Big mistake, NBC

For the past month, there have been disputes surrounding NBC and its dealings with popular talk show hosts Jay Leno and Conan O’Brien.

Due to Leno’s new prime-time audience and his inability to intrigue or entertain many with his new 10 p.m. program “The Jay Leno Show,” numbers began to plummet, causing the numbers for O’Brien’s “The Tonight Show” at 11:30 p.m. to drop as well. Something needed to be done about the drastic change in ratings.

After striking a deal with NBC, O’Brien was forced to leave the airwaves until September 2010, after which he will more than likely be signed with FOX. Obviously this situation has caused turmoil amongst both Leno and O’Brien fans.

Now, I must say, I have always preferred O’Brien over Leno. His sense of humor and honesty are refreshing. Leno’s work is dry and I’ve never once found myself cracking a smile at it. Leno seems to be a fan of cheap humor whereas O’Brien knows what’s funny.

He can get me laughing out loud every time.

It just isn’t right that O’Brien should be bullied out of his job because Leno failed and NBC can’t let go.

Leno claimed, in an interview with Oprah Winfrey, that he was merely seeking to fight for the jobs out there. His interview was clearly a poor attempt to gain some sympathy.

Don’t be fooled. It’s because Leno decided to do a new show and failed that the numbers were brought down and this whole issue started in the first place.

O’Brien’s final show on Jan. 22 was an unbelievable success. With more viewers than any of his previous shows, O’Brien showed fans his appreciation and reminded us all why we love him in the first place.

“Please do not be cynical. ... For the record, it’s one of my least favorite qualities. It doesn’t lead anywhere. Nobody gets in life exactly what they thought they were going to get, but if you work really hard, and you’re kind, amazing things will happen,” O’Brien said.

NBC has made a terrible mistake. Why would a network get rid of a guy who is clearly funnier than Leno and apparently doing better in his ratings?

Leno has lost his touch. Maybe it’s time to cut the cord and let someone new take the reins–and keep them.

Poor O’Brien only got to experience what he calls “every comedian’s dream” for seven months. Not cool, NBC.
 

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4 comments

Anonymous

Tue Mar 16 2010 01:08

I agree with you as well. I never thought leno was all that funny but it did not help that my grandparents would watch. Conan on the other hand made me laugh. I just watch i could have watched more often when i had the chance! But it is too optimistic to think that Jay Leno will not do well since the people who like his brand of humor will more then likely continue to watch him.

ME Sokoloff

Wed Mar 3 2010 16:50

My feelings, almost exactly. Leno at 10 was a bust - no question. Watching it the handful of times I did, was barely tolerable; I was embarrassed for him. Conan, as Tonight show host, on the other hand, was just warming up. I was a little concerned when he first assumed "the chair", buy as time went on, he seemed increasingly comfortable. You may agree that demographics and dollars ruled. Both Leno and Conan become secondary to the market. Certainly Conan's largesse in handling the situation will only reap an increase in popularity. As far as Leno returning to the Tonight Show - it may end up a case of "You can't go home." Time will tell.

Cheif

Fri Feb 19 2010 18:13

Great Job, I agree too.

Edwin

Thu Feb 11 2010 15:51

This article tells exactly how I think about the situation. I hope Conan gets to do what he does best at fox in september. Also hope nobody will watch Jay, but that won't happen cause ignorant stupid people like his "humor". I myself made a blog and put all eps on it the past months, cause i am dutch and live in holland that wasn't easy to do but i did it without thought cause i felt the show deserved to be seen also by people outside the usa. thetonightshowwithconan.blogspot.com

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