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{{Short description|American late-night television talk show}}
{{Infobox television
{{Infobox television
| image = Lopez tonight logo.jpg
|show_name=Lopez Tonight
| runtime = 60 minutes (with commercials)
|image = [[File:Lopez tonight logo.jpg]]
| creator = [[George Lopez]]
|bgcolour = #E5E4E2
| presenter = George Lopez
|format=[[Talk show]]<br />[[Variety show]]
| starring =
|runtime=60 minutes<br />(with commercials)
| narrated =
|creator=[[George Lopez]]
| producer =
|presenter=George Lopez
| executive_producer = George Lopez<br />[[Robert Morton (producer)|Robert Morton]]
|starring=
| company = 2.2 Productions<br />Panamort Television<br />ParaMedia<br />[[Telepictures|Telepictures Productions]]<br />[[Warner Horizon Television]]
|narrated=
| country = United States
|producer=
| language = English
|executive_producer=George Lopez<br>[[Robert Morton (producer)|Robert Morton]]
| network = [[TBS (American TV channel)|TBS]]
|company=2.2 Productions<br>ParaMedia<br>[[Telepictures Productions]]<br>[[Warner Horizon Television]]
| first_aired = {{Start date|2009|11|9}}
|country=United States
| last_aired = {{end date|2011|8|12}}
| language = English
| opentheme = "[[Low Rider]]" by [[War (band)|War]]
|network=[[TBS (TV channel)|TBS]]
| num_seasons = 2
|picture_format=[[480i]] ([[SDTV]])<br>[[1080i]] ([[High-definition television|HDTV]])
| num_episodes = 286
|location=[[Warner Bros. Studios]]<br>Burbank, California
| list_episodes = List_of_Lopez_Tonight_episodes
|first_aired={{Start date|2009|11|09}}
|last_aired={{end date|2011|08|12}}
|opentheme="[[Low Rider]]" by [[War (band)|War]]
|num_seasons= 2
|num_episodes= 286
|list_episodes=List_of_Lopez_Tonight_episodes
|preceded_by=
|followed_by=
|related=''[[Conan (TV series)|Conan]]''<br>''[[George Lopez (TV series)|George Lopez]]''
}}
}}
[[File:George Lopez at Kids' Inaugural 1-19-09 hires 090119-N-1928O-136a (cropped).jpg|thumb|[[George Lopez|Lopez]] at the [[Barack Obama 2009 presidential inauguration#Celebrations|Kids' Inaugural: We are the Future]] concert on January 19, 2009]]
[[File:George Lopez at Kids' Inaugural 1-19-09 hires 090119-N-1928O-136a (cropped).jpg|thumb|[[George Lopez|Lopez]] at the [[First inauguration of Barack Obama|Kids' Inaugural: We are the Future]] concert in 2009]]

'''''Lopez Tonight''''' is an American [[late-night television]] talk show hosted by comedian [[George Lopez]]. The hour-long program premiered on November 9, 2009, on cable network [[TBS (TV channel)|TBS]]. Lopez was the first [[Mexican American]] to host a late-night talk show on an English-language network in the United States. The show featured audience interaction using a high-energy format. The program aired Monday through Thursday at midnight [[Eastern Time Zone (North America)|Eastern]] and [[Pacific Time Zone|Pacific]], immediately following ''[[Conan (TV series)|Conan]]''. On August 10, 2011, TBS announced ''Lopez Tonight'' would be cancelled.<ref>{{cite news|last=Carter|first=Bill|title=TBS Cancels "Lopez Tonight"|url=http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/08/10/tbs-cancels-lopez-tonight/|work=New York Times|accessdate=10 August 2011|date=August 10, 2011}}</ref> The final episode aired the following night.
'''''Lopez Tonight''''' <!-- do NOT change to "was" -->is<!-- remains as "is" per [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Television/Style guidelines#Lead paragraphs]] --> an American [[late-night television]] talk show that was hosted by the comedian [[George Lopez]]. The hour-long program premiered on November 9, 2009, on cable network [[TBS (American TV channel)|TBS]]. Lopez was the first [[Mexican-American]] to host a late-night talk show on an English-language network in the United States. The show featured audience interaction using a high-energy format. The program aired Monday through Thursday at midnight [[Eastern Time Zone (North America)|Eastern]] and [[Pacific Time Zone|Pacific]], immediately following ''[[Conan (talk show)|Conan]]''. On August 10, 2011, TBS announced that ''Lopez Tonight'' would be canceled.<ref>{{citation |url= http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/08/10/tbs-cancels-lopez-tonight/ |title=TBS Cancels 'Lopez Tonight' - NYTimes.com |work=mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com |date=10 August 2011 |access-date= 10 August 2011}}</ref> The final episode aired two days later on August 12, 2011.


