So with his release of an eloquent, measured, but firm statement today, Conan O’Brien begins the process of untethering himself from the shackles of NBC Read the full post.
Jan 12
2010
05:44 PM ET
Conan O'Brien: Where does he go from here?
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Carson was a fan of Letterman and even wanted Letterman not Leno to succeed him. Letterman in-turn is a huge fan of O’Brien. I think the three of them share the same youthfulness and nonchalant attitude on ratings.
Conan should take a tip from Letterman and move to CBS!
Conan would be a good fit at FOX, but NBC is to blame. They are loosing out of their future, LENO is not that good anymore. Conan is a better comedian and his laid back and more openminded comedy is refreshing and real. Conana will outshine wherever he goes. NBC will see the mistake they made!
I’ve never liked Leno, but the fact is that he was wronged in all this too. He was forced from his throne will on top. He couldn’t go anywhere else because NBC still has him under contract for 2 more years. This is why he wound up on prime time, it wasn’t his choice. Having said that, I still think Conan made the right move and showed class and integrity by walking away and leaving TTS intact. He also made sure his entire crew would be rewarded with a nice severance package. Bottom line, NBC is the devil!!!!!!
I think Conan should go to Comedy Central and air immediately after Colbert. 2 solid hours of comedic genius, all geared at the same audience. Stewart to Colbert to O’Brien (Conan also would not be up against the monologues for Leno & Letterman, thus increasing possible ratings, as most people turn those shows off after the monologues), thalk about a terrible threesome for network tv to come up against.
I think that Conan should lay low, perhaps write a book, until David Letterman is primed to retire, then take over that show the same way that he was given Late Night. Up against Leno he would be number one in no time. (By no means am I suggesting that Dave be pushed out, but he may be thinking about retirement in the next year or so… maybe… I am not sure)
The sad truth is that Conan will not do ‘well’ wherever he goes. His audience is probably bigger than Leno or Letterman, but they are younger and watch him online or DVR or mobile – which does not show up on the ratings. The network execs know this, but all that matters is the ratings and what they can charge the advertisers – period. Conans audience are not good consumers, neither are lettermans. Lenos viewers are largely older predictable blue collar or bored family types that dont want to think too hard when they tune in before going to bed – and they REALLY respond to the advertisements, trust me. Thats the facts Jack.
Conan should go to FOX, on Saturday night. With a live 90 minute show. He could destroy SNL, and get his revenge on NBC.
I think Conan did make a big mistake in agreeing to do Tonight to be begin with. It is just not him – Conan is edgy, out-there comedy that “mainstream” USA will never get and I don’t care if they do. He is funny because he is quirky. The Tonight Show is an institution that used to be something for comedians to covet – but that time is passed. I say go back to the 12:30 slot and get back to the humor that made Conan great.
Jay Leno is such a slimebag. He himself started out on Tonight losing the ratings to Letterman. But NBC stuck with him and he eventually took the lead. I think Conan could have done the same if they had given him the time. But Leno was always hovering around, like “hey, if the ratings drop, I’m right here, just call me.” That makes it tough for Conan to build a following. Leno may have (and keep) the viewers, but he is not the best late-night host, and he knows it. He is the most inoffensive, mild, and easy-to-digest — like the oatmeal mush his viewers eat every night before they “clap off the lights”.
My family and I are PRO LENO FANS! Everyone I know is a Leno fan. Those supporting COCO are a couple million loud obnoxious fans. They seem like a lot because they have banned together to make a loud protest and have for now succeeded.
Jay’s fans are the sophiscated quiet majority quietly waiting for his return. We know that Conan did not have a fan base large enough to carry his show and that is the ONLY reason he lost his show. Well also his arrogance that he was too good to go on 30 minutes later. I wish him well somewhere else. He is not
“Tonight Show ” quality. His humor is immature ignorant and not funny.
Having the “Tonight Show” slot was NOT paying off for Conan creatively. Quite the contrary. The reason so many us demanded the Masturbating Bear (and got it!) was because when Conan went to 11:35, he really watered down his formula. The “off-the-wall, zany comedy bits” became political commentary and celeb rags. That’s not why I’ve loved Conan for over a decade. I loved him for the Evil Puppy, the Interrupter, the Ghost Crooner, Abe Vigoda, and yes, the Masturbating Bear. The sheer nonsense of it all! I have nothing for respect for Conan and he has filled my life with laughter. But his version of “The Tonight Show” seemed like Diet Conan, and personally, I like my Conan straight up!