Duckboy Posted January 12, 2010 Report Share Posted January 12, 2010 http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/12/conan-obrien-says-he-wont-do-tonight-show-following-leno/ 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. Have a great day and, for the record, I am truly sorry about my hair; it’s always been that way. Yours, Conan I say, good for Conan. It's pretty ridiculous what NBC is trying to do to him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaron C-T Posted January 12, 2010 Report Share Posted January 12, 2010 Had no idea anything was even going on. I love how dedicated he is to it's legacy though. Edit: It's pretty lame for them to try and shove him back into his previous time-spot behind Leno yet again. And I have to agree with one of the comments there: "...I think it is Jay's duty to fall on the sword here. " Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slingerland Posted January 12, 2010 Report Share Posted January 12, 2010 Fuck Jay Leno and his comedically irrelevant ass. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1LT Worm Posted January 12, 2010 Report Share Posted January 12, 2010 It might be a bad time to mention this, but even with Conan, the show is eventually doomed. I mean, his successor will be Jimmy Fallon. Other than Conan, Craig Ferguson is the only good late-night host around anymore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ espeed Posted January 13, 2010 Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 Craig Ferguson. You just can't beat a Scot with plenty of wit for sure. He's great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OverbounD Posted January 13, 2010 Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 Screw NBC Conan rocks he's the best on late night period. I hope he moves to Fox I think he'd be a good fit there. I loled about the hair comment true Conan Style. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pheonix Gamma Posted January 13, 2010 Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 Wait...people still watch Leno? Did he get funny? And yea, I'll miss Conan. His premiere on the Tonight Show was phenomenal, and I loved what he did. Ah well. Now NBC has zero shows worth watching! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wesker Posted January 13, 2010 Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 Bummer, not that I ever watched it at it's proper time slot, but the highlights on the internet were always funny. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Epon Posted January 13, 2010 Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 Chelsea Lately is the only good show after 11pm plus she's hot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pheonix Gamma Posted January 13, 2010 Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 Chelsea Lately is the only good show after 11pm plus she's hot Thank god. I was worried I was the only one who liked her (and the show). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Epon Posted January 13, 2010 Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 oh god what i'd do Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1LT Worm Posted January 13, 2010 Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 Ah well. Now NBC has zero shows worth watching! Especially since they canceled My Name is Earl to put on Parks and Recreation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OverbounD Posted January 13, 2010 Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 My name is Earl was an awful show Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pheonix Gamma Posted January 13, 2010 Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 Fuck you. I liked it :V Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duckboy Posted January 13, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 The Office is really awesome too. Preemptively posting the next replies: bloo bloo bloo the british one was better *splooges all over Britain* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OverbounD Posted January 13, 2010 Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 The British one is great and the American one is too. But Ricky Gervais is the funniest person alive. Getting sort of back to topic I always liked when Ricky goes on Conan they always seem to do some pretty funny shit together. How about Conan ditches Andy Richter and places Ricky Gervais in his place. Of course that's never going to happen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Shadix Posted January 14, 2010 Report Share Posted January 14, 2010 My name is Earl was an awful show >:| Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ligar Posted January 14, 2010 Report Share Posted January 14, 2010 Welp, my history teacher wasn't too far off when he poked at the exact subject of Leno being the dagger in the heart of NBC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OverbounD Posted January 14, 2010 Report Share Posted January 14, 2010 NBC should just ditch Leno. Yeah he got better ratings than Conan but now he's damage goods I bet Conan will beat him in ratings in the future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ espeed Posted January 14, 2010 Report Share Posted January 14, 2010 Speaking of Leno-haters, This video that appeared on Letterman does a mildly good job at taking a stab at the Conan hater. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1LT Worm Posted January 14, 2010 Report Share Posted January 14, 2010 But Ricky Gervais is the funniest person alive. What? Are you serious? He's not even the funniest Brit. How about Conan ditches Andy Richter and places Ricky Gervais in his place. Of course that's never going to happen. Heresy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OverbounD Posted January 14, 2010 Report Share Posted January 14, 2010 His style of Comedy is just very compatible with my sense of humor. He's absurd, he acts like he's doing you a favor while he insults you and he's got such a big ego. His humor is to be as socially incorrect as he can and not know it, all the while thinking himself a genius. I think he's hilarious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Posted January 14, 2010 Report Share Posted January 14, 2010 The British one is great and the American one is too. But Ricky Gervais is the funniest person alive. Wrong. So, so wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duckboy Posted January 14, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2010 Ricky Gervais is godamned hilarious Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tentril Posted January 14, 2010 Report Share Posted January 14, 2010 ...so how about that Conan fella? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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