Late Night with Jimmy Fallon – Week Five/Plead the Fifth

This week, Jimmy Fallon went home. Sadly, he did not stay there. We learned where he sat in the lunchroom when he was a high school freshman. We learned where his parents live. We learned he first started out as a demented hybrid between an impressionist and a prop comic. We were reminded (we didn’t learn it… we knew already) that he wasn’t funny.

Jimmy Fallon graduated high school in the Class of ‘92. So did I. I mean, come the f*ck on! I’ve barfed up bad chimichangas with more comedic chutzpah than Jimmy Fallon. I’m not saying I deserve to be the host of “Late Night,” but give the gig to somebody who isn’t likely to flush it down the toilet.

Elbow patches with a flannel shirt... 'nuf said

After three days exposing himself to the people of Saugerties, New York, Jimmy ventured to the CES expo in Las Vegas. While there, he proved how similar he was to another “Late Night” star, Triumph the Insult Comic Dog. No, he isn’t as quick witted or comedically offensive as Triumph, but he clearly has somebody’s hand up his ass. He served as the pitchman for a new TV, car stereo system, and watch phone. Oh, he wore a sport coat with… wait for it… elbow patches. But, as they say, wait… there’s more.

Once upon a time, a young upstart appeared on a little show called “Saturday Night Live.” His popularity grew, at least within the confines of a few offices at NBC, and somebody ultimately decided to reward him with his own network series. Sound familiar? Yes, I’m talking about Al Franken, your next alleged senator from the mediocre state of Minnesota. Why bring him up now? Good question.

Remember Al Franken?

Sen. Franken once did a bit featuring himself as a one-man roving reporter. He had a camera mounted to himself, along with transmission equipment and whatever else he might need as a man in the field. Maybe you saw the gag. If not, check out Friday’s installment of Jimmy Fallon’s online minisodes, because Fallon has blatantly stolen the idea (al-be-it utilizing modern day technology).

Wanted: For Theft

Setting aside the obvious comedic thievery, the likes of which would make Dane Cook flinch, I don’t like the pattern here. Franken did this bit, and is now a senator-in-waiting. If the trend continues, Fallon could also become senator of a state nobody really cares about. He might confirm justices to the US Supreme Court, or chair a subcommittee on national security.

I don’t like where this is heading. No… I don’t like this at all.