Conan Makes An Official Statement
To get to the point: He says he isn't quitting, but he doesn't want to be part of the "destruction" of The Tonight Show at 12:05.
So, where does that leave you exactly?
Conan O'Brien has released an official statement explaining his position on the late-night throwdown. He writes:
People of Earth:
In the last few days, I’ve been getting a lot of sympathy calls, and I want to start by making it clear that no one should waste a second feeling sorry for me. For 17 years, I’ve been getting paid to do what I love most and, in a world with real problems, I’ve been absurdly lucky. That said, I’ve been suddenly put in a very public predicament and my bosses are demanding an immediate decision.
Six years ago, I signed a contract with NBC to take over The Tonight Show in June of 2009. Like a lot of us, I grew up watching Johnny Carson every night and the chance to one day sit in that chair has meant everything to me. I worked long and hard to get that opportunity, passed up far more lucrative offers, and since 2004 I have spent literally hundreds of hours thinking of ways to extend the franchise long into the future. It was my mistaken belief that, like my predecessor, I would have the benefit of some time and, just as important, some degree of ratings support from the prime-time schedule. Building a lasting audience at 11:30 is impossible without both.
But sadly, we were never given that chance. After only seven months, with my Tonight Show in its infancy, NBC has decided to react to their terrible difficulties in prime-time by making a change in their long-established late night schedule.
Last Thursday, NBC executives told me they intended to move the Tonight Show to 12:05 to accommodate the Jay Leno Show at 11:35. For 60 years the Tonight Show has aired immediately following the late local news. I sincerely believe that delaying the Tonight Show into the next day to accommodate another comedy program will seriously damage what I consider to be the greatest franchise in the history of broadcasting. The Tonight Show at 12:05 simply isn’t the Tonight Show. Also, if I accept this move I will be knocking the Late Night show, which I inherited from David Letterman and passed on to Jimmy Fallon, out of its long-held time slot. That would hurt the other NBC franchise that I love, and it would be unfair to Jimmy.
So it has come to this: I cannot express in words how much I enjoy hosting this program and what an enormous personal disappointment it is for me to consider losing it. My staff and I have worked unbelievably hard and we are very proud of our contribution to the legacy of The Tonight Show. But I cannot participate in what I honestly believe is its destruction. Some people will make the argument that with DVRs and the Internet a time slot doesn’t matter. But with the Tonight Show, I believe nothing could matter more.
There has been speculation about my going to another network but, to set the record straight, I currently have no other offer and honestly have no idea what happens next. My hope is that NBC and I can resolve this quickly so that my staff, crew, and I can do a show we can be proud of, for a company that values our work.
Not going to lie, we thought that was very well said.
Thoughts?
[Image via AP Images.]
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I love Conan .
he also wrote at the bottom:
Yours,
Conan
I love his show!
well said indeed.
i thought conan was very eloquent…what is going on at NBC is BS!! it takes time for a new host to get the ratings of the old guy…give it some time NBC!! Conan is good..give him a chance!! Stupid NBC
Great speach! Conan is classic
i thought conan was very eloquent…what is going on at NBC is BS!! it takes time for a new host to get the ratings of the old guy…give it some time NBC!! Conan is good..give him a chance!! Stupid NBC
Very well said - I'm not a big fan of his humor but he seems like a really nice guy. Financially he is well off but I'm sure it is a professional disappointment. Jeff Zucker from NBC is an idiot for sure.
Very well said, and I agree with every word. What an unfortunate situation. Hang in there Conan!
I have never been Team Conan but I respect him for having the balls to stand up for what he thinks is right - both for himself and The Tonight Show! Good Luck in whatever you choose to do in the future.
This is lovely! Well said Conan!!
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Connan is 100% right. NBC is fucking up big time and they have not given him a real chance.
Well said Conan…Stand by you beliefs!
that was the most classy move made by someone so far in this whole situation. I would sya poor Conan but hes still getting 80million the next few years so…I'm sure he'll find a new dream lol
Imagine that! Conan cares about not screwing over Jimmy Fallon!
If only Jay Leno gave a fuck about either Conan or Fallon.
.
BIG Mistake, NBC.
.
Team CONAN all the way….
