I’m not really sure what to say about Daniel Craig’s recent visit to Jay Leno’s show. There to promote the new 007 film Quantum Of Solace, Craig was understated, subtle and Bond-like. He was also the antithesis of Bond in his vulnerability, both physical and emotional. There is a shyness to Craig that probably works better as a vehicle for his charm with women rather than men.
Arriving with his arm in a sling – and not offering much explanation of why other than the six or seven (ask his doctor!) screws in the shoulder – Craig went on to discuss several other injuries he’s suffered of late. Very un-Bond-like.
Craig also talked about his life as an actor and, like almost every other actor out there, his dislike of the audition process, funny story included. Further confirming his less-than-suave real life, Craig talked about getting the phone call that he was the new Bond while shopping, alone, at a Baltimore Whole Foods Market. He immediately went to the liquor department, bought a bottle of vodka and drank it. Not shaken or stirred.
Craig did spend time explaining the title of the new film. A smart move considering most have been bewildered since first hearing the title. The whole appearance was a bit like the chicken or the egg dilemma – did Craig get the part because he is the strong, silent type or is he now the strong, silent type because he got the part…and is now doing promotion? Hard to know. But whichever it is, he has proven good for the franchise, reinvigorating and even reinventing the character as a more serious, contemplative James Bond. I believe Ian Fleming would be happy.
As for Craig’s talk show persona, his light humor and stoicism combined well to offer a Bond-like, if not electric appearance. Craig’s power is clearly better demonstrated on the screen not on the couch.
Kate Walsh is bright, bubbly and beautiful. We know the beauty part because David Letterman commented on it and her dress – a very tight, revealing little black number.
The bright you can sense from the way she speaks and carries herself – very poised - and the bubbly became evident during her many meandering stories…too bubbly and too meandering. Just a bit. She laughed a lot while telling those stories, which can be cute if done sparingly, but beware, too much can diminish your overall appearance.
Walsh did have some nice, clever moments, which made up for the giddiness – one political and one provocative. When discussing the fact that she was raised in Arizona, she added “I can see Mexico,” (a smart, current reference). And when Dave showed a few pictures of her, she commented about one in which she was wearing a very tight red-carpet dress, “it took a village to get me into that dress,” which set Dave up perfectly to respond “where do I sign up for that!” Always a good move to flirt with and make the host shine. They did briefly discuss her show Private Practice, but she also managed to plug a book she’s a part of (another sexy photo), Hollywood Pinups.
All in all, Walsh was entertaining and a good guest. I think if she reigns it is just a smidge, she could be a great one.
There’s a certain degree of fun critiquing an interview that you know is going to be tongue-in-cheek from the word go. We know that because when Jackson Browne sat down with Stephen Colbert, the irreverent interviewer started by saying “I’m a long-time, huge fan, which makes it even harder for me to do what I have to do right now, which is to tear you a new one.”
The rest of the interview was quick-witted and funny, mostly on Colbert’s part. But Browne did his best to straddle the fine line between seriousness and satire. On the show, because he is suing John McCain for using his song “Running On Empty” without his permission, Browne managed to discuss the real details of the case while still joking with Colbert, who kept lobbing mock insults and wild accusations. At one point, while talking about the Iraq war, and who the real enemy is, Browne seemed to lose his concentration, staring blankly into thin air. But, he was merely recalling the lyrics to one of his new songs, which he proceeded to speak to Colbert. Colbert quickly came back with “Oh, just because it rhymes doesn’t make it true, Jackson. I don’t have a rhyming dictionary back here!” After a short, wry, stare-down, Colbert asked if Browne would come back and rhyme with his guitar. And he did. And all was well.
Dressed eerily similarly to Leno, Jimmy Kimmel had to take a ribbing before he even sat down, “is that the Jay Leno young men’s collection?” referring to his wardrobe. Not to be tarried with, Kimmel launched into his own diatribe, smartly including the audience. He said to Leno, “may we speak privately for a moment? (with a knowing glance to the crowd) You guys are cool, right?” He proceeded to express his concern for the rumor that, upon his eviction from NBC, Leno would be coming to ABC, where, in case Leno didn’t know, he has a late night talk show of his own. Kimmel continued on his sarcastic rant for quite some time telling Jay how bad ABC was to work for and how his car kept getting keyed, as he knew all things automotive are near and dear to Leno’s heart, and finally ending the misery definitively with “so don’t come there!”
While I’m not really sure what he was there to promote, he talked about his parents, who were in the audience (perhaps that’s why he was there, his parents wanted to see the Jay Leno show!) He then jumped back on his soap box commenting about Jay having sent his Mom flowers saying, “It’s not enough to take my show, you have to take my mother from me too?” Even when they returned from the break, Kimmel lead with his calculation of Leno’s worth ($703 billion dollars, by his most recent count) and saying he doesn’t need another job. It was funny, but bordering on real… too real… and uncomfortably desperate. A fine line that Kimmel continued to walk. They went on to chat about Kimmel’s Emmy, which he said was really won by his ex-girlfriend, Sarah Silverman and his cousin, and then ended the interview showing a clip from his own show.
