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Jay Leno

metirish Sep 15 2009 02:35 PM

Anyone bother to watch his new show last night at 10PM? I was never a fan of his and the old show was past my bedtime anyway. NBC have promoted his "new" show to the hilt and i tuned in expecting something different, because that's what they kept saying, this would reinvent prime-time? Not that I bought any of that but I watched and failed to see any difference with his old show. Opening monologue Banter with band leader - the old band leader Snazzy looking LA set I tuned out after a while but don't envision the wheel getting reinvented here.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Sep 15 2009 02:48 PM Re: Jay Leno

Didn't see the show, and wouldn't expect to often, but I think it's kind of a smart play for the Baby Boomers, who are all going to be senior citizens soon.

Frayed Knot Sep 15 2009 02:56 PM Re: Jay Leno

There's only so many ways they could make it different and all those are going to be superficial anyway and the whole "re-invent" prime-time deal is just a marketing slogan. What NBC is essentially doing is betting that his show - which is MUCH cheaper to produce and will cover 5 hours of prime-time per week x 46 weeks - will make them more money than producing 5 individual shows which cover only one hour per week/per show and run for just 20-some weeks each. Problem is, unless a whole lot more people start watching his show at 10PM than were watching it at 11:30, they're also going to get a fraction of the audience that their old shows were getting. IOW, unless a lot of people were skipping Jay simply because they couldn't/wouldn't stay up that late but now will flock to it because it's on earlier, they could be marginalizing themselves by essentially surrendering 1/3 of the prime-time slots to a niche program that ill-suited for the heavy-traffic hours. Did I watch? No, mainly because I forgot about it. Would have tuned in out of curiosity and to see Seinfeld. When I did flick by it was almost over and I was greeted by the sight of Kanye West crying out his mea culpa - at which point I damn near sprained a thumb clicking off.

Benjamin Grimm Sep 15 2009 03:39 PM Re: Jay Leno

I thought Jay was great about 25 years ago, but I didn't care for his Tonight Show and, after trying it early on, never returned to it. I've always been a Letterman guy anyway. Now that he's on at 10, I'm sure I'll ignore him just as much as I did when he was on at 11:35. I only watch TiVo'ed shows anyway, and I'll never TiVo Jay (unless he has someone on who I absolutely have to see). I find myself hoping he flops, though.

soupcan Sep 15 2009 07:06 PM Re: Jay Leno

I watched last night and honestly - it was painfully bad. They had 3 months to put that first show together and the only parts of it that were mildly entertaining was a 3:00 minute car wash skit and Seinfeld. Leno did a mock interview with Obama that was so bad it was embarassing. This show will be canceled within a month.

Frayed Knot Sep 15 2009 07:55 PM Re: Jay Leno

[quote="soupcan":27kwcwdu]This show will be canceled within a month.[/quote:27kwcwdu] I don't buy that. At worst it'll essentially be the same thing that's been running for what, 15 years now? Yeah, they'll need to draw more viewers than before but it's not like it's some untested product they'll have no patience with. Plus, what would NBC put on to replace it? I doubt they've got 5 hours of prime-time worthy shows waiting to get plugged in.

metirish Sep 15 2009 07:56 PM Re: Jay Leno

Add to that that NBC apparently spent $10 million promoting it .....

soupcan Sep 15 2009 07:58 PM Re: Jay Leno

You may be right - but if last night was the result of three months work, this show is going to blow hard and fast and nobody's gonna watch it.

