So, Disney CEO Robert Iger was having one of those yummy breakfast confabs talking about the future of the network and new media, alternate platforms and all those other fun buzz words about how we're going to be watching shows in the next few years. Then, kind of as an aside, he was asked about Jay Leno. With the end of Leno's era as the host of The Tonight Show looming -- and Conan O'Brien chomping at the bit to take over -- Mr. Iger said that he wouldn't rule out ABC going after Jay.
Ken Auletta of the New Yorker pressed Iger about Leno, to which the ABC head man squirmed and said, "It's not something we typically comment on."
So Conan O'Brien showed up on Jay Leno's show last night. Late Night is in repeats this week and O'Brien was out on the West Coast for some reason (maybe checking out his new studio?) and he appeared as the first guest. And it was kinda funny, but mostly dull.
I didn't expect some long discussion about O'Brien taking over for Leno when Leno steps down in 2009, but I did think they'd at least bring the topic up at some point. The only thing said about it all night was a one line joke by Leno in the monologue ("Conan O'Brien is on the show...is it 2009 already?"). Instead, O'Brien just rehashed his Good Housekeeping recipe story and told stories about the Emmys and Jerry Lewis. It was odd they didn't address the issue (and it was made even more weird by the fact that Leno did make a joke about it at the start of the show).
Jay Leno is in trouble with the WGA. When he returned to late night television on Wednesday, he told his audience that he wrote the jokes for his monologue and that he wasn't relying on "scabs" to do his writing. It was a proud proclamation on his part, but it turns out that he was still violating the rules of the WGA strike. As a member of the WGA, he's not allowed to write. The WGA has met with Leno and let him know he broke the rules, and now the guild is trying to determine whether Leno needs to be punished.
Other late night hosts like Conan O'Brien and Jimmy Kimmel returned without writers and obviously without any sort of scripts. Conan spent a good part of last week spinning his wedding ring on his desk. David Letterman and Craig Ferguson also returned last week, but they have writers because Worldwide Pants, which produces both shows, came to an agreement with the WGA.
As the strike lingers on and the Writers Guild of American (WGA) and Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) seem no closer to bridging their philosophical and monetary gap, the WGA is set to try a new tactic. According to Variety, the WGA is going to make a "legal demand" today for individual members of the AMPTP to schedule bargaining meetings with the WGA. However, at this point it isn't clear if the companies are legally obligated to do so, and if not, will they?
Looks like the late-night talk shows may be coming back sooner rather than later, and this regardless of what happens with the strike. Variety admits that nothing official has been said and no one will comment one way or another, but insiders are saying the time may be nearing. Carson returned after two months of the '88 writers strike. With ratings taking a nosedive, January 7 has been pegged as a possible return date for the NBC hosts (Leno and O'Brien), with the others starting the same time or soon thereafter.
They initially shut down production in deference to their writers and stayed dark to help the writers maintain some leverage in negotiations, even going so far as to pay non-writing staffers out of their own pockets. But, when reruns of Spike TVs MANswers are beating your reruns, and your ratings are half what they were (as is the case with the NBC pair), it's time to rethink everything.
In the real world, fighting for your rights has consequences. NBC has proven this by laying off the non-writing staffers on The Tonight Show. Apparently, it never occurred to some of them that this move could potentially cost them their jobs. Fortunately, Jay Leno has stepped in and offered to pay the salaries of the non-writing staff through next Saturday.
Mind you, the strike isn't over. One of the bargaining conditions could be to rehire everyone. However, upon reading the article it doesn't look likely that the staffers will be rehired even if the strike ends. Frankly, I don't see why not since they have the skills and experience. NBC would likely quietly rehire them over time to save face.
I have to remind you all that I do support the writers in their effort when I say the following statement: I hope the writers weren't naive enough to think that Corporate America (or corporate entertainment for that matter) has a heart or a conscience when it comes to business. It doesn't. Most of the time (with rare exception), it cuts its losses.
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, currently in reruns due to the Writers Guild of America strike, will dig deep to air five vintage episodes. That's rarely done with the late night talk shows as the monologue and many of the movies promoted by guests are dated.
Included in the vintage rerun plans are a 1992 Tom Hanks appearance, Julia Roberts from 1993, 1995 appearances with Johnny Depp and Jennifer Aniston, and a Matt Damon 2000 appearance. As the strike continues, the late night talk shows are running out of more current reruns according to an article in The Hollywood Reporter. I would think they're also a bit concerned with losing the audience and older shows at this time would almost be "new."
With Daughtry, fronted by American Idol alumnus Chris Daughtry, and former Idol winner Carrie Underwood each taking home three trophies at this year's American Music Awards (AMAs), it's clear that the music landscape continues to be shaped by the dominant FOX reality competition. Daughtry, who didn't win his season of AI but has gone on to more commercial success than any of his season's compatriots thus far, picked up awards for favorite pop-rock album, breakthrough album and adult contemporary artist for his band's self-titled debut Daughtry. While Daughtry acknowledged the show's role in his success, as reported on AOL.com, he insists "the show didn't make me who I am. It just gave me a chance to show everybody else who I am."