Again, I really am not sure why he was there, but it was an entertaining appearance. Certainly two people who know better than most about comic timing, pace and humor; they played well off each other, Jay teasing Jimmy like the Jedi Master joshing the Young Padawan. It will be interesting to see what the future holds for these intergalactic stars.
It’s an interesting phenomenon when a talk show guest is clearly not known by a good portion of the audience and the host of the show, in this case Craig Ferguson, is a fawning, doting obsessed fan, in this case Tim Gunn. Such was the case when Gunn appeared on Ferguson’s post mid-night talkfest recently. Gunn, best known for his regular gig on Project Runway, and less known for his own show Tim Gunn’s Guide to Style, seemed to be as enamored with Ferguson as Ferguson was with him. It was a mutual love affair that felt a little uncomfortable to the only passively interested viewer, such as myself.
It seems Ferguson has become so transfixed with Project Runway that he offered this warning to his audience: “If you haven’t seen Project Runway or know nothing about it, tonight’s the night for [you to watch] Conan. Cuz I’m going to be talkin’ about it!” And he wasn’t kidding. The rest of the segment was devoted to discussing, in amazing detail, contestants, judges and even sewing techniques. You never saw two men more engaged and happy — at least on TV. Gunn was so important to Ferguson that the host didn’t even try to make jokes. He just wanted to talk about the show…the true definition of the word FAN – ATIC! As for Gunn’s demeanor, he was pleasant, respectful and entertaining. Nothing more. Nothing less. He did his job, and did it well.
I truly felt like I was overhearing two friends chatting over coffee or at the gym or, in this case, maybe a trendy West Hollywood Boutique. All in all it was entertaining to a point, but it’s obvious that this late, late night talk show chooses to offer some special exceptions when it comes to pleasing both host and audience.
Diane Lane and Richard Gere are like the favorite sweater you put on when the cold sets in – warm and comfortable. And we were privy to that coziness when they appeared on the new Bonnie Hunt Show. A show and host that are still searching for their groove, as the quick witted and often cutting host, looks cultivate to a laid-back, down-home style that she and her producers believe is more conducive to daytime talk. While Hunt seems to be trying a little too hard to be a “regular gal,” she did allow pros like Lane and Gere to fall into their own brand of an easy rapport.
There to promote their new film Nights in Rodanthe, their third film together in 25 years, Lane and Gere acted like an old married couple – and I mean this in a good way. At times we watched them speak for each other, tease each other and tag-team seamlessly in discussing the film, which they did for quite a while and over several clips. They were certainly a major “get” for a fledgling show, already hurting in the ratings, and Bonnie showed her gratitude by giving them major time latitude. I did find it interesting that Gere felt the need to carry a prop – a paper coffee cup – out with him, which he held, but rarely drank from throughout the interview. Usually this is a sign of nervousness posing as informality, but in Gere’s case as a veteran of all of this, it’s hard to figure out just what was going on here. With whatever apprehension he may have been feeling, he was still comfortable enough to play with the audience and the host, to everyone’s delight.
It’s not the easiest task to interview two people at once, or for that matter, be interviewed as a team, but all things considered, Bonnie did it well. I just wish there could have been a little less laid-back comfort and a little more excitement, but in this case, familiarity didn’t breed contempt, we just felt like we were part of the family.
John Krasinski is pretty nearly the ideal talk-show guest. Casual, quick, dry and funny as hell. Not only did he listen during his time on screen, but he obviously was watching show from the green room (the talk show guest’s “on deck circle”) even before he was on stage. This is a sure fire way to win the respect of the host and a golden opportunity to insert humor when the comic groundwork has already been laid for the audience. It’s a nice trick that works nine times out of ten. On his recent visit to Craig Ferguson’s Late, Late Show, Krasinski heard Ferguson talking about the trend of actors in commercials for the new fall TV season posing in over-the-shoulder model stances. Ferguson proceeded to do several versions for the audience… as did Krasinski when he came out, immediately endearing himself to Ferguson and the crowd.
As you know, we talk about knowing your host, your audience and your show before you make an appearance. That means doing your homework… and Krasinski did his, literally, and talked about it, too. In discussing Ferguson’s spot on the Emmys where he grabbed Brooke Shields’ ass, Krasinski said “ You got a little randy in your bit, didn’t you? That’s what they say in the UK, right? Randy? I did my homework for this show!” More brownie points.
