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"After Tonight, will Jay stay at NBC?
Execs want Leno to remain at network"
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After 'Tonight,' will Jay stay at NBC?
Execs want Leno to remain at network
Three years ago, NBC announced with pride that Conan O'Brien would take over "The Tonight Show" in 2009. But now that the date is fast approaching, the web is beginning to panic: How do we anoint O'Brien but still keep Leno in the Peacock's nest?
Aside from turning around NBC's primetime, the biggest challenge facing new co-chairmen Ben Silverman and Marc Graboff is how to keep Leno away from Fox or ABC.
"We want him to stay at NBC for life," Silverman told journalists at the Television Critics Association press tour. "And Marc and I are aggressively trying to come up with ideas that would make Jay happy."
While latenight advertising sales have been soft, "Tonight" generated $250 million in advertising sales in 2006, according to TNS Media Intelligence, generating profits estimated at $160 million — or about 15% of the network's bottom line.
NBC has already started the process of preparing O'Brien to take over "Tonight" knowing full well that it's a job that Leno still loves and, by all accounts, would have kept longer had NBC not prodded him to step aside to make room for O'Brien.
Leno will be only 59 when the change-over is scheduled to occur, seven years younger than Carson was when he gave up the chair 15 years ago. He's vigorous, loves to work, and as if holding down one of TV's toughest jobs isn't enough, he does corporate dates and travels the country doing standup on the weekends.
"Anyone who assumes he will be playing golf would have to be completely removed from reason," said a source close to the comedian. Leno declined to talk about his post-2009 plans, which is telling: For years, the host as been accessible to the press, unlike rival David Letterman.
The network is hoping to emulate NBC News' move from Tom Brokaw to Brian Williams. Like Leno, Brokaw was also on top of his game and the ratings when he stepped aside, and now seems happy pursuing passion projects as the network's elder statesman.
NBC has yet to present Leno with any alternatives, but among the options being floated are a primetime strip or variety show that would air once or multiple times a week, perhaps kicking off primetime at 8 p.m.; work on NBC U's cable properties and specifically USA Network, which the net is hoping to build into the de-facto "fifth network"; Jay-on-demand through TiVo, cable, or online; or, the "Bob Hope deal," where Leno does what he wants — just about anything but telling jokes at 11:35 pm.
The network also has the option, which many outsiders believe still must be on the table, to back out of the deal, pay a reported $40 million penalty to O'Brien and sign Leno to another five-year deal, a move that would protect the "Tonight" franchise through the end of Letterman's deal at CBS in 2010, and the possible transition at the Eye to Jon Stewart.
NBC could, also, simply let Leno leave. A non-compete would keep Leno off another network for at least six months, allowing NBC to launch O'Brien without Leno in the mix. ABC and Fox are planning as if Leno will be in play.
One thing that won't happen is a job-share arrangement where Leno subs in for O'Brien. Graboff raised that possibility at TCA but quickly backed off.
Graboff, Silverman and CEO Jeff Zucker will be looking to create the digital-age version of the deal that kept Hope at NBC in semi-retirement in hopes of keeping Leno at the Peacock, knowing full well Leno wants to keep going, as he often says, "telling jokes at 11:30 at night."
"Right now that's where Jay's head is and that's what he wants to do after 2009," Graboff says. "What we are trying to say to him is, after 2009 telling jokes at 11:30 at night might not be what it is today, so maybe we can figure out a way for you to continue to do that in a different context."
Graboff is referring to a future when the timeslot of any network show becomes less relevant as linear TV moves to a time-shifted, on-demand world. The erosion of TV ratings has hit latenight as hard as any day part, but comparatively, "Tonight" is as dominant as it's ever been. This fall Leno will mark his 12th season in the lead over "Late Show with David Letterman," and as of the second quarter his ratings margin was 39%.
"Tonight's" continuing success is one reason some are skeptical NBC will implement the change as announced. Yet, NBC execs are steadfast that no matter how dominant Leno is in 2009, the transition will occur. His audience is aging, they say, and its best to attempt a transition while Leno is still on top of his game and top of the ratings.
Leno has the oldest aud in latenight, with a median age of 52, compared with 51 for Letterman and 44 for O'Brien, according to a Magna Global analysis of Nielsen ratings.
In the meantime, NBC has already begun the process of preparing O'Brien to take over the iconic franchise, and the net is already spending to lay the ground work.
NBC is in talks with O'Brien and his staff on a move from Studio 6A at 30 Rock to Los Angeles. NBC latenight and primetime EVP Rick Ludwin believes O'Brien and much of his staff will ultimately make the move, though there has been some resistance.
