Leno going back to Late Night

[HuskyCaucasian]

NBC-O’Brien deal may be possible by weekend

A key source in the ongoing negotiations between NBC and Conan O’Brien denied an Internet report that a deal was in place to return Jay Leno to “The Tonight Show,” but did speak optimistically about the talks and a possible end to the time shift disaster that has captivated the media and — ironically — reinvigorated Leno’s and O’Brien’s ratings over the last four days.

 

“We would like to see it resolved by the weekend,” said the source, who did not want to be identified by name because of the heightened sensitivity surrounding the meetings. “It’s possible.”

 

It seems likely that Leno will end up returning to “The Tonight Show” where he earned the title of the “King of Late Night,” while O’Brien’s representatives will negotiate a settlement for the 46-year-old comedian to leave the network. It also seems certain that the settlement will involve some sort of compromise that prevents O’Brien from immediately jumping to the competition.

 

“Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” will continue to air at 12:30 p.m. “The whole point of a settlement is to negotiate a way out — a way that Conan can, over time, still perform and earn his living — and NBC is comfortable with the decision they are making,” the source said. “Its all part of a negotiation.”

 

Though public perception is strong that NBC treated O’Brien unfairly by demanding that he retreat to the 12:05 a.m. timeslot to accommodate “The Jay Leno Show” at 11:35 p.m., the source stressed that NBC “always has the right to cancel, always has the right to fire” someone based on performance. The source added that there are no timeslot restrictions in O’Brien’s contract, so the network was within its right to move “The Tonight Show” (even though it has never aired at 12:05 a.m. in the show’s 55-year history). The source also added that a heavily reported clause in O’Brien’s contract that guaranteed him a hefty payout of $40 million or more if he wasn’t given “The Tonight Show” was not applicable here.

[HuskyCaucasian]

Leno is a big asshole.

Patton Oswalt is spot on: Letterman s a grouch, but you know where you stand with him. Leno will smile to your face, then stab you in the back.

[Nunnigan]

Hitler is a fan of Conan

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7ZbvijdUEw

 

Sorry I dont know how to embed videos

Edited January 16, 2010 by Nunnigan

[kjshoe04]

Conan has been amazing this week.

[HuskyCaucasian]

NBC Executive Dick Ebersol Trashes Conan: 'Astounding Failure,' 'Chicken-Hearted And Gutless'

 

NBC executive Dick Ebersol trashed Conan O'Brien in a provocative interview with the New York Times' Bill Carter, calling Conan an "astounding failure" and saying his jokes about Jay Leno have been "chicken-hearted and gutless."

 

Ebersol, the chairman of NBC Universal Sports and NBC's Olympics guru, lit up on Conan just after his boss, NBC Universal President Jeff Zucker, reportedly threatened to keep Conan off the air for 3.5 years.

 

Ebersol described Conan's jokes about Leno as "chicken-hearted and gutless to blame a guy you couldn't beat in the ratings."

 

He added, "what this is really all about is an astounding failure by Conan."

 

Nikki FInke has been reporting that the NBC party line is that Conan failed the network by not delivering stronger ratings on the "Tonight Show" despite the fact that NBC blew up the traditional lead-in format by instituting Leno's show at 10PM (which, in turn, caused local newscast ratings to suffer).

[HuskyCaucasian]

I am 100% sure that if Leno was not tanking at 10... or was not employed by NBC... Conan would still have the Tonight Show. This is 100% about Leno tanking in prime time and needing to find a place for him to make their money back. All this spin about Conan failing in the rating is all spin.

[Balta1701]

Link

The NBC-Leno-Conan war is close to ending, according to a knowledgeable source. According to the outlines of a settlement, Conan O'Brien will leave NBC and the network will make an as-yet unspecified payment. The comedian will be free to appear elsewhere on television well before his contract expires, despite earlier threats from NBC that it would prevent him from working anywhere else.

 

There is still opportunity for the negotiation to fall apart, but clearly, at this point it is in NBC's interest to put an end to this dismal episode.

