[TV] NBC Gives Conan Ultimatum
Posted by Ashish on 01.08.2010
Take backseat to Leno or leave the network...
TMZ reports that NBC has given Conan O'Brien an ultimatum -- either he accept that The Jay Leno Show is taking over the 11:35PM ET timeslot and that his show will be bumped back to 12:05PM ET, or leave the network. As reported earlier, NBC looks to be ready to move Leno to the timeslot currently occupied by Conan. If Conan decides to stay with NBC, Leno's show will be 30 minutes and be followed by Conan. If Conan decides to leave, Leno's show will be a full hour, essentially undoing NBC's move to make Conan O'Brien the host of The Tonight Show over Jay Leno.
Conan is said to be furious that NBC blindsided him with this situation as they apparently gave him no warning that this move was being considered. At this point, he is considering his options.
Maybe the red headed loser and his bitch Andy can make videos in the basement and post them on youtube. Long live Leno. Suck it haters!!!
Posted By: The Great Ser Drake (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 01:07 AM
Conan should tell NBC to kiss his ass. They give him the Tonight Show, then Leno decides he doesn't want to leave, so they pacify him with a 10pm show that proceeds to bomb. So of course you give him his old job back.
Posted By: ScottyFlamingo (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 01:08 AM
bullshit!
Posted By: Guest#0812 (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 01:09 AM
So they gave Conan the Tonight Show in order to keep him at NBC, but now they are willing to let him go if he doesn't let Jay take his time slot? I really like Conan and this such a shitty position he's put in. I remember reading interviews where he said that hosting the Tonight Show was his dream. Just awful.
Posted By: Aftergone (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 01:11 AM
Never really cared for either guy/show but that's a douche move on NBC's part.
I guess they're not ready to stop blowing Leno yet.
Posted By: su_rko (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 01:12 AM
This is BS. Why would you do this to the Tonight show which has been a staple of late night tv for so many years and to Conan who has been a dedicated employee who has worked hard to do his best. Sad turn of events from NBC.
Posted By: Guest#3026 (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 01:12 AM
Good lord - not too much in the entertainment industry surprises me, but if this, if true, is pretty unprecedented. I can't think of another situation like this, actually (at least, this publically). I have a funny feeling that if TMZ isn't full of crap with this story, Conan may very well be on his way out (FOX? CBS to be Letterman's eventual replacement) in the very near future.
Posted By: Live from the 305 (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 01:13 AM
this is complete bullshit. first off, conan finally takes his RIGHTFUL place on the tonite show and leno gets a new show with top billing before him anyway, and now they're screwing him over again. leno is a no talent unfunny hack. conan is in touch with his audience, and consistently awesome. if he leaves nbc is gonna stand for nobody cares, cuz leno has been stale for years.
Posted By: Ric Switzer (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 01:15 AM
I don't blame Conan for being pissed,I would be too. I know "The Tonight Show" is a dream gig though so this is tough but I think I'd leave if I were him.
Posted By: Tbone3771 (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 01:15 AM
Conan needs to get out of there and onto a different channel. Fuck NBC for doing this to him, and I hope Leno fails. Screw them.
Posted By: conan fan (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 01:17 AM
LEAVE go to ABC they'll cut nightline or change it this is a bunch of BS i dont think jay had this planned out or nothing but shit leave and go find some place that will be glad they have you
Posted By: MaZZacare (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 01:20 AM
First Jay Leno steals The Tonight Show from David Letterman and now he is trying to take it from Conan. If his numbers were better at 10 o'clock maybe The Tonights Show's numbers were be better right now. Jay Leno should be ashamed of himself for this. Usually when your show gets cancelled your out of a job. This sucks for Conan O'Brien because he is very funny and Leno is still making Bill Clinton jokes. Give it up and retire Jay.
Posted By: cperine (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 01:21 AM
Fuck NBC and Jay Leno's unfunny ass. NBC effectively painted themselves into a corner. And the one guy who's done NOTHING wrong is the one who's going to left holding the asshole sign.
I say he tells NBC to go fuck themselves and make them pay out his massive contract. Then go to ABC or Fox and crush Leno.
Posted By: Dave (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 01:23 AM
That's unfortunate. I thought both Leno's and Conan's shows improved a ton with their moves.
Posted By: Guest#5467 (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 01:25 AM
Coming to FOX late night...The Conan O'Brien Show!
