Conan tells NBC to go **** itself


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http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2010...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

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(Y) I have always had great respect for the man, hell he came from writing for the Simpsons, some truly awesome episodes at that, so the geek in me loved him just because of his past.

With that said it is amazing to see someone in the entertainment industry that still has some integrity and some balls. Way to go Conan.

FTR, I despise Leno, always have and always will, as it is pretty well documented he is a hack and steals so many of his bits, and this whole situation has just solidified my disgust for him even deeper.

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He should go to comedy central right after the daily show and the colbert report. Would go together well I think. Anyway I will watch conan on what ever channel he goes to.

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FTR, I despise Leno, always have and always will, as it is pretty well documented he is a hack and steals so many of his bits, and this whole situation has just solidified my disgust for him even deeper.

Not saying you're wrong, but what?

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Imagine the backlash for NBC if Conan goes to another network and ends up beating Leno.

This. Would. Be. Awesome.

The title the OP used isn't very appropriate. Conan just explains the situation. He states at the end that he hopes that him and NBC can work something out but he doesn't seem willing to give up the time spot. He never tells NBC to go **** themselves in anyway.

Anyway, I <3 Conan. He is smart and has a good fan base. Since it has been his dream to be the host of the Tonight Show, I hope he gets to keep it. But if he doesn't, I'm sure he will be successful in just about anything.

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He should go to comedy central right after the daily show and the colbert report. Would go together well I think. Anyway I will watch conan on what ever channel he goes to.

This would be the best thing that happens to television. Especially now that Viacom has no more ties to CBS and therefore don't have to worry about Letterman, this can definitely be a reality

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I don't get to watch the Tonight Show or Leno's new show, but I've been a long time fan of Jay Leno's - used to watch the Tonight Show years ago (back in the days of stuff like Iron Jay) and follow his 'Jay Lenos Garage' website religiously - BUT - the public beating Conan has taken at the hands of NBC over the situation with the Tonight Show is nothing short of a disgrace. I hope he manages to resolve the problem, but similarly, I hope he manages to find a home on another network who'll appreciate his talents - and gets to tell NBC where to go!

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He should go to comedy central right after the daily show and the colbert report. Would go together well I think. Anyway I will watch conan on what ever channel he goes to.

Comedy Central can't afford the money this guy is going to be asking for.

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I always felt that the NBC executives really ruined the tonight show. They pushed Conan to do less riskier jokes than he did during Late Night and took the change of host as an opportunity to stuff the show full of product placement deals. If they are looking for the cause of their low ratings, they need not look further than their closest mirror.

Conan deserves better and I hope he gets it.

cocogp.jpg

Edited by CentralDogma
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Anyone think this is a PR stunt to get more viewers for the 3 shows.

I know for me, I've started recording all three shows, just to hear tHe opening jokes of their current situations.

I think conan should keep the slot and the show.

NBC needs to calmdown, they've always been last.

It will be interesting to see what happens next.

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Imagine the backlash for NBC if Conan goes to another network and ends up beating Leno.

Man, if Conan went to Fox, it would be the second reason behind 24 that I even allow that channel in my home.

I love Conan, even if he is a ginger.

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NBC is trying to keep both Jay and Conan on thier channel. Obivously, having Jay Leno in prime time was a mistake. But if they dont go their proposed schedule, Jay Leno will go over to other channel and steal ratings from NBC. On the other hand, if Conan wont budge on the time slot, he may most likely more over to Fox. NBC is deep trouble with this and honestly, there isnt a way out for them. the new timing, the viewers are going to drop off as well.

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Anyone think this is a PR stunt to get more viewers for the 3 shows.

That's crossed my mind. But I think that's more of an unintended consequence. Look at the "late night fight" between Conan and Stewart and Colbert. When something like this is staged, it's pretty obvious.

cool image, did you make it?

No, Patton Oswalt had it on his facebook apparently.

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couldn't care less....Both are good hosts in their own way.....their jokes are different....

I'll just jump over to Letterman...no loss.. lol

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