I think I know the reason Barbra Streisand didn’t do late night TV for 50 years. The hosts wouldn’t let her sit with her left profile. Jimmy Fallon did. He let Barbra sit in his chair for the whole Tonight show tonight. She got her way, and her preferred profile. This is a big deal for Barbra, trust me.
Was it worth it? Yes! Fallon got the most intimate, relaxed interview, talk, performance ever out of her. Barbra did a comedy singing sketch with Jimmy posing alternately as Elvis Presley, Blake Shelton, and Michael Buble. You could tell Barbra loved doing it.
She closed the show singing “Come Rain or Come Shine” live to a track– because the Roots, though we love them, are not equipped for standard pop music in an orchestral arrangement. You rarely see Barbra Streisand by herself at a microphone with no musicians or singers. Outside of Bette Midler, I don’t who else could do this. Young pop stars should watch this performance.
I really think Jimmy could get an Emmy for this interview. You can tell he is completely captivated and knows his subject. Streisand must have gotten that because she is more endearing and intimate than I’ve ever seen her.
Fallon at one point is so relaxed himself he says to her that he’s surprised she hasn’t been badly behaved, more of a diva. Streisand replies, “That’s why I’m going to write a book. I’m just a normal person.”
Well, not really. But it sure seemed like it.
Happy Birthday to Barbra’s long time mensch of a manager. Marty Erlichman turns 85 today!