Krasinski brought a little of everything to the show – from playing with the audience to talking directly to camera (to Eric Stoltz, actually) to impressions (Brando and a Muppet). And he made them all work beautifully. The only thing he didn’t do, which is a real Guest Whisperer no-no, is talk about his role in NBC’s The Office, which he was most likely there to promote. It’s a good thing Craig showed a clip at the top of the segment. This, of course, is partly the host’s fault, but you must remember why you’re there in the first place. If a segment is going well by the hosts standards, then it is incumbent on the guest to subtly take charge and steer the conversation to the topic at hand. This is primarily why I can’t give him a five out of five rating for this appearance.
I wish all guests were as clever, relaxed and entertaining as John Krasinski. Next time we hope he can hit it out of the park.
I’m not sure if I was disappointed with Michael Phelps recent appearance on Jay Leno because I don’t think I expected much to begin with. I was certainly disappointed with his choice of wardrobe - what seemed to be a sweatsuit and sandals - and his lack of decorum in pulling his leg up on the chair. There seemed to be no respect for the level of talk show he was on. Even a novice interviewee (which he isn’t thanks to those eight golds) should know better…or at least “his people” should… or his mother, who I’m sure with her newfound star status, isn’t wearing the same clothes SHE wore in Beijing. Now, I know he hasn’t been home since June 25, but this was The Tonight Show afterall, and he did just get that million-dollar bonus. He could have done some shopping!
Throughout his appearance Phelps was low-key, straight-forward and humble, which brings me back to that million bucks - he has donated it to the Michael Phelps Foundation, which he started to “promote the sport of swimming and take it to a new level and promote a healthy and good lifestyle.” So we’ll take back the shot about having enough money to buy some better threads, but he does need help in that department. Even his hosting gig on SNL proved that he is slightly wardrobe challenged.
All that being said when Jay asked about the future of his Olympic records being broken, he graciously said “records are made to be broken, I hope so.” A classy perspective from one of the world’s greatest athletes. Next time, just kick it up a notch.
One of the Guest Whisperer guidelines for talk show appearances is to keep stories and pitches in the 30-to-60 second range. This is partly because audiences are conditioned by the fast pace of shows to expect bite-sized nuggets. Another reason is that short anecdotes keep the guest on track and moving forward.
Rules are made to be broken, of course and Luke Wilson has a Jimmy-Stewart-aw-shucks kind of persona that would feel straitjacketed in a rushed approach to guesting. Yet I was still worried at first when he launched into a wandering story about shooting a movie at a girl’s college. You could feel the natives in the bleachers getting restless.
But his laid back approach began paying off, though, as he pulled the audience into his ordinary-guy-in-a-star’s-world life with stories like the teamster driver who picked him up for an early morning shoot. Wilson was dragging his feet, prompting the driver to admonish him with, “Look, I’ve driven Oliver Stone and Val Kilmer and I’m not in the mood for any of your B.S.!” When he related how fans often accosted him with “Hey, you’re one of the Owens brothers, right?”, we know the universe is keeping his ego in check.
Promoting his new movie, Henry Poole Is Here, was a tough task, since it is a quirky little, low-key comedy-drama. As Letterman noted: “A nice simple story – no explosions, no lasers, no Martians…” At which point Wilson interrupted with “A lotta nudity, though!” It broke Dave and the audience up, letting us know that the movie, like Luke Wilson, might have some surprises up its sleeve.
It’s often thought that David Letterman just can’t handle an interview with a good looking guy. Some have theorized that Dave is SOOOO uncomfortable with his own looks, it’s hard for him to relax when a good looking actor shows up on the couch. But Aaron Eckart may have found the trick, and believe me it wouldn’t be any advice that I would give him — just act more nervous than Dave and all of your good looks will be forgiven.
That’s not to say that Eckart wasn’t lively, funny and overall entertaining. He looked great, came prepared with good relateable stories for Dave, like one about a mutual rattlesnake issue that the two of them have on their Montana farms. And he certainly did a fine job, within his madated restricted abilities to reveal story points from The Dark Knight, promoting his film. But what was so distracting for most was his relentless figiting and almost zero eye contact with the host, that just made him visibly uncomfortable with the entire appearance.
This is however where the problem for The Guest Whisperer comes in. I always stress the importance of knowing your audience when you sit down for an interview and in this case your primary audience is always Dave, as he can save or sink any performance on his show. So if the mission is have a winning appearance and you aren’t blessed with the attributes of a flirtatious Julia Roberts — one of Dave’s all time favorites — you better go with what you’ve got. Aaron, being a slightly insecure good looking and talented actor, made the right choice — if he had one — to be himself and let Dave make him the butt of a few harmless jokes while at the same time coming off as an intelligent, relateable guy who served his producers well with a winning appearance.
Not a perfect plan, but one certainly good enough to get him invited back.