 

It seems that Ron Meyer, the affable chief of the Universal film studio, played a key role in bringing the parties together when they were at an impasse and talks had broken down. Meyer is a former agent whose industry relationships run deep and wide. And of course, he has lots of negotiating experience.

 

According to the source, the resolution to the epic and highly public battle came down primarily to the size of the check that NBC would write to O'Brien. That amount remains shrouded in mystery for now, and no doubt the parties will have to agree to confidentiality as part of the deal.

 

According to a knowledgeable insider, NBC Universal started out sincerely hoping that it would be able to keep O'Brien on NBC in a 12:05 a.m. slot behind Leno, who is to be reinstated at 11:35 p.m. Part of the resolution was getting executives there to understand that the plan simply was unrealistic.

[Steve9347]

Hmmm, maybe his ratings weren't as good because you put another Tonight Show on before him?? So instead of having the die-hard Leno fans give him a shot, you gave them Leno at 9 and they tuned out. They over-saturated the NBC market with talk show. I don't see how they could ever think that it was a smart idea to put a talk show up against f***ing CSI and s***.

[HuskyCaucasian]

Link

My guess is that Conan will be banned from a competing network for 6 months to a year. That seems reasonable to me.

[BigSqwert]

My guess is that Conan will be banned from a competing network for 6 months to a year. That seems reasonable to me.

I doubt that.

[Balta1701]

Hmmm, maybe his ratings weren't as good because you put another Tonight Show on before him?? So instead of having the die-hard Leno fans give him a shot, you gave them Leno at 9 and they tuned out. They over-saturated the NBC market with talk show. I don't see how they could ever think that it was a smart idea to put a talk show up against f***ing CSI and s***.

They were expecting to lose in the ratings but to come out positive because of the lower production costs.

[HuskyCaucasian]

Conan Puts The Tonight Show for Sale on Craigslist

At least there’s some more humor coming out of the NBC late night debacle. On this evening’s Tonight Show, Conan O’Brien joked that he’s putting the program for sale on Craigslist — while he still can.

 

However, it appears that the listing itself is no joke, and can be found under the for sale/wanted > collectibles category in Los Angeles. Titled “4 SALE: BARELY-USED LATE NIGHT TALK SHOW,” Conan’s looking for your best offer, but also “willing to trade for Coldplay tickets.”

 

[MexSoxFan#1]

^^lol^^

 

Conan on his worst day is still waaaaaaay funnier than Leno on his best day, effing geezers

[Balta1701]

MANILOW!!! (SHAKES FIST)

[Sonik22]

f*** you Jay Leno

[Brian]

Great Simmons podcast today with the TV writer from the SF Chronicle. Think his name his Tim Goodman.

[danman31]

I don't understand this network ban concept from NBC. If they are firing Conan for bad ratings, they shouldn't be threatened by him going to another network. Seems to me the only way you feel threatened by him going to another network is if you think he can draw ratings. So either he's not going to draw ratings and you shouldn't worry about him leaving or he's a valid threat and you shouldn't be firing him in the first place.

[Rowand44]

Conan has been amazing this week.

Absolutely hilarious.

[Brian]

My guess is NBC and Conan have a clean break and than Conan can finally start a show on FOX in the fall.

 

I think that is reasonable for both sides. They both get what they want and hopefully Conan comes to Chicago and I can go once in awhile.

[southsider2k5]

The only reason I even care about this is that it will be nice to get some real programming back in the 9pm hour on NBC.

[HuskyCaucasian]

f*** you Jay Leno

and the chin he road in on

[Harry Chappas]

Howard Stern was talking about going on Conan next week.

 

That would be epic.

[kev211]

Conan's monologue last night might possible be his greatest ever. Conan always seems to come through and be his funniest in hard times like this and the writers strike.

[Rowand44]

Conan's monologue last night might possible be his greatest ever. Conan always seems to come through and be his funniest in hard times like this and the writers strike.

Conan, Colbert and Stewart were just priceless during the writers strike.

 

Bout two or three minutes in when Leno asks Kimmel about the best prank he's ever played on someone, hilarious: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axwO6BkCtIo

 

 

[Kyyle23]

LOL Kimmel just gave it to Leno, thats awesome.