Late Night Soap Opera

I don't understand this move. Many corporate moves leave the watcher shaking his or her head. This is one of them. It has to do with age, which is a offense that a court of law can rule on. Any company in the world who tells an employee--- regardless of their worth in dollars and job performance--- that they are ''going young'' can be subject to a lawsuit because of age discrimination. And, if in this case, the person being shoved out the door for newer blood wants to press the charges, he will be looking at some compensation. But, show business plays by its own rules. And, besides, Jay Leno sure does not need the money...... In the wake of such bad news in the last month, an item flew under the radar for the public. Jay Leno will relinquish his hosting of ''The Tonight Show'' in the spring of 2014 so that Jimmy Fallon can assume the mantle of King Of Late Night. The reason, as I have stated above, is simple: NBC perceives Jay Leno as having an older audience and Fallon having a young, hip crowd. Since a young person is more likely to spend money than an older person, you put the younger guy in an earlier time slot and then the profits will roll in, so the experts at the network believe. Never mind that NBC tried this a few years ago when it forced out Leno [ who is and has been Number 1 in the late night ratings for years ] to bring in their idea of a young, hip performer, Conan O'Brien. This experiment failed miserably, and, within nine months, Leno was back at ''Tonight'', while Conan licked his wounds and eventually slid over to TBS, where he is all but forgotten. Now, NBC is throwing Leno out again and feels that lightening will not fail to strike twice again and they are putting all of their eggs--- and, sizable profits--- in the Jimmy Fallon Experiment...... There is supreme irony in what has happened to Jay Leno. Here is a guy, through the evil manuevers of his now deceased manager, Helen Kushnik, forced the King Himself, Johnny Carson, from ''The Tonight Show'' seat in the early 90's. Kushnik, with what appears to be Leno's consent, planted items in the news about NBC shoving Johnny out the door in favor of Leno taking over. By then, Carson had run out of steam pretty much with hosting the show. But, Johnny Carson was a proud man who wanted to go out on his own terms. He earned the right to say when he would step down. And, privately, Johnny Carson wanted very much for David Letterman to succeed him on ''Tonight.'' When Johnny did decide to depart--- and, say what you want about the backstabbing of Leno and Kushnik, but it do serve its purpose to give the crown to Leno--- Carson departed with the class and dignity that was his hallmark. When he said goodnight in May, 1992, America still wanted more, but, we understood. He was being phased out for a new guy. Someone, NBC felt, that could attract a ''new, young, hip audience''....... Jay Leno took over in May, 1992. He was a disaster. Bad press, bad ratings, and, the bitter after-taste in the public's mouth about how he and his manger sneakily aced Johnny out of his job, all came together to turn the public against him. Jay Leno's public image has always been the ''Everyman'' persona, someone who did not take show business seriously, and who would make fun of the backstabbers and thieves in it. Now, the public saw how he hurt Carson with his grab for power. The profits for ''The Tonight Show'' took a sharp hit, although it still made big money for the network. And, over at NBC there was an even juicier story brewing: David Letterman. Letterman, a host of ''Late Night'', which followed Carson for years and was produced by Johnny, was very unhappy with being pushed aside. David Letterman, along with most TV observers, assumed that ''The Tonight Show'' would be his when Johnny retired. Letterman never made the slightest move to force Johnny out. In fact, Dave was in awe of Johnny. And, Carson was very fond of Letterman and was looking forward to handing off the baton when Johnny sailed into the goodnight. The