A key source in the ongoing negotiations between NBC and Conan O’Brien denied an Internet report that a deal was in place to return Jay Leno to The Tonight Show, but did speak optimistically about the talks and a possible end to the time shift disaster that has captivated the media and — ironically — reinvigorated Leno’s and O’Brien’s ratings over the last four days. “We would like to see it resolved by the weekend,” said the source, who did not want to be identified by name because of the heightened sensitivity surrounding the meetings. “It’s possible.”
It seems likely that Leno will end up returning to The Tonight Show, where he earned the title of the King of Late Night, while O’Brien’s representatives will negotiate a settlement for the 46-year-old comedian to leave the network. It also seems certain that the settlement will involve some sort of compromise that prevents O’Brien from immediately jumping to the competition. Late Night with Jimmy Fallon will continue to air at 12:30 a.m. “The whole point of a settlement is to negotiate a way out — a way that Conan can, over time, still perform and earn his living — and NBC is comfortable with the decision they are making,” the source said. “It’s all part of a negotiation.”
Though public perception is strong that NBC treated O’Brien unfairly by demanding that he retreat to the 12:05 a.m. time slot to accommodate The Jay Leno Show at 11:35 p.m., the source stressed that NBC “always has the right to cancel, always has the right to fire” someone based on performance (the once-venerable franchise with O’Brien is down 50 percent from a year ago, when Leno was pulling in an average of 5 million viewers). The source added that there are no time-slot restrictions in O’Brien’s contract, so the network was within its right to move The Tonight Show (even though it has never aired at 12:05 a.m. in the show’s 55-year history). The source also added that a heavily-reported clause in O’Brien’s contract that guaranteed him a hefty payout of $40 million or more if he wasn’t given The Tonight Show was not applicable here.
The source acknowledged that both sides have consulted with Universal Studios President/COO Ron Meyer for assistance in the talks.
NBC’s handling of O’Brien has been harshly denounced by fans and the nation’s TV critics, and has culminated in multiple online campaigns that call for NBC to keep the redhead. The source said that NBC wasn’t troubled by the attacks as much as they were by O’Brien’s jokes regarding Jay Leno (sample yuk from Jan. 13: “You can do anything you want in life, unless Jay Leno wants to do it, too.”). Says the source, “It’s completely wrong, uncalled-for, and I don’t quite know where it’s coming from.”
The very last quote is very telling. Conan’s joke was “completely wrong, uncalled for, and I don’t quite know where it’s coming from”? So in other words, your source is a shill for Jeff Zucker and NBC.
Agreed. How the hell do they not know where it’s coming from?
They should have Jay open for the first half, and then have conan do the second half, conan will be Ed Mcmahon.
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon airs at 12:30 AM, not PM. If he aired in the pm he’d be facing some serious soap opera competition.
Sorry, one more, Conan was offered 12:05 AM. AM. Are there editors on EW???
cathlicdatematch… you’re a total moron.
Lala.. Really!! Really!! C`mon, it`s AM not PM. After Midnight it`s in the AM.
Sorry Lala. I misread your post and thought you were mistaken.
This is clearly a source from Leno or someone at NBC in love with Leno.
For the last time: Conan had a few months with a 4th place network to build an audience, Leno took YEARS before he could even be in the same ballpark as Letterman. And after those few months, Conan had to follow Jay Leno’s 10pm show that crippled NBC affiliates’ local news.
Leno was allowed to fail for years when NBC was actually successful, and now that it is in the toilet and following ANOTHER talk show NBC executives expected some sort of miraculous ratings win and grab from Conan.
Go to Fox, Conan. I loathe their politics but you will be to them what David Letterman is to CBS.
NBC is really dumb if they kick Conan. Leno sucks and is NOT funny; kick Leno and keep Conan, who is actually relevant. Watching Leno is like listening to my dad tell corny jokes and you just laugh at so he won’t feel bad.
Let’s face it it was working fine before with Jay at 11:30 and # 1. Conan was the perfect follow to Jay
his show is a little edgier and was better after the Tonight Show.
Conan was the one who insisted he get the earlier slot…and not withstanding all the other problems with Jay’s 10:00 show which does stink..Conan’s Tonight Show stunk!! Why was Jay not given a desk for his show it looks so awkward his sitting there in an overstuffed chair next to his guest. I say this all makes for good drama and helps Letterman all the way
Remember these are the people who thought the Jay Leno show was a good idea. Letterman “If these people didn’t know what they were doing they wouldn’t be there”. Which is why Zucker is getting a five year extension lol. I couldn’t mess that network up that bad if I tried.
They don’t know where it’s coming from – and this folks is why they are in last place. Are they are all sharing one brain there?
There is a fair amount of outrage here and across the net. Yet, the people behind this at NBC are unfazed and continue on with their plan – to hell with what the consumers say they want. Ring a bell?
Rather than suggesting answers, let’s ponder on some questions -
Where does such brazen confidence – err power come from?
How strong and complete is their grip on our collective test*cles?
How much longer before even the pretense of being nice / “customer oriented” becomes unnecessary as our slavery becomes complete?
Is it too late? Can I still post this message and can you still read it? Do you still have any control / discretion over your time and money?
Are you strong enough to overcome (at least once in a while) your conditioning to actually spend time listening / thinking about something that is not ha-ha funny (and not a disaster)?
Best!
Wow… you seem so… earnest. I did find your post ha-ha funny, though. Hypothetical questions are always a gas! And persuasive, too.
Yes! You are right on the money.
thanks for bringing this up. i like the fact that they didn’t have the set-up to this joke. aka the whole meaning behind the joke. growing up watching johnny carson thinking one day he’d have that job…
hahahahahaha THAT LAST QUOTE IS UTTERLY RIDICULOUS. I’m sorry, and like Jay doesn’t want to be seen as the villian? WHY COULDN’T HE JUST RETIRE WITH GRACE AND SHUT THE EFF UP BECAUSE HE ISN’T FUNNY. And what about Jay’s joke about only going 4 months to do the show instead of 7 months…..NBC is okay with that??? But seriously, putting Jay Leno back at 11:35 is going to fix everything?? WHAT IS NBC DOING?
I hope Conan gets to go somewhere. He is actually 10,000x funnier than Jay Leno. And when Jay’s audience dies/decides to stay with Letterman, maybe NBC will realize how bloody DUMB they are.
I got to agree with U. When it comes to being funny its Conan hands down. Havnt watched Tonight show since Johnny Carson left. Itried to get through one or two of Lenos show but it was to boring.
I completely agree with you. Who cares about Leno? He is not funny. I didn’t like him before after this, it has turned to despise. I hope this is the end for him and that his ratings tank. NBC sucks!