Benjamin Grimm Sep 15 2009 08:02 PM Re: Jay Leno

The earliest they'd cancel him would be January (just a hunch), but I'm sure he'll get longer than that.

seawolf17 Sep 16 2009 10:46 AM Re: Jay Leno

I made it through the guy singing about the car wash, watched the first fifteen seconds of Jerry Seinfeld -- who was right when he asked Jay "did your producers know that I haven't been on TV in eleven years?" -- and turned it off. Bleh.

metirish Sep 16 2009 10:49 AM Re: Jay Leno Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Sep 16 2009 11:15 AM

Outdated was one thing I thought about when watching it...telling jokes about " cash for clunkers"...come on

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Sep 16 2009 11:07 AM Re: Jay Leno

[quote="soupcan":25cppgbt]You may be right - but if last night was the result of three months work, this show is going to blow hard and fast and nobody's gonna watch it.[/quote:25cppgbt] A LOT more people watch Jay Leno than you think. I mean, these people aren't so much of the comedy-should-be-funny persuasion as they are of the comedy-should-remind-me-of-things-I've-heard-of-and-gently-reassure-me-that-my-place-in-the-world-is-secure-and-that-other-people-are-stupid persuasion. But there a shit-ton of them around. Also, there's full-body-cast people and coma-victims in hospitals. Jay tends to rock that demographic like he was Van Halen in their prime.

Edgy DC Sep 16 2009 11:13 AM Re: Jay Leno

The thing is that he was once a funny guy. Not that I'd go out of my way for him or anything, but he seemed to realize early on that the play for the (well named) comedy-should-remind-me-of-things-I've-heard-of-and-gently-reassure-me-that-my-place-in-the-world-is-secure-and-that-other-people-are-stupid market was the way to go and explicitly mapped out and followed that road super carefully.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Sep 16 2009 11:25 AM Re: Jay Leno

Way back before any of this started, Leno would absolutely kill it as a guest on Letterman. Very LOLy. Does anyone remember that?

Benjamin Grimm Sep 16 2009 11:35 AM Re: Jay Leno

I do. Back in the 1980's he was one of Dave's best guests. (At the end of each visit, he'd do his "what's my beef?" routine.) It would be interesting to see clips today, for two reasons: with the perspective of what's happened between the two guys since then, and to see how well the comedy stands up.)

soupcan Sep 16 2009 01:28 PM Re: Jay Leno

I made tracks to see Leno do stand-up at the old Lone Star bar on 14th and 5th I think. Must've been somewhere between '81-'83.

themetfairy Sep 16 2009 01:40 PM Re: Jay Leno

He was at Avery Fisher Hall in the late '80s and was quite funny back then. I haven't seen the new show yet, and don't really plan on it.

metirish Sep 16 2009 02:02 PM Re: Jay Leno

[quote="soupcan":2srmyoyb]I made tracks to see Leno do stand-up at the old Lone Star bar on 14th and 5th I think. Must've been somewhere between '81-'83.[/quote:2srmyoyb] Were you sporting that killer hairdo back then...the one where you look like you walked of the set of " Fast Times at Ridgemont High".

soupcan Sep 16 2009 02:58 PM Re: Jay Leno

It was around that time so yeah, I was most likely rocking the feathered 'do.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Sep 16 2009 03:01 PM Re: Jay Leno

His clubwork was before my time, but I've heard from more than a few about how sharp a comic he was "in his time." Frankly, the clips I've seen of his stand-up-- granted, watching 20-30 years later is different from being in the room-- don't show me anything, really. (I feel the same way about Robin Williams.) That said... there's one hell of a dissection of the Leno-Conan-Dave business to be found here: http://www.vanityfair.com/online/cultur ... versa.html

soupcan Sep 16 2009 04:28 PM Re: Jay Leno

Apparently I would be a lousy TV critic because I disagree with most of what that guy says regarding Leno and Conan. I think Conan's been entertaining and funny and I 've realluy enjoyed all the produced bits that I've seen. In fact I think those bits and how Conan performs in them are a strength of the show.

TransMonk Sep 20 2009 09:50 PM Re: Jay Leno

[quote="metirish":fb64f74s]Add to that that NBC apparently spent $10 million promoting it .....[/quote:fb64f74s] Yet somehow, during the 2 minute warning of Sunday Night Football, they show an ad for Monday Night Football on ESPN...essentially telling people NOT to watch Leno. Seems puzzling to me.

