O'Brien's last appearance on the "Tonight Show" had a big hit on the Nielsen ratings. ABC's "Nightline" was the closest competitor with a 2.8 rating. Followed by CBS' "Late Show with David Letterman" at 2.5, and ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live" having the lowest rating at 1.3. The "Tonight Show" might have said farewell to O'Brien, but beat out his three competitor shows with a 7.0 rating.
With O'Brien free from his NBC contract there is one network in particular looking to scoop him up. As early this week, O'Brien and Fox could start talking about a contract.
The article quoted an informant saying "If Fox wants to be in late night, now's the time." O'Brien being contract free could give Fox that chance.
Kevin Reilly, Fox's entertainment president said last week, "he's one of the few guys on the planet who has demonstrated he can do one of these shows every night."
NBC, ABC, and CBS all have morning and late night shows that bring in revenue. Now that Fox has been rated the number one network, they are looking to join the ranks, in having their own late night show.
All previous attempts made by Fox for a late night show has fallen short. Their attempt with Joan Rivers in 1986 lasted less than a year. Then their attempt with "The Chevy Chase Show" aired only four weeks and was canceled in 1993.
I think now would be the prefect time for Fox to compete in a late show. They are currently ranked the number one network on television. With the fan base that Conan has this could possibly be the chance Fox has been waiting for. If this becomes a set deal Conan could possibly be the first to last longer than a year in Fox's late show.
Are you with Coco?
Im really not into the late night talk shows. I've never even seen this persons show...so no I am not with Coco.
ReplyDeleteFrom what I've heard and read I can honestly say that I am jealous because he is in a powerful position.
I guess a person leaving a show will boost raitings!
I am totally with Coco.
ReplyDeleteFox needs to jump at this opportunity. Conan is a fantastic late night host and Fox could easily sky rocket with him on their network.
I'll be very interested to see who else jumps on Conan for a contract. He truly does have a lot of power.
Conan has a lot of stuff going for him. He is going to be a very lucky man in the next few weeks because everyone will be kissing his ass, trying to get him to come over to their network. I only tune in to NBC for their Thursday night line up.
ReplyDeleteI'm with David Letterman.
I pretty much as a rule don't even watch network television unless professional sports are involved. That said, I have still been exposed to a considerable amount of comedic material by all of the biggest names in the late-night talk show format. While I do find David Letterman to have a good sense of humor, I do not find Jay Leno funny at all, and don't even get me started on Jimmy Fallon. Jimmy Kimmel is okay.
ReplyDeleteConan O'Brien really is the only person in this lineup that deserves his own show.
I think that Jay Leno however has been viewed as a scoundrel by the MSM in all of this, and really none of it has to do with him. He's in the middle of this with Conan too. While it's frustrating that he got his show back, it having gotten better since O'Brien took over, it's not his fault. The only people who have a say in the matter is ratings-obsessed network executives. Executives have no loyalty to anyone at all (even if their own mother had a show) if ratings get in the way.
I'm sure Leno's Tonight Show will remain as mediocre as ever, eking out just enough ratings to stay on the air. I hope FOX does pick up Conan. I'm sure another legendary late-night comedy talk show will be born as a result.
I am definitely on Conan's side. NBC decided to move Conan to the Tonight Show, which meant Conan had to move from New York to California. After moving his wife and kid to California, it only took NBC 7 months to screw this up. Jay Leno was to retire and they bring him back and all hell breaks loose. NBC really crewed this oe big time.
ReplyDeleteI think Conan has worked long and hard for what he has earned. I think that networks will be jumping to take a shot at him. Ratings would sky rocket for any network willing to pick him up!
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't want to work hard to get booted to the curb for my co-worker. So I have to say that I am with CoCo.
ReplyDeleteTo pull off those ratings are what the networks should be looking for. Yes Leno is big with late night television but since his failed experiment with a earlier time had less ratings then Conan, Leno should have gotten the next available time.