The Evolution of Hip-Hop Dancing
February 19, 2014 8:29 PM Subscribe
Or, going a bit further back... Do the swim! Do the twist! Do the monkey!
I'll be over here watching instructional videos on how to do the mashed potato.
posted by justsomebodythatyouusedtoknow at 8:43 PM on February 19, 2014 [2 favorites]
I'll be over here watching instructional videos on how to do the mashed potato.
posted by justsomebodythatyouusedtoknow at 8:43 PM on February 19, 2014 [2 favorites]
Oh and, a Lip Sync Battle for the Ages with Joseph Gordon Levitt, Stephen Merchant and Jimmy Fallon. :D
posted by Celsius1414 at 8:45 PM on February 19, 2014 [11 favorites]
posted by Celsius1414 at 8:45 PM on February 19, 2014 [11 favorites]
is this what the new tonight show is like? cause maybe, just maaaaaaybe i might actually consider watching.
posted by cristinacristinacristina at 8:59 PM on February 19, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by cristinacristinacristina at 8:59 PM on February 19, 2014 [1 favorite]
Joseph Gordon Levitt,
The bass(?) player's face... linking to a timestamp doesn't work inline
posted by BungaDunga at 9:00 PM on February 19, 2014
The bass(?) player's face... linking to a timestamp doesn't work inline
posted by BungaDunga at 9:00 PM on February 19, 2014
So is Jimmy Fallon the new host of The Tonight Show or has his show just changed names and time slots? Or a bit of both?
posted by ODiV at 9:36 PM on February 19, 2014
posted by ODiV at 9:36 PM on February 19, 2014
Oh and, a Lip Sync Battle for the Ages yt with Joseph Gordon Levitt, Stephen Merchant and Jimmy Fallon. :D
For me, the Stephen Merchant performance was strikingly superlative
posted by angrycat at 9:45 PM on February 19, 2014 [1 favorite]
For me, the Stephen Merchant performance was strikingly superlative
posted by angrycat at 9:45 PM on February 19, 2014 [1 favorite]
ODiV: "So is Jimmy Fallon the new host of The Tonight Show or has his show just changed names and time slots? Or a bit of both?"
It's only been a couple of episodes, but so far, it feels his old show in a new time slot, and that's pretty much how every late night talk show transition has gone. You didn't see Jay Leno doing "Carnac the Magnificent" or "Stump the Band", so I doubt we'll be seeing Fallon doing "Headlines" or "Jaywalking." Which is just fine, since Fallon's got a great formula that works for a younger audience that might not be tuning in for a full hour every night.
posted by tonycpsu at 9:48 PM on February 19, 2014 [2 favorites]
It's only been a couple of episodes, but so far, it feels his old show in a new time slot, and that's pretty much how every late night talk show transition has gone. You didn't see Jay Leno doing "Carnac the Magnificent" or "Stump the Band", so I doubt we'll be seeing Fallon doing "Headlines" or "Jaywalking." Which is just fine, since Fallon's got a great formula that works for a younger audience that might not be tuning in for a full hour every night.
posted by tonycpsu at 9:48 PM on February 19, 2014 [2 favorites]
To me, the highlight of Fallon's 11:35 debut was when he talked about "a buddy" who bet him he'd never be the Tonight Show host... and the parade of celebrities who came out to pay up.
(SPOILER) Genuinely shocked to see Joan Rivers' first appearance on the Tonight Show since Johnny Carson kicked her out over 25 years ago... but the piece de resistance had to come from Colbert. Pennies! BITCH!
posted by oneswellfoop at 11:06 PM on February 19, 2014 [13 favorites]
(SPOILER) Genuinely shocked to see Joan Rivers' first appearance on the Tonight Show since Johnny Carson kicked her out over 25 years ago... but the piece de resistance had to come from Colbert. Pennies! BITCH!
posted by oneswellfoop at 11:06 PM on February 19, 2014 [13 favorites]
So is Jimmy Fallon the new host of The Tonight Show or has his show just changed names and time slots? Or a bit of both?
