David Caolo

With the news that Jay Leno will host a prime time talk show after handing The Tonight Show over to Conan O’Brien, I’ve been thinking about talk shoes in general.

I’m bored with the format. Introduction, monologue, skit, parade of guests who shamelessly plug their latest project. The host usually sits behind a desk while the guest is in a chair. It’s not a bad formula — it’s worked for decades — it just feels stale to me.

Now, I’m not opposed to talk shoes, either. I like to see my favorite celebrities talking about their lives, sharing funny stories and so on. I’d just like to see the networks try something new. For instance, who says the host needs a desk? Or, that they even need to be in a studio? Why not film them grocery shopping, walking in the park, riding in a cab

Send the host to the celebrity’s house instead of bringing him/her to a studio. Bring cameras into the infamous “green room” and chat there. Anything!

Again, I like talk shows. Here’s hoping for a shakeup.

The first time I saw David on TV, he was performing magic tricks for people on the street. The tricks were very entertaining, and Dave played the “supernatural weird guy” persona well. I liked him right away.

Today, he’s abandoned magic for these silly stunts. As I type this, he’s hanging upside-down in Manhattan for one reason or another. Honestly, I don’t care. And that’s because there’s nothing at stake. The whole thing will culminate in a prime-time TV special, after which they’ll tear down the scaffolding and everyone will go home.

The result of success is no different than the result of failure, so there’s no reason to get emotionally involved. It’s like watching a sporting event between two teams you’ve never heard of.

I wish he’d return to tossing playing cards into beer bottles. At least that was fun.

First a bit about me.

Both of my parents worked when I was a kid. I mean they worked like dogs. Dad was the business manager at the local hospital and mom did a variety of things — from department store clerk and secretary to dental hygenest. We lived in a small apartment owned by my aunt and uncle, who lived next door. My parents busted their asses like slaves so that my sisters and I could have clothes, food and (occasionally), toys. As a child I loved them; as a parent I admire them.

When I got home from school, the house was empty. I’d let myself in, make a snack and … you guessed it … turn on the TV. It was my companion for many years.

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