Fman99 Sep 21 2009 06:26 AM Re: Jay Leno

It's the Tonight Show, restaged and rearranged. It's the same dumb bits, hokey monologues, and occasionally funny/interesting guests. Odd that NBC would try to make it float. It's still Leno, so I still find it mediocre at best.

TransMonk Jan 08 2010 07:46 AM Re: Jay Leno

Source: NBC weighing Leno return to late-night LOS ANGELES – Jay Leno may get another chance to reign as late-night king at NBC. The network, contemplating disappointing ratings for Leno's new prime-time show, is weighing a plan to return him to the 11:35 p.m. EST slot he held for 17 years as "Tonight Show" host, a person familiar with the discussions said on condition of anonymity over a lack of authority to address the issue publicly. NBC executives on Thursday discussed a scenario that would include a half-hour Leno show at 11:35 p.m. EST, sending "Tonight" with Conan O'Brien to 12:05 a.m. and Jimmy Fallon's "Late Night" to 1:05 a.m., the person said. "The Jay Leno Show," a nightly 10 p.m. talk and comedy program that debuted last fall, has drawn lackluster ratings and complaints from NBC affiliate stations that the show has provided a weaker lead-in for local late newscasts than past NBC series. The proposed new lineup could go into effect after NBC concludes its Feb. 12-28 Winter Olympics coverage, the person told The Associated Press. NBC declined comment. Earlier Thursday, the network denied a report by the Web site FTV that Leno's prime-time venture would end when the Olympics started. A subsequent TMZ Web site report said that he would reclaim the 11:35 p.m. EST time slot he occupied through last May. In a series of statements, the fourth-place network took pains to express support for both Leno and O'Brien. "Jay Leno is one of the most compelling entertainers in the world today," NBC said. "As we have said all along, Jay's show has performed exactly as we anticipated on the network. It has, however, presented some issues for our affiliates. Both Jay and the show are committed to working closely with them to find ways to improve the performance." While this statement didn't clearly deny the Web reports that Leno's show would be dropped, a clarification from NBC executives denied "The Jay Leno Show" has been canceled. Thursday night, another NBC statement expressed the network's commitment "to keeping Conan O'Brien on NBC. He is a valued part of our late-night lineup, as he has been for more than 16 years and is one of the most respected entertainers on television." During his monologue Thursday, Leno milked some laughs from the "rumor floating around that we were canceled. I heard it coming in this morning on the radio. So far, no one has said anything to me." But if it's true, he joked, "it will give us time to do some traveling. I understand that (the) Fox (network) is beautiful this time of year." "I don't think there is any truth to the rumors," he went on, referring to his front-runner status in the ratings when NBC took him off "The Tonight Show." "See, it's always been my experience that NBC only cancels you when you're in first place," Leno cracked. "So we are fine. We are OK." O'Brien, who has attracted a smaller if younger audience than Leno did as "Tonight" host, made no mention of the scuttlebutt in his monologue. On Thursday, the rumors surrounding Leno's fate left industry analyst Shari Anne Brill mystified. "For me, the big question is what is going to happen at 10 p.m. going forward," Brill said, "because that's a critical time period to promote the late local news, and it was the affiliates' dissatisfaction with their lower audience numbers that was the catalyst for speculation on this purported move (for Leno) into late-night." "The unsolved mystery is what happens at 10 p.m." said Brill of Carat USA. What sparked Thursday's flurry of Web reports was unclear, but coincided with reports this week that NBC has as many as 18 pilots for prospective new series — presumably more than would be needed to replenish a prime-time schedule for a network that expected to continue filling five hours weekly with Leno's show. The speculation may also be a run-up to the winter Television Critics Association meeting, which begins this weekend in Pasadena. At this annual conclave, network programming initiatives are unveiled for media reporters. In turn, reporters have a forum to grill network brass on programming questions. NBC's session is scheduled for Sunday. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100108/ap_ ... v_jay_leno

Benjamin Grimm Jan 08 2010 08:21 AM Re: Jay Leno

And people think the Mets are screwed up. They should take a look at NBC.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jan 08 2010 08:37 AM Re: Jay Leno

I wonder how Leno would do with a Leno lead-in. That show at 10 is like the fast-food meal your starving ass picks up on the way home to a much-better dinner... it's an appetite-ruiner.

