Comedy | January 12, 2010 | 62 comments

Conan O'Brien: "I currently have no other offer and honestly have no idea what happens next."

source: http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=xprnw.20100112.LA36584&show_article=1

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Found_Avenue
UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif., Jan. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Conan O'Brien released the following statement.

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

SOURCE Conan O’Brien
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62 comments // Conan O'Brien: "I currently have no other offer and honestly have no idea what happens next."

  • feefer2010
  • Shane_Snodgrass
    • 0
      Shane_Snodgrass  

    • Conan is funny and I know a lot of people are gonna be pissed off at NBC for this. I never hated Jay Leno but he kinda seems like an asshole for going along with this.

    • 2 years ago
  • Shane_Snodgrass
    • 0
      Shane_Snodgrass  

    • I can't believe NBC would do that to Conan. He has so many fans that are gonna get really pissed of for this. I never hated Jay Leno but now I think he's an asshole for agreeing to go back to the tonight show.

    • 2 years ago
  • Shane_Snodgrass
    • 0
      Shane_Snodgrass  

    • I can't believe NBC would do that to Conan. He has so many fans that are gonna get really pissed of for this. I never hated Jay Leno but now I think he's an asshole for agreeing to go back to the tonight show.

    • 2 years ago
  • curtisreed
  • ratsass
    • 0
      ratsass  

    • I don't think he is funny, but he is getting screwed. What were the networks thinking, putting on an endless lineup of white men in suits (jay,conan,dave,craig,jimmy, and that little twit) it's no wonder Chelsea and lopez are eating them alive. Think about who watches late night TV.

    • 2 years ago
  • soulhakr
  • TasteHi
  • pandaman2105
    • 0
      pandaman2105  

    • jay leno is great.

      just give him back everything, stuff should just go back to the way it was.
      fire jimmy, let him actually do some real work again...maybe something like...acting!

      "i currently have no other offer and honestly have no idea what happens next."
      so he's just gonna wait around forever until he's handed something? how about him trying to do something else, do something on his own to remain relevant and successful?

    • 2 years ago
  • DRudeBoy
  • Curtis_Wright
  • bigloutech
  • jdimino
    • 0
      jdimino  

    • It was all too good to be true to see Conan in a new time slot on a slick set with Andy. Waaaaay too fucking good to be true. Damn that Leno karma ..

    • 2 years ago
  • rainablu
    • 0
      rainablu  

    • There has alway been a shady turn of events when it comes to late night show when it comes to Leno, if you look at the beginnings of his late night career. Just saying!

    • 2 years ago
  • crashbangnoises
    • 0
      crashbangnoises  

    • I just think that it's messed up that NBC is moving these guys around so their "news" shows can get better ratings. Once again they want to make sure Americans see the blood and war and death and destruction so we can be brainwashed into thinking that life can be no other way..... goodbye good fun entertainment.

    • 2 years ago
  • curtisreed
    • 0
      curtisreed  

    • Conan is right. I'm SHOCKED to find out (this is the first time I heard it) that the NBC idiots actually think they should bump the Tonight Show to 12:05! I thought they were moving Conan back to his old show, and placing Leno back into the Tonight Show. Seriously, what the F are they thinking? Conan is right! I remember very clearly as a kid, so long ago, my father watching Johnny Carson every single night, and the sense of loss when he left. We were pleased that Leno took over, he is an incredible talent.

      I thought it was crazy for them to move Leno out of that spot, but O'Brien is another great talent, so I figured they would make it work.

      But to think that they should essentially destroy the Tonight Show, in order to give that spot to "The Leno Show" is ABSURD and plain STUPID.

      At what point will they fire NBC exec Zucker?! He is destroying the network. He has filled the news with idiot liberals, undermining the long standing trust that people like me had for their news (I was a very loyal NBC Nightly News viewer for decades, but eventually they lost my trust and YES I now am a Fox viewer, although I don't think they do Evening News justice). NBC used to be THE PLACE to go for superb dramas and comedies. Zucker has ruined the brand.

      He should not only be fired, but should be burned at the stake.

    • 2 years ago
  • hsween5
    • 0
      hsween5  

    • You gotta love the Conan. Bad move on NBC's part and very unprofessional and just plain rude of Leno. We hates the Leno.

    • 2 years ago
  • thewarnerla
    • 0
      thewarnerla  

    • we love you Conan. the truth of the matter is that the age shift that is key for Conan's earlier late night shift to be successful has not taken place yet. We shall continue to find your big head on TV for the best late night laughs.

    • 2 years ago
  • TheEmpireGuy
  • wankityspank
  • Nahom_Abegaze
  • slarabee
  • curtisreed
  • benway
  • donttalk
    • 0
      donttalk  

    • I used to stay up for the Late show for him, along with so many others. NBC is making a BIG mistake... lucky you Letterman.

