After initial numbers in the stratosphere, ratings for The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien have settled down to Leno levels. We always knew we'd get there but I don't think most folks expected it to happen before the first week was out. I still think Conan will do fine, at least until the new Leno show debuts in Fall, whereupon things will get — shall we say? — interesting. But I'll append to my earlier prediction that there's a news cycle crying out to happen — a flurry of articles that say NBC erred by bumping Jay for Conan and that Conan is not performing as well. I don't think that will be a long-term truth but there'll be some week soon where it looks that way and everyone will pounce to write those articles.
I've been crushed with Things That Had To Be Done this week so I've only had time to watch Conan's first show. It struck me as too self-congratulatory and a matter of trying too hard...but it also struck me as atypical of what the program will be like over the longer haul. My other initial reactions are that (a) the set, though beautiful, is too big; (b) Andy Richter belongs on the couch and will get there soon; (c) Conan never looks comfortable to me doing topical material because he's never struck me as a guy who even knows or cares what's happening in the news and (d) I was expecting something a bit less like the same show an hour earlier. But a lot of the prepared bits were very funny and several friends have e-mailed me to say it gets better as the week goes on. So I look forward to catching up over the weekend.
I probably haven't done enough plugging here of The Best of Simon and Kirby, a smashing new book that reprints glorious helpings of comic book work by the team supreme of Joe Simon and Jack Kirby. I wrote a batch of intros for it but that's not at all why I'm recommending it. It's Simon and Kirby and it's very well done in terms of reproduction and presentation. That's why I'm recommending it. Here's an Amazon link to order a copy if you haven't already...and if you need more convincing (God knows why), here's an interview with the book's editor, Steve Saffel, who did a fine job on this and who will doubtlessly do a fine job on subsequent volumes in this series.
I will also add that this is an authorized reprint collection. The Jack Kirby Estate gave its blessing (and has financial participation) and Joe Simon licensed and supervised the whole package. There are a lot of books out there that are reprinting vintage comic book material without the permission of the creators or their families...and in some cases, in the direct disapproval of those folks. Some of this material is public domain. Some of it isn't, or the status is arguable, and the publishers are trusting that their operations are small-time enough that the rightful owners won't find it cost effective to sue. In any case, most of the unauthorized or p.d. reprints are as disrespectful of the material (in terms of reproduction) as they are of the rights/wishes of the creators or their heirs.
One of the reasons I'm proud to have contributed to this Simon-Kirby project is that it is authorized and that, not coincidentally, a lot of time and expense went into making the material look as good as humanly possible. A gent named Harry Mendryk deserves a lot of the credit. So does Steve Saffel and so, of course, does Joe Simon for saving so many pieces of the original art or good photostats, thereof.
I have a personal problem with supporting with my dollars, certain projects that I think trample on the rights of creators, even though perhaps legally. If that doesn't matter to you, it might matter that when these books are done with the participation of the creators or their offspring, there's a much better chance of them being done right. This Simon and Kirby book was done right.
Dick Cavett discusses one of the smartest men he's ever met...Dr. Jonathan Miller. And there's a video embed of an old Dick Cavett Show that proves it.
June 6, 2009