Vic Sage Jan 08 2010 12:28 PM Re: Jay Leno

Leno sucks like a girlfriend trying for an upgrade to fiancee.

Edgy DC Jan 08 2010 12:47 PM Re: Jay Leno

Maybe, but the bigger story is, with all the genial/funny/talented engaging people out there to build a late night show around, how has NBC managed to fuck up a 50+-year-old franchise?

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jan 08 2010 01:13 PM Re: Jay Leno

They wanted to move on, but didn't want to let go of Jay. Like Mike Douglas' character in "Wonder Boys," it's like they made no decision... a very expensive sideways step (and one that will cost them much, much more should they dump Conan).

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jan 12 2010 02:06 PM Re: Jay Leno

Things seem to have come to a head over at NBC after a few days of caustic monologues. (Sample joke: "Everybody now wants to know what my plans are... all I can say is I plan to continue putting on a great show night after night, while stealing as many office supplies as humanly possible. I'm gonna rob this place blind.") Or maybe "impasse" might be a better word. Because Conan O'Brien says he won't do a 12:05 "Tonight Show." One part classy statement, two parts savvy PR/legal move, his press release is a thing of beauty: People of Earth: In the last few days, I've been getting a lot of sympathy calls, and I want to start by making it clear that no one should waste a second feeling sorry for me. For 17 years, I've been getting paid to do what I love most and, in a world with real problems, I've been absurdly lucky. That said, I've been suddenly put in a very public predicament and my bosses are demanding an immediate decision. Six years ago, I signed a contract with NBC to take over The Tonight Show in June of 2009. Like a lot of us, I grew up watching Johnny Carson every night and the chance to one day sit in that chair has meant everything to me. I worked long and hard to get that opportunity, passed up far more lucrative offers, and since 2004 I have spent literally hundreds of hours thinking of ways to extend the franchise long into the future. It was my mistaken belief that, like my predecessor, I would have the benefit of some time and, just as important, some degree of ratings support from the prime-time schedule. Building a lasting audience at 11:30 is impossible without both. But sadly, we were never given that chance. After only seven months, with my Tonight Show in its infancy, NBC has decided to react to their terrible difficulties in prime-time by making a change in their long-established late night schedule. Last Thursday, NBC executives told me they intended to move the Tonight Show to 12:05 to accommodate the Jay Leno Show at 11:35. For 60 years the Tonight Show has aired immediately following the late local news. I sincerely believe that delaying the Tonight Show into the next day to accommodate another comedy program will seriously damage what I consider to be the greatest franchise in the history of broadcasting. The Tonight Show at 12:05 simply isn't the Tonight Show. Also, if I accept this move I will be knocking the Late Night show, which I inherited from David Letterman and passed on to Jimmy Fallon, out of its long-held time slot. That would hurt the other NBC franchise that I love, and it would be unfair to Jimmy. So it has come to this: I cannot express in words how much I enjoy hosting this program and what an enormous personal disappointment it is for me to consider losing it. My staff and I have worked unbelievably hard and we are very proud of our contribution to the legacy of The Tonight Show. But I cannot participate in what I honestly believe is its destruction. Some people will make the argument that with DVRs and the Internet a time slot doesn't matter. But with the Tonight Show, I believe nothing could matter more. There has been speculation about my going to another network but, to set the record straight, I currently have no other offer and honestly have no idea what happens next. My hope is that NBC and I can resolve this quickly so that my staff, crew, and I can do a show we can be proud of, for a company that values our work. Have a great day and, for the record, I am truly sorry about my hair; it's always been that way. Yours, Conan

Edgy DC Jan 12 2010 02:20 PM Re: Jay Leno

It was my mistaken belief that, like my predecessor, I would have the benefit of some time and, just as important, some degree of ratings support from the prime-time schedule. Building a lasting audience at 11:30 is impossible without both. I guess he's saying that, if you lose an audience at 10, you lose them at 11:30. What a bunch of slugs we are.

