It isn't fair to pass judgment on a late-night show right out of the gate. Even more than a drama, sitcom, or reality show, a talk show needs time to find its footing. At the outset, the interesting question isn't "Was it any good?" The better question is, "What is this show trying to be?" When The Colbert Report burst on the scene, we were exposed to something absurd and unique, a parody of Fox News mixed with absurdist comic performance art. The Report's replacement, The Nightly Show, starring Daily Show alum Larry Wilmore, has very different aims. Wilmore isn't trying to create something you haven't seen on TV before. He is trying to use a familiar backdrop to give you points of view you haven't seen on TV before.
The difference between The Nightly Show and other political late night shows is about content, not form. From his first words to his parting shots, last night Wilmore made it clear that he wants to talk about race, and he wants to talk about it in many different ways (the original name of the show was The Minority Report). He isn't taking the microscopic approach that John Oliver uses with his rehearsed comedy lectures. He isn't crystallizing the issue of the day into digestible correspondent pieces like on The Daily Show. Wilmore is looking for a broader discussion. He wants to poke dozens of different social pressure points each night. Here are the highlights and misses from last night's debut.
1.
Highlight: The Monologue
Wilmore touched on the major racial discussions of the moment, from Selma's Oscar snub to protests against police brutality, during his seven-minute opening remarks. His jokes flowed naturally throughout. He took shots at Al Sharpton (calling him a "racial fire chief"), train station protests ("There's no better way to win the hearts and minds of white people than to make them miss their train to Connecticut."), and Harry Potter brand fair trade chocolate ("After Ferguson and Garner, it bugs me that this is the only chocolate that got justice"), among many others.
The realest moment of the monologue came when Wilmore shared his thoughts on climate change: "If we can't figure this out, black people won't be the only people saying 'I can't breathe.'" Though this moment drew groans from the audience, it hinted towards a show that pulls no punches. Despite the brilliance of Colbert and Stewart, you certainly can't say this of either of their shows.
2.
Miss: The Panel
Despite a wonderful line-up that included New Jersey senator Cory Booker, Talib Kweli, Bill Burr, and (Nightly Show correspondent) Shenaz Treasury, the panel didn't go as smoothly. In trying to send up overcrowded news programs, the segment actually shared problems with some of those Fox News and MSNBC shows it hopes to parody. The conversation often lacked direction, leading to guests talking over each other. And yet, the guests seemed stiff, confined to their script rather than in open discussion. Controversial claims like Bill Burr's assertion that change only comes from "ridiculous acts of violence" were too few and failed to stir discussion. Though a number of topics were discussed, the conversation lacked a host's firm hand.
If Wilmore can continue to draw such interesting guests and figure out how exactly to referee the proceedings, this could grow into the strongest segment of the show. For now, this segment (which comprises the bulk of the program) feels most like a work in progress.
3.
One to Grow On: "Keeping It 100"
Though this segment didn't kill it last night, you get the sense that this could evolve into Wilmore's version of Colbert's "Word" or Stewart's "Moment of Zen." The idea here is that Wilmore asks a tough question, and he expects a no-bullshit answer. In Wilmore's words, the segment is like "truth or dare without the dare.” Unfortunately, Wilmore's first guests included a politician and a comedian. Wilmore asked Cory Booker if he had designs on the presidency and got a simple "No" in response. Burr, a comedian known to court controversy, got a controversial question and gave a controversial answer. In both cases, you saw the response coming a mile away. I found myself daydreaming of future guests for this potentially great bit. Here's hoping it's only a matter of time until Samuel L. Jackson or Nicki Minaj make "Keep It 100" a bit more surprising.
The Nightly Show got off to a predictably uneven start. In late night comedy, that's to be expected. Despite its misses, the premiere painted an optimistic picture of what this series could grow to be. The format of The Nightly Show is fresh but familiar, but more importantly, it's shaped to allow Wilmore to have his show on his terms. This was a solid, if imperfect start, and as Wilmore gets comfortable, the show should find its stride.