The way this works is that NBC owns the brand, but the creative team comes and goes with the host (to a large extent). Fallon had a lot of input into, obviously, moving back to New York, and filling on-air roles like band and band leader, and also brought along seasoned comedy bits (like the Evolution of Dance gag, for which I do hope Judson Laipply gets some royalty love). Note that when David Letterman did not get the Tonight Show gig, he bounced over to CBS, and NBC asserted ownership rights over many of the bits he had originated on Late Night. (Probably ever since there has been a clearer contractual demarcation from the get-go with anyone in a similar gig.) In addition, Lorne Michaels was brought in as executive producer. So essentially NBC is allowing Fallon/Michaels a large degree of creative control.
At the same time everyone is aware of how touchy this whole thing has been in the past and nobody wants a repeat of the audience loss that, in particular, Conan O'Brien experienced, so there will be a very careful attempt to maintain a lot of the agreeableness and tone that was a big part of Leno's appeal. (Despite his leather-jacketed appearances on Late Night back when he and Dave were pals, he turned out to be a guy who made Carson look edgy, which is quite a feat.) So the idea is not to overturn any apple carts but more to loosen up the show, bring in Fallon's goofier humor, and get more younger viewers watching the show while losing as few of Leno's fans as possible.
posted by dhartung at 11:36 PM on February 19, 2014 [2 favorites]
The way this works is that NBC owns the brand, but the creative team comes and goes with the host (to a large extent). Fallon had a lot of input into, obviously, moving back to New York, and filling on-air roles like band and band leader, and also brought along seasoned comedy bits (like the Evolution of Dance gag, for which I do hope Judson Laipply gets some royalty love). Note that when David Letterman did not get the Tonight Show gig, he bounced over to CBS, and NBC asserted ownership rights over many of the bits he had originated on Late Night. (Probably ever since there has been a clearer contractual demarcation from the get-go with anyone in a similar gig.) In addition, Lorne Michaels was brought in as executive producer. So essentially NBC is allowing Fallon/Michaels a large degree of creative control.
At the same time everyone is aware of how touchy this whole thing has been in the past and nobody wants a repeat of the audience loss that, in particular, Conan O'Brien experienced, so there will be a very careful attempt to maintain a lot of the agreeableness and tone that was a big part of Leno's appeal. (Despite his leather-jacketed appearances on Late Night back when he and Dave were pals, he turned out to be a guy who made Carson look edgy, which is quite a feat.) So the idea is not to overturn any apple carts but more to loosen up the show, bring in Fallon's goofier humor, and get more younger viewers watching the show while losing as few of Leno's fans as possible.
posted by dhartung at 11:36 PM on February 19, 2014 [2 favorites]
Also notable, both Fallon's Tonight Show and the 'new' Late Night with Seth Meyers are under the production banner of Lorne Michaels' Broadway Video (a major factor in moving it back to New York). So if anybody is now "King of Late Night" it's the Man From Saturday Night (Live).
posted by oneswellfoop at 11:43 PM on February 19, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by oneswellfoop at 11:43 PM on February 19, 2014 [1 favorite]
Breaking news: Brian Williams and Lester Holt perform "Rapper's Delight" on The Tonight Show
posted by prinado at 12:14 AM on February 20, 2014 [17 favorites]
posted by prinado at 12:14 AM on February 20, 2014 [17 favorites]
Love all of it. I always thought Fallon didn't have much personality, but I'm living this. I mean, I love Conan and Letterman, and they tend to have more definite presence, but these things are funny.
posted by discopolo at 12:22 AM on February 20, 2014
posted by discopolo at 12:22 AM on February 20, 2014
And I've really missed the old Will Smith, before he became all serious and had to be a dad to Jaden and Willow. I missed all the fun dancing he did on Fresh Prince. He's still got it!