Benjamin Grimm Jan 12 2010 02:51 PM Re: Jay Leno

[quote="Benjamin Grimm on September 15":3gn2eq5y]The earliest they'd cancel him would be January (just a hunch), but I'm sure he'll get longer than that.[/quote:3gn2eq5y] I wish I hadn't added that qualification... I'd be looking much smarter without it.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jan 12 2010 03:55 PM Re: Jay Leno

[quote="Edgy DC"] It was my mistaken belief that, like my predecessor, I would have the benefit of some time and, just as important, some degree of ratings support from the prime-time schedule. Building a lasting audience at 11:30 is impossible without both. I guess he's saying that, if you lose an audience at 10, you lose them at 11:30. What a bunch of slugs we are.

I think he's also getting in a nice kidney punch at NBC programming in general, which was in much better shape when he made the deal in 2004.

MFS62 Jan 12 2010 05:33 PM Re: Jay Leno

David Letterman's take was that NBC is planning on bringing Johnny Carson back. Later

Fman99 Jan 12 2010 06:26 PM Re: Jay Leno

Good for Conan to not eat NBC's shit salad. He's 50x better than Leno anyway. Leno stinks like fundraiser chocolate bars.

Centerfield Jan 13 2010 08:02 AM Re: Jay Leno

I hear NBC just rejected a Leno for Castillo trade.

MFS62 Jan 13 2010 08:42 AM Re: Jay Leno

[quote="Centerfield":36vrp7f8]I hear NBC just rejected a Leno for Castillo trade.[/quote:36vrp7f8] I tried to nominate that for a BOC. When I did, I got a message saying it had already been reported. Gee, I hope so. That was good. Later

metirish Jan 13 2010 09:43 AM Re: Jay Leno

Lettman said last night that NBC called him..........and they still don't want him back.

RealityChuck Jan 13 2010 01:49 PM Re: Jay Leno

NBC may have lost Leno, too: First Conan O'Brien says goodbye to NBC, and now Jay Leno might have one foot out the door as well. Oh, what a mess! Word is Jay is furious with the Peacock network for 'Tonight'-gate (trademark!) and may soon walk. Sources close to former 'Tonight Show' host Jay Leno tell me he is furious with the way NBC has treated him and Conan O'Brien and is considering walking away from the entire mess with his head held high. "Now that Conan has made it clear he is leaving the troubled network, Jay is considering doing the same. They have put Jay in a terrible position. It looks like he is the reason that Conan is now without a job. Jay is a great guy and it's not fair that due to NBC's stupidity he looks like the bad guy," a TV insider tells me. "Plus, what happens when Jay does return to the 11:35 slot if his audience doesn't immediately follow? How can he possibly trust the same network that canceled Conan after only seven months?" Check out the ethos on Jay! Good for him for sticking up for the guy he essentially got shoved out. And remember, if this mess continues and Jerry Seinfeld winds up on NBC, you heard it here first.

Willets Point Jan 13 2010 01:58 PM Re: Jay Leno

Mo Rocca on Twitter: "NBC Schedule Change! 6:30pm News w/ Brian Williams to be preceded by 6pm News w/ Tom Brokaw"

Frayed Knot Jan 15 2010 07:37 AM Re: Jay Leno

Various sources have Conan walking after next week (why wait?) and say contracts have already been signed to return Leno to the 'Tonight Show' post at 11:35 (and why is it :35 while we're at it?) beginning after their Olympics reality show. So essentially NBC is back in the position they started at except for having lost CO'B which was the thing the last 6 years of maneuvering was designed to prevent. Oh yeah, plus now they have 5 hours/week of prime-time to magically cover. Is it Jeff Zucker running that outfit or Jeff Wilpon? Or maybe it's Zucker who's running the Mets, I can't keep these things straight.

