NBC Underscores Conan "Tonight" Plan
Posted July 21st, 2008 by Rich Heldenfels
He'll take over June 1, with Jimmy Fallon taking over "Late Night" just before that. Release today:
Conan O'Brien, the dominant late-night host at 12:35 a.m. (ET) for the past 14 seasons, will succeed Jay Leno as host of the preeminent series on late-night television, NBC's "The Tonight Show," in June of 2009. Beginning in Spring 2009, Jimmy Fallon will step in as the "Late Night" host. The announcement was made today by Ben Silverman, Co-Chairman, NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios and Marc Graboff, Co-Chairman, NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios. "The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien" will begin on Monday, June 1, 2009 (11:35 p.m.-12:35 a.m. ET) with Leno's last "Tonight Show" telecast airing Friday, May 29, 2009.
"'The Tonight Show' has a remarkable history rich in tradition. We're proud of each and every show Jay has shared with America as we look forward to Conan carrying on that outstanding tradition next year," said Rick Ludwin, Executive Vice President, Late Night and Primetime Series, NBC Entertainment. "We also can't wait for Jimmy to showcase his winning style following Conan. Jay has left his personal stamp on 'The Tonight Show' for what will be 17 years. He is enormously creative, generous and professional."
"The Tonight Show" continues to be the most dominant late-night institution in television history. Since it first premiered on September 27, 1954 with Steve Allen, "The Tonight Show" has had just four permanent hosts, including Leno. Allen, host of the then titled "Tonight," eventually left late night to start his own primetime variety series on NBC. Jack Paar premiered on July 29, 1957. On October 1, 1962, Johnny Carson stepped on stage for day one of his tenure as host of "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson." Leno, who began guest-hosting "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" in September 1987, became host of "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" on May 25, 1992. O'Brien joined NBC as a writer on "Saturday Night Live" in 1988 and premiered as host of "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" on September 13, 1993.
"The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien" will originate from Stage 1 at Universal Studios and will be produced by Universal Media Studios. Jeff Ross is the executive producer.
July 21st, 2008 at 4:27 pm
The 11:30 start time is going to neuter and ruin O'Brien's show every bit as badly as the 11:30 start time neutered and ruined Letterman's show. Letterman's 11:30 show has been consistently bad from the very start, but nobody seems to notice or care. Years from now, I suspect the same thing will be said about O'Brien's 11:30 show.
July 21st, 2008 at 4:29 pm
I can't stand Conan, but Leno has gotten boring anymore, also!
July 21st, 2008 at 7:51 pm
It will be interesting to see how, say, Triumph the Insult Comic Dog plays at 11:30. And I should note that Leno showed up for the announcement, in reporter disguise a la Jimmy Kimmel. You can see a picture over at http://www.sepinwall.blogspot.com
July 22nd, 2008 at 7:59 am
I was kind of hoping Conan would remain in New York. I think the location of the show has a lot to do with the 'vibe' too. The location – and the time of the show – will change what Conan has going for him on his show, and I don't think the change will be a good one, at least for fans like me.
As for Leno, he's the one who announced his retirement date. Is this going to be a Brett Favre-like situation?
July 22nd, 2008 at 12:14 pm
There won't BE a Triumph on the 11:30 show, or anything remotely edgy. Oh, they might do it once, and some other similar stuff early on, just to create the facade that it's the same show. But after that early grace period, forget it. And that was my point. It won't be the same show. Might as well replace the entire writing staff now.
July 22nd, 2008 at 6:11 pm
NBC has been elbowing Leno toward retirement for several years, ever since they were afraid Conan would jump when his contract was up, so they promised him "Tonight" down the road. And now we are down the road.