Johnny Carson brought the show to L.A. 35 years ago and Ludwin says the original reasons for the move are still relevant: a bigger studio and proximity to stars. A final decision on the move is expected early next year.
NBC is focusing on giving O'Brien opportunities to appear in primetime. He's hosted the Emmys twice, and the Peacock is giving him another primetime special in late January, to further boost his profile.
He's hosted NBC's "50 Years of Latenight" special, as well as his own 10th anniversary special.
Taking his act from subversive to broad means some of his signature characters won't be making the move to 11:35, such as "the masturbating bear."
"Frankly this is one of the reasons we trusted him with the franchise of 'The Tonight Show' because he's smart enough and funny enough to figure out what is going to work in whatever venue he's assigned to," Ludwin says.
In the beginning, O'Brien tried to distinguish himself from Leno by not doing a traditional monologue. He has adopted one since and now that he's preparing to take over 11:30, he's lengthened it from three to four opening jokes to 10.
NBC traveled the show to San Francisco in May, and Chicago and Toronto before that to get O'Brien and the staff used to doing bigger shows in unfamiliar, less intimate venues.
Finally, NBC has already begun the search for Conan's replacement. "We have been talking to people about their potential interest," Ludwin says. "It's a short list of people who can do these jobs and do them well."
first
first!
aw Jay leno's cool
I luv Jay!
almost first!! good enough for me!
Spin. THis is NBC's b.s. hand-job to Leno hoping he won't completely screw them and go and compete head to head with Conan. Leno will be shopping around.
third
I've loved Jay ever since I was a little girl! Headlines are my favorite and I think he is a funny man. I really hope that they let him say after 2009 because while I like Conan, I don't think I could handle that hair at 11:30!
jay leno is the best
Leave Big Face alone!!
he's soo not funny and RETIRE ALREADY!!!
he's not funny and kisses up to every celeb!
I have always loved Jay Leno because he remains true to himself and has never let the celeb get to his head. He is awesome and has paid his dues.
not-first
Keep Leno! Jay is the best man for the job…he still wants to do it..and Conan is kinda a douche. I dont know if it's because Jay is so down to earth, is a car nut above all else, or because hes funny..but I can not see myself watching the Tonight Show with Conan as his replacement..I just wouldnt do it.
move over leno! let conan dominate!!!!
i like jay but that was way way way way way too many words. I agree with #^me
I think Jay Leno is great…love the headlines and Jay Walking!! I love his sense of humor.
I doubt I will watch Conan…never really liked him…I always feel like he has to try to hard to be funny and make jokes!
Isn't that the old rich punk who never grew up and owns all those rich prick fancy cars! Noddy should grow up, get over it, and realise he ain't taking all those wheels nowhere with him when he pops his clogs! Ain't these old rich farts got sumpt'n better to do with their loot! Punk.
Read "LATE SHIFT" by Bill Carter. NBC pulled this same stunt when they wanted to keep Leno and Letterman. Offers of 10pm etc. Conan will pocket that 40mil and wait for Letterman to retire.
Anyone who thinks "headlines" is funny ( a huge ripoff from Dave–no surprise) should find clips of Leno on "late Night" doing what's my beef…ah the good ol days
maybe jay leno has all the nerds and dumb hicks in middle america laughing, but i don't think he is funny at all. he's corny, and way outdated, and it's time for conan to take over. my only worry is that nbc will try to interfere too much if conan takes over the tonight show. i hope he stays in new york as well.
Let him go. He's a kiss-ass to anyone one the show. And plain vicious otherwise.
Jay Leno sucks. He is dated and not funny. Conan is much funnier and more avant garde. I wish Conan would not lengthen his monologe, it isn't nearly as funny as the other stuff he does.
I don't understand why NBC would want a self-serving, not-very-funny vanity-boy like Conan to replace Leno. The sound you hear is everyone pushing the CBS button on their remotes.
I like Conan very much but I think NBC has made a BIG mistake ending Jay's hosting so soon. It just seems like fixing something that is not broken.
I love Conan. The talking faces and "in the year 2000" skits are so funny. Leno's jokes are lame.
Can't stand him.
Perez: Why is NBC changing to Conan anyway? What's wrong with keeping things the way they are. I really like Jay Leno.
Leno is cheesy and predictable. His interviews are usually all right, but his monologue jokes are so lame. If NBC wants to keep the oldest viewers, then by all means keep Leno, but if they want to appeal to younger viewers (like every marketer will advise) they need to make the switch to Conan.
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please god no! he should be banned from TV for the rest of eternity… meaning it should be against the law to show anything on TV that Jay Leno ever did. movies, tv shows, commercials whatever… his image and voice should be forever blacked out
Jay looks like the crazy Professor from the Back To The Future movies.