==History==
==History==
CEO of [[TBS (TV channel)|TBS]], Phillip Kent, announced in March 2009 that George Lopez had signed a contract to host his own late-night talk show on TBS in November of that year. During interviews, Lopez said that he would bring the change to late-night television and that he wants the show to reach a diverse audience. He also stated that he would become the first [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic American]] to host a late-night talk show. The show debuted on November 9, 2009, with guests [[Kobe Bryant]], [[Eva Longoria]], as well as a special appearance from [[Ellen DeGeneres]] and a musical performance from [[Carlos Santana]]. The show became a massive hit, making it the most watched show of the night, beating out ''[[Late Show with David Letterman]]'', ''[[The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien]]'', ''[[Jimmy Kimmel Live!]]'', ''[[The Jay Leno Show]]'', and ''[[The Daily Show|The Daily Show with Jon Stewart]]''.
Phillip Kent, the chief executive of [[TBS (American TV channel)|TBS]], announced in March 2009 that George Lopez had signed a contract to host his own late-night talk show on TBS in November of that year. During interviews, Lopez said that he would bring the change to late-night television and that he wants the show to reach a diverse audience. He also stated that he would become the first [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic American]] to host a late-night talk show. The show debuted on November 9, 2009, with guests [[Kobe Bryant]] and [[Eva Longoria]], as well as a special appearance from [[Ellen DeGeneres]] and a musical performance from [[Carlos Santana]].


===Arrival of Conan O'Brien and cancellation===
===Arrival of Conan O'Brien and cancellation===
The [[2010 Tonight Show conflict]] resulted in [[Conan O'Brien]]'s departure from [[NBC]] and ''[[The Tonight Show]]''. [[Jay Leno]] returned to ''The Tonight Show'', abandoning his prime time experiment, ''[[The Jay Leno Show]]''. As a part of his severance deal, O'Brien was given a $32 million payout, a $12 million payout for his show's staff, and the ability to pursue options on other channels after September 1, 2010.
The [[2010 Tonight Show conflict|2010 ''Tonight Show'' conflict]] resulted in [[Conan O'Brien]]'s departure from [[NBC]] and ''[[The Tonight Show]]''. [[Jay Leno]] returned to ''The Tonight Show'', abandoning his prime time experiment, ''[[The Jay Leno Show]]''. As a part of his severance deal, O'Brien was given a $32-million payout, a $12-million payout for his show's staff, and the ability to pursue options on other channels after September 1, 2010.


Hours before Conan's [[The Legally Prohibited from Being Funny on Television Tour|Legally Prohibited from Being Funny on Television Tour]], O'Brien officially announced he had signed with TBS to create his own late-night talk show at 11:00 pm beginning in November 2010, thus pushing ''Lopez Tonight'' back to midnight. Conan was hesitant at first, saying he didn't want to do to Lopez what NBC had done to him, but Lopez himself called him and persuaded him to take the job. On the April 12 edition of ''Lopez Tonight'', George addressed the situation by saying, "I was on Team Coco, now I'm on Team [[Loco]]!".
Hours before O'Brien's [[The Legally Prohibited from Being Funny on Television Tour|Legally Prohibited from Being Funny on Television Tour]], O'Brien officially announced he had signed with TBS to create his own late-night talk show at 11:00&nbsp;pm beginning in November 2010, thus pushing ''Lopez Tonight'' back to midnight. O'Brien was hesitant at first, saying he didn't want to do that to Lopez after what NBC had done to him, but Lopez himself called him and persuaded him to take the job. On the April 12 edition of ''Lopez Tonight'', George addressed the situation by saying, "I was on Team Coco, now I'm on Team [[wikt:loco|Loco]]!".


