We've been hearing a lot of stories about Jay Leno and what he will (or won't) do after Conan O'Brien takes over The Tonight Show in 2009. Could he move to another network?
On the heels of news that NBC might be building Conan O'Brien a new studio on the Universal lot (O'Brien will probably have to move from New York to L.A. when he takes over the show) comes word from gossiper Cindy Adams that Leno might be moving to FOX. Adams says that there's no way that Leno is going to retire (Leno is making more and more jokes about leaving NBC lately, and you can tell it's not all in jest), and the best odds are that FOX will want to get back into the late night game.
FOX makes the most sense. He certainly wouldn't go to CBS since Letterman has 11:30 (and produces the 12:30 show). Would ABC want to get rid of Kimmel in some way to make room for Leno?
Gone Too Soon: Invasion
Scrubs season nine -- An early look
The TV Squad Podcast: Vik Sahay of Chuck, Oprah talk, brutal timeslots, and more!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-03-2007 @ 3:54PM
r.r.r. said...
I Hope Leno goes to Fox. The only folks I know that find Leno funny are republicans and conservatives. I don't think ABC will want him. I feel like Kimmel will be the ABC tool for a long time. Hooray! :) Make room for Conan!
Reply
10-03-2007 @ 4:17PM
Walt said...
yeah, that's right. Put Leno up against Conan. It'd be a laugher. I really wonder what NBC thinks about completely losing their late night spot completely.
Conan doing his schtick in Leno's old spot is like Katie Couric doing her schtick in the main chair at CBS News. It won't be pretty.
Reply
10-03-2007 @ 4:36PM
Jim said...
Leno isn't funny enough for Fox.
Hell, he's not funny enough for NBC. That's why they're getting rid of him.
Reply
10-03-2007 @ 5:44PM
jake said...
Leno has been number one for several years now, it would seem better for them to keep him and for Conan to leave to go to Fox or wherever. It makes no sense whatsoever why they would make some stupid deal for Conan to take over when Leno is clearly the late night leader. This maybe a "nicer" late shift (when leno took over for carson and letterman moved to cbs) but history is repeating himself. I will follow Leno wherever he goes because he is funny.
Reply
10-03-2007 @ 5:58PM
sitruc said...
The 'earlier' time slot makes the audience for Leno 'younger' than that for Conan. I'm not sure how Conan will work in that time slot since it will be a real change to the audience. It will definitely be interesting to see if the viewers will take to change because there hasn't been much over the past 15 years. I'm not a fan of Leno, but you know, it is so fashionable to take a shot at Jay Leno. Look, the fact is the man is out there every bloody night with fresh material and he's charming.
Alas, I miss Arsenio and then the Summer of 1997? with Vibe(Chris Spencer/Sinbad). Don't remind me of "The Magic Hour." Even Keenen Ivory Wayans was better than that. What happened to Sheila E?
Reply
10-03-2007 @ 6:38PM
Vito said...
There are people out there that simply don't watch FOX. Jay Leno isn't anywhere NEAR their demographic. Of course, David Letterman isn't exactly CBS's target audience, either.
Reply
10-03-2007 @ 6:38PM
Rebecca said...
Is Conan dumping Max when he moves to the Tonight Show? Cause if so, I don't think I'll watch. It'll just be too dirtbag.
Reply
10-03-2007 @ 7:47PM
Emma said...
Only republicans and conservatives find Leno funny?! Huh? I am an out and out liberal and he has had me almost hyperventilating on quite a few occasions. Incidentally Letterman by contrast bores me stupid! I have no idea why anyone finds him funny. Aside from his recent dalliance with Paris Hilton I find his show painful to watch.
Reply
10-04-2007 @ 5:28AM
Jim said...
Emma: If you tuned in to Letterman just to see Paris, I think that tells us all we need to know.
Reply
10-04-2007 @ 8:51AM
Guido said...
Don't count Conan out .. people said Letterman wouldn't work at 11:30 either and he's doing just fine.
Leno = not funny so Fox seems about right.
on a side note, I thought Leno signed some type of deal with NBC not all that long ago??
Reply
10-04-2007 @ 9:22AM
JW said...
I would be happy to see Jay stay on tv; I have started get tired of Conan...mainly his monologue though.
Reply
10-04-2007 @ 2:23PM
Mitch said...
Leno is already qualified to be a "Fox" person... perfect place for him to continue. He'll do well, but Conan is by far funnier, more inventive, and interesting to watch.
Reply
10-15-2007 @ 7:29AM
art lambert said...
Jimmy Kimmel is God !
Reply
10-15-2007 @ 8:04AM
superfan said...
fox? my cable system isn't carrying the new "fox bussiness network" just yet!...*gasp*
Reply
10-15-2007 @ 9:29AM
Millie said...
I don't know why anyone would want to watch Conan. He is not funny and his monolog is stupid as he tries to do funny comments and fall down and all that crap. If Leno changes we will be following him. If he retires I guess we will be getting more sleep.We have watched the tonight show since the days of Carson and all the days of Leno. I hope Leno will reconsider retirement and go with Fox. Fox is growing and widd do right by him.
Reply
10-15-2007 @ 8:34AM
Janet said...
Hey does anybody remember the "Stand up for Jay" campaign. Perhaps he needs a new campaign. I always thought Jay Leno was very fortunate to be in the comedy business because he is NOT FUNNY AT ALL.
Reply
10-15-2007 @ 1:56PM
peggy harris said...
How could anyone think that Leno would be popular with conservative republicans? It surprises me that he's popular with anyone. Conan's corny as heck. Give me Kimmel. He's great!
Reply