Late-night spice

By Sebastian Fryer
Western Herald

“Lopez Tonight” aims to change late-night format.

Comedian George Lopez premiered his new late-night talk show, “Lopez Tonight,” on Nov. 9 on TBS.

The premiere episode featured Desperate Housewives star Eva Longoria-Parker, Los Angeles Lakers player Kobe Bryant, and musical guest Carlos Santana.

Also making a surprise appearance was Ellen DeGeneres, who, clad in nightgown and cap, scolded Lopez for making noise while she was trying to sleep next door.

While chatting with Longoria-Parker, Lopez brought up a bet that the two had made before the premiere as to whether the show would be picked up by a network or not.  Having lost the bet, Longoria-Parker showed Lopez how to pole dance, who gave his own shot at dancing.  Lopez also talked with NBA star Bryant, who explained his attitude towards sports and answered audience questions, including one from teammate Derek Fisher.

Santana provided musical entertainment with songs “Oye Como Va” and “The World Is Rated X.”

Although “Lopez Tonight” features some of the same elements of the other late-night shows, Lopez promises that he will be bringing some new ingredients to the format.

“What we’re going to try to do [differently] is just pick up the pace of what has been traditional, and then everything that [other late-night talk show hosts have] done, try to not do that,” Lopez said in a conference call.

The premiere showcased some of the ways Lopez is planning to stray from the typical late-night talk show set-up.  For one, the set is unlike any of the other late-night show sets.
“I don’t have a desk,” Lopez said. “I don’t have a city behind me.  It looks more like a club.”

Lopez is also focusing on issues that may be too risqué or taboo for other late-night shows.

The subject of race played a large role in the premiere, from Lopez’s opening monologue to an audience participation game later in the show.

In the game, two audience members were shown video interviews with people on the street and were asked to make assumptions based on the interviewees’ race and appearance.

Lopez also expressed confidence in his band, which is led by Michael Bearden, who was the musical director for the late Michael Jackson’s “This Is It” concert series.

“I will have [Bearden] opening my show every night,” Lopez said, “and he’s a huge asset because he’s such a talented musician.”

Since its premiere, “Lopez Tonight” has seen appearances from such stars as Jaime Foxx, Oscar De La Hoya, and Arsenio Hall, who Lopez said has been a large influence on him.

“Lopez Tonight” airs weeknights at 11 p.m. EST on TBS.

Short URL: http://www.westernherald.com/?p=12867

Posted by HeraldAdmin on Dec 3 2009. Filed under A & E, Weekend Scene. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

Cody Kimball
Web Manager: I'm a Communication Student at WMU, a SCUBA Diver, Boater, Ordained Minister, Notary Public, Web Designer, Film Maker, DJ, and of course a Journalist. Born and raised in Port Huron, MI and a graduate of SC4. http://www.codykimball.com