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« Today's News: Our Take
Other Networks Vying for Jay Leno's Attention
Jay Leno by Paul Drinkwater/NBC Photo
Conan O'Brien might be taking over The Tonight Show in 2009, but that doesn't mean you'll never see Jay Leno's chin on late-night again.
In fact, the New York Times reports that Leno, who continues to reign as champion of late-night ratings, is already in the crosshairs of execs at ABC, Fox and Sony Pictures Television, even though they can't officially negotiate with him until November '09. ABC and Fox have both discreetly indicated their interest, while Sony has put the word out that, when legally possible, it will offer him a syndicated gig that would make him the highest-paid host in late-night TV. NBC Universal, however, has repeatedly stated its intention to develop a new program for Leno.
NBC announced The Tonight Show's changing of the guard four years ago to most likely keep other networks from swiping O'Brien away. Regardless of Leno's ratings success, NBC execs insist the hosting change will be made. (The Peacock would have to pay O'Brien a $45 mil penalty otherwise.) While Leno's kept mum on what he plans to do after Tonight Show, his current deal with NBC stipulates that he cannot appear on air anywhere else until 2010. — Adam Bryant
POLL: What should Leno do come 2009?
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Feb 27, 2008 4:25 PM
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I think Leno is a terrible interviewer and his monologues can be torture. That said, what the hell is NBC thinking? He dominates Letterman. Conan O'Brien is truly an acquired taste and people that love Leno aren't likely to love O'Brien. Seems like a real boneheaded move to let Leno walk.
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Feb 27, 2008 8:49 PM
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Well, to quote Joni Mitchell, "Don't it always seem to go, that you don't know what you've got till it's gone". Considering the Duh! On parade, that's running NBC, nothing surprises me about them anymore. It is funny to note, however, now that other studios are interested in Jay, they do not want to give him up. He deserves better than the way they treated him.
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Feb 27, 2008 10:20 PM
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ABC has Jimmy Kimmel, why on EARTH would anyone want Leno? He is not funny & I don't understand why anyone would watch him. Terrible! I thought Leno wanted to retire.
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Feb 28, 2008 10:04 AM
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Conan might be an acquired taste, but he's also funnier and better at interviews than Jay Leno ever was.
NBC is probably trying to get the younger viewers to tune in to the Tonight Show with Conan. I've never seen a person above 40 who watches Conan regularly(my mother doesn't think he's very funny).
At least NBC is attempting to give Leno another show, and after all, it's 'The Tonight Show', not 'The Jay Leno Show'.
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Feb 28, 2008 10:15 AM
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Jay is the ONLY late night show who has any talent. I won't be watching when Conan comes, he doesn't have a funny bone in his body!!
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Feb 28, 2008 10:52 AM
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Jay is the best. I cannot stand David Letterman or Conan. Jay on the other part, made me laugh every time i see his show. So, i´m not going into Tonight Show with out him.
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Feb 28, 2008 11:53 AM
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IMHO, when Conan moves up to the 11:30 spot, I think Letterman's ratings will rise significantly!
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Feb 28, 2008 12:28 PM
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Conan The Moron is not even remotely funny, he only thinks he is. I tried watching ONCE when he shot a week of shows in Toronto, and turned it off after 5 minutes of excrutiating torture. When NBC shoves Leno out of the way for the smirking little twerp, Letterman will be laughing all the way to the bank and The Tonight Show will become the "The Last Thing I Would Ever Watch Tonight" show.
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Feb 28, 2008 12:34 PM
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I love Jay Leno the best! He's the funniest out of all of the night time host. Conano O'Brien just weird and David Letterman just BORING.
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Feb 28, 2008 12:43 PM
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I refuse to say a late night comedian is not funny. After all, it is a matter of personal taste. That being said, I can say I don’t like Lertterman. No disrespect of the person, but he drives me crazy (well, more so). He always seems to laugh at himself, which I find a bit of a conceit. Besides, again, not insulting the person as he may be very different in reality, he always reminds me of a used car salesman.
I can see O’Brien being an acquired taste, but I never managed to acquire said taste. For me, Leno is the person I’ll watch.
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Feb 28, 2008 12:48 PM
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Yes, humor is a personal taste, but I've seen Kevin Eubanks get bigger laughs than Jay does. In fact, I think Kevin is the best part of the show.
I'm really surprised everyone here doesn't find Conan funny. All of my friends watch Conan, and most skip the Letterman/Leno time slot completely.
Conan is not a "moron", and that is a fact. He was the valedictorian in his high school, and graduated magna cum laude from Harvard. How many people here can say that? And if he thinks he's funny, it's because people laugh at his jokes(and he openly admits when a joke didn't work).
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Feb 28, 2008 1:27 PM
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Since no other supporters have come forward I feel I must declare my love for Dave. His humor is self-deprecating and quirky - he must have fans since he's been doing this for 25 years or so. He is my first choice for late night.
I also like Jay. I liked him as a stand-up and I feel he is funny. He tends to get a little goofy about things at times though and sometimes crass. I only watch him if Dave is a rerun and I don't like the guest he has.
But O'Brien is so juvenile. I do not watch him. When he interviews someone and something funny is said he grabs onto that laugh and goes overboard with repeating it or getting loud and goofy. You forget what they were talking about.He does well I'm sure with young guys. Why not put him on Comedy Central or VH1.
Kimmel is funny at times but he is also very crass. When he plays like a grown up he is watchable. I like when he did the stunt of doing Regis' show and then back to LA. Other than that - yuck!
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Feb 28, 2008 1:31 PM
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Since no other supporters have come forward I feel I must declare my love for Dave. His humor is self-deprecating and quirky - he must have fans since he's been doing this for 25 years or so. He is my first choice for late night.
I also like Jay. I liked him as a stand-up and I feel he is funny. He tends to get a little goofy about things at times though and sometimes crass. I only watch him if Dave is a rerun and I don't like the guest he has.
But O'Brien is so juvenile. I do not watch him. When he interviews someone and something funny is said he grabs onto that laugh and goes overboard with repeating it or getting loud and goofy. You forget what they were talking about.He does well I'm sure with young guys. Why not put him on Comedy Central or VH1.
Kimmel is funny at times but he is also very crass. When he plays like a grown up he is watchable. I like when he did the stunt of doing Regis' show and then back to LA. Other than that - yuck!
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Feb 28, 2008 1:32 PM
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I don't get it. NBC is replacing Jay in 2009, but he can't be on the air anywhere else until 2010? "We're firing you but you can't get another job for a year"??? HUH? I could understand that if Jay broke his contract, but that's not they way I understand it happened.
(Love Jay, by the way. Others, not so much.)
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Feb 28, 2008 1:36 PM
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