posted by discopolo at 12:24 AM on February 20, 2014
posted by discopolo at 12:24 AM on February 20, 2014
He's really into the Carlton. He's ok on the other dances, but as soon as it hits the Carlton he's like a solid gold dancer. You can tell he's been practicing this in front of the mirror for decades. "Some day, Jimmy... some day."
posted by stavrogin at 2:45 AM on February 20, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by stavrogin at 2:45 AM on February 20, 2014 [1 favorite]
The editing it must've taken to get the rhythm right in Rapper's Delight just blows my mind. Awesome!
posted by Georgina at 3:14 AM on February 20, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by Georgina at 3:14 AM on February 20, 2014 [1 favorite]
I've only watched the first night, which was wonderful. I swear he was even standing like Carson. Fallon seems like just the right person to make The Tonight Show worth paying station to again.
posted by R. Mutt at 3:52 AM on February 20, 2014
posted by R. Mutt at 3:52 AM on February 20, 2014
I think they forgot the "Raise the Roof."
And the "Apache".
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 4:15 AM on February 20, 2014
And the "Apache".
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 4:15 AM on February 20, 2014
It's so weird to me that twerking comes at the end, and more generally, that people talk about it as if it's a new thing. It's been big for 10+ years- it was popular before soulja boy and the dougie. I guess something only enters the timeline once a critical mass of white people become aware of it.
posted by quiet coyote at 4:55 AM on February 20, 2014 [6 favorites]
posted by quiet coyote at 4:55 AM on February 20, 2014 [6 favorites]
My appreciation of and respect for Fallon has been on a nice linear climb for about five years now. Guy is really talented and funny.
posted by (Arsenio) Hall and (Warren) Oates at 5:29 AM on February 20, 2014
posted by (Arsenio) Hall and (Warren) Oates at 5:29 AM on February 20, 2014
is this what the new tonight show is like?
We are a long way from Carnac the Magnificent.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 5:32 AM on February 20, 2014 [1 favorite]
We are a long way from Carnac the Magnificent.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 5:32 AM on February 20, 2014 [1 favorite]
Oh and, a Lip Sync Battle for the Ages with Joseph Gordon Levitt, Stephen Merchant and Jimmy Fallon. :D
God I love Stephen Merchant.
posted by hapax_legomenon at 5:50 AM on February 20, 2014
God I love Stephen Merchant.
posted by hapax_legomenon at 5:50 AM on February 20, 2014
I guess something only enters the timeline once a critical mass of white people become aware of it.
Yes.
posted by smackfu at 5:54 AM on February 20, 2014
Yes.
posted by smackfu at 5:54 AM on February 20, 2014
I can't imagine I'll watch but look forward consuming the best parts via YouTube for years to come.
posted by TheShadowKnows at 5:55 AM on February 20, 2014
posted by TheShadowKnows at 5:55 AM on February 20, 2014
Yeah, 11:35 is past my bedtime. It's all I can do most nights to hang on for the first two segments of The Daily Show. but then, I'm not so young so they probably aren't counting on me as a viewer anyway.
posted by COD at 5:58 AM on February 20, 2014
posted by COD at 5:58 AM on February 20, 2014
The lip sync battle was so good. Stephen Merchant kills in his portion. Merchant took it so seriously, you could tell he was in it, to win it. Fallon was right, how was he going to follow up Merchant's Boom Shake the Room?
posted by jadepearl at 7:15 AM on February 20, 2014
posted by jadepearl at 7:15 AM on February 20, 2014
I love Conan and will forever think he got screwed so badly by NBC, but Fallon really really works as Tonight Show host. Conan is an absolute master of smarm, but Fallon...he's just full of glee. It's a very different vibe, and one that I think will give him, as Seinfeld put it, a "Pope job". He will have it as long as he wants it.
