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.]
SuBo Has Fallen! Ke$ha #1 On The Charts!
i live in australia and i swear if Conan goes off tv my nights will be ruined…he and jimmy are what i look forward to and I have watched conan since i was 8!!! I LOVE HIM i really hope he doesnt leave
Poor Conan! I feel for the guy and I think he is spot on in what NBC is doing. You cannot take away the impact that The Tonight Show has had for so many years. Jay may be a fine comedian, but there should have never been a decision to move his show and bump the TS. Awful decision that I believe they will come to regret.
Jay Leno had time when he started on the Tonight show, 'filling in for Johnny' many many times before actually taking over the Tonight show. Conan really just started BUT he has had an audince for 15 years on NBC after Jay. Conan can be funny, but when they chose him 15 years ago to be the new late nite host taking over for Dave Letterman, I knew that this guy was a 'safer' choice and we were then heading towards a more politically correct comedic atomosphere. I think Conan could be wilder but I think the networks are strict with him. I blame the networks entirely. I can see NBC's reaction to the low ratings and how they are worried but this is their mess. Look, America just isnt fun anymore - especially television. The corporations have cut off its balls. Why do you think no one watches TV anymore? People used to tune in to watch a show en mass because of the bold and intelligent bravery of characters or performers. Look at the original SNL 1975-78. EVERYONE tuned into that when it was a hit after a year. Even Johnny Carson had a Vegas variety show feel to his show, guests would drink booze, he did borerline outrageous skits, many many interesting new comics. All of that is GONE! It doesnt exist, if you think people just want to see actors promoting movies you can go to hell!
Conan is a nice guy, but he really isnt that laugh out loud funny, and honestly if they get rid of Conan, they should chnage the format of what you can say BACK to the what it was 30-40 years ago. Entertainment is just so transparent and the execs are to blame for their poor and cowardly decision making. Also, just for the record, JAY LENO had the 'lead-in of the century in the 1990s with Seinfeld and Friends among many others. If he didnt he would have failed.
JAY LENO WANTS TO RETIRE. It is NBC that has asked him to stay on in some manner in case things don't work out. This is not about Jay Leno its about NBC's chicken shit business practices.
The Suits have put them all in a crummy spot. They need to work out a decent solution. These hosts are all good people, and should stick together in finding that solution. There's room for everybody here, imho.
Leno should never have been given that job. Luckiest guy on primetime.
Conan is a class act - Leno should be taking notes - I will not watch Leno ever again if he moves back to 1130. Most of my friends agree - that we have lost respect for Leno and NBC.
jay threw conan under the bus. hes the one behind this cluster f**k.. the only thing bigger than his jaw is is ego and he's got the network in his back pocket. his own show sucks big time and throwing conan to the wolves saved his own ass. hes a douche……a pompus ass who looks down his nose at everyone……
WELL SPOKEN INTELLGENT MAN.. TOO BAD THIS CAN NOT BE SAID OF NBC EXECS AND JAY LENO !!
NBC screwed up big time. Conan is its big asset. NBC stinks.
I'm not a fan of Leno, or Conan… that said, I think Conan is the class act in this situation.
I hope Leno tanks…. he's a real douche bag.
It's just too bad that three very talented comics' careers are being shuffled like a deck of cards. Conan uprooted his staff and family to relocate for this show. I hope someone else gives him a good deal so it was worthwhile.
Jay Leno failed, simple as that. NBC better stop testing its audience to appease all the soccer moms who still listen to his bland shitty comedy, and fire his ass straight into retirement, and do the right thing by Conan, giving him his show at 11:35.
I have watched Conan for over 12 years. When I was up studying late in high school, I would turn on his show and watch the opening monologue before catching some ZZZs. He is CRAZY talented! He wrote for the Simpsons when he FIRST came out of an Ivy league college and he wrote for SNL for years. He needs to go somewhere where him and his team will be appreciated.
I think Jay Leno is being a total douche. YOU decided to leave The Tonight Show and suddenly when you don't have it, you want to destroy it. Bow out like a gentleman Jay. THIS generation doesn't connect with you. WE don't find you all that funny. It's Conan's time…give him what he has earned.
Team Conan all the way… Leno/NBC suck!!!!!!
Im sorry but i dont find him funny. I watched Jay Leno for years, now he is funny. But his little speech was well said.
CONAN is the man.. who cares about jay leno his old and BORING.
put leno on after carson daly, Problem solved ! LENO SUX !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I LOVE CONAN!!! this sucks so hard. i hope he gets to keep his show. BOO to YOU nbc!
