Late-Night Remains Laudable: Thanks, Talkshow with Spike Feresten
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When Lil’ O’Reilly first tantrumed his way to Internet fame a few months ago, what shocked most viral viewers was not the fact that a second-grade boy was able to channel the über-conservative pundit with such pitch-perfect precision; rather, many were surprised by the fact that the wee web superstar was part of the funniest late-night comedic variety show they’d never heard of.
Talkshow with Spike Feresten is an oldteevee offering with which newteevee followers have recently become acquainted VIA ITS hilarious viral videos. Beyond the huge following garnered by Lil’ Bill, this PSA parody, in which an elderly woman attempts to comply with the transition to digital programming, is listed amongst Hulu’s most popular clips of all time.
Feresten’s show has been producing recurring sketches like the “Lil’ O’Reilly Factor,” “Idiot Paparazzi” and “Comedy for Stoners,” all of which arguably rival — or perhaps even surpass — the contemporary incarnation of SNL (at least when Tina Fey stops by). Plus Talkshow’s man-on-the-street segments hearken back to Letterman when he was still funny in that water-cooler-rehashable kind of way.
The comparisons between Feresten and those other long-time oldteevee greats may be not the least bit coincidental: Feresten has written for both SNL and Letterman. Indeed, one glance at his resume proves that the man who now sits behind the desk has chops to spare: Some of the most iconic Seinfeld episodes of all time — and let’s not forget cult favorite Space Ghost — have stemmed from Feresten’s fertile imagination, too.
With Talkshow’s visibility heightened, thanks to the online success of such snippets, the Fox network is gambling that Feresten’s show may be ready for a more robust slot on its roster: Execs have decided to promote the program to a more favorable time slot: 11 p.m. on Saturday nights, beginning on Jan. 17, for a six-week trial run (a slot which the dead-sketch-show-walking, MADTV, will then resume filling with its final fodder, until the end of its current and final season).
In addition to the time slot promotion, Talkshow will also be experimenting with an hour-long format (extended from its otherwise typical 30 minute run). The latter change is a particularly gutsy experiment given that many fans of the existing show cite the abbreviated length as an effective means of keeping deadweight or “filler” material at bay. Regardless: will fans of Talkshow’s online clips be showing up to support it in its native habitat on Fox? More importantly, should they?
In a word (or two): HELL YEAH! The existing format is a 30-minute sketch/variety hybrid that eschews the standard opening monologue; guests are often engaged in imaginative ways beyond planting them on a couch and drawing forth a sanitized smattering of publicist-approved soundbytes. (Witness Tom Green’s participation here, in “Comedy for Stoners” at the 18:00 mark, or actress/model Olivia Munn’s hilarious turn as the ultimate nerd fantasy.)
The fact that many segments are enjoying a surge in online popularity certainly supports the notion that the material is solid. Hopefully online fans of Feresten can find a way to support his show in its old-school native habitat on Fox — it would be nice to see Talkshow flourish and thrive as it deserves. More’s the pity if Feresten’s worthy work doesn’t parlay into a permanent and more favorable position in Fox’s lineup and greater fame in general. Without him, who else is going to provide us with more Lil’ Bill, or horrifyingly sexy Larry King videos that offset the tedium of the Real McCoy?
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Comments
elie muller, December 4, 2008 at 4:13 PM
That is a great review. Talkshow with Spike Feresten is an awesome show. It had been on the air for about 3 years. It is about time fox give talkshow a new time slot. And an extra 30 minutes into their regular time. Spike should include is old late night boss David Letterman on the show. If that happens and Matt chin and Richard thompson appear on the show, He will be on the air every single night. I mean 5 nights a week.
elie muller, December 6, 2008 at 9:17 PM
TALKSHOW WITH SPIKE FERESTEN IS THE BEST SHOW EVER… IT RULES! MATT CHIN RICHARD THOMPSON AND DAVID LETTERMAN SHOULD BE ON YOUR SHOW SPIKE FERESTEN.
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[...] If Late Night With Jimmy Fallon were truly experimenting with online content as originally promised, we could have ended up with a show optimally tailored to web syndication, that understood what plays for Internet audiences and what doesn’t better than any other TV series. But this behind-the-scenes approach is the definition of playing it safe — it looks like when it comes to understanding the online world in late night, Spike Feresten will continue to be tops. [...]
Jimmy Fallon Plays It Safe, Not Funny, On Late Night « NewTeeVee, December 9, 2008 at 2:22 PM
[...] If Late Night With Jimmy Fallon were truly experimenting with online content as originally promised, we could have ended up with a show optimally tailored to web syndication, that understood what plays for Internet audiences and what doesn’t better than any other TV series. But this behind-the-scenes approach is the definition of playing it safe — it looks like when it comes to understanding the online world in late night, Spike Feresten will continue to be tops. [...]
elie muller, December 13, 2008 at 9:29 PM
Talkshow with Spike Feresten is the best late night show on tv next to late night with david letterman. The ratings were better than jay leno’s tonight show. Spike, Hire matt chin and ricky thompson on fox please spike. Thank you for that and everything you do every saturday night at 12:00am and moving to 11:00pm for 1 hour on fox.
elie muller, December 25, 2008 at 6:05 PM
I think that talkshow with spike feresten is the best late night show on television next to late night with david letterman and the tonight show starring johnny carson. Spike, have you ever wanted david letterman on your program? Well you should have hi on yor program. Spike Feresten, would you please tell matt chin and ricky thompson to come on your show? Thank you very much. You can contact him at matt@myshowscrazy.com right now. Who knows? They might be on the air on network television like their idol Tom Green whom you had on your show a few times.
Eroll Muller, December 26, 2008 at 5:41 PM
Hey I Think Talkshow With Spike Fersten Is More Than next To David Letterman And Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson Have you Known Your Progam Has David Letterman Or I Should Say Hi In Your Program Spike Feresten Just Send ricky thompson & Matt chin to come in Your Show Thank You Very Much I Know That Contact Matt Chin And Ricky Thompason at Matt@Myshowscrazy.Com That If There Next Week Show 3 Episodes Are Good there will Be On Fox.
elie muller, December 27, 2008 at 7:40 AM
That is right indeed. Spike, when you begin your 11pm training, remember to book your old boss david letterman please. Thank you. You can also contact matt chin and ricky thompson at matt@myshowscrazy.com and tell them if their next 4 shows is good, they will be on your show. Ok? Good job!
elie muller, January 16, 2009 at 8:21 PM
Spike Feresten i wish you the best of luck tomorrow night for 1 hour. I hope you will consider giving Matt Chin and Ricky Thompson a jump start to their carreer please. Thank you. You can contact matt chin at matt@myshowscrazy.com right now. You myspace right? Well, matt chin also got a myspace profile too. So please and thank you spike. And hope you get david letterman on your show.
Eroll Muller, January 16, 2009 at 8:23 PM
Well I Think next 4 Shows Contact Ricky Thompason & Matt Chin On Matt@myshowscrazy.com Is Really Good But You got see Spike, I Almost say rhat If You Thompason and matt chin on the air 7+43+ 56 Guests Meaning you have good time Thank you and oh you got also put Watch At 3 episodes of Week Show Tromorrow and forgetyour write on Thompason & matt Chin They’re booked on tromorrow Atfernoon or Tromorrow’s Night i almost Spilled the Juice oh what that’s my Imaginary BOBO Wants to go Outside Bye.Now and forget Contact them I Promise
Eroll Muller, January 16, 2009 at 8:24 PM
and Oh you better do good or I Say It David Letterman will Go away