Posted By: Why not? (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 01:28 AM
I don't see ABC dropping Nightline or screwing over Jimmy K, so the options are somewhat limited.
FOX could make out very well here.
Posted By: cyks (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 01:29 AM
Seriously, fuck you NBC!
Posted By: Oh boy... (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 01:32 AM
Conan got screwed big time. He should tell NBC to go fuck themselves. They're not the only game in town.
Posted By: Jay P. (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 01:32 AM
They are screwing him over just like they screwed over Letterman. Conan should leave...he would make some network very happy.
Posted By: JDW (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 01:37 AM
Do you really think Conan would want the distinction of being the shortest reigning Tonight Show host of all time? I think not.
Posted By: Kyle (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 01:38 AM
GO TO FOX CONAN!
Posted By: Guest#9263 (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 01:39 AM
Leave, Conan. You're better than Leno. End of story. You need to be free to shop other networks, to crush your enemies, and see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentations of the women. That is what is best in life.
Posted By: Hyborian (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 01:44 AM
Maybe the red headed loser and his bitch Andy can make videos in the basement and post them on youtube. Long live Leno. Suck it haters!!!
Posted By: The Great Ser Drake (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 01:07 AM
Given that you are currently the one "hating", what is it you are proscribing yourself to suck?
Might I suggest one of those red, white, and blue popsicles? I like em!
Posted By: Guest#1208 (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 02:03 AM
"I don't blame Conan for being pissed,I would be too. I know "The Tonight Show" is a dream gig though so this is tough but I think I'd leave if I were him."
Easy to say when its not you. He leave and they give someone else The Tonight Show, so what are they losing?
Posted By: Guest#2657 (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 02:07 AM
Ultimately I think it comes down to who draws better ratings. Conan may be funnier than Leno, but the fact of the matter is Conan hasn't been doing as well in the ratings as Leno was when he was hosting the Tonight Show. From what I understand, Conan's been getting beat by David Letterman, while Leno was beating Letterman in the ratings when he was host of the show.
Posted By: KWD25 (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 02:10 AM
NBC can say this because they surely have Conan signed to a no compete clause so it's either move back for 30 minutes or have no show at all for a year or two.
Posted By: lethargic (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 02:12 AM
This sucks for Conan, and it is a lame thing to do to him... and reminiscent to Letterman... but then again they FORCED Leno out to keep Conan anyway... and it makes sense... Leno always killed Letterman, Letterman beats Conan easily... move Leno back. and Tonight Show wins again... and then you can put shows that are meant for prime time at 10... Conan should go to Fox...or CBS, I hear letterman;s contract ends soon... or maybe abc but I doubt it. Either way, I doubt Leno will lose to Conan given that Conan cant beat Letterman.
Posted By: Chris (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 02:15 AM
Conan isn't great but I'd rather watch him any day than Leno. I usually watch Kimmel though anyway.
Posted By: Daniel (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 02:19 AM
now i never liked conan or his humor. But i have to say that is a pretty bulshit move that nbc did. Jay leno is like the brett farve of NBC. And Conan is like Aron Rodgers. Only Rodgers didn't get screwed over. Fox would hire Conanan immidiatly same with CBS.
Posted By: Guest#6457 (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 02:23 AM
Why are Conans ratings so fucking low if all you losers love him so much? Leno is THE KING of late night.
Posted By: The Great Ser Drake (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 02:28 AM
Conan has shitty ratings at 1130. It's just business.
Posted By: the sad truth (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 02:33 AM
I tried to get behind Conan at 11:30, but man, he's just gotten totally stale. I won't watch Leno either, but this just really isn't surprising. BTW, both are still better than Letterman, just there is better things to do than watch any of those shows.
Posted By: Butters4Prez (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 02:42 AM
Conan >>> Leno
Posted By: Guest#1753 (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 02:50 AM
Here's hoping he has something in his contract that lets him take them for a fuckton of money. Fuck the living chin, who has sucked every bit of entertainment out of the Tonight Show since taking over (and yes, I'm old enough to remember watching Johnny Carson as host).
Posted By: Scott B (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 02:52 AM
I see that everyone else pretty much agrees with what I am going to say, but I want to say it anyway. Conan is awesome and I feel like NBC needs him far far more than he needs NBC. I also believe truly that huge percentage of NBC's audience will leave with Conan. I know I will.
Posted By: Guest#7291 (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 02:53 AM
There's a simple reason for this. When Leno left the tonight show was beating Letterman easily, but under Conan the rating have fallen and that's the reason he's in this position. He got his shot and he failed. Go ahead Conan...leave and goto fox, you can finish ever further behind in the ratings.