Jay just needs to hang it up. He was on the Tonight Show for 17 years, and it was reported that he was making $25 million a year for doing it, at least at the end. He has made hundreds of millions of dollars on this show, he needs to move on. He should just retire and enjoy his money like Seinfeld does.
A small part of me kinda hopes Leno does get the Tonight Show back just so Letterman can crush him in the ratings. Maybe Conan can replace Simon on Idol? Couldn’t be any worst than Ellen.
My solution to NBC and I do hope to be compensated for it…Put Leno
at the 12:05 slot and let him wait as Conan did and all the while..Leno…
can hone is craft to where it’s funny. He really needs practice.
Hungry entertainers work harder.Patience Leno ..I may even watch.
The line about his “performance” was the first clue. Why should anyone be expected to jump out of the gates and automatically be ahead of the incumbent (Letterman), especially while your own network is airing the same type of show an hour and half before then. I’m not saying Conan wouldn’t have lost viewers Jay held, but obviously having his program on at ten had an impact on his “performance.”
I always liked NBC and gave a lot of its crap shows a chance, but no more. So long NBC. G’luck with Fallon when Leno leaves you.
It really is ridiculous. They put Leno’s terrible show on at 10, which demonstrably lost viewers for local news affiliates, and then they want to try to blame Conan for having lower numbers than Leno did on The Tonight Show? Conan’s chance was torpedoed from the start, and if this goes through, he’ll never have had a fair shot at it. Hopefully if he goes somewhere else, he’ll leech enough of Leno’s viewership away that The Tonight Show will continue to suffer.
@ thin. He wont leech anything. He lost half of the viewers from the tonight show. He couldnt even match his old numbers. Nothing will change that
@James don’t embarrass yourself. Conan’s ratings were weak for three very real reasons:
1. He’s still settling into the program. The identical thing happened to Leno when he started.
2. Leno’s show was utterly destroying Conan’s local news lead-in.
3. Say you’re a Leno fan. He retires and Conan takes over. Do you keep watching? Probably — you don’t like Letterman. Do you keep watching if Leno sticks around with an earlier show? Hell no.
Put #2 and #3 together and Leno was *doubly* cannibalizing Conan’s audience. For NBC to be disappointed in Conan’s ratings in light of that is moronic.
1. He’s still settling into the program. The identical thing happened to Leno when he started.
Not identicle. Leno at most was a 2nd string guest host of the Tonight Show who had to learn how to stand on his own, battle bad press with the Letterman thing and then compete with him while Conan has been the star/host of his own show for YEARS. His only adjustment was walking ino a new studio. why didn’t his old audience follow him?
2. Leno’s show was utterly destroying Conan’s local news lead-in.
If after 55 years the only way the Tonight Show can get viewers is because people are to lazy to change the channel after watching the news, thats pretty bad. lead ins should impact a show with that kind of history. if i’m a Lost fan I’m not ging to stop watching because the show on and hour and a half befor it sucks…
3. Say you’re a Leno fan. He retires and Conan takes over. Do you keep watching? Probably — you don’t like Letterman. Do you keep watching if Leno sticks around with an earlier show? Hell no.
Why not? If watching a show at 11:35 have been a routine for 17 years, if you are just a leno fan, 55 if you are a tonight show fan, you would just stop? if scott wolf from Lost moved to an earlier show I would still watch lost. the problem is they are very different hosts and comedians. if you like lenos comedy you may not like conans so you won’t watch him no matter whos on at 10…
Good, I hope the senario in the above article is true. I look forward to having Leno back at 11:35 and normal programing on at 10.
Don’t forget to take your Geritol, goodnews!
Ha ha you are funny. Would it surprise you to know I’m under 35? Geritol, lol! I’m just not a Conan fan.
goodnews is days away from dying.
Yeah, sadly you are right…if you only knew man…
seriously, u actually hang around and reply to comments? what a loser.
I agree, goodnews.
Not ALL Jay Leno fans are old hags (case in point: Jay was getting a HIGHER demo than Conan is currently)
You’d be surprised to know we watch Leno in our dorm common room quite often….and we’re FAR from ashamed to admit that. We enjoy Leno – and so have millions of other Americans for the past 17 years.
Hey, the Alvin and the Chipmunks sequel made 180 mil domestically too, so evidently SOMEONE saw that movie. The lesson: Des Moines gotta have entertainment too.
Jay Leno = not funny, never was
Conan O’Brien = not funny, total idiot
Good bye and good riddance to both!
Hilarious comment about Des Moines. You are so original and funny. Does sarcasm translate well? You are an idiot.
@@goodnews: you watch it in your dormroom hu? lemme guess: virgins?
Screw NBC and screw Leno.
Jay Leno and Jeff Zucker are total morons. They will take NBC to even lower lows.
Agree, Stephanie. Who could watch Leno after this debacle? Yuk. Or NBC? The only show I watch on NBC is 30 Rock.
I agree. This so-called EW exclusive report has obviously been planted by NBC and probably by someone close to Zucker. Shame on EW for publishing such a heavily biased article that screams NBC spin.
Exactly.
NBC’s a tired, old network. It’s understandable they would want Leno to run its flagship.
Putting Leno on at 10:00 pm in the first place is probably 90% of the reason why Conan’s ratings were below last year’s. Leno’s 10:00 show WAS The Tonight Show. Leno should have retired and left the network completely, as was the original plan five years ago. Conan was NEVER given a fair shot because people were already turned off, not watching Leno, not watching the local news and in turn, not watching The Tonight Show. Jay Leno may be a nice guy, but he is an awful interviewer and unfunny. I hate that Conan is getting screwed and I hope that NBC suffers the consequences of putting Leno back on The Tonight Show.
This is such crap. Leno sucks. They should just cancel his show and own up to the fact that they made a huge mistake with the Leno show. I hope Conan is able to get a half way decent deal out of this and that there aren’t any restrictions on him heading to another network.
Conan fans, write NBC and there are many articles giving out Zucker’s number(check out “I’m with COCO Facebook page)to complain. Conan needs to leave NBC, but not without that crappy company knowing he’s taking his fans with him. Boycott NBC!
Jay said he was going to retire in 2009, and NBC gave Conan the show:
http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,702402,00.html
Now Jay changes his mind?
Zucker’s lapdogs spewing worthless garbage.
there is only one person who deserves respect at nbc; Brian Williams. Get out Brian before the ceo’s screw you too!!!
Brian Williams! Perfect example of someone who was allowed to lose the lead when he entered and then build up his program until, TA-DAH!, NBC news is number one again.
Lets all boycott the Tonight Show if Jay Leno is back on. He was never funny on there or anywhere else. Conan is much funnier and will follow you Conan! Jay Leno you sux! Letterman is the King of Late Night now.
