Everything You Need To Know About The Conan/Leno Drama In One Easy Post
January 13, 2010
The drama consuming NBC's late night programming has been hard to keep up with ever since rumors spread that Leno was losing his prime time show and returning to late night. The fate, not only of Jay's show, but Conan O'Brien's "Tonight Show" and Jimmy Fallon's "Late Night" hang in the balance as negotiations continue between the network and its comedy stars.
At first it was unclear who, if anyone, would be getting canceled or moved, when Leno ominously joked about a change-up during his monologue on Jan 7. The next night, O'Brien's monologue expressed his own confusion regarding the changes. "We've got a great show for you tonight. I have no idea what time it will air - but it's going to be a great show," he said.
Even CBS' Craig Ferguson mentioned the switch-up in a self-deprecating way. "We'll be the ones who sucked the most. But what did we do? We sucked at the same damn time ever night. Every night join me right here and you will get your regular dose of suck," he said.
The rumors all came to a head when NBC officially announced it was indeed returning Leno to the 11:30 p.m. time slot for a half-hour show following the evening news. As for O'Brien, TMZ reported that NBC executives offered him an hour long show at 12:05 and nothing else.
After the announcement, both Leno and O'Brien weighed in on what a mess NBC had created. Leno expressed his frustration with the network, saying "NBC said the show performed exactly as they expected it would and then canceled us. Don't confuse this when we were on at late night and performed better than expected and they canceled us. That was totally different." He also said he will leave NBC's primetime the way he found it: "A complete disaster."
Conan's monologue echoed Leno's sentiments and got tough on NBC, citing their financial problems. He then jokingly cited his other options, including "Star in a Lifetime original movie about a woman trapped in an abusive relationship with her network."
Amidst the monologue jokes, rumors kept flying about what O'Brien's decision would be. If he were to go to another network, FOX seemed a likely choice, however they hadn't made any official offers.
Finally on Tuesday Jan. 12, O'Brien made an official statement that he would not be taking the 12:05 time slot following Jay Leno. Arguing "The Tonight Show at 12:05 simply isn't the Tonight Show," O'Brien expressed his affinity for the franchise and respect for Jimmy Fallon's show as reasons. It was also reported O'Brien teared up while explaining his decision to his staff. He cleared up the rumor that he had an offers from other networks, and said he "Honestly ha[s] no idea what happens next."
Meanwhile, other late night hosts and comedians continued to weigh in on the debacle as it unfolded. At NBC's winter Television Critics Association event Jerry Seinfeld took a somewhat ambiguous take, giving props to NBC for trying out Jay Leno in prime time, but then saying "Conan has a chance to destroy everybody [...] I don't think anyone's done anything to Conan." He added, "Jay and Conan work great. They should keep them."
Patton Oswalt took Conan's side completely, citing Leno's inability to do anything new with his late night show, while Conan is constantly pushing the platform in new directions.
CBS' late night king David Letterman put his two cents in Tuesday night, saying the entire shuffle is and will cost NBC "Hundreds and hundreds of millions and millions of dollars" and that between Leno and O'Brien it all boils down to money. He also suggested a replacement for NBC's soon-to-be-vacant 10:00 p.m. time slot: "Law And Order: Leno Victims Unit."
Since Conan's official decline of the 12:05 time slot, he has gotten loads of support from the Internet community. Several Facebook groups and a surge in #teamconan Twitter hashtags have rallied support for the late night host.
Jimmy Kimmel has also come out in support of Conan, going as far as doing his entire show last night dressed as Jay Leno. With prosthetic chin and all, Kimmel mocked Leno's lack of scruples over the switch: "Conan O'Brien today announced that he is leaving NBC. He released a statement today that said, 'I won't participate in the destruction of the Tonight Show.' Fortunately though - I will!," he mocked.
