Tonight Show With Conan O'Brien

[RoyalDutchOfDukes]

"Over time, it could become a nightly show on the network." I'm somewhat confused by this. Does Fox really not have that much confidence in Conan that they need to have this four night on cable and weekend show-trial plan? Am I misinterpreting this?

I think a little, yeah. They've tried things out on FX before if memory serves and then moved them to Fox proper if the numbers were big enough. I think they're looking at this option as a compromise of sorts to keep the affiliates from having to dump the syndicated re-runs that are so profitable for them and still get Conan on board and possibly run his show both on FX and on the Fox affilliates that are willing to play ball and take a chance on him vs. the re-runs.

The only issue I'd see with this plan is we'd need to know how much cable penetration FX has at this time. If it's in less homes than the highest possible audience for both Dave and Leno's shows, it's not a good deal because there's no way he'll be able to compete, and what Fox wants to do is be able to compete and create a franchise that's Fox exclusive where they'll always have it in that timeslot. It's not that they don't have confidence in Conan, it's that they don't know if the affiliates will give up the assured revenue they already have from the syndicated re-runs and essentially gamble it on a new late night talk show hosted by Conan that would be competing directly with two entrenched, established franchises on other broadcast networks.

I think the FX plan isn't the worst compromise in the world, provided they don't have a much smaller penetration than I think. The landscape of TV is changing and cable networks are starting to compete with their broadcast counterparts more and more, and I really doubt that there are a lot of Nielsen families out there who are without cable, so it could work if they do it this way first. I think the ideal position would be to give the affiliates some sort of guaranteed reimbursement for lost revenues if they start it out on all Fox affiliates and it tanks that let's them break close to even if it doesn't work and possibly let the affiliates who aren't willing to take a chance opt out, then re-run it on FX after midnight.

[bridgetosolace]

It's not entirely representative, but Sons Of Anarchy on FX regularly got in the 4-5 million viewers range.

For contrast, the most recent episode of Jay's show got about 3 million.

(4-5 million isn't common, though. USA is the only cable station that regularly gets higher rating)

[drbristol]

...provided they don't have a much smaller penetration than I think.

"That's what she said." (M. Scott)

[Zoltar]

But if you actually read that article, the FX plan is a very small part, just a sidenote. It sounds like the main plan would still be to try to get him on Fox.

[Itslikeimsayin]

Nothing to do with Conan, but enough Dave/Jay discussion has taken place in this thread to warrant posting this here.

How David Letterman, Jay Leno and Oprah Winfrey pulled off their secret Super Bowl promo for CBS' 'Late Show'

I'm not sure what to think about this. On one hand, I agree with Letterman that it was funny. But on the other hand, it really signals an acceptance of Jay, even if it is mocking him. If I were Letterman, I don't think I would've given Jay a chance to get in on the action.

[schley]

Nothing to do with Conan, but enough Dave/Jay discussion has taken place in this thread to warrant posting this here.

How David Letterman, Jay Leno and Oprah Winfrey pulled off their secret Super Bowl promo for CBS' 'Late Show'

I'm not sure what to think about this. On one hand, I agree with Letterman that it was funny. But on the other hand, it really signals an acceptance of Jay, even if it is mocking him. If I were Letterman, I don't think I would've given Jay a chance to get in on the action.

If it somehow manages to get Leno FIRED... now THAT will be funny!

[MikeDinosaur]

I thought it was pretty funny. Therefore I approve.

[colacentral]

Hey everyone, I'm a long time reader of the forum but up until now have been hesitant to get involved in conversation.

Anyway, like most people here I have been angry and sad about conan's departure, and I recently wrote and recorded a song about him and specifically, the final episode of his tonight show. It's uploaded here: http://www.myspace.com/perroscantantes

It's at the bottom of the playlist and it's called "fire ant (since 92)".

[RoyalDutchOfDukes]

The taping kept Leno from doing his show Tuesday, so the network extended Tuesday’s edition of “The Biggest Loser” to fill his time slot.

Oh, you mean Leno blew off his own show to tape a commercial for a competitor's show? But he loves his show! Remember how heartbroken he was when NBC cancelled it? And what about his staff that he loves so much? I'm sure they could have used the money they'd be paid to produce the show, but I guess Denim Dan's got more important things to do, like awkwardly try to rehab his shattered image.

[ASR]

"The Biggest Loser" is a better title for his time slot anyway.

[JuanCarlos]

Deadline Hollywood says Conan was supposed to be involved, but he declined. I think he should've went for it, the joke was probably "Hey, you're in my seat" or something like that. I think it could've been the perfect epilogue to this whole thing.

[WheresMyToast]

Oh, god, Aaron Bleyart just posted photos of what's left of the studio. I'm too depressed to link it - you can find them, if you want, can't you? I will if you really need me to.

Somebody hold me.

[MikeDinosaur]

Deadline Hollywood says Conan was supposed to be involved, but he declined. I think he should've went for it, the joke was probably "Hey, you're in my seat" or something like that. I think it could've been the perfect epilogue to this whole thing.

Sure, but I can understand not wanting to do a commercial with a guy he's probably having nightmares about right now.

[Big McLargehuge]

Deadline Hollywood says Conan was supposed to be involved, but he declined. I think he should've went for it, the joke was probably "Hey, you're in my seat" or something like that. I think it could've been the perfect epilogue to this whole thing.

I'm pretty sure that would've been outside the parameters of the crazy, Conan-can't-be-on-television-till-fall-or-discuss-the-tonight-show-in-any-manner clause of his termination agreement.

[James Smann]

I think it goes down to what we all saw from Conan throughout this ordeal: Class. It would've been a great opportunity for a cheap "Fuck you Jay" type joke/moment...but he didn't want to do that, so he stayed above the fray. It also makes sense from the "limit access until his new show drops" angle...if you starve the market, it may just drive up demand and buzz.

[James Smann]

[JuanCarlos]

Sure, but I can understand not wanting to do a commercial with a guy he's probably having nightmares about right now.

If it was for personal reasons, then Conan needs to shift his perspective and realize that at the end of the show it's three millionaires fighting for a show. There are a bunch of comedians as funny as Conan who don't get a tenth of the respect and attention he gets.

[MikeDinosaur]

Eh. I'm not an impoverished Cambodian, but there are still people who were dicks to me who I hate to this day. The problems of most of the people on this board pale in the face of worldwide human misery, but we don't just raise our hands to the sky in gratitude day in and day out. I imagine if Conan was a billionaire he'd still think Leno was a cheating dick for taking The Tonight Show from him; it doesn't really have anything to do with those bunches of comedians who are as good as him.

[Krudler]

If it was for personal reasons, then Conan needs to shift his perspective and realize that at the end of the show it's three millionaires fighting for a show. There are a bunch of comedians as funny as Conan who don't get a tenth of the respect and attention he gets.

What do you mean by "bunch of comedians?" Conan isn't a stand-up. Are you saying that because there are comedians out there that you find funnier, they deserve more respect in the industry or are therefore more qualified to host The Tonight Show?

And this whole notion of "three millionaires fighting," or that there are greater injustices in the world (I'm looking at you, Haiti.) I'm an admissions counselor at a law school in downtown Boston. Should I not complain about being screwed over by my bosses because people elsewhere in the world have it worse than me?

Isn't my "point" dumb?

[Berliner]

What annoys me about that post is that 1: its not like Conan didn't pay his own dues in the comedy world. 2: how many comedians has Conan helped over the years, through either being part of the staff of his shows or through showcasing their talent on the show?