Lindsay Lohan visits "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" at Rockefeller Center on March 6, 2014 in New York City. ; Credit: Theo Wargo/NBC/Getty Images for "The Tonight Sh
Jimmy Fallon’s affable, admiring hosting style earned him late-night praise and lasting virality online even before he took over as host of the Tonight Show in February. The former SNL comedian has an agreeable air about him -- he pals around with his A-list guests, many of them friends, and remakes hit songs with stars and his effortlessly cool backing band, The Roots.
In the Los Angeles Times, Mary McNamara calls Fallon the “Tom Hanks of hosting, able to project endearing uncertainty even as he clearly runs the show.” Fallon is accessible, easy to identify with, silly. And though he may not be a hard-hitting interviewer, he shines in skits and musical numbers.
The ratings have gone up, viewership has increased, and Fallon’s debut month as host of the Tonight Show has been labeled a success.
Why is Fallon such a popular host? What does the reaction to the new late night style reflect culturally? What does the future hold for Jimmy Fallon and the Tonight Show?
Guest:
Robert Thompson, Director, Bleier Center for Television & Popular Culture at Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Public Communications