Agreed. Jay’s not worth watching anyway, but he’s really not worth watching if he’s going to screw someone over to get his own way. Stay classy, Leno.
I’m willing to boycott, too, along with Leno’s sponsors. Don’t forget the sponsors.
Agreed! I’m in.
I don’t need to boycott Jay’s show because I never watched it. He made his living stabbing anyone who was a threat in the back and he’s made more than enough money to satisfy his ego. Now, he’ll go on and do what he always wanted to do; run the Tonight Show right into the ground.
I’ve never watched Jay either, and I record Conan on the PVR when I want to see him or a specific guest. (So I’m probably not counted as a Tonight Show viewer, even though I watch it a few times a week. Conan’s audience has different viewing habits than Jay’s, but they don’t pay attention to us.)
Bottom line, I will not watch the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. I grew up watching Johnny Carson and pretty much didn’t watch until Conan took over. (Once in a while I’d tune in if he had a great guest.) But I will never, ever watch Leno again. I don’t care who he has on the show.
I’m with CoCo!!!
What you said, Brad.
@mia– just curious, whats a pvr?
Totally agree. I’m even going to make sure my TV never rests on NBC in case they think I’m watching Big Jaw Leno. Letterman all the way!
Agreed. I won’t be watching it either. But I will look for what ever Conan does and make sure I watch it, buy it, etc. As Kathy G says, “suck it, NBC”…okay maybe not exactly what she said.
Were you watching the same show? I like both Leno and Conan, but Conan has been losing badly to Letterman while Leno almost always beat Letterman.
James, the network does not book the guests, the producers of the shows do. Blame the Tonight Show producers for not booking Kanye, Kanye knew Leno would get better ratings and that is why he did the show. Leno did not do anything wrong. NBC forced him out of the Tonight Show (which was #1 when HE was the host) because they were afraid of losing Conan to a rival network. NBC wants to keep Conan, but Conan is the one who doesn’t want to stay as host of the show. If Conan leaves, it’s because HE wanted to breach his contract (not because NBC forced him to leave).
Leno did EVERYTHING wrong. And if you think NBCU didn’t play a hand in getting the guests booked onto Leno’s show, then you’re either ignorant to how it actually works OR you work for NBCU.
HEy TJ SYKE.
YOu can’t blame CONAN for losing to Letterman when Jay never got the hell off of NBC.
First Jay, steals all of COnan’s thunder when his show premieres only 3 months after Conan.
Second, Jay’s show bombed and caused the affilitaes ratings to go down. Leaving Conan with no audience.
And lastly, “Kanye knew Leno would get better ratings” He was booked way before that whole Taylor Swift thing and only as a part of Jay-Z’s performance. Leno just happened to get lucky to land Kanye. Which brings me to my other point, How is CONAN going to get good ratings when LENO steals all the guests?
Its like if you buy a house and you’re so excted, but then the real estate agent says “oh, but the owners want to stay in the guest house”
How would you like it?
He didn’t have Kanye West on because that guy’s a complete no-talent idiot who doesn’t deserve any media coverage, period. Leno’s got NO integrity, and his only following is the idiot mid-west and old people. Why is this country so afraid of change and progress? Of course Conan’s ratings are going to be lower at first; so were Leno’s when he started. Jeff Zucker’s a moron who’s lack of height and hair has given him a complex that has run a once reputable network into the ground. Shame on all of them!
Hey Eric, where do you get off blaming the midwest? You’re ignorant, coastal yutz. Perhaps if all us mouthbreathing, interior dwellers shared your supreme intellect, we could have saved Conan’s tonight show from being sabotaged by Leno and NBC; after all, if we all weren’t out fishing, cow-tipping, and going to church at 11:30, none of this would have happened. From all of us here in gooberville, our sincerest appologies … you ignorant putz.
P.S. I’m with Coco
Thank you, Midwest. You said it for me.
Junierizzle: I totally agree with ur comment.
TJ Spyke: In 2004 the contract was made that Conan would take over was becuase he was the one in lead with ratings. Conan always had the better demographic from 18-39(or whatever) which is the most sought for age group. And back then NBC didnt want to loose Conan to another network so they came up with the takeover in 2009. Leno may have had better ratings compared to Letterman but he didnt have the demographic support that Conan does.
NBC royally screwed Conan and hopefully he can get leave them and move to another network, where he has more freedom. Wherever he goes, I will follow. Lets see how Leno does when he takes back the Tonight Show and what his ratings are then! Team Coco all the way!
kanye simply knew slightly more white people watch leno. Also, that was the worst interview EVVVEEERRRRR… DURRRRR!!!!!!!
I like Jay and Conan. But I won’t watch The Tonight Show if Jay is brought back as the host. Knowing what happened to Conan would just hurt to much – and pretty much all respect for NBC would be shot out the window.
Don’t worry about boycotting the Tonight Show- our watching doesn’t affect ratings anyway. Boycott the sponsors and be loud about why you are boycotting.
If we need to get anyone to boycott the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, it’s the Nielsen families that represent us.
Won’t affect the ratings?! My family is a Nielsen family. I totally plan on boycotting. Just watch what happens.
This is so wrong. Conan is not funny and his ratings prove it. Nobody likes him and his audinece gets smaller week after week. So happy Jay is coming back to the Tonight Show. Jay is hysterical. Conan is a drip. And he’s sort of ugly too.
…and you’re kind of a tard.
Yeah, and Leno is such a stud.
“his ratings prove it”? really? lemme point out jay’s also not getting a lot of viewers. it’s been mentioned a couple of times in the comments sections but it bears repeating. there are a number of reasons why conan’s not getting as much viewers:
a) a similar program airs earlier – the jay leno show
b) few people tune in to leno and the local news, leaving conan a small audience
c) the bigger guests/a-lists celebrities are usually booked in leno’s show
i feel bad for both leno and conan (a lot more so for conan). to quote jay, “omg nbc wtf”
May I add one more thing to what jc said? Leno lagged behind Letterman in the ratings for two years, and NBC didn’t rush to put Carson back on at 11:35 after four months.
Also, you are a jewel, Sandi. Lots of people like Conan. Lots of people don’t like Leno. You can usually see the punchline to his jokes coming from a mile away. But I won’t get into his prettiness or lack of it, and your pettiness.
Leno’s better looking than Howdy Dowdy aka your precious coco.
You can also see Leno’s jokes from a mile away because he repeats the same ones over and over again. Then he throws in a Clinton joke. I’m going to boycott Leno when he goes back to the Tonight Show. This is ridiculous, Conan was never given the same chance to grow an audience that Leno had. I’ll watch Letterman or The Colbert Report. Conan will land on his feet and walk away (relatively) unscathed. I feel bad for his staff the most out of this.