"Not going to lie, we thought that was very well said.'
-
-
Why would you say 'Not going to lie'?
You are not taking an unpopular stand here - his statement has been universally hailed. Why don't you get a real writer with a brain who knows what they are talking about and what common phrases actually mean ?
I love Conan!!!
damnit. i love him as a host. how dare he be the only person in hollywood with integrity
WAY TO GO NBC F*&TARDS!!!!
DIDN'T YOU LEARN FROM YOUR MISTAKES WHEN YOU DID THIS TO LETTERMAN???
CONAN WILL COME OUT SHINNING JUST LIKE DAVE AND YOU'LL STILL BE STUCK WITH THAT ANNOYING ASS LENO!
Let's just say it LENO SUCKS! First he slithered in and took the tonight show from David Letterman who'd rightfully earned it! Now after he agreed to step away from the Tonight Show several years ago when it was promised to Conan, he backstabs again! He should have some class and just retire! NBC sucks to for dangling money in front of such a unethical person such as Leno.
Re: caravaggio the terrible –
I disagree, Leno is a big boy, he knows the decisions he's making are disasterous for those around him. He's a back stabber!
I dig him- hes great
Good for you Conan! I think youre doing the right thing and I hope you get other offers pooring in. Fuck jay leno! This decision was absolutely tactless and NBC should be ashamed of themselves!
I've lost a lot of respect for jay leno (never a fan) …he did retire. I always loved Conan's view…original and slightly eccentric…go Conan, you've lots of fans!
It blows my mind the NBC is pulling the plug so quickly. It should be given time…Conan is hilarious and needs to build an audience that was never awake to see him at 12:35am before. I love you Conan…sorry NBC exec's can't tell their heads from their asses!
#115
well said!
the people of earth live for conan.. as always a class act
the thing is, conan is BETTER than leno…i really hope an agreement can be made. i will be heartbroken if thing don't work out and so will a lot of people. it's not his fault leno's show didn't live up to the hype.
Conan, I'll be watching you wherever you go. Take the 80 mil and start your own thing! You have a great fan base and NBC can SUCK IT! FU NBC!!!!!
Re: Whoaaa –
Really? All you can come up with "Very Cool Guy" and then label Conan's comedy style as "frat boy/college humor" - that is SO clearly beneath your copiously educated sense of humor you can't even make it through an entire show. Please. That is weak.
I hope Jay Leno ends up on daytime. This is ALL his doing. Karma, Karma, Karma, Jay.
Wouldn't it be great if Conan became the president of NBC one day? I think he would do a great job. He has the education and experience - NBC can ONLY improve at this low point. Johnny Carson is probably rolling in his grave right now.
One more thing, Conan's ratings would be better if he didn't have to follow Jay's tanking excuse for a show.
Always have been a huge fan of Conan since he debuted in the Late Night Show. He's a dignified, professional and highly entertaining individual. Jay was never funny and NBC made huge mistake by putting him in the Tonight Show instead of Letterman years back. Since then it's only been one bad decision after another to keep Leno around. What a mess NBC is in.
What I think is ridiculous is the fact that NBC was all too willing to juggle Jay Leno around to help improve his ratings (because, so far, they've sucked a big, fat donkey dick) and screwed Conan. Does anyone believe in ethics anymore? Of course not, it's all about the bottom line. Ugh…
NBC dropped the ball when they didn't give Letterman the Tonight Show way back when. He was and still is the only logical heir to Johnny Carson's throne.
Bravo Conan!
NBC Sucks!!
Conan is much better than Leno! Leno was uspposed to go, but why is he still here?
I don't think they should have ever changed the line-up but Jay said he wanted to retire to spend more time with his wife because he promised her a long time ago.. um, suddenly not important? I preferred Leno as The Tonight Show host and I think Conan was best suited for Late Night while Fallon isn't suited for any show. However, I've always hated NBC for their political bias and now this.. it just shows how wrong they are in every area. Why does Jeff Zucker still have a job? Why isn't the whole NBC upper-management terminated? They are the lowest rated, biased and now look at this debacle. Maybe they should put Saturday Night Live on every night now.. Um?
Team Conan. Leno should go.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE Conan — WTF NBC???? Way to f*ck everything up for the stupid baby boomers who don't "get" Conan — Jay is an old sack of crap! Let his show go away with him!
Now, I'll have to tune into CBS when Conan is gone….BOOOO!!!!