Conan is a good guy. any negativity towards him and his words would be rediculous. i also agree that the ton ight show should follow the news. but whatever nbc is like the worse station ratings wise now anyway, so conan go to fox you'll be better off…nbc has been spiraling downhill e ver since the friends, seinfeld, and the will and grace era.
OMG! POOR CONAN…COULD THESE FUCKERS STOP TREATING HIM LIKE DIRT. FUCK YOU JAY LENO AND FUCK YOU NBC!
I feel bad for Conan.
Oh, Coco I'll be sad to see you go.
i wish him the best, whatever he ends up doing.
conan is funny and he'll be fine nbc we'll see
It's time to take in the chin, Leno. I enjoy your show immensely but you having a half hour before the Tonight show/Late night is stupid. NBC made a dumb decision last year. Leave Conan where he is…Move Leno to possibly Late Night - sorry Jimmy.
love you coco!!!
Well said, Conan. I agree with your decision 100%, and I hope you and your staff are appreciated by another network soon!
The man IS a Harvard grad, after all. He's always been extremely well-spoken and articulate….so much more so than LENO.
The people at NBC are on some serious crack.
He makes some excellent points. 12:05 is not the tonight show. Conan should not be punished because people finally realize that Jay Leno really isn't funny. Just because Leno's show is not a success shouldn't be blamed on the time slot they put him in…they should blame it on Leno's lack of comedy. I think Conan should be able to keep his time slot because he is hilarious and deserves it. Such a shame what NBC is doing.
Well said Conan. The Tonight Show is an institution that should not be moved. Leno should step down as it was HIS show that was the big fail. The Tonight Show has had many years of ups and downs and should have been given a real chance,seeing as a deal has been in place since '04. Classy move by Conan and very well played. The execs at NBC should be ashamed of themselves. With all the people our of work, these DB's have jobs.. sigh
Class Act… all the way.
Serves NBC right for bending over on hand and foot for a guy who said he was to give up his post some 5 years ago.
Conan, I'm sure you'll land on your feet somewhere else instead. You'll have way more freedom to be as wacky and crazy as you want to be. And I'll be there watching.
What's with, "Not going to lie, we thought that was very well said?" What's there to lie about? Are you surprised that Conan was able to draft an intelligent letter that allows him to be respected (standing up for himself) and employed (not trashing NBC)? All while protecting the integrity of the Tonight Show. I think the letter is brilliant, which is NO SURPRISE because Conan is brilliant. No matter what you think of his comedy, there is not one stupid bone in his body… unlike the other celebutards you think are AMAZEBALLS.
Love ya, Conan, and you deserve SO much better!!
I agree–well said.
He obviously has GREAT writers!
Conan is not only funny but classy. The NBC brass are morons. Nice way to treat your talent.
totally well said… TEAM CONAN!
Team Conan all the way!
I like this. (Y)
I am very angry at NBC for this entire situation. They put so many expectations into all of this that, when things don't go their way they go back on all of their words. I understand the predicament, but give Conan some time. I believe out of all the night show hosts out there that he & Jimmy Kimmel have the most talent. To just push him to the side is angering and I hope that if Leno goes back that the show fails more than Conan is now.
see there… funniest guy on late AND a class act to boot! Conan♡
Extremely well said.
This makes me so sad! I will not watch another episode on NBC! Connan was the best! Many people would agree! So long NBC. BAD CHOICE!
Not only did NBC have 'difficulties' with Leno, they had difficulties with you, too, Conan. Massive viewers deserted you for Letterman and I can see why!
I have a lot of respect for a person who chooses integrity and dignity over a career. It's never easy to do, but it's always the right things. Something great will come his way. Good Luck, Conan.
NBC should keep things as they are and let the respective shows grown their audiences! This whole situation is ridiculous! Conan's message was very well put and legitimate!
UGH!!!!!!!!! I really like Conan :/
I have a lot of respect for a person who chooses integrity and dignity over a career. It's never easy to do, but it's always the right thing. Something great will come his way. Good Luck, Conan.
UGH!!!! I really like Conan! :-/
This is quite frankly meant for his FANS to exert any pressure they can on NBC. His arguments are solid. The Tonight Show starting at 12:05 is the TOMMOROW SHOW.