However, the move caused a steep decline in ratings, and thus, on August 10, 2011, only nine months into the transition, TBS canceled ''Lopez Tonight'', effective at the end of the week, the following night.<ref>{{cite news|last=Carter|first=Bill|title=TBS Cancels "Lopez Tonight"|url=http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/08/10/tbs-cancels-lopez-tonight/|work=New York Times|accessdate=10 August 2011|date=August 10, 2011}}</ref>
However, the move caused a steep decline in ratings. On August 10, 2011, TBS canceled ''Lopez Tonight'' effective at the end of the week.<ref name="carter1">{{cite news|last=Carter|first=Bill|title=TBS Cancels "Lopez Tonight"|url=http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/08/10/tbs-cancels-lopez-tonight/|work=The New York Times|access-date=10 August 2011|date=August 10, 2011}}</ref> O'Brien said of the announcement on his show, taping just hours after it was confirmed:
{{blockquote|"I want to take one second right now and talk about something serious. Today, not long ago—a couple of hours ago—it was announced that TBS is not renewing George Lopez's show for a third season. I have very strong feelings about this, and I wanted to talk about it. Had it not been for George being so incredibly supportive of me a year and a half ago, I would not have come to TBS and we would not be doing this show right now. I owe that man a lot, and frankly, it makes me very sad that TBS and George could not work this out. I really like being a part of a late-night lineup with George, and I wish that this could've continued. So, tonight, all of our thoughts are with George and his entire staff and crew. We understand, believe me, how hard this is for all of you, and we wish you all the best."<ref>[http://teamcoco.com/video/full-episode-wed-8-10-aziz-ansari-mike-situation-sorrentino-nate-bargatze Teamcoco.com] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110906104851/http://teamcoco.com/video/full-episode-wed-8-10-aziz-ansari-mike-situation-sorrentino-nate-bargatze |date=September 6, 2011 }}</ref>}}

O'Brien said of the announcement on his show, taping just hours after it was confirmed, "I want to take one second right now and talk about something serious. Today, not long ago - a couple of hours ago - it was announced that TBS is not renewing George Lopez's show for a third season. I have very strong feelings about this, and I wanted to talk about it. Had it not been for George being so incredibly supportive of me a year and a half ago, I would not have come to TBS and we would not be doing this show right now. I owe that man a lot, and frankly, it makes me very sad that TBS and George could not work this out. I really like being a part of a late-night lineup with George, and I wish that this could've continued. So, tonight, all of our thoughts are with George and his entire staff and crew. We understand, believe me, how hard this is for all of you, and we wish you all the best". <ref>http://teamcoco.com/video/full-episode-wed-8-10-aziz-ansari-mike-situation-sorrentino-nate-bargatze</ref>


==Format==
==Format==
Line 46: Line 39:


==Recurring segments==
==Recurring segments==
Sketches introduced on the show include ''Bullet Wound or Not a Bullet Wound'', a stereotypical game show similar to Jay Leno's "Jaywalking" where guests must answer seemingly racist questions, ''Creepy Little White Girl'' in which a horrific little girl appears on the stage to deliver bad news, ''The Jersey Shore Presents'', a mocking piece where cast members of [[Jersey Shore (TV series)|Jersey Shore]] star in hit movies, ''Sweet Tweets'' where Lopez answers questions submitted from [[Twitter]], ''WWE Superstars Karoake'' where many [[List of WWE personnel|WWE Superstars]] performed karaoke songs, ''Justin Bieber's Memories'' a segment that mocks Justin Bieber and his childhood, and "Eric Estrada" where colored lights flash and various guests, including [[Benjamin Bratt]] and [[Jon Cryer]] come out of the double doors in a California Highway Patrol motorcycle uniform.
Sketches introduced on the show include ''Bullet Wound or Not a Bullet Wound'', a stereotypical game show similar to Jay Leno's "Jaywalking" where guests must answer seemingly racist questions, ''Creepy Little White Girl'' in which a horrific little girl appears on the stage to deliver bad news, ''The Jersey Shore Presents'', a mocking piece where cast members of [[Jersey Shore (TV series)|Jersey Shore]] star in hit movies, ''Sweet Tweets'' where Lopez answers questions submitted from [[Twitter]], ''WWE Superstars Karaoke'' where many [[List of WWE personnel|WWE Superstars]] performed karaoke songs, ''Justin Bieber's Memories'' a segment that mocks Justin Bieber and his childhood, and "Eric Estrada" where colored lights flash and various guests, including [[Benjamin Bratt]] and [[Jon Cryer]] come out of the double doors in a California Highway Patrol motorcycle uniform.


