With NBC trying to stray away from drama on primetime by showcasing “The Jay Leno Show,” the fledging, and apparently confused, network has actually seen more drama than an episode of “Law & Order.”
“The Jay Leno Show’s” low ratings are causing a stir in the late night line-up. Apparently, NBC wants to move Leno to his old spot at 11:35PM, but for only a half hour. NBC wants to then push Conan and Jimmy Fallon back a half hour, starting Conan at 12:05AM respectively.
I guess this time around NBC wants to try and increase its ratings by putting Leno in front of Conan – again.
However, Conan is not having it. In a statement (and I’m paraphrasing), the current “Tonight Show” host said, “Fuck this.” Actually, Conan said that he would not follow Jay at 12:05.
Since NBC can’t figure this out. Let me try.
What I think should happen is this: Move Leno back to the “Tonight Show,” releasing Conan from his contract. If Conan wants to go to FOX, then let him. If he loses to Leno in the ratings, NBC makes the right call. Keep Leno on for 10 more years, and since the network owns Tina Fey for “30 Rock,” recruit Fey to host the “Tonight Show.” Fey is a proven commodity with her success as head writer for SNL and now “30 Rock.” Keep Fallon at his time slot, and Carson Daly at his spot. (For an idea about Daly, see the story Bob Zerull did here.)
By doing this, late night would see a great competition among four great talents – Leno, Letterman, Conan, and Kimmel.
BYLINE:
Jason Tanamor is the Editor of Zoiks! Online. He is also the author of the novels, "Hello Lesbian!" and "Anonymous." Email Jason at jason@zoiksonline.com.
1 comments:
You know Tina Fey is actually a pretty good idea. She's funny and would probably bring in a good demographic at that time slot. I know a lot of people are pissed about what happened with Conan, and to be honest, despite the fact that I'm not a fan, he's still a good guy off screen and didn't deserve to be screwed over like this. But the same thing is happening with Jay. He doesn't have as much pull on the network as people seem to think and he's finding himself in a tough situation: take over Tonight and get flamed for it Conan's fans or leave NBC/Hollywood and get flamed for it by most everyone else.
I do honestly think the best thing for him to do is take the wheel of Tonight again because then NBC might be able to salvage the sinking ship that they've created. He brought them up to being "the late-night leader." He might JUST be able to do it again.
Post a Comment