Sandi, I am proud of you for saying exactly how most of us feel about “CoCo”. His humor appeals only to those who are as mentally challenged as he is. What is funny to one is repulsive to another and therefore subjective but I would find more humor watching it rain!
Your an idiotic elitist. Go watch your rain! Many of us who are down to earth (even from the scholastic community) enjoy his show. What’s funny to one is repulsive to another, so stop being hypocritical; it’s just a terrible way to live.
the rest of the country doesn’t care who the hack in charge is. It is just a giant leg pissing contest and the viewers are in the middle zucker doesn’t care which warm body he puts off he just wan’t to make his next paycheck hopefully he won’t have too many more he is a worthless hack of a producer and an even worthless network executive
@Mo: oh let’s be honest, you can’t see Leno’s punchlines comeing from a mile away. For that to happen, his “jokes” would actually have to have punchlines.
I stopped watching the Tonight Show years ago because Jay wasn’t funny and worse, is a horribly boring interviewer. I have so been enjoying Conan’s promotion, and I will follow him wherever he lands.
NBC will be boycotted by me if Conan loses the tonight show, I will never watch another show, sporting event or newscast for the rest of my life.
Pete, I agree with you completely Leno is a burnt out bore and Letterman is the same. I LOVE Conan and I look forward to his show nightly. If Conan goes I will not watch anything NBC again,ever Conan is a genius.
The people I feel most sorry for are Conan’s staff. After all, he wasn’t the only person who uprooted his family and his life for The Tonight Show. And I am guessing most of them will soon be out of a job. The Kevin the Page sketch from last night was clearly a heartfelt plea from the staff to consider them as well. In this recession, NBC has just become another bigwig CEO that is more concerned about their bottom line than about the people they hurt. Frankly, I am considering boycotting NBC altogether if this goes through. I’m with Coco.
agreed- this move by NBC is almost enough to turn me off the network completely. I like SVU and SNL, though…
Conan is a big cry baby. The only way the staff will lose their jobs is if he refuses to go to 12:05. If he won’t, they can all blame him.
You’re not very bright, are you? Do you really think Conan doesn’t act not only on the behalf of, but with the explicit permission from his staff with this? They are loyal to Conan. You, as a Lenoite might not understand this word, I realize.
Loyalty in Leno’s life is to money, and whatever turn of the century automobile he jacks off to that week.
Well said, James. I’m sure Conan talked with his staff before making any decisions…and let’s remember that nothing has happened YET.
you’re an idiot..
-team CoCo
ding ding ding ding…we have a winner for the biggest moron on the board. Congrats TerryT
Conan should grow up and take the high road. Leno is not his enemy.
Why isn’t Leno the enemy? I don’t understand why he’s getting a bye here. He agreed back in 2003(?) to step aside and let someone else take the reigns of The Tonight Show until that mutually agreed upon time came and he changed his mind. If Conan had known this upfront he could have taken better offers and left NBC. Instead he was brought down by circumstances that were largely created by NBC and Leno.
And if you read Nikki Finke’s column you’d know that a big part of the negotiations going on right now are Conan’s efforts to make sure his staff is taken care of when his show goes off the air. Suck on that!
how the heck does conan not care or isn’t thinking about his staff. i’m sure he cares about them alot. after all, he was the only late-night host to come on after the writers strike and give his staff some work so your views are dead wring!
I am a devoted Leno fan, and never warm up to Conan. I love Jay and his good-humor humor.
Conan is understandably upset but his comments directed his anger against Jay, which was obviously misplaced. What had Jay done to him?! They are both victims of NBC suits.
Except that Jay RETIRED. He left the Tonight Show to Conan. Now that his new show (that any moron could have predicted would go down in flames) has failed he wants his old job back. I have no sympathy for Jay.
What has Jay done to Conan? Stolen his job, a job he from which he willingly retired. How is Jay a victim? Although I’m happy you like Jay’s “good-humor humor.” Okay…
Jan–”Good-humor” humor? His segment Jaywalking is all about getting laughs at the expense of others ignorance. That isn’t “good-humor,” it’s just outright condescending humor.
I’ve long taken Leno’s humor to be divisive, mean-spirited and cynical.
Jan, you’ve made my above point perfectly. Amazing how stupid people say things against themselves without even knowing. Leno’s a douchebag.
Jay Leno is not taking Conan’s job. Conan is giving it up. Conan would have been the host of the Tonight Show while Jay would keep his show. Conan got his feelings hurt and decided to leave. That’s well within his rights, but don’t blame anyone else for it. Like the article said, NBC is allowed to change the time slot as they see fit. It’s their show. Conan wasn’t getting the job done. His ratings were horrible, and many people admitted that it was rather lame and unfunny. Of course, in the wake of all this, Conan has become some sort of a martyr, which I think is ridiculous.
It wasn’t Jay’s choice to “retire” from the tonight show. He was forced out. Conan forced NBC to force Jay out in 2004 when he was promised Jay’s job. I felt for Jay then, and now too.
Yes, you guys can say all the mean things you want to say about me being Jay’s fan……but I am a member of the young (well, not that young
crowd. We are in our 30s and we both like Jay.
I don’t get most of Conan’s jokes. At that hour of day, I want a simple laugh to lead in to a nice sleep. Cohan is way too stiff for me.
I’m in my 30′s and get Conan’s humor just fine… sorry he hurts your little head
Eric you are an idiot! I don’t get Conan either and you can be sure it won’t hurt “my little head” you moron!
Amanda, The Tonight Show starts at 11:35pm; The Tomorrow Show starts at 12:05am — Coco was promised THE TONIGHT SHOW!!!
Is there any reason to be so rude? Everyone has their own tastes. It doesn’t make one better than the other. Conan, who would admit it himself, tends towards frat boy humor and self-deprecation, and that doesn’t appeal to everyone. Leno is more general and observational in his comedy. It’s two different types of comedy, but there’s no need to knock anyone intelligence or insult them because they don’t enjoy the same type as you. I personally enjoy both, but I prefer Leno. That’s simpleminded and rude.
@ Jen Maybe I see it differently because The Tonight Show would air at 11:05 here, but I think the show is more dependent on the brand than the time. Conan is giving it up for 30 minutes! Like I said, it’s his choice. Jay is not forcing him out.
You’re arguing semantics. The Tonight Show has traditionally been the program that airs after the evening news (on the East coast at least). There’s a historical (and viewing pattern) significance to that – saying good night to America and all that jazz.
