'Lopez' Watch, Night Two: A Replay of Premiere

OK, so now we have a pretty good idea that the premiere of TBS' "Lopez Tonight" is the template that the show is going to follow: Open with a very long monologue that revels in the multiculturalism that his program represents, and then sit in the lap of his guests for the rest of the hour.

On Tuesday, that meant an extended bit allowing Jamie Foxx to sing and hanging out with Marc Anthony, referencing their various visits to the White House. I'm not sure who thought it was a good idea to do a bit where Lopez and Anthony burn money, but in the current economic climate, that seemed beyond tone-deaf. (The camera also continued to swivel throughout the Anthony interview, which was almost enough to make you sea-sick.)

Then again, Lopez's act does strive to have it both ways -- exalting his own success while simultaneously playing up his underdog status as the new (Hispanic) kid on the latenight block.

Lopez got off to a solid ratings start on Monday, but as I noted in my opening-night review, the host needs to get considerably more comfortable with what happens after his stand-up opening wraps up. And if he's going to sit around with other celebrities lighting up cigars with $20 bills and talking about what it's like to visit the White House, Lopez is going to do less to bond with his audience than chase those that might be on the fence about him screaming for the exits.