so, didn't you just kinda think wayyyyy back when it was announced that Jay Leno would hand off the Tonight Show to Conan O'brien and THEN put on a nightly "variety" show at 9pm that..something was..amiss? I truly appreciate Conan's comedy, but it is a bit out of the mainstream (which to me makes is great) and therefore by its very nature, its more offputting for "average Joe" watching at home. Letterman , a bit edgier and grouchier has always been funnier to me than Leno. BUT,,Jay Leno ruled the post late night news slot for years. What was NBC thinking here? First of all we know that NBC ain;t what it used to be (few of us are)...try and name a breakout NBC hit of the last few years. Hmmmmmm--well there was Heroes a couple of years ago..uhhhh emmmm ..SEE? not so easy is it? So in reality this was a cost cutting move (putting Leno on in prime time) which woefully backfired. NBC affiliates were screaming about "lead in" ratings for their late news (where most local stations make LOTS of money).
Now, Conan wants out, saying he does not want to tarnish the legacy of the Tonight Show which for 50 years has followed the late news. Of course there is this contract thing worth somewhere between 45-80 million DOLLARS if he isn't hosting the Tonight Show and it looks like NBC is on the hook for it..but will probably have a settlement offer at some point. Where will Conan end up? Will Jay get the FULL hour back and return as the Tonight Show?
NBC is getting attention all right...just not the kind they needed :)
Stevens
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