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NBC at the TCA: Execs Want Jay to Stay, Just Not on Tonight
Jay Leno courtesy NBC Photo
Jay Leno showed up incognito at the Television Critics Association on Monday to ask the inevitable questions about his future to NBC Entertainment co-chairmen Ben Silverman and Marc Graboff. Haven't we just seen this act? Yes, just last week when ABC chief Steve McPherson was quizzed by a disguised Jimmy Kimmel about that network's possible pursuit of Leno. Doesn't anybody have an original idea in this business?
Leno came up with the idea of the appearance in an effort to make amends for his remarks in USA Today last week that indicated that he's leaving the Peacock network after his Tonight gig is up (his final Tonight Show appearance has been set for May 29). "He felt a little bad about the USA Today piece," Graboff told reporters, adding that Leno continues to be in talks about a new role at NBC.
But there's no sign that the two sides are close on agreeing on a deal to keep Leno at the network. NBC insiders have already come to terms with the notion of him working elsewhere.
"We're really trying to work with him to come up with alternatives other than telling jokes at 11:30 at night on NBC," Graboff said. "In this day and age we believe there is room on a regular basis for him to be on our air. We have to convince him to do it. If he doesn't, we respect that."
They've actually been talking about a new role for Leno since 2004 when he agreed to a five-year contract at Tonight which included handing off the hosting job to Conan O'Brien on June 1, 2009. Time flies when you're still No. 1 in the ratings. Leno is clearly having a hard time letting go. He kicked off the chatter about his future with a joke on Tonight about moving to ABC. His recent comments to USA Today ("I am definitely done with NBC") were "taken out of context" according to an NBC spokeswoman. NBC insiders say Leno means well, and doesn't want the job pulled away from O'Brien. "Jay wanted this transition to be smooth and cooperative and collegial. I think him coming here today was a clear message that he was not bitter he wants to go out on top," said Graboff.
As for Leno heading to ABC, the earliest that could happen is January 2010. Leno's contract runs through 2009 and he can't have formal discussions with a new employer until October of that year.
There's been speculation that NBC is going to get cold feet and not make the change (which would mean a massive penalty fee paid to Conan O'Brien). That simply isn't going to happen. NBC's corporate parent General Electric is big on planning for the future, whether it's in the turbine engine division or the guy telling jokes at 11:30. And that guy will be O'Brien.
More TCA Coverage:
• Fall TV Press Tour: A Guide to Our In-Depth Coverage
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Jul 21, 2008 6:13 PM
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I love Jay Leno and my husband and I watch his show every night. Our fav night is Mondays when he does Headlines and I love Jay Walk. The Tonight Show will NOT be the same without Jay. Conan (to me) is NOT funny, weird and awkward looking. I will most likely NOT watch the Tonight Show after Jay leaves. I will follow Jay wherever he goes.
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Jul 22, 2008 12:47 PM
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Have they even watched Conan's show? He's not even close to Jay's league. GE is making a huge mistake, and NBC is going to fall further and further in the ratings.
And I am going to miss Jay terribly.
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Jul 22, 2008 1:42 PM
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Jay Leno's last day as the host of the Tonight Show will be the last time I will watch the Tonight Show.I cannot stand Conan O'Brien.I have never been able to watch him and I will NOT start now.When THAT man takes over, I will never watch the Tonight Show again.I will miss Jay Leno, and wish him all the best in his future endevors.
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Jul 22, 2008 2:04 PM
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I have to agree with both comments thus far. I believe that Jay Leno is in a league of his own. Conan is not even remotely funny to me and I think that NBC is making a huge mistake and I think it will cost them more than the penalty to Conan would be in the long run. I also agree that I will follow Jay on TV wherever he ends up and I think that a majority of his diehard fans will agree. In case you didn't get my meaning, you're making a HUGE MISTAKE NBC, THIS WAS YOUR LAST DECENT SHOW YOU HAD AND YOU HAD TO GO AND f*** WITH IT!!!
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Jul 22, 2008 2:10 PM
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Unless O'Brien's schtick changes dramatically, I won't be watching the Tonight Show anymore, either. If Leno's contract with NBC runs through 2009, why did they set his last night on TTS for May 29?? Leno's joke arc about the problems with NBC's programming hit the mark, over and over again - taking him off TTS, period, let alone before his contract is up, let alone to be replaced by O'Brien, is yet another example of bad programming decision-making.
