All right, so since the Leno-Conan rumor/bomb yesterday, we’ve got some things that seem certain and some likely possibilities. Here’s what’s certain: Jay Leno is moving back to the 11:30 slot. What NBC wants to do is have “The Jay Leno Show” on for half an hour, then have Conan’s “Tonight Show” at midnight and Jimmy Fallon’s “Late Night” at 1:00 a.m. Whether or not that happens apparently depends on if O’Brien decides to accept this fate.
O’Brien’s handlers are likely mulling all of their options — and pitching their client to both Fox, which currently doesn’t have a late night franchise on the weeknights, and ABC, which would have to move “Nightline” and “Jimmy Kimmel Live” out of the way.
But neither network appears immediately likely to make a play for O’Brien, insiders said. What’s more, Broadcasting and Cable reported that NBC has the option to bench O’Brien for the remainder of his contract but keep paying him. [Variety]
If Conan bolts, of course, you-know-who gets “The Tonight Show” back. Frankly, I’ve already reached the acceptance phase. NBC’s decision to put Leno at 10:00 was so epically disastrous that they HAD to get rid of Jay at that time slot, and while I would have preferred the network loosen the brakes on Leno’s fleet of cars, I can see how moving him to 11:30 makes more business sense.
As for Conan, I’ll continue to be a fan no matter what happens. Perhaps a move to midnight will open the door for more of the offbeat antics that he had to abandon when he moved to L.A., although leaving NBC would probably be more cathartic — for both O’Brien and his fans.
The bottom line is this: when TV-related stories start getting this complex and heated and I no longer have the ability to turn the conversation to a quick joke, that’s the moment I say, “It’s just TV.” I’d rather spend my worries on actual problems in the world. Things like war and the environment and what happens if TLC runs out of midgets.
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what happens if TLC runs out of midgets.
Well, now I won’t be able to sleep tonight. Thanks, asshole.
I suppose it’s too much to hope Conan goes back to writing the Simpsons.
Look at the bright side – if Leno gets 11:30-12, Conan gets 12-1, and Fallon gets 1-2, then that means Carson Daly’s crapfest gets canned.
I’m generally cool with things that make Carson Daly sad.
I’m generally cool with things that make Carson Daly sad.
Like vagina?
What is is with NBC screwing much better hosts (first Letterman, then Conan) in favor of schlubby Jay Leno?
Here’s a novel thought: why doesn’t NBC/Universal/Comcast/Scheinhardt Wig Co. pull a Fox and:
1. Have their affiliates move the news to 10/9 central & mountain for an hour (or half-hour)
2. Put Leno on at 11/10 (or 10:30/9:30)
3. Keep Conan & Fallon where they are
4. Cancel Carson Daly, ’cause fuck him either way.
That way, the affiliates get a (somewhat stronger) lead-in to news from NBC primetime, baby Leno gets his bottle, and Coney walks away relatively unscathed.
I just can’t get past whom this affects most — La Bamba.
I favor any move that hastens the return of Joel Goddard.
Why wouldn’t Fox make a play for Conan? They run Simpsons and Seinfeld re-runs all night. And I know that’s good for the pot heads, but so would Conan on Fox (although I’m sure they’d find a way to screw it up).
It’s so short-sighted to say that Leno moving to 11:30 makes business sense. Sure, he gets ratings right now, but all of his fans are one or two years away from dying of natural causes.
@ Taco_Jones – that’s just too logical to actually happen
He should have seen this coming….
In the year 3000….in the year 3000!
I wonder if Max Weinberg can claim this as a hate crime…
/Triumph on Fox would be outstanding
This makes me irrationally angry. Yeah, Conan was better at 12:30, but holy god, NBC must be run by 78 senile monkeys.
Buttholes.
@MDS: Other than the fact that I posted your “novel thought” on the thread yesterday, I’m in agreement with you. However, I think the idea makes way too much sense for any TV executive to suggest it.
@Stinky Pete–sorry, didn’t see yesterday’s post or comments. Guess my thinking’s not so original after all.
I hope Conan goes apeshit on Leno’s cry baby ass and it’s cought on camera. Or maybe Jay Leno’s garage will catch fire and all of his 3243 cars will be destroyed.
The only people who find Jay Leno funny in my family are my grandparents as they lean back in their double recliners and watch him on a 50′ HD tv without cable, then have the nerve to complain about the signal!!! god dammit!! Typical Leno fans
I have a legitimate question… If studio executives so insanely retarded, how did they reach the positions they are currently in? Is everything and everyone in Hollywood influenced by blowjobs and anal sex?
This is the worst tragedy to happen in my lifetime. And I am not kidding either.
Keep in mind, pushing Conan back half an hour to 12 would mean he’d no longer be up against Colbert. Colbert could have been a legitimate factor in Conan’s poor ratings, so this would solve that.
That’s actually, true, Rich. I turn to Conan after Colbert.
I really hope Conan tells NBC to go fuck themselves.
[conanobrienshouldquitnbcandgotofox.blogspot.com]
Holy shit. Conan is FURIOUS. He’s destroying NBC and, to a lesser extent, Jay in his monologue. Said the idea of leaving NBC is a “thrilling proposition”. So glad he’s not taking this without firing back. Go Coco.
@ Ben
Wish I hadn’t missed that. Know anywhere it’ll be online.
@ Rich
That makes the most sense of anything I’ve heard. I, too, choose Colbert over Conan at 11:30 as much as I love Conesy. While I think it’s bullshit that this is what Conan has to put up with, I also think his ratings would improve at 12.
Here ya go, Joe.
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