Conan O'Brien Out, Jerry Seinfeld In?

By Rob Shuter Posted Dec 17th 2009 09:00AM

Thanks to Conan O'Brien's disappointing transition into the 'Tonight Show' chair, I've heard NBC has their eyes on replacing him with none other than their golden boy, Jerry Seinfeld. Is a big old change on the horizon for struggling NBC and their late-night lineup? Just what does NBC's spokesperson say about this? Find out after the jump, along with scoop on John Mayer's new crush.

Seinfeld To Replace Conan?
With Conan O'Brien ratings slipping faster than Tiger Woods' endorsement appeal, TV executives are telling me that informal discussions have started to occur within 30 Rock as to who would be the home-run replacement for the hysterical but sagging redhead. The name on everyone's wish list? Jerry Seinfeld.

"NBC just can't carry on like this. 'The Tonight Show' has lost 52 percent of its viewership in just one year. The November ratings will be the show's lowest in 15 years. They would be idiots to not be having the replacement conversation," a source tells me.

However, getting Seinfeld -- who had a long, successful relationship with NBC in the '90s and who, ironically, agreed to be the first guest when NBC moved Leno to 10 p.m. -- is a long shot and Conan's people are denying it entirely. NBC spokesperson Drew Shane responded: "Completely false. There are no conversations happening. Conan is the host of the 'Tonight Show.'"

Way to stand by your man! We love Conan and want him to succeed no matter what timeslot he's on.

John Mayer's Crush on Kate Hudson
The newly-single Kate Hudson needs to listen very carefully to me on this one: Take off your tap shoes, put on your sneakers and run for the hills, because John Mayer is on your tail!

John has been telling friends that Goldie's girl is his new celebrity crush. "He can't help himself," whispers a friend. "He's telling Ellen he's 'freaked out about dating again' while lusting after Kate."

And even though this Casanova named Mr. Mayer has won over some of Hollywood's most beautiful ladies with the gentle strumming of his guitar and goodness knows what else, I'm told Miss Hudson is happy to be single again with no interest in following in the footsteps of Jessica Simpson and oh so many others!

Barack Obama Must Read PopEater
What a lovely surprise I got from my dear old postman this morning: A holiday card from the President of The United States. Bite me, Katie Couric! The return address in the top left hand corner reads: "The White House Washington, DC 20500 (and I thought 90210 was the best zip code!)." The card itself is eggshell with a dark red border reading "Season's Greetings 2009" on the front. Inside it says, "May your family have a joyous holiday season and a new year blessed with hope and happiness" -- signed Barack Obama and Michelle Obama (his signature is so messy I'm not totally convinced it's not from Bo the dog). Either way, Mr. President, we're so glad to know you're Team PopEater -- we'd love to chat with you and the kids!

John McCain, I'm waiting for your card. My mantle has room for both parties!

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Tags: conan obrien, ConanObrien, jerry seinfed, jerry seinfeld, JerrySeinfed, JerrySeinfeld, John Mayer, JohnMayer, Kate Hudson, KateHudson

Comments

(268)

Thursday 17 December

By Tari

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NBC should go back to the way it was. Jay at 11:30 and Conan at 12:30. I miss Law & Order at the 10:00 time slot and have moved over to CBS to watch CSI. NBC has just lost a ton of viewers. I am not ready for a late night talk show at 10:00.

By Amy Jay

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I really liked Conan and I still try and watch him but I'm disappointed with the quality of guests on his show. It makes me angry that Leno didn't leave and now all the good guests are still going to his stupid show. What a douche move.

By Frisco8112

I thought it was a stupid idea to give the Tonight Show to Conan in the first place. I think there are probably thousands of viewers saying "I told you so" right about now.