I would have a lot more respect for NBC if they said, “Well Leno did better than you so we’re giving it back to him.” Instead, they’re going about this in a roundabout way (for contract reasons) that’s just insulting because they expect Conan to follow them around like a lapdog. It doesn’t matter what the name of the shows are – if Conan is not in the first late night slot then he is not the true host, in spirit, of The Tonight Show – what’s in a name? He is just back to where he was the past 16yrs. The fact that Leno is just sitting back, shrugging his shoulders, waiting for it to blow over like he’s not going back right where he wants to be is offensive. He should make some kind of meaningful statement, but he’s too busy pretending his hands are clean.
I still stand by the fact that Leno did not take Conan’s job. Conan no longer wants the job because of the time switch. It’s his decision. Is it the right decision? Probably for him, but it’s his to make. He didn’t lose his job. He gave it up. There’s a difference between that and Leno coming in and demanding the Tonight Show back. NBC made the decision to push the shows back. Not Leno. The real problem is that NBC is determined to hoard hosts instead of letting them go on to other pursuits.
wow Jan, you couldn’t be more clueless. Since you were alive when Jay & his manager forced Carson into retirement, and then screwed Letterman over. Jay stated himself that he wanted an orderly transition when he retired, that is why he agreed to turn the show over to Conan in 2009.
Amanda, you do realize that the Tonight Show has existed for 55 years. Guess what, it’s always aired at the same time. You move it back and it’s not the Tonight Show anymore(literally on the east coast). So no, Conan still wants the job, as it’s stood for those previous 55 years.
I am completely aware of the Tonight Show’s history. I do not however believe that 30 minutes will change the entire nature of the show. A different time slot is not the end of the world. I do not understand how this will change the entire show. A show, especially one with such a long history, is not dependent on its time. If people won’t watch at 12:05, it means that they aren’t invested in the host and it’s content. The show will be exactly the same. Although I never watch with Carson, I can’t imagine 30 minutes would have changed anything about what he did.
then you do realize that it has always followed the local news, not some hasn’t been funny in 20+ years has been. But then again, according to you messing with 55 years of history is no big deal, let’s just move him to middays.
According to you, the Tonight Show is dependent on history and can’t stand on its own. The lead-in shouldn’t matter if the show is any good. Your opinion of Leno is of course your opinion. I find him funny, and given his ratings as host of the Tonight Show, there are quite a few who agree. The local news as a lead-in probably only factors in because of the number of people who don’t change the channel afterward as they fall asleep. Not exactly a ringing endorsement if this is a vital part of Conan’s ratings.
we’ll see what kind of ringing endorsement Jay gets once he’s back at the helm, btw if it doesn’t really matter, why didn’t Jay do the 1/2 hour show after Conan? And just because 5 million octagenerians find Jay funny, doesn’t mean he is.
actually it’s pretty sad that more people don’t want to be me mentally stimulated, therefore they tune into Leno
Are you serious? Conan doesn’t want this job because of the time switch? Conan’s got more heart than anyone in NBC and Leno, and Fallon thanked him on his show because Conan knew what this would do to Fallon. But it’s not just about Fallon. What about his fans? And the history of the Franchise? Leno cares about Leno, otherwise he would step down, NBC cares about money, and Conan stepping down is classy and unselfish – a characteristic Leno should try to imitate.
Mentally stimulated? I agree that Conan us funny, but mentally stimulating? The masterbating bear? All the Chuck Norris stuff? That wasn’t exactly high brow, high intelligence stuff. I’m not saying Leno is any better, but let’s call a spade a spade. And, yes, I still Conan’s decision to refuse to move time is the result of his own pride, but as I’ve said, that’s his perogative. Just don’t blame Jay for Conan’s decision.
Btw, considering Conan’s target audience isn’t the average late night chat show viewer, he needed those octagenarians Leno appeals to. Viewers are viewers, and Conan couldn’t attract them. That comes from someone actually in Conan’s target age group.
you’re right Amanda, I still can’t stop laughing from the latest Jaywalking & Headlines segments…., when’s the last time Leno did anything remotely as funny as Triumph?
I don’t find Triumph funny at all. I’m not a fan of crass, frat boy humor. It doesn’t appeal to me, and judging from the ratings, quite a few people agree with me. Some of Conan’s stuff is funny, but I prefer Jay.
what exactly do you find funny about Jay, cause I still can’t figure that one out
Amanda, care to comment on this? http://www.nytimes.com/1992/12/23/arts/jay-leno-criticizes-nbc-on-tonight-cliffhanger.html?pagewanted=1
I like his wacky sensibility and his observational humor. It rings true to life and is relatable. He has a goofball charm with a little self-deprecation. Jaywalking always makes me laugh uncontrollably. I don’t see why people don’t understand that not everyone will share your tastes. I don’t expect everyone to love Leno, but I resent the fact that anyone belittles me for it. I hate reading all the posts about how unfunny Leno is. Okay, so he’s not funny to you, but it’s ridiculous and self-centered to believe that your opinions reflect those of the whole. A lot of people love Jay and think he’s funny. You obviously won’t watch, but that’s fine. Just don’t think that you’re singular opinion makes it a fact.
it was a legitimate question, I really wanted to know what people find funny about him. I used to think he was funny too, actually saw him perform in the late 80′s, unfortunately (for me, not you) he’s not the same guy
and I have no beef (or as Jay would say Mr Beef) with you liking him, whatever works for you. However your take that he’s not screwing over Conan, or that Conan could have/should have rolled over and played dead, that’s a different story. BTW I have no horse in this race since I watch DL/CF.
Sorry, I’ve been on other boards that aren’t quite so friendly, and it’s made me a little defensive. I actually don’t watch either. I stick with the Daily Show and Colbert. I just felt so bad for Jay because he’s painted as the bad guy when the real ones are the executives at NBC. Oh, and I never said Conan should roll over. I support his right to reject anything NBC offers. I just don’t like the idea of people saying that he’s been forced out when he is leaving on his own accord.
You mean Kenneth the page? AKA Jack McBrayer.. A person who got his big break by being a bit actor on Late Night W/Conan? By doing this as a favor because he’s a friend of the show? By Conan showing NBC that he supported the network for a very longtime and this is the thanks that he gets?
I was a devoted late night with Conan viewer, but never really got into his stint with the Tonight Show- the time was too early, it seemed like his humor was stifled by the earlier hour- it just wasn’t the same Conan that I loved. I’m sorry now that I didn’t watch more, and I definitely will not be watching if Leno is made host again. That last quote is ridiculous- Conan has every right to be bitter and pissed off, and if someone can’t see that, they’re complete idiots. I’ll miss Conan!