I gave Conan a chance, but as soon as that damn horn starts blaring I want to turn the channel and then they expect me to sit through Conan's horrible monolog. You might not like Leno, but at least the guy can tell a joke.
Besides this mess is all on NBC....I think we all saw this comming. Hell this is more entertaining then anything on the network. They should be broadcasting all these talent meetings
Posted By: Guest (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 02:58 AM
leave nbc conan, f them. go to comedy central
Posted By: Jo-E (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 03:45 AM
While I find neither of them to be that funny, I still think that Conan is getting reamed. He worked behind Leno for nearly 2 decades, and when he gets his shot, NBC still puts him behind Leno!
Leno's show is causing problems for NBC's line up, and hurting ratings for both Tonight and Late Night shows. If they moved Leno back BEHIND Conan, then I don't think people would have cared much, since Fallon sucked to begin with. But since that isn't the case, I say that Conan should go to another network and get the respect he deserves.
Posted By: Guest#9208 (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 03:45 AM
That masturbating bear would do a better job of running NBC than those execs.
Posted By: faaaakenboolshet (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 04:46 AM
Givin Letterman's age and his recent scandal it may be best for him to consider retirement. I couldn't think of anyone Letterman would rather hand the show over to than Conan and Conan credits Letterman for paving the way with his absurdest style humor. So I'd say it's a match made in heaven. Freaking NBC. Help your brother out Letterman!
Posted By: ZachP (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 04:51 AM
Unbelievable, ain't it? What a complete joke and incredibly bad treatment of Conan. What I'd love to see is Conan leave NBC, and make his big return appearance on his idol Dave Letterman's show. NBC and Leno are coming out of out this looking like morons and jerkoffs. What a disaster.
Posted By: Earl (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 05:04 AM
no wonder they are a fourth place network. decisions like this is going to bury themselves further.
see you on fox conan.
Posted By: rey (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 05:12 AM
The Hulkster's gonns sign him to TNA. Screw you WWE. Watchca gonna do?
Posted By: wait... (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 05:27 AM
In life you're not supposed to be rewarded for failing. That's exactly what's happening to Jay Leno. Conan should definetely say peace and go to fox where IMO he's a better fit anyway.
Posted By: Justin Credible (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 05:38 AM
I hope he tells them to go to Hell,it can't be any worse then NBC
Posted By: Johndoe (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 05:59 AM
NBC loves playing hardball like this. They won't actually buy out his contract or anything if they can help it, because they like keeping you under contract and waiting it out in spite rather than letting you go somewhere else where you might have a chance to be successful. For Conan's sake I hope he is getting paid pretty well.
What will happen though is they will just do what they want and Conan will have to take it. If he tries to leave they'll hold the contract over his head and force him into litigation, where he might lose because he probably didn't negotiate good clauses for himself and just signed something that paid him pretty well and looked okay. So either they pay him and not have him do anything, or they have him go onto the later slot. Either way it's going to just be what they want, not Conan.
Posted By: Guest#6308 (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 07:05 AM
if you claim to prefer Leno over Conan, you're either an idiot troll or over 50
Posted By: KGNine (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 07:08 AM
You have to be a certain kind of moron to be able to sit through a Leno show...you have to be a certain kind of RETARDED moron to sit through a Leno show and actually ENJOY it.
Posted By: John B Hopkins (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 07:14 AM
Conan O'Brien should be like the Japanese Prime Minister in the South Park episode "Whale Whores."
"Ahem....a-fuck you Leno! And a-fuck you NBC!"
Posted By: Rock Robster (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 07:15 AM
Leno must have nude pictures of the NBC execs..
Posted By: MAROON II (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 07:23 AM
Leno sucks. He is not funny, his interviews are completely wooden and his segways between lame, rehearsed celebrity anecdotes are clumsy and obvious.
Posted By: baker (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 08:18 AM
In all fairness, Conan really dropped the ball on this Tonight Show. It was no "Late Night with Conan O Brien" . . more like a Diet "Late Night" but without any health benefits, and with overly long monologues and god awful segments with Conan taking little adventures in LA. Where's "Satellite TV" or "Secrets . ."??
Posted By: C (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 08:28 AM
I've seen most the American talk show hosts and frankly they all blow chunks.