By joe

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When the supporting public heard that Leno was being replaced(and I use that term loosely)by Conan THERE WAS OVERWHELMING OBJECTIONS TO IT. NBC BRASS ARE MORONS THINKING THEY KNOW BETTER THAN US SUPPORTERS AND WENT AHEAD AND DID IT ANYWAY. Now Leno is still funny, Conan still isn't funny and NBC brass are still the dumbest on the Planet. Leno has NOTHING to worry about and he KNOWS it. Dave...., not funny,pervert to boot. Conan..., not funny, no talent hack. JAY LENO CAN GO TO ANY NETWORK HE WANTS (don't miss this NBC) BECAUSE HE'S FUNNY ! ! ! !

Wednesday 13 January

By Dianne

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AMEN, Joe is absolutely RIGHT! Conan is NOT funny at all. NBC shot itself in the foot when THEY decided to move Leno and I'm not so sure that wound will ever heal. Leno WAS VERY GOOD in the 11:30 time slot...he was good for 'folks my age'...so much of today's TV--on ALL NETWORKS--are geared to earlier generations...and that is SAD............

By Jedsil

I'm 59 years old. I stopped watching the Tonight show with any regularlity when Carson left. I liked Leno, but he was no Carson. Now Seinfeld, WOULD be worth watching. He's funny, he's quick and he has greater cultural range than Conan. In fairness to Conan, he's youth skews him towards younger guests that old geezers like me don't know or care about. Bring some adults back on that show and I will watch.

By sue

The tonight show sucks since Jay left. Conan is just plain CREEPY

By Steve

Craig Ferguson is far and away the best "new" late night talk show host. I think he's Letterman's heir apparent, but if NBC can snatch him to replace Conan, that's the move to make.

By will

I knew when they made the deal with Leno; when he had 5 years and out. The same way I knew Obama was wrong for the JOB. This the problem, people like the powers to be at G.E. and NBC do not have a clue what Americans want. If Wash. and Corporations figure out what the MAJORITY of Americans want, they will make the right choices.

By PETER

Jay Leno does not work at 10:00. The new show is too repetitive. Put Conan at 10:00, put Leno back at 11:30. Conan appeals to a younger, less sophisticated audience. Leno is a better interviewer, but the network wastes his time slot with mundane talent and stupid side shows.

(am I the only one to be utterly repulsed by that gay guys obnoxious interviews??)

Give Conan the cracy side shows, and put Leno back where he works.

By Bob

I said from day 1 that Obrien couldn't fill Leno's jock strap, let alone do the Tonight Show.

By Stam

Conon is not FUNNY! He should be put on he 3AM slot! And Jay is not as funny as he used to be. Never change a good thing.

By rc

I think Conan can do as well on Latenight as Seinfeld. They need to replace Jimmy Fallon with Seinfeld. I just don't think Fallon is funny at all. I get more laughs from my cat Diablo! As far as latenight maybe its the material and not the personnel that is the problem!

By NICK

How about BARNEY FRANK and ANDREW SULLIVAN, the senator from Montana?

By nick

What about Ellen and Barney Franks?

Saturday 19 December

By Gary

Bring Lopez. Now, that mexican is funny! I think he is mexican?

By gina

Well, uh. I thought everybody loves Conan. Well, apparently not.

I love him, though. I can't see why you're all hating on him, he's really funny. Most talk shows make me fall asleep (i.e. Jimmy Kimmel or Ellen DeGeneres) but Conan is just brilliant.

Seriously, what's your problem with him?

By rob shuter

i hope they find a new timeslot for conan...not sure nbc can hang in with him much longer given those ratings

By mikio067

Wow, isn't this supposed to be a website for hip people, and yet 80% don't watch Jersey Shore...

..and 80% want Seinfeld to host TTS?! Jerry Seinfeld was what he was BECAUSE of the great ensemble cast. Without each other none of them, except maybe Julia, amounts to much.

By doc

To anyone with a marketing degree.
Conan is called an opportunity watch. You may watch him because you have the TV on...he is not something you purposely stay up for like Letterman is.
Seinfeld would be a draw so strong that people would make it a must see...much like Letterman's fans do for Dave.
Conan is a McDonalds hamburger. Seinfeld is a BK Whopper Deluxe...wit extra cheese.

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