He placed a nice shot across Leno's bow by stating "It was my MISTAKEN belief that, like my predecessor (LENO), I would have the benefit of SOME TIME and, just as important, some degree of ratings SUPPORT from the PRIME_TIME schedule (meaning NBC DRAMAS NOT LENO's SHIT SHOW). Building a lasting audience at 11:30 is impossible without both.
Now lets see what Leno has to say.
Re
Conan is HILARIOUS!!! This whole thing was sooo stupid!!! I HATE NBC.. LAME
Well said Conan! I'm not a fan, I've watched a few times, and like him far more than Jay. I wish Jay would be a stand-up (no pun intended) man and bow out gracefully, since it was his plan to leave in the first place. But, money talks, and likely, he will get what he wants and Conan will move on. Jay is going to be the downfall of NBC if they don't get it figured out soon, hell, they've already ruined the channel with his current crap show…which the obviously realize. Go away Jay!
Conan is the BEST!
CONAN ROcks!! And I hope we don't lose him!!
Very well said and very professional!!
very well said indeed! hes a smart man. but i did enjoy him on the late night show much more than on the tonight show. anyone feel the same way?
THAT SUCKS BIG TIME!!! CONAN IS HILARIOUS! I'M NOT SAYING LENO ISN'T EITHER, BUT CONAN HAS COMEDIC TIMING & DELIVERY. LENO JUST ALWAYS LOOKS LIKE HE'S READING FROM THE TELEPROMPTER. AT LEAST CONAN MAKES IT LOOK SO EFFORTLESS. I WISH YOU THE BEST CONAN IN WHAT EVER YOU DO!!!
While I can't say that I would have ever considered Conan "must see tv," I will admit that his comedy and the show were starting to grow on me.
I feel bad for Conan, but this is not unlike many sports teams on the collegiate or professional level. How long does a college president or NFL owner let a Notre Dame or Pittsburgh Steelers (for example) languish before deciding that a change must be made? I'm glad that it was not my decision.
I honestly think NBC made a mistake with the Jay Leno show. They should have allowed Jay to walk but instead they created a mess which they are now desperate to fix.
Conan is getting a major screw job because now his name is going to be associated with 'failure' when in reality it really wasn't his fault. NBC never really gave him a chance. If Jay leno returns, I can almost be certain the ratings will continue to be poor.
You go Connan you have them by the balls. They can either lose you and have to pay out your contract (they are breaching it) or dump loser Jay who cannot hold an audience.
I think Conan is WAAAAAAY funnier than Leno. Always has been, always will be. I truly hope they resolve this. I don't want to lose Conan!!!
i love conan hes sooooooooo funny and the show is awesome
all this because leno can't say goodbye. dude has enough money and apparently has said he lives off his stand-up money so if it's not the money leno…needs the adoration from the oldies?
Hmmm….how can Jay Leno do this without feeling like a dirtbag. Okay you might have been funny once, but now you are like Michael Jordan. Quit, come back, quit, come back. maybe not the same, but you've lost your shine. time to move on. conan was doing good, jimmy fallon was doing better, letterman has always kicked your arse. I have a lot of respect for Conan for recognizing what this means for the Tonight Show, and for Jimmy Fallon. Kudos Conan, you've got class.
He did go to Harvard! I think that he is right. I met him and at the time he was promoting the Tonight Show and was VERY excited to be doing so. I know for a fact that he and his crew put in hundreds of hours to make it work becaude I have a contact at NBC. I think it is a shame that they will not let Jay Leno move on…his ratings were also poor in his first year.
This breaks my heart. Conan is so talented!
For all his juvenile behavior on The Late Show/Tonight Show, Conan O'Brien just proved himself to be a class act above the dim-witted executives at NBC who thought that they could force the public into welcoming Jay Leno at 10PM. Rather than investing in and promoting legitimate primetime television, the networks have given us mindless "reality-base" smut. When does well-written, intelligent TV programming return to the networks? Give me a program that has real actors, not a bunch of 15 minute famewhores. In the meantime, Conan - I've not been a fan of your show previously, but I will follow you in the future. Best of luck…
I have always preferred Leno to Conan but I have to say that this statement is classy and makes me give some respect to him. I think the Tonight Show started failing when they made the shakeup decision so far in advance. Talk about shooting yourself in the foot. I know that when the time for Leno to leave got short, I stopped watching — what was the point? I have never found Conan funny though I did watch him a couple times to give him a chance but no go.