Benjamin Grimm Jan 15 2010 07:46 AM Re: Jay Leno

The late night shows switched from 11:30 to 11:35 some years ago so that the local affiliates could sell a few extra minutes of commercial time during their news broadcasts. Tonight was scheduled to go into reruns after next week because of NBC's Olympics coverage. So next Friday was going to be Conan's last episode before a previously-scheduled hiatus.

Edgy DC Jan 15 2010 07:55 AM Re: Jay Leno

[quote="Frayed Knot":r71isqdz]Is it Jeff Zucker running that outfit or Jeff Wilpon? Or maybe it's Zucker who's running the Mets, I can't keep these things straight.[/quote:r71isqdz] I heard the Mets were bringing back Willie Randolph to manage the first three innings and have bumped Jerry Manuel back the fourth.

metirish Jan 15 2010 07:56 AM Re: Jay Leno

People say that Zuker is despised among NBC folks......not that I give a shit.....Leno looks bad in all of this.

MFS62 Jan 15 2010 08:45 AM Re: Jay Leno

If Jay Leno calls, please let him know that, yes, we HAVE been reading about this. Later

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jan 15 2010 04:26 PM Re: Jay Leno

Enjoy, conspiracy enthusiasts/idjits! Since NBC announced that Conan O’Brien would be bumped to a midnight slot, NBC C.E.O. Jeff Zucker looked like he was admitting the greatest blunder in his television career. Or was he? It took six years, but Zucker, former President of the Harvard Crimson (class of '86) may have just pulled off the ultimate prank against former Harvard Lampoon President Conan O'Brien ('85). It’s a prank that included uprooting Conan and his staff from New York to Los Angeles, spending hundreds of millions of G.E. and Universal shareholders’ dollars, all just to yank the rug out from under O’Brien. Was it really worth the effort? Yes, when you remember that Conan started it. Zucker and O’Brien first encountered each other at Harvard in the 1980s, during a heated period of the Crimson/Lampoon rivalry,when O’Brien hijacked a shipment of Crimson issues they day before they could be delivered. As O’Brien once told Business Week, “My first meeting with Jeff Zucker was in handcuffs, with a Cambridge police officer reading me my rights.”

Edgy DC Jan 15 2010 07:08 PM Re: Jay Leno

My prediction. The Olympics end, the smoke clears, and the new Tonight Show guy will be... Wayne Brady. Heard. It here. First.

Frayed Knot Jan 18 2010 07:10 AM Re: Jay Leno

Phil Mushnick - NYPost: One would think that after selling NBC on the XFL — the greatest primetime embarrassment in TV history — and just days after assigning Joe Theismann to try to destroy a Jets’ playoff game, NBC Sports boss Dick Ebersol would twice bite his tongue before calling Conan O’Brien “an astounding failure.”

Fman99 Jan 18 2010 01:18 PM Re: Jay Leno

Edgy DC Jan 18 2010 01:49 PM Re: Jay Leno

[quote="Frayed Knot"]Phil Mushnick - NYPost: One would think that after selling NBC on the XFL — the greatest primetime embarrassment in TV history — and just days after assigning Joe Theismann to try to destroy a Jets’ playoff game, NBC Sports boss Dick Ebersol would twice bite his tongue before calling Conan O’Brien “an astounding failure.”

Yeah, but he really brought a lot to the table with Saturday Night Live.

Oh, wait.

OlerudOwned Jan 18 2010 10:56 PM Re: Jay Leno

http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/6d1caa ... rel=player Leno's 2004 announcement of the Tonight plan of succession. Whoops. From the two minute mark on is just incredible.