Rash Manly therashreport.com
I think that if Conan takes over the tonight show it will be a big mistake. I have watched him for years –conan— and really want to like him but I recently decided he is just not that funny. He is just not in the same league as leno and letterman. Keep Leno!!!!
Either way, jay will continue to work and have a HUGE audience. He has alot of loyal fans who will continue to watch his show where ever it might be.
Jay Leno is an ass. He forced Johnny Carson out screwed Letterman over.
Jay Walking and other material have been stolen from Howard Stern, who had been similar skits for years. He even took Stuttering John from Howard.
And he is completely unfunny.
Conan has the charisma equivalent to a freshly dumped load of steaming dog doo-dooo. He is not worthy to take over the Tonight Show
Conan has always been my favourite. Conan rocks! He's way much funnier and spontaneous than Jay
KEEP LENO CONAN YAY NOT FUNNY.
Conan is way better than Jay Leno, because Leno's jokes are lame and Conan is much funnier and has better jokes. Jay is always doing the scripted sort of humour. Conan rocks! But I like Jay too..but Conan is better!
Anybody at NBC remember NEW COKE ?
Why do we have to turn this into Leno vs. Conan fight?
This is NBC vs. Leno/Conan. NBC only cares about those funny guys (they both are funny) because they make money. NBC can't have it both ways- either they replace Leno and chance he'll run off to another network. Or they keep Leno and chance Conan will run off to another network. Sucks to be NBC right now.
Conan all the way!
all you lame asses who think leno is the king of lat night comedy need to get a new fucking sense of humor.
he's not funny…never has been…and never will.
conan is the best ever! actually, I would rather watch carson daly than leno.
Leno is great! He needs to stay with the tonight show! Conan as a host will be the same show as late night but with a different name. Not to mention, Leno has an awesome car collection!
i cant beleive this. im never watching the tonite show after 2009. connan is annoyinggg
Leno makes $23 mil a yr, less than the $40 mil Letterman, but Leno's ratings are higher? Leno is not greaddy by TV top host standards. Anouncing his retirement in 2009, 5 yrs early to Conan O'Brien was weird! Leno, Letterman & Conan all good, but Conan prime late night? Leno does not care. Bet Leno is frugale w/ his money. Yes cars & bikes, but they're collector items worth more than he paid for them.
Leno makes $23 mil a yr, less than the $40 mil Letterman, but Leno's ratings are higher? Leno is not greedy by TV top host standards. Announcing his retirement in 2009, 5 yrs early to Conan O'Brien was weird! Leno, Letterman & Conan all good, but Conan prime late night? Leno does not care. Bet Leno is frugal w/ his money. Yes cars & bikes, but they're collector items worth more than he paid for them.
last!
Leno is not funny at all….all those jokes aimed at gays are just ridiculous. He has the most irritating voices on the airwaves . All he wants to do is make fun of ppl when he should be looking at himself. Bleh….BOO Jay Leno
I like Jay. I'm not so familiar with the background, maybe someone here could explain why they announced Jay's retirement if they want to keep him? The best way to keep him would be not to announce that somebody else is taking over his job …
Or was it because they were afraid to lose Conan and they had to offer him something?
Leno should still on the show!!!!!!!!
love jay he's the best and he's gay, that was even a surprise to me!
geraldo rivera, too!
He was so funny back in 91 or so. Ok, maybe just occasionally slightly humorous. Does anyone under 75 watch his show? Get rid of him.
wow, what a crummy deal Leno's getting if he's really forced to step aside in '09. Conan will never do those kind of numbers plus he's a really terrible interviewer. leave it to idiot execs who think that this will be a good idea! I smell a BIG boo-boo coming if this really happens!
Like Barbara Walters and Larry King, Jay is a bit of an ass kisser but so what - he's much funnier than Conan O'Brien. NBC made yet another big mistake that's going to cost them.
wow, i never realized how much perez and jay look alike! scary . . .
I don't want to turn this into a Jay versus Conan post, but… I'm a young viewer (in my 20's) and I am excited about the idea of Conan taking over in 2009. Both men are funny, but I think Conan is funnier and edgier, while Jay is just too "safe." Jay might appeal more to the older folks, but Conan seems to have a huge following among the younger set.
life without the masturbating bear? conan not in new york? cone-sy stay at late night. leno can have his lame jokes at 11:30.
Omg I hate Conan!
