Jay Leno replaces Conan

Donut Juice · **Posted:** January 14th, 2010, 1:53 pm

In case you've been living under a rock, there's been quite an uproar with the Jay Leno time change which is pretty much booting Conan O'Brien out of NBC.

http://www.tmz.com/2010/01/07/jay-leno-nbc-conan-obrien-tonight-show/ wrote:

We've learned Jay's 10:00 PM show will go on hiatus February 1. After the Olympics, Jay will take back his 11:30 PM time slot. What has not been decided -- whether Jay's show will be a half hour, followed by Conan, or whether Jay's show will be an hour and NBC says sayonara to Mr. O'Brien.

We're told Jay and Conan have both been told of the changes. As for Jay, interestingly, he'll get what he always wanted -- his 11:30 PM time slot.

I'm with Conan, personally. I find Leno just completely unfunny, sleezy and he just lacks any class. If the point of his show is to get laughs, it's failing miserably. I actually enjoy Conan, though his previous work was better. And it seems Conan has quit, claiming the suggested 12:05am time is destructive to the Tonight Show.

Conan wrote:

People of Earth:

In the last few days, I've been getting a lot of sympathy calls, and I want to start by making it clear that no one should waste a second feeling sorry for me. For 17 years, I've been getting paid to do what I love most and, in a world with real problems, I've been absurdly lucky. That said, I've been suddenly put in a very public predicament and my bosses are demanding an immediate decision.

Six years ago, I signed a contract with NBC to take over "The Tonight Show" in June of 2009. Like a lot of us, I grew up watching Johnny Carson every night and the chance to one day sit in that chair has meant everything to me. I worked long and hard to get that opportunity, passed up far more lucrative offers, and since 2004 I have spent literally hundreds of hours thinking of ways to extend the franchise long into the future. It was my mistaken belief that, like my predecessor, I would have the benefit of some time and, just as important, some degree of ratings support from the prime-time schedule. Building a lasting audience at 11:30 is impossible without both.

Related
WATCH: Jay and Conan Make Late-Night JabsWATCH: NBC's Late Night Shake-UpWATCH: NBC's Nighttime Nightmare
But sadly, we were never given that chance. After only seven months, with my "Tonight Show" in its infancy, NBC has decided to react to their terrible difficulties in prime-time by making a change in their long-established late night schedule.

Last Thursday, NBC executives told me they intended to move the "Tonight Show" to 12:05 to accommodate the Jay Leno Show at 11:35. For 60 years the "Tonight Show" has aired immediately following the late local news. I sincerely believe that delaying the "Tonight Show" into the next day to accommodate another comedy program will seriously damage what I consider to be the greatest franchise in the history of broadcasting. "The Tonight Show" at 12:05 simply isn't the "Tonight Show." Also, if I accept this move I will be knocking the "Late Night" show, which I inherited from David Letterman and passed on to Jimmy Fallon, out of its long-held time slot. That would hurt the other NBC franchise that I love, and it would be unfair to Jimmy.

So it has come to this: I cannot express in words how much I enjoy hosting this program and what an enormous personal disappointment it is for me to consider losing it. My staff and I have worked unbelievably hard and we are very proud of our contribution to the legacy of "The Tonight Show." But I cannot participate in what I honestly believe is its destruction. Some people will make the argument that with DVRs and the Internet a time slot doesn't matter. But with the "Tonight Show," I believe nothing could matter more.

There has been speculation about my going to another network but, to set the record straight, I currently have no other offer and honestly have no idea what happens next. My hope is that NBC and I can resolve this quickly so that my staff, crew, and I can do a show we can be proud of, for a company that values our work.

Have a great day and, for the record, I am truly sorry about my hair; it's always been that way.

Yours,

Conan

What do you guys think? Team Conan or Team Leno?

www.teamconan.com
www.teamleno.com

Zilla · **Posted:** January 14th, 2010, 2:34 pm

Team Neither.
Conan is possibly the least funny person on the planet. He is just stupid. Whoever decided to put him on the Tonight Show to begin with should be fired, if they haven't already been. He is only funny to insomniacs who haven't slept in days. That's why he did better when he was on later. I haven't watched Jay Leno in years because he stopped being funny a long time ago. They should leave the Tonight Show in its original time slot and get someone else to host it.

I think Craig Ferguson is good. He should get the Late Show when David Letterman retires, which hopefully will be soon. Dave was funny once as well but then he got all political. Go Craig.

Jackstick · **Posted:** January 14th, 2010, 2:47 pm

I like Conan, but I don't think he's funny, I think he tries too hard sometimes and other times his jokes just aren't... that... good.

Jay Leno was good on The Tonight Show, but he's crap on The Jay Leno Show. Every episode is basically the same. He makes some jokes for 10 minutes (this is the only part I enjoy), looks at newspaper cutouts, interviews a boring guest, and then has them drive in that weird car for some reason. Does anything happen after that? I dunno, that's usually when I change the channel to something more interesting.

Zilla wrote:

I think Craig Ferguson is good. He should get the Late Show when David Letterman retires, which hopefully will be soon. Dave was funny once as well but then he got all political. Go Craig.

I agree. Team Craig.

Tanksandguns · **Posted:** January 14th, 2010, 5:01 pm

Sorry guys, but I disagree. Team Fallon all the way. He's awkward, but hilarious. He's definitely a better talk-show host than actor. Anyway, I can't believe NBC is shafting Conan this bad. Leno was ok, but Conan was better. Hopefully one of the bigger networks will pick him up, and he can crush both Letterman and Leno in the ratings.