==Timeline==
==Timeline==
{{multiple issues|section=yes|
{{unrefsect|date=August 2011}}
{{unreferenced section|date=August 2011}}
*November 9, 2009 — ''Lopez Tonight'' debuts with guests [[Eva Longoria]] and [[Kobe Bryant]] as well as a special appearance by [[Ellen DeGeneres]], and a musical performance from [[Carlos Santana]], who performed "[[Oye Como Va]]".
{{prose|section|date=September 2018}}
*November 12, 2009 — Comedian [[Larry David]] appears on the show and takes a DNA test revealing his results to be 63% European and 37% Native American.
}}
*November 25, 2009 — George officially announces that [[Arsenio Hall]] would become the permanent guest host of ''Lopez Tonight''.
*November 9, 2009&nbsp;— ''Lopez Tonight'' debuts with guests [[Eva Longoria]] and [[Kobe Bryant]] as well as a special appearance by [[Ellen DeGeneres]], and a musical performance from [[Carlos Santana]], who performed "[[Oye Como Va]]".
*December 15, 2009 — A special reunion episode, featuring the main cast of ''[[George Lopez (TV series)|George Lopez]]''. Musical guests [[War (band)|War]] performed "[[Low Rider]]", the theme song to the former show as well as ''Lopez Tonight''.
*November 12, 2009&nbsp;— Comedian [[Larry David]] appears on the show and takes a DNA test revealing his results to be 63 percent European and 37 percent Native American.
*January 18, 2010 — [[Jennifer Lopez]] performs the opening monologue for ''Lopez Tonight'', addressing the [[2010 Tonight Show conflict]], beginning with "Welcome to ''Lopez Tonight'', where nobody gets fired"!
*November 25, 2009&nbsp;— George officially announces that [[Arsenio Hall]] would become the permanent guest host of ''Lopez Tonight''.
*April 1, 2010 — As part of an [[April Fool's Day]] joke, musician [[Usher (entertainer)|Usher]] corrected Lopez after incorrectly stating he had two kids, saying that he had three, and went on to say that how upset he was when people didn't get their facts straight, however Usher revealed it to be a joke and that he did indeed have two kids.
*December 15, 2009&nbsp;— A special reunion episode, featuring the main cast of ''[[George Lopez (TV series)|George Lopez]]''. Musical guests [[War (band)|War]] performed "[[Low Rider]]", the theme song to the former show as well as ''Lopez Tonight''.
*April 12, 2010 — George Lopez{{cn|date=August 2011}} announces that beginning in November 2010, [[Conan O'Brien]] will officially join TBS for his own late-night talk show which will push ''Lopez Tonight'' back one hour from 11:00 pm to midnight.
*January 18, 2010&nbsp;— [[Jennifer Lopez]] performs the opening monologue for ''Lopez Tonight'', addressing the [[2010 Tonight Show conflict]], beginning with "Welcome to ''Lopez Tonight'', where nobody gets fired"!
*June 24, 2010 – ''Lopez Tonight'' celebrates its 100th episode, with guests [[Kobe Bryant]] and [[Louis C.K.]] with special appearances from [[Arsenio Hall]], [[Clint Eastwood]], [[Tom Cruise]], [[Donald Trump]], [[Russell Brand]], and [[Eddie Van Halen]]. At the end of the show, George alongside his band performed the ''[[Van Halen]]'' song "[[Panama (song)|Panama]]".
*April 1, 2010&nbsp;— As part of an [[April Fool's Day]] joke, musician [[Usher (entertainer)|Usher]] corrected Lopez after incorrectly stating he had two kids, saying that he had three, and went on to say that how upset he was when people didn't get their facts straight, however Usher revealed it to be a joke and that he did indeed have two kids.
*August 18, 2010 – George Lopez bets [[Bow Wow (rapper)|Bow Wow]] $25,000 to charity that the [[Los Angeles Lakers]] would beat the [[Miami Heat]] on Christmas Day.
*April 12, 2010&nbsp;— George Lopez{{citation needed|date=August 2011}} announces that beginning in November 2010, [[Conan O'Brien]] will officially join TBS for his own late-night talk show which will push ''Lopez Tonight'' back one hour from 11:00 pm to midnight.
*October 19, 2010 – George{{cn|date=August 2011}} reunites the cast of ''[[Jackass 3D]]''.
*June 24, 2010&nbsp;– ''Lopez Tonight'' celebrates its 100th episode, with guests [[Kobe Bryant]] and [[Louis C.K.]] with special appearances from [[Arsenio Hall]], [[Clint Eastwood]], [[Tom Cruise]], [[Donald Trump]], [[Russell Brand]], and [[Eddie Van Halen]]. At the end of the show, George alongside his band performed the ''[[Van Halen]]'' song "[[Panama (song)|Panama]]".
*November 3, 2010 – [[Conan O'Brien]] officially appears on the show hyping his new talk show, ''[[Conan (TV series)|Conan]]'', which moves ''Lopez Tonight'' to midnight.
*August 18, 2010&nbsp;– George Lopez bets [[Bow Wow (rapper)|Bow Wow]] $25,000 to charity that the [[Los Angeles Lakers]] would beat the [[Miami Heat]] on Christmas Day.
*November 4, 2010 – ''Lopez Tonight'' celebrates its last show in the 11:00PM time slot as it prepares to move to 12:00AM in order for the arrival of ''[[Conan (TV series)|Conan]]''. Guests on the show were [[Andy Richter]], [[Bret Michaels]], and a musical performance from [[Good Charlotte]].
*October 19, 2010&nbsp;– The cast of ''[[Jackass 3D]]'' appears on the show.
*November 8, 2010 – ''Lopez Tonight'' airs its first show in the midnight time slot. The show features many changes including a new opening sequence as well as a new set. Guests on the show included [[Janet Jackson]], [[Antoine Dodson]], and a musical performance from [[Rooney]].
*November 3, 2010&nbsp;– Conan O'Brien officially appears on the show promoting his new talk show, ''[[Conan (talk show)|Conan]]'', which moves ''Lopez Tonight'' to midnight.
*August 10, 2011 – ''Lopez Tonight'' is cancelled by TBS with the series finale airing August 12, 2011.
*November 4, 2010&nbsp;– ''Lopez Tonight'' celebrates its last show in the 11:00PM time slot as it prepares to move to 12:00AM in order for the arrival of ''[[Conan (talk show)|Conan]]''. Guests on the show were [[Andy Richter]], [[Bret Michaels]], and a musical performance from [[Good Charlotte]].
*August 15, 2011 – Repeats of ''[[The Office (U.S. TV series)|The Office]]'' will be filling in the former ''Lopez Tonight'' timeslot after several weeks of repeats of his show.<ref>http://blog.sitcomsonline.com/2011/08/ion-television-fall-2011-schedule-nick.html</ref>
*November 8, 2010&nbsp;– ''Lopez Tonight'' airs its first show in the midnight time slot. The show features many changes including a new opening sequence as well as a new set. Guests on the show included [[Janet Jackson]], [[Antoine Dodson]], and a musical performance from [[Rooney (band)|Rooney]].
*August 18, 2011 – The official TBS Lopez Tonight website was taken down and currently redirects the site to tbs.com
*August 10, 2011&nbsp;– ''Lopez Tonight'' is canceled by TBS with the series finale airing August 12, 2011.

