Goodbye, Jay -- you don't mind if we push you out of the chair, do you? If you thought NBC made a mess of the David Letterman/Jay Leno replacement switch-off back in 1992, then you might find it not very surprising that the hand off from Jay (I don't want to go) Leno to Conan O'Brien is portending to be just as sticky.According to TV Week, NBC is poised to announce the official Jay Leno departure from The Tonight Show and Conan O'Brien arrival today. Our man at the TCA, Joel Keller, could have all the details later on, so keep checking back with TV Squad.
Reportedly, Leno will be exiting in late May, possibly on the anniversary of the date he took the chair from Johnny Carson, May 25. Carson's last Tonight Show was May 22, 1992; Jay's tenure commenced on Monday, May 25. The problem with re-creating that symmetry in 2009 is that those dates are Memorial Day weekend.
A bigger question that's still floating out there is exactly what the end game is for Jay Leno? In a USA Today interview last week, Leno declared that he was through with NBC. NBC continues to deny that. They claim that Leno will land somewhere else in their universe. Aaron Barnhart interviewed Rick Ludwin of NBC and he claimed, "What he meant to say was, 'I'm through with The Tonight Show."
If you check out the rest of the article, there are still many questions about Jay's future. For now, stand by for more news and details coming later today.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-21-2008 @ 2:14PM
Jimmy said...
Maybe NBC can air Leno online, like they're reportedly going to do with Jimmy Fallon.
Then again, many of his viewers probably don't have computers.
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7-21-2008 @ 3:26PM
am_hollitz said...
I thought Jay Leno was taking over for Larry King?
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7-21-2008 @ 3:40PM
Justin said...
Leno should just leave. People weren't tuning in to see him, but to see the brand The Tonight Show. With Conan comes a loyal following AND The Tonight Show branding--NBC should have made this move five years ago.
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7-22-2008 @ 12:09PM
Gerri said...
The only followers of Conan is the cone heads.
The air heads. Conan can not fill Jay Leno's shoes.
NBC made a big mistake by letting Jay go for an ego maniac like Conan.
7-21-2008 @ 3:48PM
miller980 said...
I really hope that Leno goes to ABC. He and Kimmel will slaughter NBC. Believe me, if Leno's viewers were only over 50 there's no way he'd beat Letterman.
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7-22-2008 @ 12:31PM
Gerri said...
Ditto
7-21-2008 @ 3:49PM
Brin said...
Really? I think NBC is making an incredibly stupid move. I can't stand Conan O'Brien, and will probably not watch the Tonight Show again. I think this is the beginning of the end for the Tonight Show.
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7-21-2008 @ 6:08PM
DAZ said...
BRIN, I AGREE WITH YOU. CONAN WORK MY LAST NERVE!! HE'S NOT FUNNY, MAYBE FUNNY LOOKING, WITH THAT WOODY, WOOD, PECKER'S HAIR STYLE. WHY DOESN'T HE CUT THAT THING OFF?! OH, I COULD GO ON AND ON, BUT I WON'T. RATINGS ARE GOING TO DROP. YEAH!!!!!!
7-22-2008 @ 12:17PM
Gerri said...
Ditto
8-26-2008 @ 5:32PM
Bodrie said...
And another ditto from me.
I heard of this plan several months ago but thought it was a joke. NBC has apparently lost their collective minds. Conan? Give me a break. He's got to be the worst. The only positive thing I can say about him is - He's tall.
If this actually happens, I will never watch the Tonight Show again. I wouldn't be surprised if the whole show gets canned now. Conan won't be able to carry the timeslot in any way shape or form. Making is hair stand up any higher or goofier won't help either.
Bodrie
http://www.cruisemeanywhere.com
7-21-2008 @ 7:02PM
anne pond said...
The Tonight Show will lose another viewer....I think Conan is the most over-rated comedian (?)--so full of himself, always upstaging his guests--I can't imagine how anyone would want to watch him! And Jay is everything he isn't.
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7-22-2008 @ 12:31PM
Gerri said...
Amen
7-22-2008 @ 12:22PM
Gerri said...
Most viewers won't watch NBC.
I will watch ABC or what ever network Jay goes to.
Conan acts too stupid for me. The teeny boppers might think he is funny but the adults will follow Jay.
7-21-2008 @ 7:53PM
Justin said...
I know humor is subjective but Leno isn't funny to anyone that has any sense of humor beyond obvious gags. To boot, he has NO interview skills. There's a reason that young, hip stars go onto Conan and not on The Tonight Show. Leno and The Tonight Show are out of touch in the worst possible way.
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7-22-2008 @ 12:23PM
Gerri said...
Ditto.
I agree with you.
Reply
7-22-2008 @ 12:28PM
Gerri said...
NBC will be S O R R Y.
They really messed up on this one.
Putting Conan is Jay's seat is like putting a rookie
in for a MVP.
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7-22-2008 @ 12:30PM
Gerri said...
I agree with you. NBC made a major mistake trading Jay for an air head. I wish Jay well in his future and I am sure he will have a future with ABC or one of the other networks. NBC will be sorry.
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7-22-2008 @ 12:31PM
Gerri said...
Ditto
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7-22-2008 @ 12:32PM
Gerri said...
NBC made a huge mistake.
Jay will do fine wherever he goes.
NBC is the loser.
Reply
7-22-2008 @ 12:36PM
Gerri said...
Justin
What on earth do you see in Conan?
He is so goofy and flighty.
Not funny at all.
Reply