That’s EXACTLY how I feel, Katie! I’ve always been a huge Conan fan, and I was excited to see him earn the Tonight Show and all the prestige that goes with it. But even before the move, I feared the change would force him to water down his comedy and cater to the less sophisticated comedy palate that ate up Leno’s bland “comedy” for years. I too found myself tuning into Conan’s Tonight Show less and less, because it just wasn’t the same Conan. It’s a shame what a network can do to destroy a performer.
Me three on this one. I always thought to myself “He’ll find his rhythm in a few months, and then I’ll start tuning in regularly again.” And just when I felt like he was starting to get his groove back, this BS happens. I should have known it was foolish to think there’d be more time with Big Jaw lurking in the shadows.
“It’s completely wrong, uncalled for, and I don’t quite know where it’s coming from.”
I found it completely accurate, totally called for, and everyone knows where it’s coming from.
Thank you, NBC, for hiring Zucker and promoting him at every opportunity. You’re welcome to all the insults and disgust thrown at you, because you deserve it.
I don’t understand why people support Conan. I read Conan’s statement and was very disappointed at him.
1) He got the contract but didn’t perform up to task for 7 months. Guess whose fault is that? Well, he blames his boss who didn’t give him enough support because 20 or 30 years ago the boss gave his predecessor more support. Maybe that is true, but wake up, we are in 2010 and no company can afford to support a failed show for 7 month any more.
2) Once his boss realizes that he is not ready, they handled him gently by asking him to move back by 30 mins while retaining the rein of Tonight Show. They also decided to ask his predecessor back for the 30 mins slot to boost the rating (probably for a few years while waiting for Conan to be ready). I can’t think of a better deal a failed employee can get from his/her boss. But like a spoiled teenage, Conan decided to throw in the towel because the change humiliates him. Strangely, he never feels humiliated by his low rating.
3) The worst part is that Conan puts all the blames not only on his boss but also on his predecessor who just performs better. In the statement, there is not a single word about how miserable he failed at Tonight Show, which is the root cause of all the problems. Instead, he blames everyone else in the name of protecting the legacy of Tonight Show. Guess who destroyed the Tonight Show? It is Conan who can’t live up to the legacy to appeal to a broad audience.
The irony is that there are so many people buying into Conan’s words and believing either NBC or Leno is to blame for the fiasco. The reality is that Conan only has himself to blame and the way he was treated by NBC is much better than how most failed employees are treated in today’s real world. Coco has been living in a well-padded cocoon for too long to bear responsibility for his own action. I guess most of his supporters are in the same category.
I didn’t know NBC execs posted on this board…I guess it explains what they do when they’re not running the network.
so…pretty much all the time then?
I’m very surprised any Leno fans know how to use the internet.
Your an idiot!
Do you mean ‘you’re’ an idiot? Come on, learn some basic grammar if YOU’RE going to make such an eloquent point!
Oh man, that was unfortunate.
You’re 100% right. I liked Conan’s old show, but since he started the Tonight Show his comedy has been forced. Take last night, for example. Ricky Gervais was on and Conan laughed hysterically at everything the guy said. It was so phony, and he does that a lot. At least they’ve finally taken Andy away from that stupid podium and put him on the couch. He and Conan used to have great chemistry and an easy give-and-take. None of this hysterical laughing.
Conan has always laughed like that at his guest. As every other late night host.
Conan was drunk? How mature.
Oh please. He wasn’t slurry, falling over drunk. It was mentioned in the interview itself. It’s late night! Guests on all the shows come out drunk often because alcohol is served backstage! The interview was pretty hilarious.
Conan and Gervais were hysterical. Gervais after he finished plugging: “So what are you going to do?” Hilarious.
Hey, Zucker! We all know this is you! Go back to destroying your network and stay off the boards!
You don’t disappoint “at” someone. You are disappointed “in” them.
-Smart Conan Fan Who Understands The English Language Enough To Get Conan’s Humor
Yeah……..but not enought of you to keep his ratings up.
How good were Leno’s ratings, Sweetie? At 10′clock I mean, not on his OLD show, the show he performed an abortion on, his new show. His 10′clock debacle. That’s where this ALL started from. Jay’s piss-poor ratings at TEN.
too bad Conan doesn’t know how to be funny. He is horrible. Thank God NBC is firing his ass. Can’t wait for Jay back in Late Night.
Hmmmm – so it’s Conan’s fault that Leno’s show performed poorly, causing local news affiliates’ ratings to drop so much they threatened to drop the Leno show? It’s been clearly outlined in almost every article on the topic that Leno’s show was a dud, which caused a domino effect of bleeding viewers, giving Conan a poor lead-in and making a challenging situation even worse. Conan isn’t to blame for this, the NBC execs who couldn’t bear the thought of losing Leno are. Apparently Leno is SO valuable NBC would collapse without him. Looks like they’re going to collapse with him too. Jimmy Fallon better be paying attention. When his ratings go down because people aren’t returning to The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, I’m sure Jimmy will be next on the chopping block.
Conan’s show started three months before Leno’s and Conan was getting trounced then too. It isn’t Jay’s fault that Conan fell on his face.
You’re right, it wasn’t Leno’s fault Conan didn’t have high ratings the first three months he started. It was the fact that it was Conan’s FIRST THREE MONTHS. Leno performed poorly his first three months too when he started on The Tonight Show. It takes more than three months to build a loyal audience that will follow you every night. If NBC didn’t have confidence in him then, he should have been immediately fired and replaced with Leno. But no, the affiliate debacle regarding Leno led to his ultimate demise, not the poor ratings at the start up.
> 1) He got the contract but didn’t perform up to task for 7 months. Guess whose fault is that?
Jay Leno took over Johnny Carson as the host of Tonight Show in 1992. The ratings plummeted immediately and it would stay that way for 3 more years until the famous Hugh Grant booking.
Conan O’Brien was given merely 7 months and even worse, he had a crummy lead-in by the name of “The Jay Leno Show” which had significantly smaller ratings than 10pm prime time dramas it replaced. (11 pm local news experienced similarly dramatic drop in ratings.)
That said, Conan’s 12:35 am Late Show, while critically acclaimed, wasn’t a stellar performer by any means.
also around this same time Friends, ER, and Seinfeld were new HOT shows on NBC that helped JAY keep the ratings up cause everyone was watching NBC anyway. People will often just leave in on the channel they already watching (cause people are lazy).
And u must b a boring lifeless person if you think that JAW is funny. I dont understand y jay leno isnt sacked yet! he is obviously losing audience hence the poor ratings. This is classic jay leno jealousy, he always competes with more successful performers such as letterman and now conan. Drop dead jay! you make me wana puke every time i c u on tv!
Will follow you coco!