*August 15, 2011&nbsp;– Repeats of ''[[The Office (American TV series)|The Office]]'' filled in the former ''Lopez Tonight'' timeslot after several weeks of his show repeats.<ref>{{cite web|author=Pavan -- SitcomsOnline.com |url=http://blog.sitcomsonline.com/2011/08/ion-television-fall-2011-schedule-nick.html |title=ION Television Fall 2011 Schedule; Nick at Nite Makes Edits To Edits; Lopez Tonight Canceled, Office Reruns Fills in - SitcomsOnline.com News Blog |publisher=Blog.sitcomsonline.com |date=2011-08-11 |access-date=2012-11-11}}</ref>
==Episodes==
*August 18, 2011&nbsp;– The official TBS ''Lopez Tonight'' website was taken down and currently redirects the site to tbs.com.
{{main|List of Lopez Tonight episodes}}


==Production==
==Production==

===Studio and set design===
===Studio and set design===
The show was taped at [[Warner Bros. Studios]] in [[Burbank, California]] near ''[[The Ellen DeGeneres Show]]'' studio. The stage layout followed a street-party theme. The show differed from many other late-night talk shows, most notably for not featuring a desk or background of the city in which the show is taped.
The show was taped at [[Warner Bros. Studios Burbank|Warner Bros. Studios]] in [[Burbank, California]], near ''[[The Ellen DeGeneres Show]]'' studio. The stage layout followed a street-party theme. The show differed from many other late-night talk shows, most notably for not featuring a desk or background of the city in which the show is taped.