Posted By: Andrew Barbarash (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 08:38 AM
If O'Brien had just agreed to drop the belt to Leno in Montreal, NBC wouldn't have to resort to doing this. NBC is worried Conan will show up on Fox and dump the NBC Late Night Championship in the garbage, so this is there only plan of action. Conan screwed Conan.
Posted By: Zingy (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 08:41 AM
This is a jerk move, but I wonder if the ratings support it. Also, I actually think Conan plays better to the later crowd. But yeah, it definitely sucks for a guy who has been loyal to the network and certainly earned the right to host the Tonight Show with his talent and hard work.
Posted By: Guest#7756 (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 08:55 AM
I could never figure out why they replaced Leno with Conan in the first place. Leno was number 1 in the ratings for what, 15+ years or so? Even his rival David Letterman couldn't figure out why they were replacing Jay. Was it in Conan's contract that he would get the Tonight Show someday? (By the way, I think Conan is a pretty funny guy and don't really have a problem with him replacing Leno, it's just that, ratings-wise, Leno was doing really well.) Seems like a great example of "let's fix something until we break it". Now they want to reneg on their deal with Conan and basically take the job away from him? What a bunch of chumps running NBC.
Posted By: CourtesyFlush (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 09:11 AM
Hasnt Jay's show been tanking in the rating anyways and not doing as good as they expected while Conan's show was still going strong even with C list guests while Leno gets A listers and B listers kinda funny. Conan it may have been your dream but NBC is pissing all over it.
Posted By: reveal (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 09:31 AM
Leno's show is sucking in the ratings and Conan isn't doing much better. Leno is unfunny and has no original ideas. This is complete BS by NBC I guess when your programming pretty much sucks you have to stoop to an all time low.
Posted By: Captain_America (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 09:35 AM
Ultimately I think it comes down to who draws better ratings. Conan may be funnier than Leno, but the fact of the matter is Conan hasn't been doing as well in the ratings as Leno was when he was hosting the Tonight Show. From what I understand, Conan's been getting beat by David Letterman, while Leno was beating Letterman in the ratings when he was host of the show.
Posted By: KWD25 (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 02:10 AM
Yeah but he hasn't even been doing it a year...when he first come on the air, he floundered...and then he garnered an audience and started killing it! They didn't give him a chance to even gain back the people The Tonight Show lost with Leno leaving because they fucking kept him ON THERE! You don't really know what he can pull with all these shenanigans...
p.s. Leno sucks a fat one
Posted By: Erik... (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 10:15 AM
I would love to find out that Conan has called Letterman for advice (in the same way that Dave called Carson for advice after NBC gave the Tonight Show to Leno). I think Letterman would tell Conan to screw NBC and head to either ABC or FOX.
Posted By: Tony (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 10:20 AM
Ultimately I think it comes down to who draws better ratings. Conan may be funnier than Leno, but the fact of the matter is Conan hasn't been doing as well in the ratings as Leno was when he was hosting the Tonight Show. From what I understand, Conan's been getting beat by David Letterman, while Leno was beating Letterman in the ratings when he was host of the show.
Posted By: KWD25 (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 02:10 AM
Lately it's been more evened out with Letterman. On analysis, Conan is doing better during his first year than Jay did during his first respectively. Conan also has good/higher ratings with the younger demographic.
Posted By: Shannon (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 10:24 AM
Conan on FOX.
Posted By: I Predict The Future (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 10:25 AM
Moving Leno to 11:30-12 is really stupid. Is NBC so desperate for rating that they're only focusing on winning one half-hour time slot? They tried to cut costs by moving Leno's show to 10 PM, and it didn't work. Now they want to reshuffle the deck, move the Tonight Show to midnight (which doesn't align with Letterman's show), and put more faith in a host who will probably retire within the next few years? No wonder NBC is tanking.
Plus, Conan's ratings are not bad. Letterman had a big year with his sex scandal and Sarah Palin feud. Also, Conan draws younger audiences more than Leno. Lower ratings with a profitable demographic is oftentimes more desirable than higher ratings with an older one.
Posted By: matt (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 10:39 AM
anyway they go, there will be a backlash. if conan leaves, his youthful demo goes with him. if leno goes, the same for him.
i hope lorne michaels steps in. as executive producer of late night with jimmy fallon. he also has a stake in this mess. moving jay screws over conan, jimmy, and even carson daly.
Posted By: rey (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 10:40 AM
knowing letterman's history. i wouldnt be surprised as a way to screw jay over. he retires and gives conan his show.