I hope no one watches the tonight show with Jay Leno and NBC fails miserably…CONANDO! forever..i will follow u wherever u go..lol
Jay’s show didn’t perform well, yet he gets the promotion and Conan gets a demotion? And people seem to forget that Jay’s ratings were not great when he first took over the Tonight Show.
Check your Leno and NBC history…or read a bit about Letterman’s move to CBS and you’ll find out why people are quick to blame BOTH Leno and NBC.
Also, I’m not sure how Conan could have “performed more up to task.” Perhaps he should have just pulled silly misspellings from newspapers and went on the streets of L.A. and made fun of people who couldn’t answer history questions.
Leno is more despicable to me than hardcore porn.
Rob, Headlines and Jaywalking is his BEST material, too! And people find and send in those headlines, so it’s not like he writes those. Hell, he’s not even the funniest thing about the Jaywalking segments.
So, using your line of reasoning, Jay Leno should be fired for the complete and utter failure of the Jay Leno Show, rather than be rewarded by being allowed to come back to the Tonight Show.
yes.
You might want to read up on the whole situation next time before posting a lengthy diatribe condemning Conan. You clearly either have not, or didn’t really comprehend.
“In the statement, there is not a single word about how miserable he failed at Tonight Show, which is the root cause of all the problems.”
No it isn’t. That isn’t the root of the problem at all.
The reason for this whole debacle is because LENO is routinely coming in last place in his timeslot and losing massive amounts of money for the affiliate networks (an estimated $22 million over the last 4 months, from what I’ve heard) and ruining the ratings for the local news in several key networks (including New York), causing them to revolt. It’s the Jay Leno Show that is the root of the problem, which is why it is getting canceled. NBC, in all their brilliance, still doesn’t want to get rid of Leno, though, and seem to be of the opinion that Leno’s timeslot is the only problem with his show, hence trying to move him back to 11:30. That Conan’s numbers aren’t up to where the Tonight Show was a year ago has very little to do with it (but also has a lot to do with that the lead-ins for the Tonight Show are disastrous, thanks to Leno’s failure…it’s hard to hold onto an audience that isn’t there in the first place).
And it’s telling that practically EVERYBODY actually in the business is assaulting Leno over this, because the fact is that Leno is a snake. Leno was the one who leaked false reports to the media 18 years ago about Carson considering retiring, which ultimately led to him being convinced by the network to step down. It was Leno hiding in closets during corporate meetings and going behind executives’ backs to appeal to affiliates back then too. It was Leno who LAST YEAR, before there was even talk of canceling his 10 pm show, said he wanted to be back at 11:30, which could obviously only happen one way.
THAT’S why everybody who actually understands and is informed about what’s going on here is supporting Conan. You don’t understand why people are supporting him because you apparently don’t understand what the entire mess is even about in the first place. Though you are awfully quick to judge all those people, despite your ignorance. Interesting.
*applause* Well said.
Interesting, that you accuse others of ignorance. I don’t know where you get your information, but it’s almost completely wrong. Conan fans seem to have a need to blame Jay for everything, incorrectly. None of the current situation (or what happened in the past) is his fault.
Giving Conan the Tonight Show, unwisely and prematurely, while shoving Jay out, is the work of NBC brass. Period. The same when NBC forced Johnny Carson out — it was the executives’ decision, not Jay’s.
Of course Jay wants to go back to the show where he was #1 for years — he was pushed out and accepted the “experiment” though it was not his preference. Not surprising that it was a failure, but the real failure was Conan.
Now NBC is rectifying its mistake. When an experiment fails, it’s smart to go back to what you did when you were successful.
It’s disappointing that Conan has seen fit to act like a whiny adolescent through all this. He didn’t need to lose his job, but he wasn’t willing to compromise. Arrogant and lacking class. But he’ll find a job elsewhere, maybe at Fox, which is more his style.
It’ll all be over in a week. NBC late night will be back as it should have stayed five years ago. In a few months the net will be buzzing about the latest “scandal.”
I don’t understand why there are people who don’t support Conan.
Kidding.
But seriously, you’re completely misreading this. If Leno wasn’t performing so damn badly, they wouldn’t cancel his show, and they wouldn’t need to move it to 11:35pm in order to salvage it. The same argument can be made to Leno. It’s all on perspective. The truth is, moving the Tonight Show by 30 minutes defeats the purpose of the show. It’ll kill it’s ratings. Why continue to watch late night programming, when an average person would have their fill in 30 minutes with Leno before? There’s no major incentive to continue. Plus there IS a legacy with the Tonight Show. A legacy I think some people don’t appreciate. Pushing it back ruins the legacy.
*cheers* EXACTLY.
Conan O’Brien’s low ratings were caused by the low ratings of The Jay Leno Show experiment. Leno’s new show effected the ratings of the news, the Tonight Show, and Late Night. If they think getting rid of Conan will be the way to make it better, then NBC fails as a broadcasting company. Leno retired, and shouldn’t have come back. He should be sacked
Lots of misinformation here. Leno never retired. He was forced into situations not of his choice.
That’s what happens in the tv business. Your salary is cut for economic reasons. If you don’t accept it, you’re gone. Long-time stars are let go because the show can no longer afford their high salaries.
Leno was willing to compromise. O’Brien was not. As in any other company, he’s gone. He thought his supposed popularity would force NBC to bend to his wishes. That’s not how business works. Nobody is irreplaceable, certainly not O’Brien.
20 or 30 years ago? Leno took over in like 95
1992 actually.
Don’t be jealous of Bin’s intelligence “BOYS”…..LOL
The actual root cause was the miserable failure of the Jay Leno Show…in prime time!
One thing people are forgetting. What show was cancelled. Jay’s show was cancelled. It has been changed from a hour show to 1/2 hour and moved to a new time. Conan was not fired, and his ratings did not come into play until NBC realized they were going to have some major blowback with moving Jay’s show. NBC is now using Conan’s ratings as an excuse. If they had a problem with them, they should have said something from the start.
So Bin, you obviously work for NBC corporate and hate Conan from the tone of your comments. I think that anyone can see that the real problem was that NBC put two variety shows between local affiliate news. They split the total NBC variety show audience into those willing to stay up past 11:35 and those that were not. Look at the numbers and it’s not hard to see. The Tonight Show was pulling almost 5 million a night at 11:35 with Jay. When Jay moved to 10 he was only able to keep 2-3 million of viewers which hurt the affiliate’s 11 pm news numbers. Conan got whatever stayed after that which was anywhere from 2-3 million viewers. Regardless of anything, NBC needed to bring back the audience to the 10 pm time slot so that the numbers were good for the affiliate’s news shows and then the audience would be ready to laugh and be happy so that who ever was at the helm of the Tonight Show the numbers would be better. I agree that he’s not as good as he was at 12:35, but it’s the nature of the show and audience. So it’s Jay who failed to bring an audience to 10 pm that hurt the network and affiliates not what Conan has done or not done. I don’t know what pictures Jay has of Zucker, but they must be outstanding!
