The 2009 Golden Woodys, Part 1
It’s time for the 2009 Awards for Excellence in Late Night Talk Show Doing. Or, if that’s too much of a mouthful, it’s time for the 2009 Golden Woodys. Yay!
There are eleven award categories. Each category contains three nominees. Nominees are selected and winners are chosen based on my viewing of late night talk show episodes during 2009. It may appear that the entire process is ridiculously subjective. I assure you, however, that all decisions were arrived at through deep and intelligent meditation during two twelve-hour car rides between North Carolina and New Jersey.
Category: Best Introduction
Nominees:
Jimmy Kimmel Live
The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
And the award goes to… The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson
Reason: The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson’s introduction is funny, enjoyable to watch repeatedly and does the best job of giving people an accurate preview of what the actual show will be like.
Category: Best Set
Nominees:
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
The Late Show with David Letterman
The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien
And the award goes to… The Late Show with David Letterman
Reason: The Late Show set works for many reasons. First, it’s as sharp as the three-piece suits worn by the host. Second, the theater building has a ton of charm. Third, it does the best job of being huge but feeling warm and intimate for both the audience and home viewer.
Category: Best Band
Nominees:
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
The Late Show with David Letterman
The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien
And the award goes to… Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
Reason: This was a very difficult category. All three bands are extremely talented. The Roots, however, brought a freshness to late night television that deserves to be acknowledged and rewarded.
Category: Best Monologue
Nominees:
The Late Show with David Letterman
The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson
The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien
And the award goes to… The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien
Reason: Conan’s monologues contain the funniest jokes and bits, delivered at an unmatched energy level, the most consistently.
Category: Best Sidekick
Nominees:
Jimmy Kimmel Live
The Late Show with David Letterman
The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien
And the award goes to… The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien
Reason: Andy Richter is damn funny, and his chemistry with Conan makes him a lot of fun to watch.
Stay tuned Thursday for the 2009 Golden Woodys Part II.
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