===House band===
===House band===
''Lopez Tonight''{{'}}s house band was Michael Bearden and the Ese Vato's, who are famous for performances with [[Michael Jackson]] and [[Shakira]]. The band consisted of leader and keyboard player Michael Bearden, guitarist Tommy Organ, bass player Alex Al, bongo player Lenny Castro, trumpeter Bill Churchville, drummer Robin DiMaggio and saxophonist Sean Holt. As in common talk show format, Michael Bearden and the Ese Vato's would perform the show's opening and closing theme, [[Commercial bumper|bumpers]] into and out of commercial breaks. The show's opening theme was [[Lowrider (song)|"Lowrider"]] by the band [[War (band)|War]], which was also the theme song for ''[[George Lopez (TV series)|George Lopez]]''.
''Lopez Tonight''{{'}}s house band was Michael Bearden and the Ese Vato's, who are famous for performances with [[Michael Jackson]] and [[Shakira]]. The band consisted of leader and keyboard player Michael Bearden, guitarist [[Tommy Organ]], bass player Alex Al, percussionist Lenny Castro, trumpeter Bill Churchville, drummer Robin DiMaggio, and saxophonist Sean Holt. As in common talk show format, Michael Bearden and the Ese Vato's would perform the show's opening and closing theme, [[Commercial bumper|bumpers]] into and out of commercial breaks. The show's opening theme was [[Lowrider (song)|"Lowrider"]] by the band [[War (band)|War]], which was also the theme song for ''[[George Lopez (TV series)|George Lopez]]''.


==Reception==
==Reception==
The show has been critically panned. [[Metacritic]] scored the show with a 39/100 based on 6 reviews.<ref>http://apps.metacritic.com/tv/shows/lopeztonight</ref>
The show has been critically panned. [[Metacritic]] scored the show with a 39/100 based on six reviews.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://apps.metacritic.com/tv/shows/lopeztonight |title=Search Reviews, Articles, People, Trailers and more at Metacritic - Metacritic |publisher=Apps.metacritic.com |access-date=2012-11-11}}</ref>
Matthew Gilbert of the ''[[Boston Globe]]'' claims "''Lopez'' has a full-throated energy and a weakness for sophomoric guy humor that can be grating, especially since his show will air Monday through Thursday nights."<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.boston.com/ae/tv/articles/2009/11/14/three_new_hosts_bring_diversity_and_hopefully_some_new_life__to_nighttime_talk_shows/ | work=The Boston Globe | title=Better late than never | first=Matthew | last=Gilbert | date=November 14, 2009}}</ref> The ''New York Times'' says "Mr. Lopez said he was 'bringing change to late-night TV,' but the only significant change was a coarsening of the already crass atmosphere."<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/14/arts/television/14lopez.html?_r=1 | work=The New York Times | title=Late-Night Revolution? In Taste, Perhaps | first=Mike | last=Hale | date=November 14, 2009}}</ref>
Matthew Gilbert of ''[[The Boston Globe]]'' claims "''Lopez'' has a full-throated energy and a weakness for sophomoric guy humor that can be grating, especially since his show will air Monday through Thursday nights."<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.boston.com/ae/tv/articles/2009/11/14/three_new_hosts_bring_diversity_and_hopefully_some_new_life__to_nighttime_talk_shows/ | work=The Boston Globe | title=Better late than never | first=Matthew | last=Gilbert | date=November 14, 2009}}</ref> ''[[The New York Times]]'' says "Mr. Lopez said he was 'bringing change to late-night TV,' but the only significant change was a coarsening of the already crass atmosphere."<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/14/arts/television/14lopez.html?_r=1 | work=The New York Times | title=Late-Night Revolution? In Taste, Perhaps | first=Mike | last=Hale | date=November 14, 2009}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Television|United States}}
* [[List of Lopez Tonight episodes|List of ''Lopez Tonight'' episodes]]


==References==
==References==
Line 85: Line 83:


==External links==
==External links==
* {{IMDb title}}
*{{official|http://www.lopeztonight.com/}}
*{{IMDb title|1489432}}
*{{tv.com|77657}}


{{TBSNetwork Shows}}
{{TBSNetwork Shows}}
{{2010 Tonight Show conflict}}


[[Category:2000s American television series]]
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[[Category:2011 American television series endings]]
[[Category:2010 Tonight Show conflict]]
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[[es:Lopez Tonight]]
[[pt:Lopez Tonight]]

Latest revision as of 17:52, 16 October 2024

Lopez Tonight
Created byGeorge Lopez
Presented byGeorge Lopez
Opening theme"Low Rider" by War
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes286 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producersGeorge Lopez
Robert Morton
Running time60 minutes (with commercials)
Production companies2.2 Productions
Panamort Television
ParaMedia
Telepictures Productions
Warner Horizon Television
Original release
NetworkTBS
ReleaseNovember 9, 2009 (2009-11-09) –
August 12, 2011 (2011-08-12)
Lopez at the Kids' Inaugural: We are the Future concert in 2009

Lopez Tonight is an American late-night television talk show that was hosted by the comedian George Lopez. The hour-long program premiered on November 9, 2009, on cable network TBS. Lopez was the first Mexican-American to host a late-night talk show on an English-language network in the United States. The show featured audience interaction using a high-energy format. The program aired Monday through Thursday at midnight Eastern and Pacific, immediately following Conan. On August 10, 2011, TBS announced that Lopez Tonight would be canceled.[1] The final episode aired two days later on August 12, 2011.

