In the past, the internet infiltrated every aspect of life so thoroughly that it was almost impossible to function without a phone or internet connection.
Now, having traveled back twenty years to the early 2000s, despite the convenience of the internet, it hasn't fully taken over daily life yet. After struggling through the initial adjustment period, Anson has come to enjoy the present lifestyle, striving to disconnect from the internet and his phone, and instead experiencing the tangible reality around him.
Naturally, while on vacation, there's no need for the phone to be a constant companion.
At this moment, faced with Edgar's complaints, Anson calmly responds, "The phone is in the bedroom."
Edgar is momentarily at a loss for words, unable to argue.
Finally, Edgar just shakes his head and swallows the rest of his words. From the beginning, he understood Anson's personality, didn't he?
"It's Jay Leno," Anson says, lifting his chin slightly. "I didn't scratch his car, did I?"
Edgar: *Pfft*.
Jay Leno, a talk show host, was a protégé of the legendary American talk show host Johnny Carson. Leno occasionally filled in for Carson on NBC's flagship talk show "The Tonight Show" starting in 1987. In 1992, he beat out David Letterman to become the new host of "The Tonight Show."
"The Tonight Show" is the undisputed king of talk shows. Since Johnny Carson took over in 1962, it had never lost its spot as the top-rated late-night talk show for thirty years. It was not only NBC's crown jewel but also an important part of American television history.
In 1992, after losing his son in a car accident, a heartbroken Johnny Carson prepared to retire from "The Tonight Show." His farewell episode aired late at night but still attracted 50 million viewers, a peak that remains unsurpassed to this day.
Of course, Jay Leno did quite well as Carson's successor.
Since taking over in 1992, although "The Tonight Show" under Leno couldn't match Carson's legendary status, Leno still established his own style and charm. Over the past ten years, "The Tonight Show" remained the reigning talk show, with its top spot in the ratings unchallenged.
Jay Leno carved out his own era.
As the current king of talk shows, Jay Leno's hobbies are well-known—he loves collecting vintage cars and motorcycles from the early 20th century.
That's where Anson's joke came from.
Clearly, it caught Edgar off guard, and the previously somber atmosphere evaporated, allowing Edgar to regain his composure.
"I hope not," Edgar joked back. "Actually, to be precise, it was the show's producers who contacted me."
Anson raised an eyebrow slightly, "The Tonight Show? But why?"
Anson has been in Hollywood for two full years now, but he still hasn't made it onto the radar of talk shows.
In the United States, talk shows are one of the most crucial types of television programs.
Since talk shows first aired in the U.S. in 1954, they have become a key part of both television and entertainment culture. Almost every network has a flagship talk show with a legacy of over thirty or even fifty years.
NBC's "The Tonight Show."
CBS's "Late Show."
And "The Daily Show," which rapidly rose after the millennium and reshaped the entire talk show landscape, produced by Comedy Central.
American talk shows are a unique type of program, typically divided into several segments: the host's monologue, live musical performances, guest interviews, and sometimes interactions with the live audience.
However, what makes talk shows special is that they often discuss current trends, critique politics, and satirize politicians—a longstanding tradition.
This makes talk shows not just a part of society, but also a part of daily life.
According to surveys, during the 2008 election, nearly half of young people aged 18 to 29 got their political information from politically-oriented talk shows. Among adults, more than a quarter were influenced by talk shows when making voting decisions.
Among these, "The Daily Show" was rated as the most trusted news source by the American public, even surpassing traditional authoritative media like "The New York Times" and "The Wall Street Journal."
These statistics highlight the unique status of talk shows.
Generally, American talk shows are categorized into daytime talk shows, late-night talk shows, and more recently, internet talk shows that have gained popularity with the rise of the internet.
Daytime talk shows air on weekday mornings, targeting audiences like the elderly, women, and students, with topics focusing on health, emotions, and family life—often with a motivational twist.
"The Oprah Winfrey Show" and the later booming "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" are the standouts in this category.
Late-night talk shows, airing at 10 or 11 p.m., cater to middle-class and working professionals. Thanks to the late-night time slot, these shows are known for their sharp, witty, bold, direct, and humorous style, with political topics always at the core.
Over the past fifty years, countless former presidents, presidential candidates, and politicians have appeared on talk shows.
Unlike Asian leaders who focus on maintaining a mature and rational image, American citizens care more about a politician's charm and sense of humor. As a result, politicians often choose talk shows as a platform to appeal to voters.
During the 2000 election, Al Gore's campaign team openly admitted to the media that they spent time each day analyzing the content of several key talk shows. They examined points of criticism, jokes, and trending topics, then adjusted their policies and strategies accordingly, highlighting the shows' influence.
It's no exaggeration to say that talk shows are an essential part of understanding American culture.
For this reason, talk shows have also become a crucial part of Hollywood's promotional strategy.
Nearly every movie, album, and even many Broadway productions include talk show appearances as part of their promotional schedules.
Considering that talk shows are all about conversation, guests need to be able to engage in witty banter, self-deprecate, and be capable of sarcasm and humor.
Most importantly, they need to be able to take a joke.
Therefore, not just any newcomer can appear on a talk show. In fact, not just anyone can appear on a talk show.
If the show's impact doesn't meet expectations, it could have a negative effect on the promotion of the work.
Since Anson first burst onto the scene, two years have passed. Although he has frequently found himself at the center of discussions, he has never been invited to a talk show.
But now?
Anson's first thought was, "Spider-Man?"
Indeed, considering the timeline, the upcoming summer release of "Spider-Man" is undoubtedly the biggest reason.
Once the vacation ends, Anson will dive headfirst into the relentless promotion of "Spider-Man," where he will be the primary focus.
So, if the talk show appearance is to promote "Spider-Man," it makes perfect sense.
However, Edgar shook his head slightly. "If that were the case, the production team would have contacted the show, hoping we could go on to promote the movie. Why would the show's producers reach out to us instead?"