NBC Shakeup -- Jay Leno Comes Out on Top

Sano · January 14, 2010, 12:43am

Despite what you may think Jay Leno needs to go back to the job he did best and where he made a name for himself for millions of viewers. It doesn’t matter who gets hurt in the process. That’s right. I’m talking about Jay Leno going back to making Doritos commercials! Hot girl who catches flying Doritos in her mouth you’re out! Sure she hasn’t made a commercial in years but still.

spideyman · January 14, 2010, 12:44am

guess i’ll be watching coco on fox

Septimus_Prime · January 14, 2010, 12:54am

Conan’s Royal Screw Up

Posted Jan 13th 2010 8:00AM by TMZ Staff

Conan O’Brien may have a claim against NBC, but not because the network wanted to move his show to 12:05 AM.

We’re now told Conan’s contract never specified a guaranteed time period. If NBC wanted to run the show at 3:00 AM, Conan would have no recourse. We’re told Conan’s reps never even asked for a guaranteed time period when they negotiated his contract – shocking, but true.

By contrast, we’re told Jay Leno’s deal specifically guarantees his 10:00 PM time period, so the network must negotiate a new deal with him before he moves back to 11:35 PM.

NBC did guarantee that Conan would host “The Tonight Show,” and the network has been willing to make good on that promise.

As for Conan’s legal position, his claim is a lot more tenuous than first reported to us. We’re told Conan is arguing – given the history of “The Tonight Show” – there is an “implied” guarantee the show would begin at 11:35. Our sources say Conan’s people met with NBC execs yesterday afternoon … presumably to negotiate a settlement and an out.

Some of the high level people who oversee “The Tonight Show” are saying Conan has himself to blame – at least in part – for his failure. They say he refused to take notes from his bosses, saying “I do what I do.”

Well, this kind of sucks even more for Conan, if this is true.

Yoh · January 14, 2010, 12:59am

Thanks to Conan O’Brien’s disappointing transition into the ‘Tonight Show’ chair, I’ve heard NBC has their eyes on replacing him with none other than their golden boy, Jerry Seinfeld. Is a big old change on the horizon for struggling NBC and their late-night lineup? Just what does NBC’s spokesperson say about this? Find out after the jump, along with scoop on John Mayer’s new crush.

Seinfeld To Replace Conan?
With Conan O’Brien ratings slipping faster than Tiger Woods’ endorsement appeal, TV executives are telling me that informal discussions have started to occur within 30 Rock as to who would be the home-run replacement for the hysterical but sagging redhead. The name on everyone’s wish list? Jerry Seinfeld.

“NBC just can’t carry on like this. ‘The Tonight Show’ has lost 52 percent of its viewership in just one year. The November ratings will be the show’s lowest in 15 years. They would be idiots to not be having the replacement conversation,” a source tells me.

However, getting Seinfeld – who had a long, successful relationship with NBC in the '90s and who, ironically, agreed to be the first guest when NBC moved Leno to 10 p.m. – is a long shot and Conan’s people are denying it entirely. NBC spokesperson Drew Shane responded: “Completely false. There are no conversations happening. Conan is the host of the ‘Tonight Show.’”

Way to stand by your man! We love Conan and want him to succeed no matter what timeslot he’s on.

I didnt see this coming. Really Jerry?

Other say that Jay want out of NBC too.

Stuart_Hayden · January 14, 2010, 1:17am

Fuck Jerry Seinfeld.

Kuya · January 14, 2010, 1:30am

Conando? Yes please.

ben · January 14, 2010, 1:32am

article is a month old, I’d take it with a grain of salt.

in any case, fuck seinfeld and fuck NBC.

Guru · January 14, 2010, 1:39am

Conan should go to HBO and bring back Masturbating Bear.

Sano · January 14, 2010, 1:46am

JERRY AS HOST: Why do they call it the Tonight Show? Because if you talk about it Saturday or Sunday it’s not actually on that night!

COMEDY GOLD!

EDIT: Fuck Jerry.

Yoh · January 14, 2010, 1:51am

Good catch, that post came from this recent update on the drama at NBC. I should have been more careful with my dates

First Conan O’Brien Leaves, Now Jay Leno?

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.

Superking · January 14, 2010, 2:34am

No we didn’t, we heard it first from Sep’s post.

I think that link probably just reads SRK.

Lvl.3 · January 14, 2010, 2:41am

exactly…if Conan was pulling in strong ratings, NBC would just Leno go. It’s all about the ratings.Maybe conan can take over Kimmels spot? …He’s already in LA hehe

Yoh · January 14, 2010, 2:43am

Err… I just copied the quote from the page, i didnt say that… :wtf:

Thats the problem, “IF” only conans rating where good. But come on dude only has 7 months to establish himself and hes going up against Letterman whos been there for ages. Conans stuff are fresh and new good for young guys like us, just that he cant get the old folk on his wagon with jay stil hangingl around.

Jay should watch his move too, like the article said if he cant bring back his ratings to pre-prime time move then yah hes could be next out the door.

viperxmns · January 14, 2010, 2:52am

Hrm. Even if Jay does the right thing and just bows out, stopping his current show and letting Conan stay on ‘Tonight’ at 11:35, it’ll sure leave a bitter aftertaste. But I can’t imagine the mess that’ll ensue if this goes down. Why are they not willing to give Conan a chance here? They’re really gonna risk losing him altogether?

NBC is behaving like how Sega does to their mascots these days. No respect.

Autocrat1 · January 14, 2010, 2:53am

NBC is like the Mortal Kombat of life now. Fatality.

ZombieHipHop · January 14, 2010, 3:00am

NBC has become fox people…don’t know what to do with what little good stuff they have left. Looking forward to the shows tonight.

Superking · January 14, 2010, 3:03am

Foxy already offered Coney THREE TIMES MORE than what NBC gave him the last time, especially with dem Avatar monies, I’m sure Foxy will be back in the game. Not to mention prior to NBC, Fox was Conan’s home (and before that, NBC was his home lol).

Septimus_Prime · January 14, 2010, 3:14am

It’s more like he can’t get the old folk on his wagon, period. He’s had 17 years to do it, if you count his time on Late Night, and it’s really more his material than his audience’s sleeping schedule that makes it that way (just an anecdotal example: my mom sleeps about as late as I do, she’s seen both shows, and she just doesn’t like Conan’s material).

When I attended the live tapings of each show, I noticed the trend, too. Leno’s audience contains a mix of all ages, and Conan’s consists of mostly college/young adult men.

Dragonfave723 · January 14, 2010, 3:15am

This late-night drama is getting pretty interesting, I must say. :lol:

google · January 14, 2010, 3:44am

http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/graphic/2010-01/51534084.gif

Accurate?