Too Late with Adam Carolla

"Too Late with Adam Carolla" is not a hilarious late night talk show. Personally, I'm kind of glad it isn't. The program's laid-back attitude makes it come across as a really casual, fun little TV show. You're awake at 11:30 and can't get to sleep? Watch some Adam Carolla. It won't put you to sleep, but it's a nice un-winder.

Sure, as some of the others have pointed out here on IMDb, Adam's show isn't that funny. It's got a lot of lapses. Sometimes the jokes are downright unfunny and the guest interviews are simply bad. The Ying-Yang Twins episode was a perfect example of poor management - the Ying-Yangs' manager should have made sure they weren't high before they went out there. You can actually see Adam's face contort as the interview goes on and, desperately, he fumbles for something to say or do to save it. The interview isn't funny, isn't insightful, isn't played out well - I didn't even know what was going on.

Adam's still learning the ropes of his show and messes up a bit, most noticeably with the telephone calls. It's obvious the writers have created a catchphrase for him to say every time they "go to the phones" (I forget what the exact words are) and Adam keeps forgetting. He also seems to pause a lot, like he's kind of making stuff up as he goes along. (This is part of what gives it a laid-back aura.) I won't be surprised if this bombs completely and gets canceled. The audience isn't very "into it." The show is quite lazy in its production and feels like it was started by a bunch of drunken pals who decided to air their best buddy and his thoughts on life. But this is part of what I admire about the show. In a time when all late night programs are spit-polished clean and nothing goes wrong, this feels awkward and clumsy - Adam seems like your best friend and that's what resonates more than anything else. I'll keep watching it even if no one else does.

This is a refreshing show. I realize a lot of people hate it, but that's probably because they're used to perfectly executed, super-smooth shows like "The Daily Show" (and remember, when that got started, they didn't know what the hell they were doing, either). "Too Late" is just a guy rambling on aimlessly with his guest. The complete randomness and awkwardness bring it down to a personal level. It feels like the type of show YOU would do with your friends. Adam seems like a pretty down to earth guy, and I admire the way he really doesn't seem to care how slipshod the show is; he's just talking with his guest and enjoying himself. He keeps trying new things, and I imagine that if they keep this on the air long enough, it will evolve into a pretty good show. I am liking this so far, and I'm interested to see where they go with it.

Having never really found an appreciation for The Man Show or Love Line, I really thought I wasn't going to like this show but I gave it a try as I had just finished watching the Daily Show and was curious about what CC decided to follow it with this time. I was most pleasantly surprised.

Adam Carolla's big step up from the poorly executed Man Show is satisfyingly simple. Every night Adam lets us know what's been bugging him lately, takes some calls/questions from the audience, makes fun of the audience member if needed, and interview's somebody.

I know, it sounds boring doesn't it? I really thought it would be but as it turns out Adam Carolla is a real pisser when you get him on his own. His social commentaries are relevant, intelligent, and brilliantly funny. Pretty original (comments) too: he's only the second person I've heard (on TV) make the "baby-food is a gateway to obesity as pot is a gateway to crack" analogy (although he worded it differently). "Of course it's a gateway drug, everyone's had it." Not nearly as polarizing as Colin Quinn's show (which formerly took that slot) or the Daily Show, Too Late attacks the things we all have a problem with, like the war on drugs, censorship, and gas prices. Some of the issues that Adam brings up aren't as universal and can sometimes slow the show down a bit. That's when you'll see him take a call or even just choke which he makes funny in his own way. At least it was funny the first of time.

I only caught 3 shows from the middle of the first week on air but all three shows had the exact same format. This is something that's going to have to change. Not because there aren't enough assaying things to make fun of that go on in this country, lord no there's plenty. But they're really going to have to try harder to keep people interested in the show rather than the 100s of other late night talk shows. I'd be really surprised if Adam can keep the same simple format going for very long.

So give it a look or two (as the show is hit or miss: from what I hear, the first episode was a real bomb) even if you're not a fan of Carolla's previous work. You might just end up staying awake another half hour like me.

The Love for this show is sad. I thought Adam's show was always great. When they killed the audience participation and had it all intimate was odd, but I still think Adam carried the show, and I miss it. Nonetheless I hope a DVD comes out with all 43 (I think) episodes and maybe some extras. Much love. I really miss this show, it was the highlight of many of my nights.

Anyway good times.

Shocking!!!!!!!!!!!!

Carolla.

-Dr. Drew

I enjoyed this show very much, however I can understand why many people didn't. When you're flipping the channels at midnight, your choices consist of a lot of scripted, overproduced, gimmicky talk segments. Alternatively,the effect that Adam Carolla brought forth was and is something that is very unusual; real talk with a real host.

Similar to his radio shows, Adam would speak what was on his mind, steered ever so slightly by that days topics, but most of the time he would choose his own personal beefs or thoughts to discuss.

That's what I enjoyed most about the show. You felt like you were actually talking to a human being. An incredibly humorous story teller who was amazingly quick witted, Adam never loses your attention. He never goes for the traditional sight gags or cheap laughs either. Perhaps that is what lost him casual viewership.

I admit that the show has served me best when I watch many in a row, just from my PC (where it can easily be found online at acsarchive.com) So I can see why the commercial interruptions and competing shows would make "Too Late" seem too subtle and unable to maintain traction in comparison.

Going beyond his conversational skills, Adam complemented his style with several segments that balanced his improvisational observations with something more tangible and interactive; like making fun of clips from a movie, going through a slide show, remote pieces on the streets, and other, unique, one-off segments. Perhaps what made the show even more inviting was the chemistry Adam had with his guests, whom he would not only have humorous discussions with, but often include in these segments. That is seldom, if ever, attempted elsewhere.

For the second half of the series, the crowd was removed, and ironically made the show even more intimate, by bringing more focus to the man, Adam, who really is 99% of the show anyway as well as expanding the length of time with the guests. Usually the guest was interesting and eclectic to Adam's personality, from Sarah Silverman to Buzz Aldrin and Alec Baldwin. And when two comedians or interesting people talk, with less commercial agendas, the result is a more genuinely entertaining talk show.

Rounding out the show were two regular bits Adam would use coming into and out of commercials; "slippery slope guy" and "1780's guy", as well as the infrequent Sensai Adam. All were great concepts that, even though you knew the punchline, never lost their poignancy or hilarity.

The real staple of the show, however, was the viewers who were always on the phone waiting for Adam to dance with whatever they threw his way, showcasing his every man appeal and universal humor.

I guess what could be the double edge sword that made "Too Late" an extremely enjoyable, addictive show for some and one that seemed too slow for the average viewer was its more relaxed style. In my eyes, however, this adds greatly to the lasting appeal and freshness, proving to be a classic talk show that will most likely never be matched.