EXTREMELY well said. What a professional. NBC = stupid.
Conan is a great example of someone who has a great, but unfortunately non-mainstream comedy style. I have watched Conan religiously for the last 12 years, and personally hope that he tears NBC a new one.
Conan deserves the Tonight Show at 11:35. Give Jay Friday's at 10pm. If NBC messes with Conan, I will watch Letterman — or go to sleep.
Very Cool Guy, I could never watch a full show though.
I have watched the tonight show forever and missed Jay in this time slot. Conan's humor was kind of like frat boy/college humor.
It's sad whom ever is in charge at NBC doesn't know what the hell is going on.
Who had the bright idea to do all this changing anyway?
Ahhhh…A voice of reason in an unreasonable situation. He will be fine regardless of NBC's decision. He is no victim and I respect that. If he goes out, it's on his terms. Well done, Conan!
I love you conebone69!
Love Conan so much. Poor guy, and poor staff
All b/c Leno didn't want to retire.
I couldn't agree more… Well said! Conan has been my favorite for years…It is most upsetting that they never gave him the chance to build a new audience…NBC needs to just chill….So what if the CEO makes slightly less for a year…If you play your cards right Conan will bring in the big bucks.
Very well said and everything is true. NBC never gave him a chance. He has more class and humor than Jay Leno could ever hope to have. I feel bad for Conan, but what about all the people he brought with him from New York? Do they all have contracts and get paid for the four years as well?? I hope so.
TEAM CONAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Conan is brilliant and a joy to watch… NBC is making a huge mistake, let the guys show develop for awhile, sheesh. I feel for him..
Conan O'Brien > Jay Leno
I find conan funny, but as i get older, i dont really watch any show much late at nite. So if its after 11 i might be watching sports or a movie.
Late nite used to be the tonite show growing up..although i was young at time…but i definitely remember johnny.
then i became a high school and college brat and could really dig into lettermans sarcastic and sardonic sense of humor.
When he went to cbs it was gone. He is just a too polite, not as funny older dude now.
Now conan…ah..conan..wrote him off right away but he grew on me and many others…so i vote for his success in this and he could not have written it better.
He is getting screwed, i may not watch late nite anymore, if i do..its actually craig ferguson i find very odd, strange and so sssssssssooooo funny…but if you look specifically at leno and conan and that unfunny late nite show with fallon..the main guy screwed is conan.
good luck..either way he will be rich beyond his dreams.
Conan O'brien is the ultimate late night television performer. It's jst so unfortunate that nbc sucks Jay Leno's dick and wound up screwing Conan over so badly. He should have never left New York or tried to fill an earlier time slot. CONE ZONE FOREVER.
You go Coco!! Seriously, NBC is shit for all of this bs they're pulling right now. Screw Leno. He had his time, and he gave it up. Too damn bad for him! If he gets his way, he screws 2 other shows and all the folks that work on those shows. The big guys and NBC just need to grow some balls and tell Leno to forget it.
Conan is a class act.
Conan is AWESOME. I really hope NBC doesn't fuck him over, he deserves better than that.
Plus, I'm supposed to be going to his show around this time next year for my 18th =).
I have followed Conan for more than a decade. I loved watching him at 12:35 and literally cried when he made the move to take over for Leno. I genuinely enjoy his comedy and rarely miss a show. I am beyond upset with the horrible treatment he is getting from the brass at NBC. Conan needs to be given time. There is definitely a different demographic that he is having to appeal to now than the days of "Camel-toed Annie" and "masturbating bear" I know that no matter where Conan goes, I will faithfully follow. He is a brilliant man, and will ALWAYS have me for a fan.
I hope that the execs at NBC at least kissed Conan before they did this to him. For that matter, this is at least the second time that they've buggered him senseless. The first was when they gave him the 11:35 show then took away a significant portion of his potential audience by creating another strikingly similar show to air at 10:00 with Jay. How is that fair? It's time for Leno to take his many many millions and head off to pasture.
