Late night has been turned on its side.
On Sunday, NBC fired up the "let's pretend that didn't happen" machine and announced that The Jay Leno Show would be destroyed in a ball of fire, never to be heard from again.
This ends the television revolution that the network promised when it pushed Jay Leno into something he didn't really want to do because it had promised Conan O'Brien he could have The Tonight Show and offered Jimmy Fallon Conan's old scraps.
I can go on and on about how NBC has been mismanaged for sometime now and how Jeff Zucker, no matter how often he redefines ineptitude, never gets punished for his poor decisions. But that would be beating a dead peacock.
NBC wants to move Leno to 11:35pm, Conan to 12:05am, and Jimmy Fallon to 1:05am, which will just make everything confusing. NBC claims that it wants to keep everyone on board, and maybe that's true, but there's no way it's going to happen.
Fox has reportedly been talking to Conan, and I'm going on the record as saying: Conan, don't do it. You'll get killed against Letterman and Leno. But don't stay at NBC. Jump ship. Get out of there. NBC wants you, but not so bad that it won't screw you over. Host the Oscars or something. You'll be better off in the end. You and NBC just aren't good for each other. So break up with her, man, 'cause she wants to get back with her ex. We'll go get a beer and look at some other networks. I've got someone I'd like to set you up with: Her name is Showtime.
Oh, and one last thing... let's not forget the big question here, which is: WHAT ABOUT CARSON DALY?
Heckle TV.com writer Tim Surette on Twitter: @TimAtTVDotCom
NBC wants Leno Back on 11:35, that's for sure. But I disagree that Conan would be crushed by Leno, if he switches networks. Fox + Conan may be a strong come back and opponent for Leno who is boring more and more.
What is going to happen : Leno get's his show back, Conan gets out, Leno's rating will still suck...Jay Leno is a piece of garbage...
Conan! Conan! I hope everyone works out for you!
Thank GOD. When this fat big chinned guy was almost the death of Southland I was beyond upset. HAHAHAHAHAH. NA NANA NA, NA NANA NA, hey hey hey GOOD RIDENS!!!!
I loved Conan when he was on later, he had more raunchy jokes, they were much funnier. When he took over the Tonight Show, he moved into a prime-time sort of spot and his jokes had to be tamed, I just wish they could have brought that raunchiness to his 10:35/11:35 show.
Leno needs to retire.
I for one enjoy Leno much more than Conan. Don't get me wrong, when Conan took over the Tonight Show, I gave him two solid weeks of my life that I will never get back. People keep saying that Jay is not in touch with the younger audience. Well, I am here to say that I am a 20 something that finds Leno very funny when he has the appropriate creative freedom. At 11:30 he could be a bit edgier than he can be in primetime. In my book, pay Conan the $80 million that he is owed and tell him not to let the door hit him on his way out. Fox has already gone to the dogs anyway, why not add one more.
the writer of this one is a complete idiot, its not about "getting killed" by Lenno and Letterman, its about the money..
That didn't take long. I hope Conan jumps to FOX!
Conan's got too much talent to be treated like this. New pastures would be good, both for him and television. I often wonder what he could do if he had full creative power and not be locked in the dinosaur format of late night tv...he could be naughtier too!
Years ago it was David Letterman getting screwed, now it's Conan, ironically, as it was Dave who helped him get the Late Show gig when he (Dave) left for CBS. Take the money and run Conan. Screw the idiots at NBC. Leno sucks. Dave still rules!
NBC are jerks
Just send Leno out on a glacer already, he's old and past his prime! It's time to let the young breed take over already.
Finally! It was about time Leno got back to prime time.
I'm glad to see Leno out of prime time.
I've never liked Conan's style of humor but I don't like the way NBC is treating him. Jay manages to come out smelling like a rose while Conan is nothing more than the network scapegoat. The best thing Conan can do is take the 80 million that NBC owes him and go to another network.
Showtime? I don't think so. Conan belongs on network television, if he goes to cable it'll be a step down in status and perhaps salary. Though it would be awesome having him on Comedy Central with Colbert and Stewart. However I'd say he should go to Fox or ABC (if they want him). As for the Leno experiment, it was really a stupid idea. In twenty years when people are compiling a list of stupidest TV ideas, I'm sure this will probably take the cake.
If Conan goes against Jay and Letterman simultaneously he will probably be crushed in the ratings.
I haven't heard that they've officially cancelled Jay's show, but one can hope. I'm happy about the low ratings. That'll teach them to cancel Life in favor of what I've heard is a bad talk show.
Hah yea everyone's pretty much ignoring Carson. Sad...but funny also. :P
Conan needs to jump the sinking ship that is NBC
Bring back "My Name is Earl"
ARGH... stupid NBC. They Cancelled LIFE and now their screwing over Conan for what? A whiny carsalesman with a huge chin? Not that I'm a fan of Carson Daly but seriously what about Carson? I owuld stop watching NBC all together but they have Chuck and their bringing in David Tennant's pilot (hopefully) so... I guess its just one of those things where the stupid Network will still win kinda deals.
Poor Conan! Hold out for the full pay-out Conan! They owe you $80 million, baby!
Wow. And it only took this long for them to realize how stupid their original decision was.
In My OPINION:All the experts said that this show would not last and was a major mistake. Just look at what the idiots (managers) at NBC have done to the network over the last year, cancel shows with decent ratings (that other networks would have continued such as LIFE, MY name is earl, South land). Viewer's know not to get interested in any show on NBC, as the network IS NOT LOYAL to their audience. The shareholders should demand that that all the current managers be fired and they should not be allowed to work in the entertainment industry.
Mr. Surette, in your tangent you kind of failed to mention the "officiality" of the official cancellation. You mentioned about how they're moving Leno's timeslot....but how is that "officially' canceled again? Please include that detail if you could.
Seriously bring back Life! That and Southland got booted for this garbage!
So does this mean Life may have a chance in returning? I mean it was cancelled because of this show wasnt it?, and the ratings were fairly good on life. Bottom line If NBC brings it back the network would be on the right track again I think.
So, basically, Jay gets rewarded for poor performance. And Conan gets punished for doing what he was told. I wouldn't blame him if he left. Jay stopped being funny years ago. Conan is at lease somewhat amusing.
lol yes, we need to know about carson daly-.-