Still keeping his sense of humor despite his possible departure from late night television, O'Brien played "Deal Or No Deal" with Howie Mandel last night to decide what to do next. Lucky for him, he failed to choose "Move to FOX but Seth MacFarlane does my voice."
TUNE IN FOR MORE AS IT COMES!
At first it was unclear who, if anyone, would be getting canceled or moved, when Leno ominously joked about a change-up during his monologue on Jan 7. The next night, O'Brien's monologue expressed his own confusion regarding the changes. "We've got a great show for you tonight. I have no idea what time it will air - but it's going to be a great show," he said.
Even CBS' Craig Ferguson mentioned the switch-up in a self-deprecating way. "We'll be the ones who sucked the most. But what did we do? We sucked at the same damn time ever night. Every night join me right here and you will get your regular dose of suck," he said.
The rumors all came to a head when NBC officially announced it was indeed returning Leno to the 11:30 p.m. time slot for a half-hour show following the evening news. As for O'Brien, TMZ reported that NBC executives offered him an hour long show at 12:05 and nothing else.
After the announcement, both Leno and O'Brien weighed in on what a mess NBC had created. Leno expressed his frustration with the network, saying "NBC said the show performed exactly as they expected it would and then canceled us. Don't confuse this when we were on at late night and performed better than expected and they canceled us. That was totally different." He also said he will leave NBC's primetime the way he found it: "A complete disaster."
Conan's monologue echoed Leno's sentiments and got tough on NBC, citing their financial problems. He then jokingly cited his other options, including "Star in a Lifetime original movie about a woman trapped in an abusive relationship with her network."
Amidst the monologue jokes, rumors kept flying about what O'Brien's decision would be. If he were to go to another network, FOX seemed a likely choice, however they hadn't made any official offers.
Finally on Tuesday Jan. 12, O'Brien made an official statement that he would not be taking the 12:05 time slot following Jay Leno. Arguing "The Tonight Show at 12:05 simply isn't the Tonight Show," O'Brien expressed his affinity for the franchise and respect for Jimmy Fallon's show as reasons. It was also reported O'Brien teared up while explaining his decision to his staff. He cleared up the rumor that he had an offers from other networks, and said he "Honestly ha[s] no idea what happens next."
Meanwhile, other late night hosts and comedians continued to weigh in on the debacle as it unfolded. At NBC's winter Television Critics Association event Jerry Seinfeld took a somewhat ambiguous take, giving props to NBC for trying out Jay Leno in prime time, but then saying "Conan has a chance to destroy everybody [...] I don't think anyone's done anything to Conan." He added, "Jay and Conan work great. They should keep them."
Patton Oswalt took Conan's side completely, citing Leno's inability to do anything new with his late night show, while Conan is constantly pushing the platform in new directions.
CBS' late night king David Letterman put his two cents in Tuesday night, saying the entire shuffle is and will cost NBC "Hundreds and hundreds of millions and millions of dollars" and that between Leno and O'Brien it all boils down to money. He also suggested a replacement for NBC's soon-to-be-vacant 10:00 p.m. time slot: "Law And Order: Leno Victims Unit."
Since Conan's official decline of the 12:05 time slot, he has gotten loads of support from the Internet community. Several Facebook groups and a surge in #teamconan Twitter hashtags have rallied support for the late night host.
Jimmy Kimmel has also come out in support of Conan, going as far as doing his entire show last night dressed as Jay Leno. With prosthetic chin and all, Kimmel mocked Leno's lack of scruples over the switch: "Conan O'Brien today announced that he is leaving NBC. He released a statement today that said, 'I won't participate in the destruction of the Tonight Show.' Fortunately though - I will!," he mocked.
Still keeping his sense of humor despite his possible departure from late night television, O'Brien played "Deal Or No Deal" with Howie Mandel last night to decide what to do next. Lucky for him, he failed to choose "Move to FOX but Seth MacFarlane does my voice."
TUNE IN FOR MORE AS IT COMES!
