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Photos: Late-night talk show hosts through the years
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The Washington Post is reporting that Jay Leno is going to return as host of The Tonight Show, if Conan O’Brien doesn’t have a last-minute change of heart.
NBC is now willing to let O’Brien leave the network, and even develop a show with another network, according to the Post.
O’Brien had announced he was unwilling to host The Tonight Show at 12:05 a.m. after NBC announced plans to move Leno from his flagging 10 p.m. show to the 11:35 p.m. spot.
However, the network isn’t letting O’Brien go without a final jab. According to The New York Times, NBC Universal Sports chairman Dick Ebersol said the various moves the network has made in late night are as a result “an astounding failure by Conan.”
Meanwhile, it appears instead of the Leno half-hour at 11:35, NBC will likely have the more traditional schedule of The Tonight Show at that time, followed an hour later by Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and Last Call with Carson Daly at 1:35.
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NBC Universal Sports chairman Dick Ebersol said the various moves the network has made in late night are as a result “an astounding failure by Conan.”
That’s a lie. I watched Leno’s show at 10:00 PM a couple of times and it was one of the worst shows, in fact, IT STUNK!
Jay RULED ‘The Tonight Show’, however his 10pm show was not as good. I used to watch ‘Tonight’ every night with Jay, but when Conan took over…I go to sleep a little earlier…I wish Conan the best.
BTW, I agree with Ebersol’s comments…
Two words for Conan: Tom Snyder
Conan is and has been the funniest guy for years. NBC shot itself in the foot by bringing Leno back. Im just glad i dont have to wait til 12:35 to watch Conan anymore.
Jerry, Jay had been #1 in late night talk for the better part of about 13 years; including up til the day he left. He turned it over to Conan, and the ratings tanked.
Your personal opinion about Jay’s primetime show has nothing to do with facts. If Conan had been blowing it out of the water, they’d tell Jay to walk; but he’s not. An “astoundin” failure may be an exaggeration, but the fact that Conan failed is the objective truth.