Conan is amazing. Im so glad that I have had the opportunity to watch a taping of him hosting The Tonight Show and shake his hand afterwards. He is an intelligent man and a great entertainer. I have been watching him since I was 13 and will follow him to whatever project he takes on
Fuck NBC…this is the worst idea they have ever had. Conan is the funniest guy in TV and appeals to more than the 50yr that Jay Leno and David Letterman do
Leno is the biggest asshole in all this. He has no respect for the Tonight Show. A show he hosted for years. Now Leno has no problem with the Tonight show airing in the morning, just as long as he gets to stay on the air. That's selfish. If Leno had any dignity and respect for Conan and Jimmy. Two young up and comers. He'd bow out graciously, but no Leno only thinks of himself. I'll never watch Leno again, not that I really did anyway lol.
You forgot to add the part where he apologizes for his hair! It was TOO funny! I would be so PISSED if I were him! Jay Leno is a creep.
do you have problems with Copy & Paste? …
I think you left behind the best part of the PR:
"
Have a great day and, for the record, I am truly sorry about my hair; it's always been that way.
Yours,
Conan
"
Re: VeganVal – Jay Leno doesn't care one bit about friendship. That was obvious from what he did to Dave years ago. All Jay cares about is Jay.
Wow…
THEY SHOULD OF NEVER MOVE ANY OF THE SHOWS.
IT SUCKS THOUGH
IT COMES DOWN TO THE MONEY
LOCAL NEWS CHANNELS ARE LOSING SEVERE MONEY WITHOUT JAY ON RIGHT AFTER.
AND THATS WHERE THE PRESSURE IS COMING FROM. SUCKS BUT CONNAN DOESNT HAVE A CHOICE, UNLESS HE LEAVES
It's not Jay's fault - Jay was forced out and set up to fail and now this is affecting Conan. Sad. I hope the best for both (both are still better than Letterman anyday)!
Well said is an understatement. Conan displays class while Leno & NBC just looks to the dollar signs. Leno should have been the one writing that letter. He is old, no longer relevant and needs to retire. I am sure he had some say in this, I mean look at how he got the Tonight Show gig to begin with. I am truly disappointed and hopes Conan comes back to NYC and on to bigger and better things!
VERY well said.
Don't move Conan!!!
Jay Leno sucks. He agreed to this and NBC agreed to this six years ago and now they are going back on their word. Obviously people are over Jay Leno. Really glad Conan is standing his ground and he is right. Carson would be rolling over. How can you have the Tonight show the next day. Besides, you are affecting more than just Conan and Leno, the staff and families of the entire Conan show and Jimmy Fallon show. Move on, Leno. NBC, do the right thing, or we will all be watching Conan on Fox or Letterman like we do anyway!
I honestly couldn't respect him more for his decision and for having the balls to actually stand by his principles. Had he stayed he'd be just like Leno who in my opinion seriously needs to be hit over the head with the news that his days of glory are o-v-e-r and that he just needs to let it go already.
Conan is really talented and I honestly believe that he loves what he does for a living, I don't think he'd be happy doing anything else. Treating him like crap is just unacceptable and so leaving really is the only choice here.
And seriously, 12.05??? It's no longer "The Tonight Show" at that time slot, because -spoiler alert, NBC - it's no longer "tonight", duh! It's effectively the earliest morning show in the history of the world!
But what struck me most about it is the fact that Conan seems to be the only one caring about Fallon's future and him not wanting to drag someone else down with him just makes me respect him that much more. It's sort of the way I would have expected Leno to react a few days ago when he could have had the chance to stop this. Anyway, bottom line: NBC doesn't seem to realize that no matter what they do these days, they keep shooting themselves in the foot and they keep alienating viewers which should work great considering their goal is to get the ratings up. Wow, someone needs to explain that pissing off people won't make them more likely to tune in, it actually turns them off!
I adore Conan, And i think he is taking this demotion with dignity and grace. On the otherhand, while I had adored Leno on the tonight show, i can no longer stand him since his debacle with his retirement turned earlier show. He basically kicked conan in the nuts from the beginning! I know whatever Conan does, he will land on his feet, and will still have me as a faithful follower of his comedy.
Jay Leno is such an asshole