Jay Leno, Conan O'Brien, & The Tonight Show! Can They Work it Out??
By artistry
@artistry (4151)
United States
January 12, 2010 8:19pm CST
The 10 p.m. Jay Leno show, on NBC, will be canceled after the Olympics ends. He will be going back to his previous spot at 11:30 p.m., Conan O'Brien has been asked to leave the 11:30 p.m. time slot and take the slot right after Leno, with Jimmy Fallon, in the third slot. Fox network has been talking with O'Brien, who has not agreed as yet with the changes at NBC Do you think O'Brien will stay on with NBC or will he go to Fox?
5 responses
@crimsonladybug (3112)
• United States
13 Jan 10
So this is what my friend has been babbling about..... Team Conan - Team Leno I don't watch either of them so I had no idea. Thanks for shedding some light on the situation for me. 
I think, if I were Conan, I'd go to Fox. It's obvious NBC isn't happy with him or they wouldn't be bumping him from the primo time slot so I'd jump ship.
I think, if I were Conan, I'd go to Fox. It's obvious NBC isn't happy with him or they wouldn't be bumping him from the primo time slot so I'd jump ship.1 person likes this
@artistry (4151)
• United States
13 Jan 10
...Hi there crimsonladybug, I haven't watched The Tonight Show since the time NBC started to rush Jay Leno out the door to make room for Conan, who I am not so much into watching. NBC would like to keep both of them because if either of them leave, they would be competing against each other no doubt. I think that they have insulted Conan enough that he is going to go over to Fox and will bring his audience with him. Thanks so much for your reply. Take care.
@Bearballew (1148)
• United States
13 Jan 10
He's outta here... I don't care for him anyway. Jimmy needs a good slot. I LOVE Jay and I'm sad he's going back to the old time slot. Means I can't go to bed early anymore. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted.
1 person likes this
@artistry (4151)
• United States
13 Jan 10
...Hi Bearballew, I think you are right. I think that Conan has been insulted by the entire thing, the two men are very talented, but new shows and time slots need time to build ratings. You are going to have to invest in one of those tivo's or can't you tape it with a DVR or something. This will turn into a competition now between Jay and Conan, who have been friends. I didn't like it when they seemed to be rushing Jay out, to make room for Conan to take over. I stopped watching around that time. Thanks for responding. Take care.
@Allie_xoxo (1063)
• Canada
13 Jan 10
Jay Leno was quoted as saying. "I leave prime time the same way I found it, a complete mess."
.....very classy Jay.
1 person likes this
@artistry (4151)
• United States
13 Jan 10
..Hi there Allie_xoxo, Was that a serious quote or part of his joke session? That certainly was not a nice thing to say. He is talking about the same network that carries his show, not too cool. I think, that O'Brien will leave, unless they negoitate an additional sum of money and give him a specific date that Leno will leve. I don't think that will be done and O'Brien will be at Fox come next season.
Take care.
@lealuvy2j (1986)
• Philippines
13 Jan 10
I do hope they fix this because I love Conan. NBC will really make a mistake if they let such comedic talent go to waste. I don't really care for Jay that much because i feel he already had his run that he should give Conan a chance. Conan just released a press statement regarding this and I am glad that he is taking a stand because clearly The Tonight SHow is not the Tonight Show if the timeslot is moved and it will really be unfair to Conan and his team.
@RAVENBLADE0842 (493)
• United States
13 Jan 10
Actually that is breaking news. Earlier today Conan O'Brien has issued a statement saying he will refuse to move The Tonight Show to the 12:05 time slot, and would rather quit than see a show with a 60 year history of being on right after the late night news be changed to allow for Jay Leno to get the 1135pm time slot. Pesonally the whole mess is NBC's fault, and I dont blame Conan O'Brien for his stance. He paid his dues, worked hard, and made a name for himself replacing David Letterman on the Late Show. That was hard enough but he was eventually a big success. 5 years ago they offered him the The Tonight Show when Jay Leno's contract expired last. He turned other offers over years because he wanted to be the host of The Tonight Show. Jay Leno's show on the 10pm time slot has failed in the ratings and local NBC affiliates are complaining that they are losing revenue because of it. So instead of cutting Jay Leno lose they are trying to force Conan O'Brien out of his timeslot or force him to quit. The thing of it is, Is that when Jay Leno took over for Johnny Carson they gave him several years to work on his show and make it a success. Conan O'Brien is having some of the same struggles Jay Leno did when he took over for Carson. Yet they only gave Conan 7 months to get the ratings that took Jay Leno years to attain. Personally I think we will see Conan on Fox next fall, and I will switch networks and follow his show, if for any other reason simply because this whole situation sucks, and he is the one having to pay the price for Leno and NBC's mistake.
1 person likes this
@artistry (4151)
• United States
13 Jan 10
...Hi RAVENBLADE, Thanks for such a comprehensive response. It a shame that it all came down to this. Jay and Conan are supposed to be friens as well. Jay's new show was not working out and from what you say, neither was Conan's. It takes time for a show to gain traction. I don't think Leno was comfortable from jump street, with the 10 p.m. spot. If I remember, his first shows were panned. Conan needed time for the adjustment as well. At this point Conan will be competing directly against Leno, if he goes to Fox and I think he has been insulted enough to do just that, and it will be a ratings war. The rest of the story will be coming up. Take care.