OMG I cant believe they force Jay out after the yrs of service and loyal following! I LOVE JAY! Jay has given me the LAUGHS at late nite for so many years , hes kept me healthy! I loved Johnnie too, but Jay is special! Conan,hes ok, yeah, funny, but NO One can ever replace my JAY! Phooie on all u Jay haters! Jay go ahead and walk! let the red headed freak rooster head Conana take over, ( thats what I call him) the dork, move to fox! I will follow u anywhere! WHO NEEDS NBC they are asses for ousting MY JAY b4 hes even ready! What lamo jerks to pay someone 40 mil! duh!
Leno is in a different league than O'Brien, IMHO. This surprises me, as Conan just always struck me as being frat boy humour, but I haven't watched him enough to stick that label on him. Perhaps he appeals to a younger demographic. Let the numbers talk. Why fix what ain't broken? Perhaps Leno simply wishes to go enjoy some of that cash he's earned; who could blame him…but somehow I doubt it. It's a tasty gig. Could come back to seriously bite NBC in the butt. Leno is VERY well loved. What do we know, anyway.
I think you should nominate your friend "ross the intern" as the replacement for Conan… I bet he would make a GREAT late night host, and it'd be great to see some GLBT presence in late night comedy!
Let Leno retire if he so wants, I love him would hate to see him go, I abhor Conan, in the 11:35 spot it would suck, and his band leaders an uptight anal dood. In his full suit nightly. I love Jays band too. If Jay leaves, put Ellen at 11:35 AND Drew Carey at 12:35 now that would be a great lineup !!!!!!!!
I'm gonna really miss Jay. =S
a lot of people seems to find COnan funnier.. but i never really liked no matter how i try to sumtyms.. i really love the LENO! i love his band and his segments.. i even think his un-funniness sumtyms is funny.. hehe
LOVE LOVE LOVE FOR CONAN!!!! I dig his personality - the hair is funny stuff - his self-deprecation is endearing and oddly charming. Will definitely see more of him once he moves to 11:30. Fellow Bostonian here, Cony! Don't let the bastards drag you down!!!!
Oh and Jay is not being forced out. He wants to be done. He wants to have a life with his family no doubts. Be real.
evangelicals and aarp members that hog the 11:30 viewership will welcome conan the same way katie couric has been welcomed at cbs….will nbc flip flop? or stay the course
I love Jay! I really hope that they'll let him stay! I can't stand Conan. His joke about "only 12 people watch this show" will come true. He is not Tonight Show material!
jay is the man!!! god help conan if he thinks that he can ever replace jay in any way. Conan is lame, pathetic and a has been. he needs to move on, and forget comedy, b/c that man is so last decade!
Who cares? Dave Letterman is the man.
need to do everything possible to keep Leno.
i love leno!!..dont let him go!!!!
mike bhullar
Joel Mchale shoudl take over Conan's show. One of the funniest guys out there right now
i love jay leno!! I'd rather have him than conan!! he is way better than conan!
JAY IS FUNNY AND TELLS GOOD JOKES
CONAN JUST ACTS STUPID , HIS JOKES ARE NOT FUNNY
I've been watching "The Tonight Show" since 1963. Conan O'Brien will never make it as host. He just isn't funny and what little he does have appeals to a very narrow range of people. Even Jay Leno has gotten progressively less funny the last few years and this year has been a series of "eh, it's okay, but really not funny." NBC is not exactly a ratings leader and needs to find someone who can steer them better. But Conan O'Brien taking over "The Tonight Show" will be a huge failure.
I think Conan will thrive on the Tonight Show cos he will get all the resources that Jay Leno has at his disposal. He will also have more big celebs, especially if he'll be based in LA. For those who say Conan isn't funny, how come all the celebrities who appear on his show always end up truly enjoying their interview? Leno used to be funny. He got really corny. And NBC's doing the right thing attracting a younger demographic by making Conan the Tonight Show host. I hope the masturbating bear makes the transition though!
Conan sucks, and hopefully NBC will tank when they drop Jay and he can sit back and laugh the the stupid network!
I think it would be a big mistake to let Jay go. If he goes to ABC or Fox he would crush Conan. Frankly, I think Craig Ferguson is much better than O'brien espcially his monologue.
CONAN is a freaking clown! His jokes are not funny and the way he jumps around the stage is ridiculous. At least Leno's jokes are smart!
Funniest guy on late night is Craig Ferguson! I love Jay and his bandleader, Kevin Eubanks, but can't stand Conan's spazzy moves and his interaction with Max. The guy who REALLY looks tired and bored with his routine is Letterman … he used to be so much funnier!
I think Conan Is great as well as Leno! However Leno is easier to take than Conan! I think Conan is hilarious when he isn't jumping around the stage or mocking the audience or acting like a jackass with Max! However I beleive Craig Ferguson would be a much better replacement for Leno or Jon Stewart! I think Conan is best at the timeslot he's in!