If you look at the late night talk show landscape now, Fallon, Kimmel, Myers, Letterman, Conan, and (let's not forget) Ferguson, there has never been a better time for this genre. Not even close.
posted by mcstayinskool at 7:30 AM on February 20, 2014 [3 favorites]
If you look at the late night talk show landscape now, Fallon, Kimmel, Myers, Letterman, Conan, and (let's not forget) Ferguson, there has never been a better time for this genre. Not even close.
posted by mcstayinskool at 7:30 AM on February 20, 2014 [3 favorites]
It's so weird to me that twerking comes at the end, and more generally, that people talk about it as if it's a new thing.
Comedy sketches are so untruthful. On the other hand, grad school seminars are so unfunny.
posted by R. Mutt at 8:48 AM on February 20, 2014 [7 favorites]
Comedy sketches are so untruthful. On the other hand, grad school seminars are so unfunny.
posted by R. Mutt at 8:48 AM on February 20, 2014 [7 favorites]
mcstayinskool: " If you look at the late night talk show landscape now, Fallon, Kimmel, Myers, Letterman, Conan, and (let's not forget) Ferguson, there has never been a better time for this genre. Not even close."
The one glaring problem with that list is that it's 110% white dudes. (Conan's worth at least an extra 10%. Is anyone watching his TBS show, BTW?) Arsenio Hall had a great run back in the day, and seems to be trying to make a comeback, but aside from him, the major network late night talk show landscape has been one white dude after another.
Which makes me wonder... Now that the glass ceiling is shattered, and women aren't discriminated against anymore {/}, anyone want to hazard a guess as to when we'll have a female full-time late night talk show host that can last more than a season on a major network? Joan Rivers missed her shot, and I don't think Chelsea Handler's schtick would work well for a network audience. Who else is out there that would be good in that role? My wife and I were thinking Amy Poehler has the chops to pull it off, but that would mean she'd be doing less sitcom and movie work, which would suck. And, as much as I like Tina Fey as a comedic actress and writer, I'm not sure she'd be as good in a talk/variety show format.
Who else is out there? Sarah Silverman? Too edgy for "mainstream" America. Ellen DeGeneres would probably do a great job, but again, the middle America types might tune out. Kristen Wiig? Good all-around comedic acting talent, but not very good unscripted, IMHO. Kathy Griffin can deliver a good joke, but is known for going a bit too blue at times.
Of course, the flip side of this is I don't think many people knew how much of a perfect late night talent Jimmy Fallon would develop into, so I'd be perfectly happy giving any of these ladies a shot in the desolate 12:30 timeslot and see what they can do. Fallon's show took a while to find its voice -- why not let the broads have that same opportunity?
posted by tonycpsu at 8:58 AM on February 20, 2014 [2 favorites]
The one glaring problem with that list is that it's 110% white dudes. (Conan's worth at least an extra 10%. Is anyone watching his TBS show, BTW?) Arsenio Hall had a great run back in the day, and seems to be trying to make a comeback, but aside from him, the major network late night talk show landscape has been one white dude after another.
Which makes me wonder... Now that the glass ceiling is shattered, and women aren't discriminated against anymore {/}, anyone want to hazard a guess as to when we'll have a female full-time late night talk show host that can last more than a season on a major network? Joan Rivers missed her shot, and I don't think Chelsea Handler's schtick would work well for a network audience. Who else is out there that would be good in that role? My wife and I were thinking Amy Poehler has the chops to pull it off, but that would mean she'd be doing less sitcom and movie work, which would suck. And, as much as I like Tina Fey as a comedic actress and writer, I'm not sure she'd be as good in a talk/variety show format.
Who else is out there? Sarah Silverman? Too edgy for "mainstream" America. Ellen DeGeneres would probably do a great job, but again, the middle America types might tune out. Kristen Wiig? Good all-around comedic acting talent, but not very good unscripted, IMHO. Kathy Griffin can deliver a good joke, but is known for going a bit too blue at times.
