NBC wanted his decision. Well, consider it done:Conan O'Brien says he will no longer host 'The Tonight Show' if the storied talk show is nudged to 12:05 a.m. In a statement released Tuesday afternoon, O'Brien pounds away at NBC for proposing a move to bring Jay Leno back to the 11:35 p.m. time slot, saying that such a change for 'Tonight' would "seriously damage what I consider to be the greatest franchise in the history of broadcasting."
He singles out the network for not giving him a fair shake at success following your local news.
"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," he says. "Building a lasting audience at 11:30 is impossible without both."
He singles out the network for not giving him a fair shake at success following your local news.
"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," he says. "Building a lasting audience at 11:30 is impossible without both."
The mention of decreased "ratings support" in prime-time is a not-so-subtle dig at Leno's failure to attract the kinds of viewers the network had hoped for. Nationwide, affiliates had complained that Leno's anemic numbers hurt local news telecasts, which in turn hurt 'The Tonight Show.'
In his statement, O'Brien expresses deep respect for the 'Tonight Show' legacy, which includes such icons as Johnny Carson and Jack Paar, and flatly states he cannot participate in what he believes is the franchise's systematic dismantling.
"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."
O'Brien decries NBC's snap decision to nix Leno's failed prime-time show and for not allowing him the time and resources needed to build a successful viewer base for the revamped 'Tonight Show.'
"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."
In justifying his bold, but understandable stance, O'Brien also cites concern for his successor at 'Late Night,' saying that it would be "unfair" to Jimmy Fallon to ask him to start his show an hour later. "That would hurt the other NBC franchise that I love," he says.
The decision will undoubtedly lead to some legal back-and-forth with NBC. His contract reportedly allows the network to move 'Tonight' to 12:05, but no later. It's not known how the network will handle a host of a show that refuses to move time slots.
"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."
In justifying his bold, but understandable stance, O'Brien also cites concern for his successor at 'Late Night,' saying that it would be "unfair" to Jimmy Fallon to ask him to start his show an hour later. "That would hurt the other NBC franchise that I love," he says.
The decision will undoubtedly lead to some legal back-and-forth with NBC. His contract reportedly allows the network to move 'Tonight' to 12:05, but no later. It's not known how the network will handle a host of a show that refuses to move time slots.
What happens if both O'Brien and NBC stand firm on the matter? If Conan bolts completely from the network, it would appear altogether possible for Jay Leno to simply be installed back in his former home at 'The Tonight Show.' This would simplify matters and possibly result in a ratings resurgence for 11:35 p.m., which has suffered under O'Brien. However, Conan's fans are a loyal bunch and there would certainly be backlash in the comedy community.
Ultimately, O'Brien says he hoped he and NBC could resolve the issue quickly so he could do a show of which he and his crew could be proud -- "for a company that values our work." He also says he has received no offer from other networks, including the one that has publicly shown interest in him: FOX.
► Conan O'Brien's Full Statement (Via NY Times)
Ultimately, O'Brien says he hoped he and NBC could resolve the issue quickly so he could do a show of which he and his crew could be proud -- "for a company that values our work." He also says he has received no offer from other networks, including the one that has publicly shown interest in him: FOX.
► Conan O'Brien's Full Statement (Via NY Times)
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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