Leno coup prevented this and left all parties involved with a bitter aftertaste. So, David Letterman was considering his options---- should he stay at NBC or go someplace else. The list of suitors was impressive. Every network came to him and wanted him once NBC released him. Even NBC, once it had realized how badly it blundered, eventually offered ''The Tonight Show'' to him a year after Leno took over. There were catches, however. The biggest was that Letterman would sit out a year waiting for Jay Leno's contract to expire. thereby, putting Letterman in a spot very similiar to Jay Leno when he pushed Carson out. It is confusing, I know. The bottom line is NBC, after hiring Leno in 1992, was badly shaken by the poor ratings and bad press happening. They decided to keep Letterman [ who they knew was beloved by the press and would be a tough foe to go against head-to-head ] but, the deal was in such a way that Letterman had to decline. Eventually, David Letterman went to CBS, where he went against Leno. The first year and a half, Dave trounced Jay. Then, slowly, Leno gained the ratings advantage and became Number 1, where he has stayed for all of these years. The audience demographics for these two shows breaks down like this: Leno, an older, conservative crowd. Letterman, a young, hip audience....... I find it sad that Jay Leno turned out like this. He was a hilarious stand-up comic in his prime, arguably, the best alive. In the 1980's he was a welcome guest on his friend, David Letterman's ''Late Night'' show. He was scheduled once a month and he always hit a home run when on. His act was a lot sharper and more pointed then, mainly, because he had nothing to lose. The highlight was at the end when Dave would ask, ''Jay, what's your beef?'' And, then, Leno would run a five minute tirade at whatever was pissing him off. It was always brilliant. Letterman, along with the audience, would be helpless with laughter. This was ''Our Jay, the Everyman'' who was looking out for the ordinary guy. And, I believe he was that man back then. There was no bullshit about him. Unfortunately, as what happens so often with successful people, he lost his comic edge as he became more popular. Soon, he was shaking hands with the very people he had once ridiculed. He became Safe. No longer did he have that edge to him. By the time he took over for Carson, he was a wax comedian, playing it safe, not wanting to really offend anyone. His once friend, David Letterman, still stayed true to his outsider's persona. That is the reason he is Number 2. He is not safe for the American public that just wants to have the TV on as they fall asleep. Leno is a good nightlight. Letterman is the spark in the room....... So, now it has come full circle for Jay Leno. He is being pushed out for the younger guy, Fallon. Jimmy Fallon is as perplexing to me as any comic in history. Why this man has been successful has to be seriously examined. He was not funny on ''Saturday Night Live'', where he constantly broke himself up with his self- perceived comic gifts. His ''Late Night'' show is a muddle of self-indulgent, self- promotion designed to benefit no one but himself. Someone really has to tell him that his impressions really suck. His delivery, the lifeline of any stand-up, is too hurried and inaudible. Many times, I have no idea of what he said and what the joke is. He should not be rushing through comedy. The audience likes comedy slow and easy. But, he has Lorne Michaels behind him all the way, and, Lorne is a TV legend. With this Godfather covering for him, Fallon will be untouchable. That is until he formally takes over ''The Tonight Show''. My prediction is he will be a success in the beginning. The media attention will draw in the curious. After a while, however, his limited abilities will become more noticable and he will slide down the ratings hole. Perhaps, a year after he started, he will be looking over his shoulder at who is nipping at his heels....... Maybe, someone who appeals to a ''young, hip audience''........

