I saw Conan in studio a couple times, and man does the band make a difference. Not only was the MW7 great, but it was pretty integral to creating the vibe of the show. 

Slightly more expensive.

Please, for but a minute, try imagining a version of The Tonight Show With Jay Leno without Kevin Eubanks. Doesn’t that sound awful?

It’s worth it for the great list of music leaders. Adding Colbert and Jon Batiste, at least until Batiste’s career went huge.

I understand they’re being replaced by a cheaper alternative. Namely, this:

This is good news.  I’m glad these guys made solid money for a while but Marnie came back with a totally ferocious album.

but, ironically, it plays Manitoba

Doesn’t the house band usually perform through the commercial breaks for the audience? I think that’s an underappreciated benefit they’re losing on top of everything else. Live music does something to the atmosphere of a place that recordings don’t - musicians interact with the sound of the room and the energy of the a…

Spare Colbert, mostly for Exit 57 and Strangers With Candy

Come to think of it, I wouldn’t mind seeing Zorak mow down about 90% of the late night talk show pool.

...and the real star of the show is New York City itself!

“try imagining a version of The Tonight Show With Jay Leno without Kevin Eubanks.”
- yeah...no, I’m totally fine with that.

I didn’t think Marnie was ever a full time member, just a frequent fill-in, but I may be wrong about that. She’s touring her new LP now, at any rate (it’s really good!)

He's worth every penny!

Money well spent!

Just guessing here, but I’d imagine a few days of the CEO’s pay + bonuses would easily fund the band for a full year.

Leno with Kevin Eubanks wasn’t so great either. Now Letterman without Paul Shaffer would not have worked.

Huh, I hadn’t even realized Marnie had left. I loved seeing them all play at home during the lockdown episodes. Don’t see them much anymore and I guess I kinda stopped paying attention. 

It's probably all that money they pay every time they let Wally talk.

Turns out the real jackals were the people running the show...