Of course, the flip side of this is I don't think many people knew how much of a perfect late night talent Jimmy Fallon would develop into, so I'd be perfectly happy giving any of these ladies a shot in the desolate 12:30 timeslot and see what they can do. Fallon's show took a while to find its voice -- why not let the broads have that same opportunity?
posted by tonycpsu at 8:58 AM on February 20, 2014 [2 favorites]
Ellen DeGeneres would probably do a great job, but again, the middle America types might tune out.
What makes you think this? Ellen DeGeneres' current daytime gig is pretty much supported entirely by "middle America types".
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 9:07 AM on February 20, 2014 [6 favorites]
What makes you think this? Ellen DeGeneres' current daytime gig is pretty much supported entirely by "middle America types".
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 9:07 AM on February 20, 2014 [6 favorites]
If that's the case, I stand corrected -- I honestly don't follow the daytime talk show demographics very closely.
Still, getting a daytime talk show is a lot different than getting a late night gig -- there's much more gender parity during the day, and has been for a while. I guess maybe it's a "middle American males might tune out" thing? Or maybe I'm just totally wrong and it'd be fine. As I said, I'd love to see any of them get a shot, I'm just trying to get a handle on why they haven't yet.
posted by tonycpsu at 9:12 AM on February 20, 2014
Still, getting a daytime talk show is a lot different than getting a late night gig -- there's much more gender parity during the day, and has been for a while. I guess maybe it's a "middle American males might tune out" thing? Or maybe I'm just totally wrong and it'd be fine. As I said, I'd love to see any of them get a shot, I'm just trying to get a handle on why they haven't yet.
posted by tonycpsu at 9:12 AM on February 20, 2014
Yeah, I'm pretty sure that nowadays the only people who would find Ellen in any way threatening are either rival daytime talkshow hosts or members of the Fred Phelps clan.
posted by Atom Eyes at 9:12 AM on February 20, 2014 [4 favorites]
posted by Atom Eyes at 9:12 AM on February 20, 2014 [4 favorites]
I've been listening to a bit of Aisha Tyler's podcast lately and I think she could be a great late night talk show host. I haven't seen any of the recent Whose Line is it Anyway?, how is she on that?
posted by ODiV at 9:15 AM on February 20, 2014
posted by ODiV at 9:15 AM on February 20, 2014
I guess something only enters the timeline The Tonight Show once a critical mass of white people become aware of it.
FTFY.
posted by Celsius1414 at 9:40 AM on February 20, 2014
FTFY.
posted by Celsius1414 at 9:40 AM on February 20, 2014
Craig Ferguson has my late night loyalty forever and ever, but I've found myself pleasantly surprised by Fallon. He's just so happy! He's like the puppy of late night, it's impossible to dislike him. He ropes celebrities into some pretty great and fun sketches, plus his is the best late night show in terms of music choices and live performances.
Though I don't know if it's a feature or a bug that I watch Craig Ferguson's show all the way through, but only watch Fallon via the occasional youtube clip.
posted by yasaman at 10:05 AM on February 20, 2014
Though I don't know if it's a feature or a bug that I watch Craig Ferguson's show all the way through, but only watch Fallon via the occasional youtube clip.
posted by yasaman at 10:05 AM on February 20, 2014
It's so weird to me that twerking comes at the end, and more generally, that people talk about it as if it's a new thing. It's been big for 10+ years- it was popular before soulja boy and the dougie. I guess something only enters the timeline once a critical mass of white people become aware of it.
It comes at the end because they use it as the punchline for the bit, with Smith shaking his head and walking off stage as Fallon continues twerking. I'm sure they know the real time line order but exercised some artistic license here. It's a comedy bit, not a history lesson.
posted by rocket88 at 10:13 AM on February 20, 2014 [1 favorite]
It comes at the end because they use it as the punchline for the bit, with Smith shaking his head and walking off stage as Fallon continues twerking. I'm sure they know the real time line order but exercised some artistic license here. It's a comedy bit, not a history lesson.
posted by rocket88 at 10:13 AM on February 20, 2014 [1 favorite]
The one glaring problem with that list is that it's 110% white dudes.
