So, like, this is pretty fucked up. TMZ is reporting — and no one’s denying — that, after the Olympics, NBC will return their coveted 11:30pm time slot to Jay Leno, essentially giving Conan O’Brien the boot.
Sources say that Conan’s been given a choice: he can leave the network or he can take the midnight-1am time slot. Those sources also say that NBC will not stop Conan from jumping to another network, although legally they have that option.
Conan is rumored to be pissed, as he found out about this decision not much before the rest of the world did. Um, yeah. I would be pissed, too.
I’ve got no idea what NBC’s thinking was behind this move, but it’s pretty dirty to treat your high-profile talent this way. Then again, it wouldn’t be the ugliest thing that’s happened in Hollywood. It’s all business, right?
I do not find Jay Leno funny at all. The soft spot in my heart for the gingers is aching.
Yeah, Conan hasn’t been pulling the numbers, but it’s not like they gave him much of a chance by putting Jay right before him again. Jay hasn’t been relevant for years and he hasn’t been doing that great either himself at 10. Personally I would rather screw Jay. Dump him and give the Conan/Fallon group an actual shot that way NBC will have 5 more time slots to fill with shows that they could have the chance to mold into the future of NBC. But that’s just too smart a move for the sinking ship that is NBC right now.
Conan should go to another station and get the numbers that he deserves!
It’s not that big of a mystery. NBC screwed themselves in the late night ratings by messing with their successful lineup. I’m not a fan of Leno either but there are plenty of people who were, and they were used to watching him in the 11:30 timeslot. If Conan were pulling in Leno’s old numbers this wouldn’t be an issue, but he isn’t. Anyway, the executives who made those boneheaded decisions and deals to change everything were fired months ago and now the new executives have to do the hard thing and fix the mess their predecessors created. It sucks, but if the new execs want to keep their jobs they have to find a way to boost ratings so they can justify the money they charge the advertisers.
Conan does nothing for me. I don’t know if it’s a good move or not but I’m a little excited about this news.
D: How could they do that to CoCo?!
Get rid of the fat man, keep the dancing ginger!
Their making the right choice, Conan is about as funny as a wet mop. There’s a reason the live audience doesn’t laugh at his crappy jokes, cause he’s not funny.
I agree. I’ve never been a Conan fan; his humor seems to be more geared toward teenaged boys… completely obnoxious.
I totally agree. He’s not funny. Like, ever. Maybe they should both hit the road & NBC should just start over.
how is it that Jay Leno wields so much power in Hollywood that he can produce a show that sucks – and yet, rather than just being canceled – he gets to choose his preferred time slot which results in Conan getting shit-canned. Jay Leno hasn’t been relevant in years. His interviews are kiss-ups, his ‘skits’ are re-treads, and his humor plays to the middle.
Poor Conan.
Oooo….now this is good gossip!! (Positive reinforcement.)
Poor Conan. He should have stayed on his own show. It was so much better and he could do his thing, with his audience, and it was good. The Tonight Show audience is not his kind of audience. They deserve Jay Leno.
For the record, I’m team Conan! I think he’s funny and love his humor. Unfortunately I don’t watch TV that late and don’t DVR it, but I always really liked Conan and when I catch him I always wish I had time to fit him into my schedule :)
Leno’s a bore. Snore. I know grannie and gramps like him, but whatever. I did think Jay had more character than to think this is the right thing to do to Conan. He should just retire and do “specials” every now and again!
Hey, I should be president of NBC. I’m brilliant.
Jay Leno has been phoning it in FOR YEARS! He hasn’t been funny since 1987. Conan is much more talented, and it’s shitty that he’s had the rug pulled out from under him. Sorry NBC, I’m not gonna watch it.
Finland is going to be so pissed.
Wendie’s been saying it for awhile – Leno is a total snake. He would screw over his best friend if it meant a better time slow
Obviously Conan can’t pull in the number when you have an unfunny suck-wad a hour before his show. NO ONE wants to sit through a snooze fest before a real comedy hits the stage….just doesn’t set the mood right. So basically people head to bed cuz Leno is boring & his chin is outdated. Seriously, Leno needs to go home & pay more attention to his cars cuz his jokes & skits suck. I’ll follow Conan anywhere, and Leno sucks balls. Way to bomb your late night NBC….another stellar move by the peacock!
Well, then he should listen to NPR news because they did a story about this exact scenario playing out over a month ago.
Conan is way better than Leno, but you know what. Let him go to another network and succeed. Put him on before Jimmy Kimmel or something. Or how about getting rid of Letterman. He is about as funny as mud. Fallon with the Roots is good tv and Craig Ferguson is even pretty entertaining, however kooky he might be. Leno and Letterman are the worst things on late night television.
The Jay Leno Show = New Coke
Am I the only one who’s going to mention how totally un-funny Jimmy Fallon is?
Yeah Jimmy’s a bit awkward to watch..
Can’t stand Conan or Fallon. Fallon is pitiful and Conan is obnoxious. I get the feeling Conan doesn’t much like the west coast scene. Jay’s OK but not great. He has a lot of pull with viewers and NBC because of his work ethic and easy-going manner. Out of all the late-night hosts, I think he’s one of the better interviewers.
Letterman needs to just go away. He’s disgusting.
I have a feeling the people who don’t find Conan funny, aren’t smart enough to understand his humor, no offense, as it will come with age… hopefully. LOL.
Sorry, the viewing audience has spoken and NBC screwed up royally. Taking the number one show in late night (Leno) off was a huge mistake, especially to try and keep Conan on board.
Conan was fine at 12:30 EST, but his humor didn’t play to most of America compared to David Letterman. And Letterman couldn’t beat Leno, so what does that say about Conan?
Team Conan all the way.
(Besides, didn’t Jay *himself* pick the date for his retirement from the Late Night time slot? He wasn’t forced and he got a time spot that should be better for him -his audience is older and isn’t getting any younger, let’s face it- so why whine?)
this is ridiculous. I used to watch Conan every night on his regular time slot before all the moving around.
Conan is naturally witty, and so funny. Leno seems like a nice guy, but he’s jokes are always staged and corny.
Be strong Conando.
If it’s confirmed that Conan does get booted out of the 11:30 slot, I won’t feel too sorry for him. I believe he has a strong enough following and enough appeal to indeed get picked up by another network. I know a lot of people find his type of humor extremely juvenile and stupid, but I just dumb myself when I tune into his show and I find myself pretty amused at times. I mean who can beat stuff like Triumph the Insult Dog, In the Year 3000, and the Walker, Texas Ranger lever?
I hate Jay Leno. It seems like he doesn’t care about his work. He doesn’t even try. he’s so laid back, it’s like he’s thinking, “I’m too rich to care.” And then making actors jump through hoops to promote their movies on his show…self important much?
He’s just not with it either…I don’t know if being behind the times is supposed to be funny, but it’s annoying to a younger audience.
Let the cocky bastard stay home and count his cars.
How dare they do this to Conando! Leno and his chin need to officially GTFO.
lol :)
conan, i will watch you in any time slot you are in. thank god for DVR.
conan sucks….not funny…actually guite stupid….give it up and go home