Forever Young

Christina-Taylor Green wanted to meet one of her heroes. For a 9 year-old child being interested in politics was certainly very rare indeed. Oh, Christina loved other things. Besides politics, she was enamored with dancing [ ballet was her specialty], music, gymnastics, family, and sports. Not only watching sports, but, she was the only girl on her Little League team! Perhaps, you can trace it to her family heritage. Her grandfather is named Dallas Green. He is a legendary man in baseball, with guiding the Philadelphia Phillies to a World Series win in 1980, and, most impossibly, as General Manager, brought the Chicago Cubs to a playoff spot in 1984. So, Christina felt the pangs of baseball, and all its glory, that ran through her family bloodline. But, on this fine day in January 2011, with the sun shining brightly in Tuscon, Arizone, her primary thought was meeting a politician she admired, Congresswoman Gabby Giffords. Christina wanted to talk to Ms. Giffords about a recent oil spin. Even at her tender age, she was very concerned about the environment, which was something many adults in the world were apparently not. Christina joyfully went to a local shopping mall to meet Gabby Giffords. But, the talk never happened...... Charlotte Brown, age 6, was descrbed by all that knew her as sweet, outgoing, loved her family, and full of energy. She also possessed a mass of beautiful red curls that announced her arrival before she uttered a word. At her tender age, she was not sure she liked school, but, she loved her friends and playing with them. You can picture her running around at recess, joyfully loving her youth and freedom of expression. She had that 6 year-old spunk of pure innocence running through her system. She was looking forward to the school break for Christmas because, of course, the Great Man Himself, Santa Claus, would be arriving with his gifts for her. As every child knows, when you are good Santa rewards you with his charms. No need to mention what would happen if you were bad because Charlotte never was bad. And, neither was another girl roaming the hallways at the same school Charlotte went to. This girl was older, much older. She checked in at the adult age of 7. Grace McDonnell shared the same traits as Charlotte, with the love of family, friends, and a great ball of energy. Grace had an angel's golden hair instead of the bright red of Charlotte's. She already broke hearts with her smile. This child could charm and be all loving. She had a brother she doted on and was happy with school. But, the beach held her fondest thoughts. The ocean called to her heart and warmed her soul. Winter had to be rough for her because the beach on the east coast was too brutal to attend to during these months. But, there was always the thought of the nicer weather just around the corner in a few months. In the meantime, there were the thoughts of being a painter when she grew up to keep her warm. And, the Christmas holiday, always the best time for a child, was coming up. So, as the days approached to this most wonderful of times , Charlotte Brown and Grace McDonnell, proud students of Sandy Hook Elementary School, were in the best of moods. But, they never saw Christmas...... Martin Richard, age 8, was wise beyond his years. The reason was his sign. It was simple and heartfelt, as all messages are from little angels. His message called for world peace. At 8, he must have been stumped that the big world out there, with the adults like his parents, could not agree on how to be more caring and loving of each other. His family sure displayed the love. They were all close, Mom, Dad, Martin, and his little sister, Jane. And, so was the neighborhood in Ashmont. Every weekend there would be barbecues and fine get-togethers. The kids in the area would shout, scream, and play with abandon. Then of course, you could eat the food that every family provided. It was like the old days, Martin heard, where families in the community all knew each other and watched out for the kids. Love sprinkled with good times. It was in this spirit that Martin last year made his peace sign. Most likely, he was channeling the good feelings of his neighborhood and sending them out to that bigger world where people were not so nice to each other. A picture was taken for posterity. Now, his Dad was interested in running. It wasn't an obsession. More like a fun hobby. Martin loved his Dad, so, naturally, whatever Dad liked Martin liked. Plus, at his age, he had already formed the foundation of family love. Therefore, when Dad ran the Boston Marathon, Martin, his Mom, and little sister had to be there. After Dad would finish this achievement, there might even be a neighborhood celebration. But, Martin never got to celebrate....... Four innocent children gone. Four innocent children who will never see their families again. Four innocent children who will never grow up and do all of the things they should do. Four innocent children who, had they lived, might have solved the problems of the world and brought, as Martin hoped for, peace. Four innocent children who are now in a better world where they will not have to suffer the foolishness and horror that this world brought on them and their families...... I hope that in this world, where children run free and unafraid, Christina is hitting a ball. I hope Charlotte is tossing her red curls. I hope Grace is on an endless beach that she can paint. And, I hope Martin is experiencing his peace.......