Bin I agree with you 100% If everyone of Conan’s fans were watching him this would have never happened. Leno’s fans watch him that is the difference. Obviosly Conan sucks in the 11:35 time slot if he didn’t NBC would be begging him to stay. Moving him to 12:05 was giving him a chance to save face. He should just go back to the later slot and do the kind of show his fans like. Jimmy Kimmel and Letterman are worried because their ratings suck next to Jay and they might be afraid that Jay or Conan will come and take over their show. I am sure there is alot more going on behind the scenes to help Conan save face by blaming Leno and NBC. I just think Conan needs to grow up alittle.
Actually, this whole mess started because Leno sucks in the 10 pm time slot. It was the Leno show that got CANCELLED, not the Tonight Show. The network never mentioned any problems with Conan’s ratings until the affiliates forced them to get rid of Leno at 10. Now, for whatever reason, they don’t want to get rid of the totally lowbrow and unfunny Leno, so Conan is paying the price.
Zucker’s cronies playing dumb, there’s a surprise. “What? Why is Conan upset??” Boycott Leno, or get tickets to his show then boo the **** out of him!!
Your story errs when it says tonight show never aired at 12:05. Actually happened every year during Wimbledon, when NBC would show a recap show before airing the tonight show. Think might also happen with other events that NBC covers.
I gave the award to dumbest post to someone else before reading this one by REG. He thinks because they preempt the tonightshow because of Wimbledon (2 weeks out of a year) or olympics(once every four years) then it’s ok to move the tonight show to 1205. DUDE sniffing paint fumes will f*ck your head up…oh wait it’s too late.
Remember, folks, that NBC first shoved this down Leno’s throat back in what, 2004, when they promised the Tonight Show to Conan in 2009. Leno didn’t want to retire. So they started this screw-up back then, pushing out a popular host who didn’t want to go. Now they’ve triple-downed on this stupidity, moving everyone around and satisfying absolutely no one. Pity both Leno and Conan and their staffs — focus your fire where it matters, at the utter incompetents running NBC.
Yes. Poor sweet innocent Leno. The guy who hid in an effing closet taking notes on a closed door meeting of NBC brass so his cow of a manager could further push Carson out the door and screw David Letterman out of the Tonight Show. Poor, unfortunate Leno who has made a fortune stealing material from Howard Stern and other sources for his show.
Poor Jay Leno who is bland, edgless, classless and inane. God, I feel so terrible for him.
Is that why Howard Stern hates Leno? I’m completely out of the loop when it comes to their “feud”? But I wouldn’t blame Stern one bit. Screw Leno and NBC. I’ll follow Conan anywhere. But I am curious as to why Stern hates Leno.
James, I think I love you!
What I have found interesting though is other comics coming out not only again NBC, but even against Leno. I have a feeling there has been bad blood between Leno and many comics out there. They’ve worked with him and know he’s not the innocent guy he pretends to be.
Amen, James and Yes… It’s pretty much common knowledge that Leno is a backstabbing, disloyal jerkwad that few in the business have much good to say, unless they get to plug their projects on his show. Leno wouldn’t even HAVE a career in the mainstream had Letterman not graciously and LOYALLY had him on his Late Night show back in the 80′s. And what does he go and do? Stab ol’ Dave right in the back. How is it that ANYONE has ANY respect for this a-hole? His ego is even bigger than his chin
Even now, NBC is still mishandling. If they don’t realize they’re going to have a gigantic backlash against them and Leno on their hands, then they’re even more stupid than we think. And paying off Conan – and not doing anything for his band and crew and staff as Amanda pointed out – will be as bad as what they’ve done to Conan. People – many people – literally changed their lives and relocated their homes and families based on NBC’s agreement – many years in the making – to make Conan the host of the Tonight Show and now all of these people are going to be screwed. This is not just NBC making a mess of the Conan situation. This is NBC making a mess of many people’s lives. Shame on them and may they stay in fourth place forever because they’ll never learn.
That’s a very good point. If NBC doesn’t give his staff payoff packages I can see Conan helping everyone of them out a big deal as well as offering them a spot on a future program.
I’m honestly dumbfounded as to how none of the NBC bigwigs saw this coming. Anybody who watched “Late Night” and truly enjoyed all of the weird, intelligent comedy on there knew that Conan’s humor was never going to fly at 11:35 PM with the mouth-breather Leno crowd, no matter how badly we wanted it to succeed. Then when Leno got his 10 PM show, you just knew the fix was in. The only things that shock me about all this are that it took so long for NBC to shove Leno back in that slot and that they would handle it so poorly.
Come to think of it, I’m not shocked at that latter part. This is NBC we’re talking about, after all. Handling important decisions poorly is kinda their thing.
In many ways, both Letterman and O’Brien’s Late Night shows were “anti-talk shows,” in that they provided alternatives to the broader, popular humor of The Tonight Show. Though Conan may not like it, perhaps getting his own new show will be a godsend, as it will free him from having to satisfy the folks who enjoy “easy” comedy.
It’s “uncalled for”?! Are you serious? So being given 7 months to host a show that you gave no backing to outside of building the studio and then being yanked around and treated like garbage is called for I take it? You absolute bastards of human beings treated Jay’s show like the “cheaper” Tonight Show and gave him all the big name guests. When Kanye was in the limelight for his idiotic behavior, he SHOULD have been booked on TNS. That’s what historically would’ve happened. Instead you gave him to Chinso, the man I have no respect for in this. The sword was HIS to fall on here. You didn’t give Conan The Tonight Show. You gave him the chance to rip his family and the families of his staff out of their east coast roots for a watered-down, one-hour-earlier version of his old show.
I will follow Conan to the ends of the Earth on this issue. Wherever he takes is brand of smart, witty, edgy humor I will go, gladly. Jay Leno can continue to pander to the lowest common denominator all he wants. He could get an 8 share for his show, and it will still be a terrible, terrible show.
I’m With Coco.
What’s TNS?
Typo. I meant TTS. Call it “The ‘Night Show.”
Right on.
I agree. Amen!!
Honestly I’m surprised Conan has made it as far as he has. He is the most awkwardly self-conscious host in television history. I can’t watch him… at any hour.
The funniest bit about this whole thing?
When we rail at the bankers – we just call them “the Bankers”.
When we rail at the government, companies – we just call it “The Government.”
When we rail at NBC, we say “THIS IS ZUCKER’S FAULT!!!”
The guy’s more famous than his network is.