History

[edit]

Phillip Kent, the chief executive of TBS, announced in March 2009 that George Lopez had signed a contract to host his own late-night talk show on TBS in November of that year. During interviews, Lopez said that he would bring the change to late-night television and that he wants the show to reach a diverse audience. He also stated that he would become the first Hispanic American to host a late-night talk show. The show debuted on November 9, 2009, with guests Kobe Bryant and Eva Longoria, as well as a special appearance from Ellen DeGeneres and a musical performance from Carlos Santana.

Arrival of Conan O'Brien and cancellation

[edit]

The 2010 Tonight Show conflict resulted in Conan O'Brien's departure from NBC and The Tonight Show. Jay Leno returned to The Tonight Show, abandoning his prime time experiment, The Jay Leno Show. As a part of his severance deal, O'Brien was given a $32-million payout, a $12-million payout for his show's staff, and the ability to pursue options on other channels after September 1, 2010.

Hours before O'Brien's Legally Prohibited from Being Funny on Television Tour, O'Brien officially announced he had signed with TBS to create his own late-night talk show at 11:00 pm beginning in November 2010, thus pushing Lopez Tonight back to midnight. O'Brien was hesitant at first, saying he didn't want to do that to Lopez after what NBC had done to him, but Lopez himself called him and persuaded him to take the job. On the April 12 edition of Lopez Tonight, George addressed the situation by saying, "I was on Team Coco, now I'm on Team Loco!".

However, the move caused a steep decline in ratings. On August 10, 2011, TBS canceled Lopez Tonight effective at the end of the week.[2] O'Brien said of the announcement on his show, taping just hours after it was confirmed:

"I want to take one second right now and talk about something serious. Today, not long ago—a couple of hours ago—it was announced that TBS is not renewing George Lopez's show for a third season. I have very strong feelings about this, and I wanted to talk about it. Had it not been for George being so incredibly supportive of me a year and a half ago, I would not have come to TBS and we would not be doing this show right now. I owe that man a lot, and frankly, it makes me very sad that TBS and George could not work this out. I really like being a part of a late-night lineup with George, and I wish that this could've continued. So, tonight, all of our thoughts are with George and his entire staff and crew. We understand, believe me, how hard this is for all of you, and we wish you all the best."[3]

Format

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The show followed the established six-piece format established by the likes of Steve Allen and Johnny Carson. The first segment included a monologue by Lopez, sometimes accompanied by several one-liners, or several brief comedy sketches. Most episodes also included a second segment, immediately after the monologue, with a full comedy sketch. An interview with either one or two guests followed, as well as a musical or comedy performance.

Recurring segments

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Sketches introduced on the show include Bullet Wound or Not a Bullet Wound, a stereotypical game show similar to Jay Leno's "Jaywalking" where guests must answer seemingly racist questions, Creepy Little White Girl in which a horrific little girl appears on the stage to deliver bad news, The Jersey Shore Presents, a mocking piece where cast members of Jersey Shore star in hit movies, Sweet Tweets where Lopez answers questions submitted from Twitter, WWE Superstars Karaoke where many WWE Superstars performed karaoke songs, Justin Bieber's Memories a segment that mocks Justin Bieber and his childhood, and "Eric Estrada" where colored lights flash and various guests, including Benjamin Bratt and Jon Cryer come out of the double doors in a California Highway Patrol motorcycle uniform.

