 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
Common Sense Media says
Late-night talk show mixes topical humor, zany skits.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this series, like most late-night talk shows, is aimed at adults rather than kids. Though there’s no explicit sex, violence, swearing, or drugs, there are plenty of jokes and stories about all of the above. The host and his guests are adults, talking to adults, and kids are unlikely to understand many of the comments -- and given the show's 11:35 p.m. timeslot, they should probably be asleep anyway (though that doesn't mean they won't catch up via DVR or online clips, of course...).
What's the story?
THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO returns, following a well-publicized scheduling conflict that had former host Leno reclaiming the famed late-night show's desk from his successor Conan O'Brien. Leno brings back the same time-tested formula, starting with a nightly monologue poking fun at the news of the day, moving on to a goofy skit or two, and then introducing a celebrity guest. The Tonight Show has been on the air for more than five decades in all; O'Brien took over from Leno in June 2009, and Leno returned in March 2010.
Is it any good?
Jay Leno has perhaps perfected the late-night routine, and his non-threatening brand of topical humor has made him one of America's favorite comedy brand-names. He's smooth with a quip and delivers plenty of softball lines to help his celebrity guests smack home-run zingers.
That's the secret to both his appeal in middle America and why he sometimes fails to win over viewers that might want to describe themselves as more sophisticated: Leno goes for the punchline that will hit the biggest audience, but not necessarily the edgiest jokes. Leno rarely misses a beat, and his interviews flow smoothly, though they don't always draw out the most insightful anecdotes from guests (his famed Hugh Grant "I did a bad thing" moment notwithstanding). But viewers still come back night after night because watching The Tonight Show is a ritual; it's television comfort food that's almost always entertaining -- and pretty good even when it's not that great.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about celebrity culture. The show's guests include lots of celebrities, who are usually promoting their latest project. Do you think these interviews make stars seem more human? Does the host ever seem to be fawning over his famous guests?
Why have silly and outrageous antics become standard fare on late-night TV? Do you think these bits are ever so silly that they're no longer funny? Which ones make you laugh, which ones make you groan, and why?
What do you think about the conflict that led NBC to evict Conan O'Brien from The Tonight Show and replace him in early 2010 with Jay Leno?
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- Teens & kids
AGE
not great for 8-17 on tv but 6-7 sees it sometime.
no one under 19 watch this
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AGE
Amazing show that never ceases to make me laugh every episode
Conan's humor is so offbeat and quirky you just love him and his "Celebrity Survey" skits are some of the funniest skits I've EVER seen on TV.
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Kid, 11 years old
January 27, 2011
AGE
This Show Is For Older Kids Because Is Iffy For Ages 13+ And Under
The Snack Show
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