Issue date: 4/3/09 Section: Features

Media Credit: Chris Griffin [Click to enlarge]

Q: What separates your show from the other Late Night talk shows?

A: Our show is going to be different in that we are younger and we are into tech and gadget stuff. We will even treat a video game premiere like a movie premiere. I'm just going to be honest with what I like, and we are not going to hide the fact that people are on the Internet all day. A lot of shows don't really mention that. When kids get home, they check their e-mails or browse some sites. We are going to try to be as interactive with our fans as we can. I'm on Twitter, Facebook, Flickr and Digg, and I will try to incorporate all that as much as I can.


Q: Your high school yearbook said "James Fallon will replace David Letterman." Was that just because you were a funny guy and a comedian or had you also talked about having a talk show?

A: I kind of forgot all about that, but I guess that planted a seed in my head. I guess I was a pretty funny kid, and it is also some of that Irish personality. I came from a family of entertaining people. We would have parties and microphones set up and everyone would sing songs. I tried to be funny by doing impressions, but I don't think I can think of anything that would make them think that I could replace David Letterman.


Q: What is going to make your show different than some of the failed talk shows that have hit the air in the past?

A: I think the difference with me is that I'm putting everything into this. I wasn't in 20 great comedy movies or I wasn't a legendary basketball star - although I get mistaken for one a lot. I really want to be around for a long time. I hired great writers and directors. We got a great set with Studio 6B which Johnny Carson used in his first 10 years of the show in New York. I've also been doing stand up to work on some of my off the cuff stuff to get ready for the show.


Q: How did you come to the decision to have The Roots be your house band?

A: I was talking to my friend Neal Brennan who worked on "Chappelle's Show" and he mentioned that I should try to get The Roots. I said "Great, do you think they would do it?" and he said "No, but maybe they would know someone and steer you the right direction." I just figured "Why not?" The worst that could happen was they would say no. So I asked them and I didn't hear back for two weeks, so I took that as my "no." Their manager called me back after the two weeks and said they were in Europe but would love to meet with me and the producers when they got back. When we met, they said they would do it. I was completely shocked.


Q:What do you look for when booking a guest for the show?

A: I look for someone who is going to be interesting. They don't have to be the biggest celebrity in the world. That's what will be the most fun. I was told by Leno that some of the biggest celebrities aren't always the greatest guests.

Q: People forget that being an interviewer is a very tough skill. What are you doing to work on becoming a good interviewer?

A: You have these pre-interviews that my producers do with the guests, and they make bullet points for me. My job as the host is to hit on these specific bullet points to strike up a conversation with them. Hopefully I will become more comfortable and looser with the conversations and make people feel at home. I don't want people to worry about shining. It is my job as the host to make the guests shine.

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