In Memorium: Roger Ebert

I remember exactly. It was the fall of 1979, a Saturday afternoon. I was going around the channels when I came upon two strange-looking men who sat in a garish, badly designed imitation of a movie balcony. I knew one of them because he was the movie critic of the Chicago Tribune, a paper we had delivered at home. His name was Gene Siskel, and, I had been reading him off and on for a few years. The other guy, portly, unkempt hair, glasses, and quite rotund I knew of by reputation, but, not by face. He called himself Roger Ebert. They were reviewing the new movies out at the time on their PBS show ''Sneak Previews''. The movies were ''10'' with Dudley Moore and Bo Derek, and, I believe, ''Starting Over'' with Burt Reynolds and Candice Bergen. They liked ''10'', but, disagreed on the other movie. Quite forcefully. I watched, amazed, as these two men argued furiously over two simple movies. It was very compelling and watchable. And, I didn't know it at the time, but, I was becoming a fan of the show, the exploration of movies beyond what you are seeing, and, mostly, I became a fan of these two movie champions....... Roger Ebert died today at the age of 70. He had been fighting cancer for several years. In 2006, he had the disease in his thyroid and around his mouth. There was operations to save his life, which it did. However, he lost the ability to eat and talk and function in an independant way. It was cruel irony that this man who loved to talk movies was now stricken silent, as in a wordless prison. But, he did not give up and rallied to his recovery. He had a fine wife named Chazz who never gave up on Roger. Her support, along with his family and friends and admirers, plus his love of movies, carried him through these last tough years. Although he could not speak, he continued to write. And, with this ability his voice was strongly heard........ He wrote from the heart and soul. There was no elitism or superiority from the man because he knew movies inside and out. Rather, he wrote for all of us, expressing viewpoints and observations untapped by the reader. He wrote like an essayist, analyzing his subject. Sure, he could be snippy at times, but, that snippiness was usually hurled at worthy targets. For a man so passionate about movies, for him to sit through the garbage Hollywood puts out every year just to find the golden nugget, had to be an exercise in supreme tolerance. But, Roger Ebert always played fair with his subjects. He was easy on actors, applauding their nerve and abilities. If he came along someone who he did not appreciate--- as all moviegoers do--- then he either ignored them, or, pinned a soft criticism on their ego. Within his writing was Roger Ebert,the decent human being, mixed with Roger Ebert, lover of movies. He never lost his passion for movies and the process of how it enriched all of our lives. The strange thing was that he was called a ''film critic''. Criticism usually implies looking for the holes and then exploiting them. Not Roger. I always thought that his real title should have been ''film observer'', in that he brought the hidden ideas of our minds to the surface when watching a movie. He was not a man with a chip on his shoulder looking to burst the balloon, but, rather, a welcome companion sharing some thoughts as we watched the pictures fly through the screen...... Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel intially did not get along. The first several years they were on the movie beat were frosty, at best. Roger worked for the Sun-Times, so he was competion for the Tribune's Siskel. Both started a couple years apart--- Ebert in 1967, Siskel in 1969--- and had a personal dislike for each other immediately. They would barely nod to each other if they were in the same screening room. It wasn't until 1975, when PBS was putting together a local TV show about movies that they were forced to be together. Their natural rivalry leaped through the TV at the viewer and you had to ask yourself, when watching, ''Do these guys really hate each other, or what?'' Well, at first, they did. Even after the first few rough years of the show were ironed out and they became a reluctant team together, there still was a hostility and irritation brewing just below the surface of both men. It sure made great television, but, the tension in the studio must have been intolerable. Like anything else in life, time healed most of the wounds and they became genuine friends and saw each other socially. However, there was still the competiveness that drove their relationship. And, it worked wonders because they were so dynamic on-air that their TV show was syndicated and they became genuine stars, appearing on talk shows and making personal appearances. The best moments of ''Siskel and Ebert'', apart from their own show, I always thought, was on marvelous display on Letterman. David Letterman always knew how to provoke and start the debate where the sparks would fly. And, Gene and Roger were the perfect foils for each other. Both had quick-wits and a forceful presence. Gene would make fun of Roger's weight. Roger would harass Gene about being bald. Good, clean, but, at times, mean-spirited jests between two men who slowly found a close friendship as time went on........ Roger Ebert was the first movie critic ever to win the Pulitzer Prize for journalism. He had a separate identity from his fame with Gene Siskel. Even Siskel, who never passed up a friendly shot at his partner, was in awe of Ebert's writing ability. When computer technology came to the fore in the late 80's Roger embraced it like a new kid with a toy. Now, he was syndicated around the world. He found a new audience of admirers that had probably never seen his show, but, appreciated how he showed his movie passion. Even if you didn't agree with his reviews [ and, at times, I didn't] you had to admire the fact that he backed up his opinions with a strong argument for his cause. When blogs became the rage in the early part of the 21st Century, Roger led the way, as usual. His blog is a national treasure. He would talk movies and politics. He would wax nostaglia and look forward to the future. He would be happy and sad. Mostly, he observed life as he observed a movie. Eyes wide open, along with an open mind. His blog reflected the man's views on any subject. And, yes, he is the prime inspiration for me writing my blogs. But, that is where the resemblance ends. He was a big-time Major Leaguer. I make bunts in the lowest of Minor Leagues. He is someone any writer aspires to. I believe he belongs on the mountain with all great writers--- Hemingway, Twain, Fitzgerald. Like all great writers, Roger Ebert expressed the sentiment and feelings for the time he lived in. He reflected an era and wrote about it from his great, brilliant mind. There is no better testament to Roger Ebert than the words that poured out through his soul......... In 1979, Roger Ebert stopped drinking. He was a heavy abuser of alcohol for most of his adult life. He came to the realization that he was an alcoholic who needed help. Professional help. And, he sought it. Through self-discipline and an army of friends, he beat the Demon Drink and Took The Pledge. According to his own account, he never touched alcohol again. After his battling of cancer there is nothing I admire more in Roger Ebert than for him to bravely come public and state his addiction. He did it to encourage other people to get help and save their lives. Roger never preached, but, he would advise and offer support to those in need. He was not proud that he let the drinking get out of hand. But, he was proud of conquering his foe and living life outside the bottle......... Gene Siskel died of cancer in 1999. By then, he and Ebert had been a team for almost a quarter-century. They had passed into the  national folklore and maintained the honored role as the moviegoer's best friend. When Siskel died, you could tell a lot of the joy for movies left Roger Ebert. Not all of it, but, a significant chunk. He and Gene became close friends in Gene's final years. When Gene died, Roger wrote a moving piece on their relationship. That eulogy could only come from a man who loved his friend deeply. And, only from a man who could express it with eloquence and dignity. Roger would continue to do his TV show for several years with a new partner, but, never again would he find the magic he had with Gene Siskel. When he could still speak, Roger would talk about Gene with a smile mixed with sadness. Roger Ebert would continue to see movies and love them. But, never again through the same eyes when Siskel was there to talk with him about it...... Roger Ebert's final blog came yesterday.  Perhaps, there will be others coming forth, but, as I write this, his final blog when alive was yesterday. He began the entry by saying ''thank you.'' It was the forty-sixth anniversary of when he first started at the Sun-Times. He then went into detail about how he was not taking a leave of absence, but, ''a leave of presence.'' He admitted that his cancer had returned and he was taking radiation. He would step back from reviewing all of the movies in release and just concentrate on movies he would pick. Reading these words I knew that what he was really saying. He was saying goodbye to all of us who so admired him and followed his path for many years. I thought he had been given a time of death by his physician and was choosing to go out on his own terms. That Roger Ebert showed class in saying goodbye fills me with more respect towards him than I ever had before [ which was enormous]. His entry ends with him saying'' look for me'' at his website...... I will look for him there. His legacy is forever cemented in my mind. I never had the pleasure of meeting him, but, I feel that I know him. That is a joy of embracing a public person--- they become a long-distanced friend. His words and his love of movies will always inspire me and remain close to my heart. It will be shocking for me to automatically turn to his review of a new movie and not find my friend there to share his thoughts with me. His legacy, his true legacy, can be found in video and the written word. You cannot hide from the public in your work. And, his work always showed a kind man, who cared enough about people to try to point them in a direction that they might find a welcome diversion towards life. Remember, he was trying to steer you into something he thought you might like and have it become a cherished memory. He made money and had fame, yes, but, Roger Ebert never stopped looking out for the moviegoer and the enthusiastic reader. The man is written into his words. And, those words will never die.........