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Jul 22, 2008 3:23 PM
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Boy, I wonder if anyone at NBC reads this site? I agree 100% - when Jay goes I go with him! Didn't they get it when he beat Letterman even during the writers strike?!?!?! Conan may be a hit with the young, hip Gen Y crowd but to me he is just self indulgent and snarky. I love Monday night's Headlines... it shows Jay at his best. NBC...you blew this one.
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Jul 22, 2008 4:20 PM
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Please do not put Conan on the Toight Show. Jay goes and so will my husband & I go. We have watched Jay for a long time, have never cared for Conan. We will go back to Letterman.
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Jul 22, 2008 4:22 PM
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WHEN CONAN TAKES OVER, I SWITCH TO LETTERMAN !
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Jul 22, 2008 4:23 PM
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How old are you people? Jay Leno is one of the most unfunny people on the planet. He tells the same lame, boring, tired jokes every night. I'll bet that everyone that posted on this story is at least 50 years old and aren't even up late enough to have seen Conan's show.
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Jul 22, 2008 4:55 PM
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And don't even try to come back with the ratings argument. Just because more people watch something does not mean it is good. Plus Conan is on an hour later, so of course he will have less viewers. But if you want to compare 11:30 shows, Letterman is BY FAR the better host at 11:30, and he has lost to Leno in the ratings for years. Also, every critic I have ever read that talks about Leno vs. Letterman agrees that Letterman is better and that Jay is just not funny.
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Jul 22, 2008 5:02 PM
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Conan the Moron is not in the least bit funny, except in his own head. YES, I'm over 50, but that doesn't mean my sense of humor died 30 years ago. I also love Headlines on Monday nights, so where ever Jay Leno goes, I'm going with him. Conan has NEVER EVER interested me in the least. Here's another stupid programming decision from NBC. Conan is being beaten in his timeslot and Leno is on top in his so why make the change just because it seemed like a good idea FOUR years ago??? NBC's decisions lately seem suited to TV from 4 years ago, and certainly not for 2008!!! Yes, bite the bullet and pay the penalty to Conan so that Leno stays where he is, which is where he belongs.
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Jul 22, 2008 5:08 PM
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The day Jay Leno leaves the Tonight Show is the last time I watch the show. Conan O'Brien is not the least bit funny and is really quite annoying. My husband and I hope that Jay moves to another network and goes against Conan. Wherever he goes we will follow.
I can't believe that NBC is letting Jay go when he's at the top of his game. The fact that they're replacing him with Conan tells me the big shots at NBC don't know what they're doing. It's obvious to me why NBC is last in the ratings.
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Jul 22, 2008 5:27 PM
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Leno seems like a genuinely nice guy, but I can't stand him as host of the Tonight Show. He was much funnier during the 80's when his appearances on Letterman were always gold. I doubt he'll allow NBC to renege on their deal with Conan as he's stated numerous times that he didn't want a repeat of '92. Regardless, his options will be plentiful.
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Jul 22, 2008 5:32 PM
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I will miss J'Leno. He has done a tremodous job throughout the years. I've noticed his monologues have been less that his best for awhile. However, I do attribute alot of this to the writer's strike, and the less than fresh supporting writing staff. However, I believe Jay and his writers do try to keep J'Leno's monologue family friendlier, while still attempting to appeal to a wide spectrum of viewers. This does make the show more predictable and conservative. And Jay does have interesting guests, a variety of formats, and he is very personable.
I have tried to watch Conan, but his sense of humor often strikes me as silly/juvenile, and quirky, that late in my day. Then, there are moments/periods of fine times. Seriously though, somebody must bring his hair style into this millenium
before I would consider watching him on a regular basis. His hair is such a distraction. What is his wife thinking? Have he and his stylist not got a clue? If he won't change the style, can he cut it shorter? The network should get w/Conan about his hair situation immediately.
I can manage to watch Letterman. However, Letterman and his bandleader together, are too squirrely for me.
I do watch JK, CF and a few others, off and on.
I will miss Jay, Kevin and the band, and that guy whose name & title I can never remember.
I'll give Conan a probational/trial run, however I do not forsee me following his show into the future.
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Jul 22, 2008 5:55 PM
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