Timeline

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  • November 9, 2009 — Lopez Tonight debuts with guests Eva Longoria and Kobe Bryant as well as a special appearance by Ellen DeGeneres, and a musical performance from Carlos Santana, who performed "Oye Como Va".
  • November 12, 2009 — Comedian Larry David appears on the show and takes a DNA test revealing his results to be 63 percent European and 37 percent Native American.
  • November 25, 2009 — George officially announces that Arsenio Hall would become the permanent guest host of Lopez Tonight.
  • December 15, 2009 — A special reunion episode, featuring the main cast of George Lopez. Musical guests War performed "Low Rider", the theme song to the former show as well as Lopez Tonight.
  • January 18, 2010 — Jennifer Lopez performs the opening monologue for Lopez Tonight, addressing the 2010 Tonight Show conflict, beginning with "Welcome to Lopez Tonight, where nobody gets fired"!
  • April 1, 2010 — As part of an April Fool's Day joke, musician Usher corrected Lopez after incorrectly stating he had two kids, saying that he had three, and went on to say that how upset he was when people didn't get their facts straight, however Usher revealed it to be a joke and that he did indeed have two kids.
  • April 12, 2010 — George Lopez[citation needed] announces that beginning in November 2010, Conan O'Brien will officially join TBS for his own late-night talk show which will push Lopez Tonight back one hour from 11:00 pm to midnight.
  • June 24, 2010 – Lopez Tonight celebrates its 100th episode, with guests Kobe Bryant and Louis C.K. with special appearances from Arsenio Hall, Clint Eastwood, Tom Cruise, Donald Trump, Russell Brand, and Eddie Van Halen. At the end of the show, George alongside his band performed the Van Halen song "Panama".
  • August 18, 2010 – George Lopez bets Bow Wow $25,000 to charity that the Los Angeles Lakers would beat the Miami Heat on Christmas Day.
  • October 19, 2010 – The cast of Jackass 3D appears on the show.
  • November 3, 2010 – Conan O'Brien officially appears on the show promoting his new talk show, Conan, which moves Lopez Tonight to midnight.
  • November 4, 2010 – Lopez Tonight celebrates its last show in the 11:00PM time slot as it prepares to move to 12:00AM in order for the arrival of Conan. Guests on the show were Andy Richter, Bret Michaels, and a musical performance from Good Charlotte.
  • November 8, 2010 – Lopez Tonight airs its first show in the midnight time slot. The show features many changes including a new opening sequence as well as a new set. Guests on the show included Janet Jackson, Antoine Dodson, and a musical performance from Rooney.
  • August 10, 2011 – Lopez Tonight is canceled by TBS with the series finale airing August 12, 2011.
  • August 15, 2011 – Repeats of The Office filled in the former Lopez Tonight timeslot after several weeks of his show repeats.[4]
  • August 18, 2011 – The official TBS Lopez Tonight website was taken down and currently redirects the site to tbs.com.

Production

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Studio and set design

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The show was taped at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, California, near The Ellen DeGeneres Show studio. The stage layout followed a street-party theme. The show differed from many other late-night talk shows, most notably for not featuring a desk or background of the city in which the show is taped.

House band

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Lopez Tonight's house band was Michael Bearden and the Ese Vato's, who are famous for performances with Michael Jackson and Shakira. The band consisted of leader and keyboard player Michael Bearden, guitarist Tommy Organ, bass player Alex Al, percussionist Lenny Castro, trumpeter Bill Churchville, drummer Robin DiMaggio, and saxophonist Sean Holt. As in common talk show format, Michael Bearden and the Ese Vato's would perform the show's opening and closing theme, bumpers into and out of commercial breaks. The show's opening theme was "Lowrider" by the band War, which was also the theme song for George Lopez.

Reception

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The show has been critically panned. Metacritic scored the show with a 39/100 based on six reviews.[5] Matthew Gilbert of The Boston Globe claims "Lopez has a full-throated energy and a weakness for sophomoric guy humor that can be grating, especially since his show will air Monday through Thursday nights."[6] The New York Times says "Mr. Lopez said he was 'bringing change to late-night TV,' but the only significant change was a coarsening of the already crass atmosphere."[7]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "TBS Cancels 'Lopez Tonight' - NYTimes.com", mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com, 10 August 2011, retrieved 10 August 2011
  2. ^ Carter, Bill (August 10, 2011). "TBS Cancels "Lopez Tonight"". The New York Times. Retrieved 10 August 2011.
  3. ^ Teamcoco.com Archived September 6, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ Pavan -- SitcomsOnline.com (2011-08-11). "ION Television Fall 2011 Schedule; Nick at Nite Makes Edits To Edits; Lopez Tonight Canceled, Office Reruns Fills in - SitcomsOnline.com News Blog". Blog.sitcomsonline.com. Retrieved 2012-11-11.
  5. ^ "Search Reviews, Articles, People, Trailers and more at Metacritic - Metacritic". Apps.metacritic.com. Retrieved 2012-11-11.
  6. ^ Gilbert, Matthew (November 14, 2009). "Better late than never". The Boston Globe.
  7. ^ Hale, Mike (November 14, 2009). "Late-Night Revolution? In Taste, Perhaps". The New York Times.
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