Late Night War 2009

**ThirdMarioBro** · 10-19-2007, 02:08 PM

I enjoy Late Night shows, so this looks to be interesting.

http://www.tvsquad.com/2007/08/29/is...-for-nbc-show/

http://www.tvsquad.com/2007/10/03/leno-moving-to-fox/

Reminiscent to the 1991 Leno versus Letterman feud that began in 1991 over the replacement of Johnny Carson's Tonight Show, it looks there's going to be another dirty succession. In 2004, Jay Leno announced his retirement in 2009 to make way for natural succession to Conan O'Brien. Though it sounded like an amicable decision at the time, it apparently was a forced retirement. Leno has higher ratings, but his viewing audience skews way older and NBC wants the 18-49 ad revenues. With that in mind, they decided to sell Leno's Burbank studio in 2009 (with the rest of the lot) and move the show to Universal Studios to get a fresh start with Conan and a younger audience, which ironically is something NBC has been striving (and succeeding) to do on a whole lately. They get lower ratings, but higher ad revenues.

Seeing as NBC is already building Conan a new theater at Universal Studios, the transition is going to happen. NBC would have to pay him $40 million if they reneged. Leno, (apparently pissed and not ready to retire) has started cracking jokes about NBC on a more regular and vicious basis, much like Letterman did in the 90's before shipping out to CBS. Odds are Leno will be moving to FOX for the 11:35/10:35c timeslot. Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if they bought the damn studio.

With that likely scenario taking place in the coming years, people will wind up having Conan, Letterman, and Leno all facing off against each other. Who would you watch?

Though I have a soft spot for Letterman, I'm a Conan guy by far. You can't compete with the wild-ass stuff he does on that show.

*Dr. Doom* · 10-19-2007, 02:15 PM

I love Conan.

*KROW* · 10-19-2007, 09:31 PM

So the war is basically Leno versus Conan? Doesn't seem like much of a fiasco to me. If Leno manages to stay, then we'll just have more some-odd years of Late Night that we've always had. If Conan takes over, then we'll have some new guy to fill his slot.

I don't see the big deal. Carson's retirement was big because of Letterman and Leno wanting the spot. This is just a shuffling deal. Now, if Letterman wants to re-enter the running, or if Kimmel sets his sights higher, then we got something. For now, though, this is all just showbiz politics and money management.

*Mr. Snackpants* · 10-19-2007, 09:50 PM

If that does happen I'll be watching Conan, without a doubt. It would suck though because I kinda like Jay.

10-19-2007, 02:08 PM	#1
ThirdMarioBro Tea Time! Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 8,905	Late Night War 2009 I enjoy Late Night shows, so this looks to be interesting. http://www.tvsquad.com/2007/08/29/is...-for-nbc-show/ http://www.tvsquad.com/2007/10/03/leno-moving-to-fox/ Reminiscent to the 1991 Leno versus Letterman feud that began in 1991 over the replacement of Johnny Carson's Tonight Show, it looks there's going to be another dirty succession. In 2004, Jay Leno announced his retirement in 2009 to make way for natural succession to Conan O'Brien. Though it sounded like an amicable decision at the time, it apparently was a forced retirement. Leno has higher ratings, but his viewing audience skews way older and NBC wants the 18-49 ad revenues. With that in mind, they decided to sell Leno's Burbank studio in 2009 (with the rest of the lot) and move the show to Universal Studios to get a fresh start with Conan and a younger audience, which ironically is something NBC has been striving (and succeeding) to do on a whole lately. They get lower ratings, but higher ad revenues. Seeing as NBC is already building Conan a new theater at Universal Studios, the transition is going to happen. NBC would have to pay him $40 million if they reneged. Leno, (apparently pissed and not ready to retire) has started cracking jokes about NBC on a more regular and vicious basis, much like Letterman did in the 90's before shipping out to CBS. Odds are Leno will be moving to FOX for the 11:35/10:35c timeslot. Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if they bought the damn studio. With that likely scenario taking place in the coming years, people will wind up having Conan, Letterman, and Leno all facing off against each other. Who would you watch? Though I have a soft spot for Letterman, I'm a Conan guy by far. You can't compete with the wild-ass stuff he does on that show. __________________

10-19-2007, 02:15 PM	#2
Dr. Doom Allons-y! Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Castle Doom Posts: 4,535	I love Conan. __________________ I love you, Pickle.

10-19-2007, 09:31 PM	#3
KROW Meat-n-Potatoes Man Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: State's Anus, NY Posts: 6,472	So the war is basically Leno versus Conan? Doesn't seem like much of a fiasco to me. If Leno manages to stay, then we'll just have more some-odd years of Late Night that we've always had. If Conan takes over, then we'll have some new guy to fill his slot. I don't see the big deal. Carson's retirement was big because of Letterman and Leno wanting the spot. This is just a shuffling deal. Now, if Letterman wants to re-enter the running, or if Kimmel sets his sights higher, then we got something. For now, though, this is all just showbiz politics and money management. __________________ - Optimus Acid Trip - Cult of a Half-Shell - Raiden's Bitter Tongue - *I don't try to be funny; I fail at it naturally.*

10-19-2007, 09:50 PM	#4
Mr. Snackpants Keep cool my babies! Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mount Pleasant Posts: 2,239	If that does happen I'll be watching Conan, without a doubt. It would suck though because I kinda like Jay.