OlerudOwned Jan 18 2010 11:00 PM Re: Jay Leno

And Conan's heartfelt thanks to Jay, from later that night. Yeesh. http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/f214cb ... &rel_pos=5

Frayed Knot Jan 19 2010 08:06 AM Re: Jay Leno

[quote="OlerudOwned"]http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/6d1caacad1/jay-s-2004-announcement?rel=player Leno's 2004 announcement of the Tonight plan of succession. Whoops. From the two minute mark on is just incredible.

I think it's quite possible Leno actually meant those things when he said them.
Five years seems like a long time when it's in front of you, but then it gets there and you're like, 'I didn't really mean I wanted to leave!!'

And despite all the soap-opera shit that goes on between the high-paid divas of late-night TV, I think the main culprit in all this is NBC brass. They were unwilling to commit to Leno beyond a certain point but were then unable to part with him and give the reins totally to Conan once that time arrived. So they installed a late-night show in a prime-time slot and were aghast when it not only continued to draw late night ratings but did so while siphoning ratings (and guests) away from the network signature show starting just 35 minutes later and taping in the same city.
So when your plans go awry there's only one thing left to do: bad-mouth the talent behind their backs after they balk at accepting demotions just four months into a run that was poisoned by your grand 'we can have it all' scheme.

Edgy DC Jan 19 2010 08:10 AM Re: Jay Leno

Still, Leno is richer than Croseus, and would do well to walk away. He can spin it as himself just trying to be a good soldier. He may even believe it. But returing to his old job is self-interested, clearly. But if the NBC brass are the real villians, everybody but them will win if Leno and Conan both walk away.

Benjamin Grimm Jan 19 2010 08:42 AM Re: Jay Leno

Leno absolutely should take the high road here. "Accepting the move to 10 p.m. was a risk on my part. That risk didn't work out, and I should be the one to pay the price for that, not Conan."

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jan 20 2010 01:44 PM Re: Jay Leno Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Jan 20 2010 02:21 PM

But see, that's the move that someone with pride would make. You know, someone who, when his company essentially slow-fired him, would thank them for the opportunity, then go to a competitor and kick said slow-firing company's ass. Someone who wouldn't, as Letterman put it last night, "be down in the lobby, in case you need anything" after receiving such treatment. Whatever. Remember that Taiwanese CGI animation of the Tiger Woods kerfuffle? Here's the same treatment given to the late-night TV situation... and it's even better: http://www.theawl.com/2010/01/awesome-a ... plains-all

Fman99 Jan 20 2010 01:47 PM Re: Jay Leno

I'm with Coco.

G-Fafif Jan 20 2010 02:07 PM Re: Jay Leno

[quote="LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr":patdu798]Remember that Taiwanese CGI animation of the Tiger Woods kerfuffle? Here's the same treatment given to the late-night TV situation... and it's even better: http://www.theawl.com/2010/01/awesome-a ... plains-all[/quote:patdu798] Except for Jeff Zucker's self-satisfied smirk reminding me of Al Harazin after signing Bobby Bo, that was, quite possibly, the most awesome thing of all time.

TransMonk Mar 11 2010 09:15 AM Re: Jay Leno

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100311/ap_ ... brien_tour Conan O'Brien takes his show to theaters NEW YORK – Without a TV show to do every night, Conan O'Brien is taking his act on the road. The former "Tonight Show" host announced a 30-city theater tour on Thursday. Sidekick Andy Richter and the former "Tonight Show" band will join O'Brien for what he calls "a night of music, comedy, hugging and the occasional awkward silence." The tour begins April 12 in Eugene, Ore. O'Brien quipped: "It was either a massive 30-city tour or start helping out around the house." O'Brien quit "The Tonight Show" in January instead of taking NBC's offer to move his start time back by a half-hour. Jay Leno is back in his old slot. O'Brien hasn't announced any future television plans.

