Jan 22, 2010

Leno Picked Over Conan? What is NBC Thinking?


Well, it's finally official:  Conan O'Brien is going to leave The Tonight Show.  I have been waiting for the final decision by NBC before blogging on this media frenzy.  The Tonight Show will once again become a show I avoid like the plague.

In my opinion, Jay Leno has never been very funny.  He reads lines from people that I would let go of if I were in his position.  What gets me is that he agreed in 2004 to step down, give the show to Conan, and retire in five years.  I can still remember clapping in an empty living room at the prospect of Conan moving up to a time slot where I could watch without being exhausted the following day.  If you think I'm exaggerating check out the original clip: Jay's Lie in 2004

Conan is not some shot in the dark person that had his chance and failed.  He was the heir to The Tonight Show that received almost no publicity so that NBC could promote the new Jay Leno Show at 10pm.  In a day that late night TV is declining they thought that maybe people would watch Leno as opposed to prime time dramas.  Yeah Right!  Conan has written for two of the longest running comedic enterprises on television--The Simpsons and Saturday Night Live.  He was hilarious in Late Night with Conan O'Brien as well as his brief stint as host of The Tonight Show.

Conan will get 32 million from NBC to step down and will be free to join a new network as early as September.  Fox has already approached him.  That alone should tell NBC that they made a mistake since Fox is the powerhouse that they once were.  I believe that we will see Conan overtake both Leno and Letterman from a network that knows how to properly promote a show.  You may or may not agree (or watch late night TV at all), but if you do, there are over 600,000 fans of the I'm with COCO group on Facebook where you can add yourself and show your support to the funniest man on late night television.  Stephen Colbert (The Colbert Report) is the second in case you are wondering.  If I sound a little perturbed it is because I am.  Conan has been a part of my late night viewing since I was 13 (and I am now 30).  Well, Conan, it was fun (and funny) while it lasted.

7 comments:

Tiffany said...

No, you weren't exaggerating--that link to the clip you posted was pretty clear. Jay should be ashamed of himself! Conan should play that clip on his show tonight--that would be funny! :)

Tammy Starr said...

I personally LOVE Leno. ;)

Debs said...

YUCK can't stand Leno! He just grates on my nerves. Conan has always been hilarious to me. I know many who love Leno, just can' fathom why?

Amber Moore said...

I prefer Jay any day.

Donna said...

Leno is a yawn session:O As for Conan...I know little of him and don't plan on watching either. There....I put in my 2 cents! LOL!

He who has been changed said...

Well can't disagree with you, but since past my bedtime no concern to me.

Anonymous said...

Seems to me Conan comes out ahead. He gets 32 million, his staff gets 12 million.....come on now. He gets a break till September and I'm sure he'll be on Fox before we know it. Conan fans won't have to do without his humor long. I much prefer Leno though.