This is totally valid criticism.
Counterpoint: THE ROOTS! THE ROOTS!
posted by mcstayinskool at 11:01 AM on February 20, 2014 [3 favorites]
This is totally valid criticism.
Counterpoint: THE ROOTS! THE ROOTS!
posted by mcstayinskool at 11:01 AM on February 20, 2014 [3 favorites]
Also, I would love to see both gender and racial equity amongst these top tier entertainment gigs, but for me the big problem with Arsenio as a talk show host is that he's quite bad at that job. His interviewing skills are just terrible.
and oh my we need to all erase from our memories that Magic Johnson once had a talk show
posted by mcstayinskool at 11:05 AM on February 20, 2014 [3 favorites]
and oh my we need to all erase from our memories that Magic Johnson once had a talk show
posted by mcstayinskool at 11:05 AM on February 20, 2014 [3 favorites]
That lip sync battle was hilarious and amazing. I watched the whole thing with a silly grin on my face. Even more awesome is the fact that Stephen Merchant looks a hell of a lot like a younger version of my boss, whom I cannot imagine ever lip syncing and prancing around to "Single Ladies."
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 11:05 AM on February 20, 2014
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 11:05 AM on February 20, 2014
mcstayinskool: " Counterpoint: THE ROOTS! THE ROOTS!"
Yeah, I was loving the Philly representation on Jimmy's inaugural Tonight Show episode. The Roots, Will Smith, Tina Fey. "Sixth borough", my ass, NYC!
posted by tonycpsu at 11:15 AM on February 20, 2014
Yeah, I was loving the Philly representation on Jimmy's inaugural Tonight Show episode. The Roots, Will Smith, Tina Fey. "Sixth borough", my ass, NYC!
posted by tonycpsu at 11:15 AM on February 20, 2014
> Kristen Wiig? Good all-around comedic acting talent, but not very good unscripted
amen! Good idea, but study up a little beforehand?
posted by morganw at 1:14 PM on February 20, 2014
amen! Good idea, but study up a little beforehand?
posted by morganw at 1:14 PM on February 20, 2014
I'm disappointed. The online clip of Seinfeld's standup skips the bit at the end where Fallon called him over to the desk, Carson style. Maybe they thought it was too much of an inside joke for whoever watches on YouTube?
posted by Gary at 1:37 PM on February 20, 2014
posted by Gary at 1:37 PM on February 20, 2014
Comedy sketches are so untruthful. On the other hand, grad school seminars are so unfunny.
That right there is sharp, sharp wit, I love it.
I like Seth Meyer, but I don't love him. I don't think he was a good solo SNL Update host, and so I feel like "they" missed a huge opportunity to give someone else a shot at the desk on Late Night. With all the focus on the lack of women of color on SNL, Lorne could've opened his eyes and found a nonwhite/nonmale host.
I bet Jimmy Fallon will still be at Tonight in 5 years, but Seth won't be at Late Night.
posted by MoxieProxy at 3:10 PM on February 20, 2014
That right there is sharp, sharp wit, I love it.
I like Seth Meyer, but I don't love him. I don't think he was a good solo SNL Update host, and so I feel like "they" missed a huge opportunity to give someone else a shot at the desk on Late Night. With all the focus on the lack of women of color on SNL, Lorne could've opened his eyes and found a nonwhite/nonmale host.
I bet Jimmy Fallon will still be at Tonight in 5 years, but Seth won't be at Late Night.
posted by MoxieProxy at 3:10 PM on February 20, 2014
History of Rap 5, with Justin Timberlake. I'm pretty sure this is the first one to include a novelty answering machine rap from back when answering machines were a thing.
posted by tonycpsu at 8:44 PM on February 22, 2014
posted by tonycpsu at 8:44 PM on February 22, 2014
« Older Big Oil, Bad Air | Venezuela Riots Newer »
This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments
posted by Celsius1414 at 8:43 PM on February 19, 2014 [4 favorites]