Underwood, meanwhile, continued her award show success with trophies for favorite female country artist, country album (for Some Hearts) and the T-Mobile text-in award. For the first time in its 35 year history, winners this year were chosen by online voting. With the AMAs being essentially a "popularity contest" it should come as no surprise that two of the most popular artists ever on one of televisions most popular television shows ever would have a good showing.
According to E! Online, NBC and CBS have told the non-writing staff of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, and The Late Show with David Letterman that they will be laid off beginning the end of next week if the writers do not return.
Leno and the other late night talk shows have gone dark this week as their writers join the strike. Leno has even joined his writers on the picket line.
While NBC is threatening layoffs for Tonight Show staff, E! reports that the network was also looking for guest hosts to replace Leno starting on November 19th. Apparently no one wants to be that guy/gal who crosses the picket line (and Leno!) to host a show.
Back in June we told you about the the possible resentment that Jay Leno has towards NBC, because he feels they are kicking him out to make way for Conan O'Brien to take over The Tonight Show in 2009. He made a comment on his show at that time that was rather sarcastic, and now he's made another one.
Nikki Finke reports that on Monday Leno was giving a quick tour of the new additions to the set of his late night show. One of the additions the show added while Leno was on vacation was a new desk. Leno didn't see what was wrong with the old one and said, "it's not like NBC to get rid of something that's worked perfectly for 15 years." Ouch.
I doubt that Jeff Zucker is on Leno's Christmas card list. He probably doesn't even use GE lightbulbs in his house.
This morning I was just about to order two different Johnny Carson DVDs. I've been holding off on getting them for one reason or another but decided last night to just order them. Good thing I waited. Respond2 Entertainment has announced that they are going to release a 12 disc set this fall called Heeere's Johnny: The Definitive Collection. Yes, with three "e's."
This probably isn't great news for Carson Daly, who has made it known he really, really wants the 12:30am gig. But it seems that Ludwin really likes Daly and thinks (as do Tina Fey and others) that Fallon and O'Brien would make for a great late night lineup at the network. Fallon told Howard Stern several months ago that he might get that gig after signing a development deal with NBC.
In 2009, Conan O'Brien takes over The Tonight Show from Jay Leno. I'm not a Leno fan (to put it mildly), but I think that Conan is the wrong choice. But I don't want to digress. What will Leno do when Conan takes over?
Variety says that NBC is starting to prepare for Leno's departure. They want Conan's move to 11:30 to be as smooth as Brian Williams replacing Tom Brokaw. Though I think one of the reasons that was so smooth was because Williams had already filled in for Brokaw several times. I wonder if NBC will have Conan host The Tonight Show here and there to prepare viewers?
Ben Silverman is loosening up as the NBC executive session panel continues.
Asked what he felt was missing from NBC's lineup, the new Co-Chairman, NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios, joked he wanted the chimes in the network's jingle turned up by 30%.
Silverman assures a reporter that he and Graboff are comfortable working side by side. "This wasn't an arranged marriage," he says. "We've known each other a long time."
So, Disney CEO Robert Iger was having one of those yummy breakfast confabs talking about the future of the network and new media, alternate platforms and all those other fun buzz words about how we're going to be watching shows in the next few years. Then, kind of as an aside, he was asked about Jay Leno. With the end of Leno's era as the host of The Tonight Show looming -- and Conan O'Brien chomping at the bit to take over -- Mr. Iger said that he wouldn't rule out ABC going after Jay.
So Conan O'Brien showed up on Jay Leno's show last night. Late Night is in repeats this week and O'Brien was out on the West Coast for some reason (maybe checking out his new studio?) and he appeared as the first guest. And it was kinda funny, but mostly dull.
Jay Leno 
As the strike lingers on and the Writers Guild of American (WGA) and Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) seem no closer to bridging their philosophical and monetary gap, the WGA is set to try a new tactic. 
Looks like the late-night talk shows may be coming back sooner rather than later, and this regardless of what happens with the strike. 
In the real world, fighting for your rights has consequences. NBC has proven this by 
With Daughtry, fronted by American Idol alumnus Chris Daughtry, and former Idol winner Carrie Underwood each taking home three trophies at this year's American Music Awards (AMAs), it's clear that the music landscape continues to be shaped by the dominant FOX reality competition. Daughtry, who didn't win his season of AI but has gone on to more commercial success than any of his season's compatriots thus far, picked up awards for favorite pop-rock album, breakthrough album and adult contemporary artist for his band's self-titled debut Daughtry. While Daughtry acknowledged the show's role in his success, as 
According to 
Back in June 
Talk about bizarre timing.
Rick Ludwin, NBC's head of late-night programming, says that 
In 2009, Conan O'Brien takes over The Tonight Show from Jay Leno. I'm not a Leno fan (to put it mildly), but I think that Conan is the wrong choice. But I don't want to digress. What will Leno do when Conan takes over?
Ben Silverman is loosening up as the NBC executive session panel continues.
The Upfronts: FOX
Carter Bays of How I Met Your Mother: The TV Squad Interview
The Upfronts: CBS
