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Mon, Jan 23 2012 11:53:12

How a late night talk show works

Gavin Purcell produces Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and the other night on Twitter, he shared some info about how the show's made.

  1. gavinpurcell
    Since I'm up, I think I might live tweet tonight's @jimmyfallon show. Forgive me the annoying indulgence. Starts in like eight minutes.
    Gavin Purcell
    Sat, Jan 21 2012 00:29:00
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  2. gavinpurcell
    First thing to know (chronologically) about our show: We are so thankful to @jayleno for always throwing to us at the end of his show.
    Gavin Purcell
    Sat, Jan 21 2012 00:36:13
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  3. gavinpurcell
    The open of our show is read live in studio by @Higbones every night on stage followed by the Roots saying the number of our show.
    Gavin Purcell
    Sat, Jan 21 2012 00:38:57
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  4. gavinpurcell
    We have a monologue rehearsal where about 25 jokes are culled to the 8/10 you hear on air. You can come see it if you visit NYC. It's free!
    Gavin Purcell
    Sat, Jan 21 2012 00:42:28
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  5. gavinpurcell
    Thank You Notes are written by all the writers and the culled down to make the final cut in the Friday mono rehearsal.
    Gavin Purcell
    Sat, Jan 21 2012 00:46:38
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  6. gavinpurcell
    In the breaks, @questlove and The Roots play stuff you'll never hear during the show. It's often a cover of "Bitties in the BK Lounge".
    Gavin Purcell
    Sat, Jan 21 2012 00:49:05
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  7. gavinpurcell
    This is a brand new bit. We always try to do new things as often as possible.
    Gavin Purcell
    Sat, Jan 21 2012 00:50:53
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  8. gavinpurcell
    For this bit, @80miles, @Higbones, @BashirSala & @jenstatsky are backstage watching a video feed and improving answers live.
    Gavin Purcell
    Sat, Jan 21 2012 00:53:15
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  9. gavinpurcell
    This bit was produced/created by @DialloRiddle and does a great job of showing why we love working with our audience. Real people are fun.
    Gavin Purcell
    Sat, Jan 21 2012 00:56:40
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  10. gavinpurcell
    During the breaks @shoemakermike & I figure out how much time we have left and expand or contract the interviews based on what's left.
    Gavin Purcell
    Sat, Jan 21 2012 00:58:57
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  11. gavinpurcell
    One of our greatest guests @Joan_Rivers always comes prepared with new material. So awesomely old school.
    Gavin Purcell
    Sat, Jan 21 2012 01:01:37
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  12. gavinpurcell
    Hidden in his desk, @jimmyfallon has a 2nd computer that we use to IM him info during the show and the breaks.
    Gavin Purcell
    Sat, Jan 21 2012 01:05:55
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  13. gavinpurcell
    For the guest segments, @jimmyfallon has notes from Segment Producers who've talked to guests ahead of time. This interview was @juvonen's.
    Gavin Purcell
    Sat, Jan 21 2012 01:09:27
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  14. gavinpurcell
    Games with guests have been something we've done since the beginning. To me, it's always been a great way of showing celebs are good sports.
    Gavin Purcell
    Sat, Jan 21 2012 01:15:28
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  15. gavinpurcell
    I think @Higbones was a game show host in another life. He's so quick and talented and makes Password always awesome.
    Gavin Purcell
    Sat, Jan 21 2012 01:17:26
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  16. gavinpurcell
    That camera shot - the one from the way back - is from a remote camera in the ceiling. We've got a number of them around the studio.
    Gavin Purcell
    Sat, Jan 21 2012 01:20:38
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  17. gavinpurcell
    Some guests stay for the whole show, others have to leave for one reason or another. It's different everyday.
    Gavin Purcell
    Sat, Jan 21 2012 01:25:26
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  18. gavinpurcell
    I always nerd out with @jimmyfallon when guests talk video games. It's always a fun topic of conversation for us.
    Gavin Purcell
    Sat, Jan 21 2012 01:27:45
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  19. gavinpurcell
    Something very important to @jimmyfallon: Make guests feel as comfortable as possible.
    Gavin Purcell
    Sat, Jan 21 2012 01:30:22
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  20. gavinpurcell
    Oh man, I could go on and on about our music but @brainofjoacohen deserves most of the credit. He is a fantastic music booker.
    Gavin Purcell
    Sat, Jan 21 2012 01:32:35
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  21. gavinpurcell
    Director Dave Diomedi does an excellent job staging our music performances. Little touches like the projection tonight add a lot.
    Gavin Purcell
    Sat, Jan 21 2012 01:35:00
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  22. gavinpurcell
    Tonight's the rare night where you get to see the goodbye high fives. That's always the part we have to cut if we're heavy.
    Gavin Purcell
    Sat, Jan 21 2012 01:36:57
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  23. gavinpurcell
    Okay. Sleep is calling. Good night and thanks for watching.
    Gavin Purcell
    Sat, Jan 21 2012 01:42:36
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