So unless you are currently located underneath a rock, you’ve heard there’s some hubub with late night television right now. And despite the fact that I don’t generally watch a whole lot of late night television (you’d think I would since I’m always up late, huh?), I definitely have opinions on the whole thing. Because, frankly, I’m ticked off.
See, it started years and years ago, when Jay Leno, host of the Tonight Show, announced he would be stepping down in 2009. Who would take his place? Before it was officially announced, I automatically though of Conan O’Brian. I was familiar with him and his late LATE night show and thought he was a funny guy. It was a natural choice. So when it was announced it would indeed be Conan O’Brian as the host of the Tonight Show, I was excited for him. And also excited for the future of Late Night because he’s a different sort of guy.
We watched Jay’s last week and… meh. I mean, it was okay but I never felt this loss like I did when Johnny Carson left years and years before. I thought that meant that it was indeed time to change the guard. His time was done, let’s usher in a new king. Right?
Well, for whatever reason NBC gave Jay a comedy/variety show that would air at 10pm each night. Which raised red flags for me at the time. It really felt like they were moving the Tonight Show up to 10 and Conan’s show to 11:35. Sure, the names of the shows would be different, but really. What was the point? I mean, other than to upstage and sabotage Conan on the Tonight Show? I was ticked off but no one else seemed to share my sentiment so I figured I was just being over-reactive.
Still, it felt like Jay Leno and NBC were trying to steal some of Conan’s thunder and that wrankled my nerves.
Fast forward to Jay starting his new show (which, SURPRISE SURPRISE was basically his exact Tonight Show format… same stage (if not, then they made the new stage look just like the old one), same shtick, same everything. And it was still pretty boring. Tame, yes. Boring. YES. I might have watched the monologue on the first night and that was it.
We did better with Conan’s Tonight Show, watching it in almost it’s entirety (hey, that’s late even for me!) for a week or so. And despite the fact we don’t watch much late night network television, we would tune in every now and then to watch the monologue or see what was going on.
Then the rumors started floating around that Jay’s show was sucking. That it was even bringing down the news at 11. And that Conan’s ratings were suffering too. This sort of makes sense, if you ask me. I mean, what did NBC expect? Jay is “safe” but a little too safe for 10pm. His show is bland. People were changing the channel in order to watch actually interesting shows at 10pm and sticking with that station’s newscast at 11. And they weren’t turning back at 11:35 for Conan. So it would appear the fault was with Jay, yes? Cancel Jay and put a decent drama in that time slot and move forward, yes?
NOPE. Idiots.
What was the surprise is that NBC wanted to change Jay’s timeslot to 11:35. It would still be “The Jay Leno Show” or whatever they call it. And then the Tonight Show would move back to 12am. And Jimmy Fallon’s show would get pushed back even LATER. It was basically revolving the entire schedule just to keep Jay around. You know, the same guy who said YEARS before that he was RETIRING? The Tonight Show would be The Tonight Show in name only. What NBC wanted to do would ultimately slaughter the institution that many of us (and our parents!) grew up with. Just because they think Jay is such a swell guy.
And this is where I get REALLY mad. You take Conan, and give him the job of a LIFETIME. Something he’s dreamed about and aspired to. He shakes up his life, moves his family, his co-workers, their families and everything out to the west coast. They build an awesome sound stage and everyone gets jazzed for it. He comes out with some really funny stuff! No, it’s not like Jay. It SHOULDN’T be like Jay, because it’s Conan. See the difference there?
And now he’s in a crappy situation. Take it in the rear for NBC or stand up for what he thinks is right? I’m so glad he stood up. He put out a letter saying that basically NBC’s offer of a time-schedule shake up was crap and he wasn’t taking it. He spoke of how disappointed he was for himself AND for Jimmy Fallon, who would also be screwed by this whole thing. That he didn’t want to take part in the demise of the Tonight Show. And good on him!
Now, according to TMZ, NBC has made official what they’ve wanted all along: Jay will return to the Tonight Show. Conan is out. This is beyond crappy. You can bet your sweet bottom I will NEVER tune into watch Jay Leno. EVER. I will watch Letterman if I have to watch anything. And if Fox were to offer Conan a show? I’ll be there. Because you know what?
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3 Responses to “Late Nite Headache”
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I’ve never been a huge fan of Leno, and to “retire” and then “not” retire is just plain stupid. I’ll guarantee he’s picked on celebrities who have said that they were going to retire and then didn’t and then he does the same damn thing. Poor Conan.
Randi´s last blog ..Tired
When my dad was visiting, we watched Jay a few times. I was SO not impressed. It sucked. Even my dad thought it wasn’t very good. And I just don’t stay up late enough to watch the Tonight Show, or I would have watched Conan’s version, just to see it. Give it a fair chance. Which, apparently, NBC if incapable of doing.
Okay, I must live under a rock. Haha. I haven’t heard anything about any of this. But it is really crappy! I totally agree. Jay Leno is past his prime. I haven’t seen much of Conan, but I love Jimmy Fallon. I’m glad Conan stood up for himself! It will be interesting to see where this all goes….
Beth´s last blog ..It’s official!