Benjamin Grimm Mar 11 2010 09:34 AM Re: Jay Leno

He can't make any future TV plans until September, if I remember the details correctly. I'd take that deal in a heartbeat. $45 million and you have to promise to not work for ten months.

Fman99 Mar 11 2010 10:25 AM Re: Jay Leno

[quote="Benjamin Grimm":a1xz8ji6]I'd take that deal in a heartbeat. $45 million and you have to promise to not work for ten months.[/quote:a1xz8ji6] I just took that same deal for a lot less. Still seems worthwhile to me.

metirish Apr 12 2010 02:08 PM Re: Jay Leno

Conan to TBS...... His words [code:2icyt5sy]"In three months I've gone from network television to Twitter to performing live in theatre, and now I'm headed to basic cable," O'Brien said. "My plan is working perfectly." [/code:2icyt5sy] I know I watch TBS during the playoffs but apart from that I couldn't tell you where it resides on my TV.

Benjamin Grimm Apr 12 2010 02:11 PM Re: Jay Leno

I guess it's been five years since I've watched TBS. I used to watch Mets-Braves games, but but not since I got Extra Innings in 2006. What else does TBS show? Reruns of Roseanne? Are they the network that has George Lopez's talk show?

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 12 2010 03:48 PM Re: Jay Leno

That Tyler Perry "House of Payne" show. Also, that "Frank TV" show. And a LOT of "Office" and "Family Guy" reruns. (Right?)

Ashie62 Apr 12 2010 03:58 PM Re: Jay Leno

[quote="LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr":2jx263t7]That Tyler Perry "House of Payne" show. Also, that "Frank TV" show. And a LOT of "Office" and "Family Guy" reruns. (Right?)[/quote:2jx263t7] A nice quantity of decent movies

metirish Apr 12 2010 04:53 PM Re: Jay Leno

[quote="Benjamin Grimm"]I guess it's been five years since I've watched TBS. I used to watch Mets-Braves games, but but not since I got Extra Innings in 2006. What else does TBS show? Reruns of Roseanne? Are they the network that has George Lopez's talk show?

Hilarious , Conan's new show will push Lopez to midnight.

Frayed Knot Apr 12 2010 05:18 PM Re: Jay Leno

Back when Turner came up with the then-innovative idea of putting a local station up on the satellite, TBS was showing mostly reruns of old shows; heavy on the Andy Griffith, Gomer Pyle, and Beaver. He actually bought the then-pathetic Braves franchise (and the NBA's Hawks) not because he was so into sports but as a way to provide a cheap chunk of inexpensive schedule-filling programming. These days, in addition to shows hours of newer reruns (The Office, Seinfeld, etc.) they've also been trying to shed their long-time local image by going with more national programming. They dumped the Braves telecasts, for instance, and now have an MLB Sunday afternoon game. They also run various original programming as well including several serial TV shows made just for them (and sister channel TNT). Lopez & now Conan mark their most serious run at trying to take a chunk off the late-night pie.

metirish Apr 13 2010 07:04 AM Re: Jay Leno

This is been seen as a "smart move" by people who monitor such things. Lopez was in on the talks and is happy happy with Conan as a lead in.....of course he is....he's George fucking Lopez.

Benjamin Grimm Apr 13 2010 07:27 AM Re: Jay Leno

I recently reread The Late Shift by Bill Carter, the 1994 book that recounted the battle between Leno and Letterman to succeed Johnny Carson. Apparently NBC had considered offering David Letterman the 10 p.m. slot, five nights a week, in an effort to keep both of their stars in the fold. I wonder if that would have worked out any better than it did 15 years later with Jay. My guess is that it wouldn't have been as dismal a failure, but I don't think it would have worked out either.

Edgy DC Apr 13 2010 07:52 AM Re: Jay Leno

Two things make late night talk shows watchable: (1) You don't watch them every night, (2) If you do, you're too tired/distracted to mind that it's the same old same old. I think the lack of novelty is by nature more annoying earier in the evening, when the viewer is probably more discrimininating.