Donut Juice · **Posted:** January 14th, 2010, 5:05 pm

Oh, I have to agree with Tanks, but between the two I'd go with Conan, the better comedian in this situation doesn't even matter, I just think Conan's been treated unfairly (though I think Conan is infinitely more funny).

But last night's episode was hilarious (with Ricky Gervais): http://www.officetally.com/ricky-gervai ... night-show

Craig is alright, but I've never really been too interested in the show. His brand of comedy just doesn't seem to hook me. Fallon is great, though, love that guy.

Nish · **Posted:** January 14th, 2010, 5:08 pm

I'm with team Conan. I don't think he's amazing but I watch his show on Hulu every now and then.

Applequest · **Posted:** January 14th, 2010, 5:22 pm

The only talk show which is at all bearable to watch for me is Conan. I dont watch it nightly, but its nice to know its on if I want to watch. Wherever he goes, I will follow.

TheAmericanIdiot · **Posted:** January 14th, 2010, 5:42 pm

Definitely Team Conan for me. Leno is, as you put it, unfunny and sleezy. I can't stand him. Fallon is pretty good, and I enjoy the show. How about NBC gets something right and just kicks Leno off the air, leaving Conan and Fallon together?

The Idiot Has Been Here

Muscular Ape · **Posted:** January 14th, 2010, 5:53 pm

I liked Conan on his old show :^_^:

J Assassin · **Posted:** January 14th, 2010, 6:55 pm

Team Conan all the way. What NBC is doing is bullshit. Leno's not even that funny.

Winterfresh · **Posted:** January 14th, 2010, 7:13 pm

Word fo' word Assassin

A5chow · **Posted:** January 14th, 2010, 11:05 pm

I think I've always enjoyed watching Conan more than Leno. I don't like Leno's gimmick of making people look dumber than him while he looks smart. Jimmy Fallon just annoys the hell out of me, more or less, but that isn't really fair considering I actually never watched his late night show.

Animal · **Posted:** January 14th, 2010, 11:17 pm

Leno needs to just Fuzzy Bunny

retire and sit among his cars all day. It's not like he needs anymore money.

And Fuzzy Bunny

NBC for screwing over Conan like this. I personally can't blame Conan for wanting to leave NBC, I would, too. [/rant]

Team Conan and Team Craig are where it's at. Fallon's alright, but he was much better on SNL.

In before Conan leaves, Jay's Show fails, and NBC begs Conan to come back.

rockrocks · **Posted:** January 14th, 2010, 11:42 pm

Team Conan. Seriously though, Conan's a cool guy, and Leno's kind of a jerk from how he portrays himself on television.

Rayseima · **Posted:** January 15th, 2010, 12:33 am

Team Edward

The only time I really watched Leno was when my cousin "cameo'ed" on it, and after that I watched a few more and then not really anymore.

A5chow wrote:

I don't like Leno's gimmick of making people look dumber than him while he looks smart.

For that reason. Like that street thing where they ask random people off the street questions, I mean, what are you supposed to do when you have a camera right in your face and you know millions of people are going to see you? You kinda have the right to answer stupidly.

I liked Conan more, really, especially the first episodes ("circles!" FTW), and now seeing him being literally taken off the Late Night's time slot (or even off the air) is kinda...not cool.

So, I'm going for Conan. :awesome:

Troggy · **Posted:** January 15th, 2010, 12:44 am

Even though I never watch Jimmy Kimmel, he gets my props for what he said to Leno on his own show tonight. I think it's stupid that Conan has to suffer for Jay's show not getting enough viewers.

Mord · **Posted:** January 15th, 2010, 7:24 am

Upon reading the title, I thought this was going to be about a new Conan film. Disappointed.

Regulus · **Posted:** January 15th, 2010, 8:28 am

Team Lopez all the way.

Tanksandguns · **Posted:** January 15th, 2010, 10:01 am

TheAnimal wrote:

Fallon's alright, but he was much better on SNL.

If you consider looking at the camera during skits and holding back laughter all the time better, than maybe. But I disagree, I think he's a horrid actor, but his Late Night is awesome.

Scar · **Posted:** January 15th, 2010, 4:12 pm

I am with Coco, I honestly think NBC/Leno are giving both him and Fallon the shaft here.

IIRC, Leno took what 4 years before he became funny when he first started hosting? Conan took like 3 or 5?

I think what NBC needs to realise is that the reason Leno was so successful on the Tonight show was because he had time to build his audience. Conan is going against Letterman, just like Jay did. The only difference being that Letterman has had 15( ?) years to build up his audience where as Conan is starting a new show and only has his origional base to work from.

Leno himself is also partially to blame, his less than stellar performance at the 10 o'clock time slot caused a ratings drop in everything after his show. Not only did this hurt the ratings of Conans Tonight Show, but there are reports from all over the country about how the late local news ratings have dropped off since Leno came on the air last September.

What this boils down to IMHO is NBC putting to many eggs in one basket to:
1) Try to cut costs associated with actual TV shows in the 10:00PM time slot
2) Not wanting to lose either Conan or Leno to another network

I wish Conan all the best, if he does stay and is bumped back that would essentially kill Fallon's show as well. That would be a shame, because I think he is starting to find his stride.

Jay Leno replaces Conan

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