"I’m with COCO; Mr. Conan O’Brien if you’re for Leno."

By Bob Zerull

Users of Facebook may have noticed a new group called “I’m with COCO.” The Facebook group was created by Mike Mitchell in support of Conan O’Brien. As many of you know NBC had done it again. Remember when Johnny Carson retired from the “The Tonight Show?” Remember all the drama that went a long with that? The job should have been David Letterman’s, but instead they gave the show to Jay Leno. NBC wanted to avoid all of that drama when Leno finally left by promising Conan O’Brien “The Tonight Show” back in 2004.



Jay Leno is probably the nicest most professional guy in show business. He never seemed to take anything personally and was always the consummate professional. When Conan was promised “The Tonight Show” he went with it. When it came time for Conan to take over Jay realized he still loved doing the show. NBC wanted to keep him and give him a shot at primetime. This move was very profitable for NBC. The problem was it was ruining the local affiliates. Leno’s ratings in primetime were terrible leading into the local news. Nobody was watching their local news on NBC which also hurt “The Tonight Show’s” ratings.

NBC’s solution was to move Leno’s show to 11:35 PM, pushing Conan’s “The Tonight Show” and Jimmy Fallon’s “Late Night” back a half hour. Leno said yes, but Conan said he “cannot participate in what (he) honestly believe(s) is (‘The Tonight Show’s’) destruction.” I think Conan made the right move. While DVR is becoming more and more popular, the one thing that seems to rise above that would be late night television, whether it is “The Late Show with David Letterman” or “The Tonight Show.” Nobody DVR’s local news (unless they’re on the news). After the local news you either go to bed or watch one of the late night programs.



Leno will probably win in ratings, but I’m supporting Conan O’Brien. NBC should have either let Conan go back in 2004 or stuck by their word in giving him “The Tonight Show.” They moved him from New York to California and gave him a whole seven months to establish himself as the new voice in late night. I don’t feel bad for Conan, he doesn’t want us to, but that doesn’t make it right. Think about how good late night TV is going to be. You’re going to have Letterman, Leno, O’Brien and even Jimmy Kimmel all on at the same time, not to mention Steven Colbert over on Comedy Central.

Next time you get on Facebook, join the group “I’m With COCO” and give O’Brien the support he deserves. Not only that, actually support COCO wherever he goes. Show NBC that they made the wrong move. Leno may win the ratings, but winning in the ratings won’t necessarily make it the right move. At some point Leno is going to call it quits, Letterman too and who’s going to be left? That’s right, COCO. It’s not going to matter who you bring in to replace Leno and Letterman; it’s going to take time for anybody to build an audience and show. It’s going to be weird in 10 years or so when Fox (provided Conan goes there) and ABC (with Jimmy Kimmel) are the leading stations in late night television.

BYLINE:

Bob Zerull is the Managing Editor of Zoiks! Online. He writes pop culture commentary, does interviews with bands, and reviews music and stand-up concerts. He also administers Zoiks! Online's Facebook page. Follow Bob on twitter at bzerull.