Conan O'Brien Says He Won't Budge for Jay Leno

By Marc Schneider Posted Jan 12th 2010 03:30PM

► 11:54 p.m. | Conan Rips NBC During Tuesday Monologue; Could It Be His Last Ever? Read Full Story

► 10:59 p.m. | Jay Leno Ignores O'Brien's Statement in Tuesday Night's Show

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."

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."

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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.

► On Monday, Conan Addressed the Controversy. Watch His Monologue:

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)

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

Tags: conan obrien, jay leno, The Tonight Show

Comments

(649)

Tuesday 12 January

By Annamaria

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Bravo Conan!! Who is Jay Leno anyway??? He sucks and why is NBC kowtowing to him??? They should have gotten rid him after he was scheduled to end his run on the Tonight Show. It was a disaster from the moment Jeff Zucker uttered the idea!! Conan, you are rich enough that you can flip them off and tell them they can't renege on their promise which is so easily done these days in every aspects of life in this country!!

By Amy

Jay Leno left at #1 in the timeslot so it's clear why NBC would like to retain him. However, the classy thing to do here would be for Jay to bow out and find something else to do. So how 'bout it, Jay?

By Dr. J

Because Jay brings in the desperately needed ratings in NBC's late-night, and Conan doesn't. If you don't know who Jay is, he was Johnny Carson's protege for 5 years before taking over the Tonight Show full-time, and he went out and EARNED the job before Carson's retirement, as opposed to David Letterman who just sat in his office and bragged to people that HE was getting the show.

While I was never a big fan of Conan, my hat's off to him for what he's doing now, since his motive is for the good of Tonight, as well as his friends Leno and Fallon. Whatever happens for O'Brien, I wish him all the best.

By MICKEY

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Conan has a loyal following? What does he think Conan should do?

Friday 15 January

By Layne

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I agree with Amy. I have always liked Jay Leno, but if he doesn't bow out graciously, as he should, I will lose all respect for him and vow to never watch any show he is on ever again. Jay is the bad guy here.

By Nelson

I think it is rather stupid to put the blame on Jay Leno when the decision was based on the fact that NBC scrwed up with starting a show during most of the local stations news time. This lead to loss of revenue for the franchises and pressure on the network to do something else.

By LenoisanIndianGiver

I thought Leno left voluntarily and even named Conan his successor 3 years BEFORE he left!?!?!?!?!

The question is . . . Does LENO have any integrity???? He chose to leave and to have the torch pass to Conan.

Man UP and move on Leno. Your time is over, your day is done. Bye Bye

By King David

Shaw naw naw naw, shaw naw naw naw, Hey hey, GOOOOOD BYE -- EVERYBODY -- Shaw naw naw naw, shaw naw naw naw, Hey hey, GOOOOOD BYE. And hey Conan, take your disgusting: "Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhheeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa's" with you. IDIOT!!

By pnut166

While I like both Jay and Conan, I do agree with Conan most on this. I can understand NBC siding with Jay and vice versa; I would hate to see Jay leave. But right is right. Jay voluntarily passed the Tonight Show on to Conan. So he should keep his word and do whatever necessary to help Conan get it going - just as Carson did for him. Pay it forward, Jay. Handing the Tonight Show over doesn`t mean handing it over with all these strings attached - after all, strings often just hang people. Allowing NBC to do this for him screws over two honest, hardworking men and their staffs and families. Hundreds of people, Jay. If Jay is not a man about this, I will never have any respect for him again. He needs to be the one to jump ship and allow the other two shows to continue on as they have since long before he was in show business. Find another network, and NBC also needs to do the right thing and allow him out of whatever contract they have. Don`t be the Brett Farve of late-night, Jay.

Do you know what is hysterically funny here???? Just about ALL of you morons think THAT YOU KNOW ALL OF THE INFORMATION that went on when the contracts were negotiated. I laugh like Hell when I read: "...Jay voluntarily left the show...", and other STUPID STATEMENTS LIKE THAT!! YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT WHY ANYONE DID ANYTHING!!!! You only know what tiny fragments THAT YOU HEARD FROM SOMEONE ELSE -- IN LAW IT IS KNOWN AS HEARSAY; IN REAL LIFE IT IS KNOWN AS BU LLSH IT!!!!! God, you people are STUPID!!!!!!!!!!

By vtrules10

Conan is not funny. Leno should get his full hour back...
that thing about his hair at the end of his lette is the funnisest thing ive heard him ever say.

By Charleysmom

Conan O'Brien is an obnoxious ego maniac. Jay Leno is much more talented. Conan is a multi-millionare as is Jay Leno. One out of four people lost their homes last year. Many also lost their jobs. Who gives a damn about Conan. Give me a break.

By virginia

hold on..all this began 7 yrs ago when NBC asked jay to give an immediate answer to whether he would extend his contract in 2009. they told him, if he said no, that they would replace him with conan. leno surprised them by saying, "i don;t want to be greedy, let conan take over". then when 2009 came NBC panicked and that's how jay got the earlier show. they pushed him out way back then with what probably was an idle threat at the time, and now they don;t know how to fix it. i think they should both walk and let NBC sleep in the bed they made

By richard

The Conehead has reduced the ratings of the tonight show to the lowest of all times, give it up he's a loser.

By gojl

how can u say that , conan sucks. what the hell is wrong with people , i watched his show several times and couldnt laugh cuz it was retarded. and jay leno is way funnier then him.

By Jackie

Dr. J, You got it wrong. Johnny Carson did not like Jay Leno. Carson liked Letterman and felt Letterman should take his place. And Letterman never bragged about how he would get Johnny's job.
Helen Kushnick, Jay's manager, planted a story with the NY Post, that NBC was going to oust Johnny for Jay. It was a lie. And like the weasel Leno is, told Johnny, he didn't know who gave the Post the story. How do you not know what your manager is doing?
Thinking that the story might be true and wanting to retire, Johnny left the Tonight Show.
After a few months of lousey ratings, NBC was going to dump Leno for Letterman. Johnny Carson talked Letterman out of taking the job.
Basically, that's how Letterman ended up on CBS.

By brad

bravo

Wednesday 13 January

By tom m

Bravo Annamaria!!!

By Jerry

Screw Conan O'Brien. He does not make me laugh.

By NancyY

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Jay Leno has been the late-night leader of the Tonight show for many years. Many people simply did not want to watch the Tonight Show after he left, because Jay was no longer in that slot. O'Brien obviously did not have Leno's presence, and could not fill his shoes. Also, I do not accept O'Brien's whining that he didn't have enough time to build a "lasting audience". How long was NBC supposed to wait? They have a business to run!

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