting to see what would be licked for 10. But when Fallon revealed the items (among them a bowl <strong>and</strong> a printer), the audience was visually disappointed. The best choices were evident when they walked onto the stage: the first week’s guests blew most late night show’s line-ups out of the water. Big names like Robert De Niro, Justin Timberlake, Drew Barrymore <strong>and</strong> Jon Bon Jovi helped Fallon grab ratings <strong>and</strong> kept viewers from turning the channel after the mundane skits. But somehow Fallon managed to turn even the most interesting of The Chronicle March 17, 2009 27 Fallon fails as late night host Violence, swearing <strong>and</strong> sex: could we ask for any more? By Krystin Spittal Chronicle Staff This 2009 dramatization of a series of comic books, later to be released in one graphic novel, makes all other ‘R’ rated movies look like a playschool during recess. The suspense, the surprise, <strong>and</strong> the action-packed subplots are what keep viewers immersed in every twist of the Watchmen. Of course, this comes as no surprise with Zack Snyder directing the film. His previous movie, 300, is only a glimpse of what his directing abilities can do. I must highlight one problem that I have, not with the movie, but with the viewers who debate the Watchmen Vs. The Dark Knight. Both films are admirably well done for different reasons. For example, The Dark Knight stars Heath Ledger as The Joker. In my opinion, he alone enhances the film, whereas in the Watchmen, the cast is composed of many unknown actors. It is nice to see fresh faces, a nice change from the usual big names. It was easier to envision a particular actor as the character, instead of remembering that actor from a previous role. It kind of kills the authenticity of a movie when actors are in a lot of movies be- cause the viewer begins to picture the actor in a previous role. Plus, not only were there fresh faces, but they were talented actors as well. Basically, the movie is a more grown-up version of the typical superhero comic book. There is violence, there is swearing, <strong>and</strong> there is sex. This is why it is rated ‘R’. Parents should be warned that despite the comic book, cartoony feel of the film, it is grounded on mature themes. Lastly, the answer to all Watchmen comic book fans: how close is the movie to the book? Extremely. However I must note a few changes, which differ from the book. The scene where Rorschach is in prison has a script change. He is asked the question from the book; “We got a jail full of guys out here who hate your guts. What in hell do you got?” But answers the question “Your h<strong>and</strong>s, my pleasure.” Instead of, “Your h<strong>and</strong>s, my perspective.” Which would have made more sense considering what happens next in the film. Another difference, which was more of a cut than a change, was to the Black Freighter storyline. The Black Freighter is a sort of comic within a comic. Watching Dave Gibbon’s 2-D images from Alan Moore’s 1986/87 comic book series go from flat <strong>and</strong> simply coloured to vibrant real life characters was amazing, despite the small differences between the book <strong>and</strong> film. By Nicki Lamont Chronicle Staff Millions of young girls around the world had a dream come true on Feb. 25 when they got to sit front row for a 90 minute long Jonas Brothers concert, <strong>and</strong> the brothers didn’t even have to perform that night. Last Friday, the Jonas Brothers 3-D Concert premiered around the world, <strong>and</strong> gave fans a first-h<strong>and</strong> experience at what it’s like to sit beside the stage (<strong>and</strong> sometimes even on the stage) at one of their shows. And according to the $12.7 million weekend box opening, there were a lot of young girls waiting to see what that’s like. The movie opens with a glimpse into the life of the b<strong>and</strong>; <strong>and</strong> for three brothers with four world records <strong>and</strong> two platinum albums, it’s not as glamorous as you’d think. You can only assume that the best selling pop group of 2008 has a busy schedule, but from what audiences got to see in the movie, it’s hard to believe that the boys have enough time to breathe. Between 4 a.m. wake up calls, live TV interviews <strong>and</strong> performances, a CD release kick off event, <strong>and</strong> a sold out show at New York City’s Madison Square Garden, we get to see just what it’s like to live the life of a Jonas Brother for a day. And it ain’t easy bringing in the green. The pre-concert footage not only lets us see them try to guests into awkward conversations. De Niro is known for rarely doing television interviews, so a big opportunity presented itself when he agreed to be Fallon’s first ever guest. Instead of asking questions people would be interested in, Fallon choose to spend his time telling stories about his own life experiences, <strong>and</strong> showing clips of fake movies he <strong>and</strong> De Niro never made. It showcased Fallon’s lack of interviewing skills, but it’s still early in his hosting career. With any luck he’ll soon get into a groove of good questions <strong>and</strong> interesting interviews. But aside from his obvious mistakes, Fallon failed to do something within his first week that all other great talk-show hosts have done before him: create an image. When Letterman took over Late Night, he was known as the ‘anti-talk show host’ because of his relaxed sports coat <strong>and</strong> tennis shoe ensemble. O’Brien had his goofy entrance, uncontrollable main of hair, <strong>and</strong> witty banter with his b<strong>and</strong>, The Max Weinberg 7. Fallon has his awkward pauses <strong>and</strong> routine interview questions, which isn’t a great thing to be known for in the late night world. But it’s only his first week. The public had doubts of O’Brien taking over the show in 1993, <strong>and</strong> his reign lasted 16 years. With a little luck, <strong>and</strong> a lot more practice, Fallon could turn into a great host. Lets ust hope he doesnt skip the practice. Girls scream for Jonas 3-D fit 26 hours worth of work in a 24 hour day, but it gives fans a closer look at who the trio are as individuals. Joe singled himself out as the funny one, trying to crack jokes while Kevin, the dad of the bunch, dictated the schedule for the day off his Blackberry (a number which I’m sure every girl watching was craving). Then you have Nick, the quiet musical prodigy of the bunch who didn’t say much, but left the older viewers thankful that he’s of-age to be eye-c<strong>and</strong>y. But as unique as the three are off-stage, they collaborate in such unity onstage that they seem to be one person. When the music finally starts, the screams <strong>and</strong> smiles of the girls watching make it hard to believe that you’re not at a live concert. The boys’ ability to work the audience transfers well to film, making you feel only inches away from the action. In reality, tickets to sit that close to the boys can run you upwards of $530 depending on which venue you go to, so for a $12.50 movie ticket <strong>and</strong> a free pair of Real-D shades, you’re saving yourself a pretty penny. At the end of the movie, you could almost hear the sound of the tweens running home to rip down their High School Musical 3 posters in favor of a fold out of the Jo Bros. The 3-D Concert Experience lets fans enjoy a live concert whenever they want from the best seats in the house.
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