Is late night TV still funny?

It’s a noble cause. The Writers Guild of America has been striking for over two months because they aren’t getting paid anything for the videos we all stream online. And they should.

But damn, their whining sure did destroy television. What will the mouth-breathing masses do without new episodes of Two and a Half Men, Desperate Housewives or any of the other time-sucking, ignore-your-child-for shows littering the air (probably watching Rock of Love II).

In the last week, a bright rocket of hope shot out of late night television land. Leno, Letterman and Conan–along with the other lesser hosts–are now back on air, and, with the exception of Letterman, high up on the comedy trapeze, but without the safety net of writers.

Some are plummeting, others are soaring, and the Vanguard has carefully rated them for you.

Note: Most episodes and clips were downloaded or streamed from the Internet. The Vanguard is happy to be part of the problem, not the solution.

The Late Show with David LettermanLetterman, having worked out a deal with the Writers Guild, is the only late night show that has actual union writers back on staff, but who can tell the difference? Sample joke: “Here’s what I learned about myself, show or no show: I really enjoy drinking in the morning.” Jokes: B-The written jokes on Letterman have never been as funny as when he just lets loose and rambles for long periods of time. Even with two months off, his writers still can’t come up with decent material. Skits: BThe skits and segments on this show have been coming at a breakneck pace this last week, and while not all of them hit, they are short and sweet. Still, where are those weird Letterman “game shows,” like Will It Float?, that we’ve come to love? Writers’ strike beard: A-His magnificent mountain man beard makes us naturally hairless men jealous. Pre-strike grade: A- Current grade: B Verdict: Letterman’s show hasn’t lost much of its irreverent and slightly uncomfortable feel, but the writers seem a bit rusty.

The Tonight Show with Jay LenoThe never-ending monologue, the cutesy skits and the witty banter are all still here, and are just as unfunny as before the strike. Sample joke: “Did you know the Golden Globes is the largest gathering of stars anywhere outside the Promises Rehab Clinic in Malibu?” Jokes: C-It’s a noble effort to write a whole monologue by yourself, but even after decades of stand-up comedy experience, Leno can’t move past the generic setup punch line structure. Skits: CNothing special here. Leno does his whole talking to the audience, while slightly mocking them for everyone’s enjoyment, thing. Blah. Facial Hair: F-None! How dare he insult the writers by shaving! Pre-strike grade: C Current grade: C- Verdict: Still the same old, boring, watered-down Tonight Show. Leno seems excited to be doing it all on his own, but it’s hard to share his enthusiasm when his work is this shitty.

Late Night with Conan O’BrienThere’s a new feeling of rebellion and madness in the latest Conan shows. Now that he is free to experiment, the show is starting to get more exciting than it has been for years. Sample joke: “Our show now has all the excitement and unpredictability of an old dog trying to jump up on your bed and not quite making it.” Jokes: BConan has eschewed the generic monologue structure in favor of random dancing, jumping and yelling. Oddly enough, it works even better than before. Skits: AConan climbs the studio catwalk, attacks tour groups, dances on his desk and harasses NBC pages. The show’s skits have been going off the deep end lately, but without his writers, he has been forced to use his well-honed comedic talents. Facial Hair: B-Conan’s beard is a little disturbing. He looks like an orangutan, if that orangutan were also a child molester. Still, he gets points for trying. Pre-strike grade: B Current grade: A- Verdict: The show has a new energy that it hasn’t seen since its first few years on the air. Triumph the Insult Comic Dog is still missed though.