Posted By: jd (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 10:44 AM
This is an insult to the Tonight Show. Johnny Carson should rise the grave and bitch smack these clueless NBC execs till their cheeks are bloodied and showing bone. Than smack em again.
Posted By: The Dutch (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 11:08 AM
So let me get something straight. NBC is bumping Conan, but keeping Jimmy Fallon? I see that they have morons calling the shots over there. R.I.P. NBC, you're done!
Posted By: Guest#3641 (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 11:27 AM
If Conanshould be mad at anyone it should be at Jay. Jay wanted the early time slot in prime time. Jay was the one who didnt do a good enough show to keep his audience. His crappy primtime show ratings even affected local news shows. In New York the spanish channel news in that time slot was beating local the NBC channel,because of Leno. WHich in turn meant all the viewers laeving the news werent coming back for Conan, which is Jays fault.
Jay is messing up stuff and pissing people off everywhere.
Posted By: Guest#9472 (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 11:30 AM
UNless there is a giagantic paycut i dontsee the downside beside not being host of the tonight show. Jay is only getting half an hour and Conan is getting an hour still. They should have just approached this differently.
Then again im a Letterman fan always has been always will be.
Posted By: Guest#7819 (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 11:32 AM
People still watch late night?
Posted By: stroke (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 11:33 AM
Conan has some talent. Leno is just awful and always has been.
Posted By: Guest#3968 (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 11:54 AM
Leno just needs to bow out. His old jokes and mediocre style of interviewing is annoying and less than interesting. HE needs to be removed from the airwaves. AND Andy needs to move into the chair like he used too not sitting off to the side. What the hell is that all about?
Posted By: Lavonne Stouphan, 94 (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 01:05 PM
Leno over O'Brian anytime.
Actually for me it was always Carson - now he was funny.
Posted By: Late Night with Leno (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 04:06 PM
Leno Sucks and is outdated.... Conan has become stale and careful....Conan should leave and go back to his old ways which is doing whatever the hell he wanted
Posted By: Brent (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 04:40 PM
Why are Conans ratings so fucking low if all you losers love him so much? Leno is THE KING of late night.
Posted By: The Great Ser Drake (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 02:28 AM
Actually, you douche, Carson is the King of Late Night. Show some respect..
Furthermore, NBC doomed Conan when it came to ratings before he even began. Conan had the duty of reeling in viewers that are Leno followers (for whatever reason! Hack!) but he couldn't do that because they gave Leno a fucking show before him!! How is he supposed to prove he can beat the competition when you don't let him on his own?? They didn't from the start!
And Leno's ratings have been EVEN WORSE! NBC's thought process: "Leno, you left the Tonight Show and actually proved that you can't draw ratings on your own...you've done terrible actually...so why don't we reward you with hosing over the young guy that deserves it and giving you your old timeslot back?"
WHAT?????!!!!!!
Posted By: Erik... (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 07:12 PM
If Conan were to go to FOX, he could get a late-nite show as well as write an episode or two of The Simpsons again.
Posted By: RudoWakening (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 08:52 PM
Uhhhh...so who's gonna replace Leno when he actually retires? NBC's pre-2009 lineup was great with Leno at 11:30 with the humor for the old folks, Conan at 12:30 for the hip crowd (love Conan but he belongs back in NYC), and Jimmy Fallon was elsewhere making movies I'll never see with Queen Latifah and the like. If Conan moves to another network, I'll follow!
WE LOVE YOU CONAN!
Posted By: CuriousGeorge (Guest) on January 08, 2010 at 08:52 PM
The real oncern in all of this is what will happen to Carson daly !!!
Posted By: Johndoe (Guest) on January 09, 2010 at 12:42 AM
Yep, that is a bunch of crap. Conan is much funnier than Leno and actually, I don't think Leno's show at 10 sucks as bad as they say. They knew that was an experiment anyway and it looks like people are ready to watch the same crap every night at 10. Regardless, shit move on NBC's part if they try to actually make that move. Cut Leno's show to a night or two a week at 10. That's what I'd do and leave Conan (the man of NBC's future) right where he is.
Posted By: Doug (Guest) on January 09, 2010 at 01:35 AM
@#^%@# Leno! Are you f'ing kidding me? Leno isn't funny and hasn't been for a long time. Who gives a s*! Conan is by far much funnier.
Posted By: John Smith (Guest) on January 13, 2010 at 02:09 PM
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