    • 2 years ago
  • jdubsy
  • Minus5scenePoints
    • 0
      Minus5scenePoints  

    • My sympathy goes out for Conan and his staff, i hope the best for them. But, im sure they'll find work! I do find Conan, very funny, just never really got into his show.
      I've never really been into late night talk shows. some are ok. Craig Ferguson, is by far the best though. but, if he gets real big, he might start to suck like some....... =/

    • 2 years ago
  • calm_incense
    • 0
      calm_incense  
    • Minus5scenePoints:

      "Craig Ferguson, is by far the best though. but, if he gets real big, he might start to suck like some....... =/"

      Unfortunately, he's already started to get old. I generally like his comedic style, but for some reason he thinks repeating the same lines over and over again, or showing the same pictures over and over again, makes them funnier. It doesn't.

      I miss the days when he would say "It's a great day for America" and no one would clap. Now, his audience is too willing to laugh at ANYTHING he says, regardless of whether or not it's actually funny.

      That all said, he's still by far the best of the late night talk show hosts.

    • 2 years ago
  • CarlosIsDown
    • 0
      CarlosIsDown  

    • Goooooooooooooooooooooooosh darnit NBC. Loosin 'spect for that dang network. If only FCC ownership limits were still imposed, then we'd still have good tv.

    • 2 years ago
  • leahl
  • ozoneocean
  • ozoneocean
  • honeylo0ksfuhnee
    • 0
      honeylo0ksfuhnee  

    • This whole situation breaks my heart. I love Conan.
      I was so sad when he left New York to do the Tonight show, but now I'm even more upset that he's losing his ultimate dream. Best of luck to him and the show.

    • 2 years ago
  • dougiestardust
  • cefirak
    • 0
      cefirak  

    • I sincerely wish Coco didn't have to go. I've loved him for years, and would watch regardless of time slot. NBC has been so accommodating to Jay, it seems (to me) completely unfair of NBC to do this to Conan. Jay is failing his prime-time slot. Conan is doing well adjusting to the Tonight Show. AND he is being incredible with this news. Conan, you are a giant of late night. and Jay is just a giant chin.

    • 2 years ago
  • honeylo0ksfuhnee
  • PositiveBalance
  • magic6435
    • 0
      magic6435  

    • Conan was shitty on his own show, he was shitty on the tonight show and he will continue to be shitty in whatever he does next. Leno FTW

    • 2 years ago
  • laserdog
    • 0
      laserdog  
    • magic6435:

      "Conan was s---y on his own show"

      He dominated the competition when he was at 12:05.

      So far in the new slot he is losing big to Letterman.

      But at least I know your opinion of various shows, and your favorite adjective.

    • 2 years ago
  • AndrewH13
    • 0
      AndrewH13  

    • I've never been a big fan of Conan's show, but I've always been a big fan of Conan. I'm sure he'll bounce back into something even better.

    • 2 years ago
  • mario_a
    • 0
      mario_a  

    • @Found_Avenue -- thanks for the story. I've featured this on the homepage, and I made a slight change to the headline.

      Thanks,
      mario

    • 2 years ago
  • keithponder
    • 0
      keithponder  

    • I honestly was never able to get pass the shape of his head. It reminds me of a Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade character walking down the streets of New York.

      Sorry guys. I still don't see how he ever got the job. I guess that you have to look funny now to be funny.

      I still miss Johnny Carson.

      Goodbye Conan. I guess some people will miss you now.

    • 2 years ago
  • ibrake4rappers13
  • nursediesel
    • 0
      nursediesel  

    • I love Conan OOOOO BRIIIIIIIIIen. And his HAIR. He is unique and refreshing. This just isn't fair. Jay left and they (NBC) should let Conan get on with his time at the desk. Jay has his own show at another time.

    • 2 years ago
  • JohnA
  • samthesixth
  • JohnA
  • etienna
  • iammyfathersson
    • 0
      iammyfathersson  

    • "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."

      So refreshing

    • 2 years ago
  • jubal
  • Miglue
    • 0
      Miglue  

    • Conan is cool, but i stoped reading after he said " in a world with real promblems, I've been absurdly lucky". He's like everyone else that has a dick for a boss trying to make a buck no matter the cost to his employees.

    • 2 years ago
  • twosix
    • 0
      twosix  
    • Miglue:

      at least he can spell -- you shouldn't have stoped reading b/c he makes some great points. I stopped reading after you said "He's like everyone else..." b/c you can count on one hand 'everyone else' like him who have hosted The Tonight Show, which has aired over 10,000 episodes for the past 56 years -- seems like a pretty unique bunch to me

    • 2 years ago
  • laserdog
    • 0
      laserdog  
    • Miglue:

      3x shows in that size of a timeslot isn't necessarily sustainable. Making a stand now when his position is strongest seems the most likely to keep his staff a job indefinitely, rather than letting them push him back by a half hour, than an hour, than renaming Jay's show to Late Night.

      By making this public, he's focused attention on this and made it really difficult for NBC to just fire him and his staff.

      As for "pleasing his bosses" or whatever, this is clearly the opposite of that, he is taking a stand and made a definitive PR move here. His bosses are going to hate that, I'm sure they would have much preferred this be a private dialog, now anything they do is going to make headlines instantly.

      It is making them look incompetent, and sinking the success that moving Jay to his timeslot might even have.

    • 2 years ago
  • Chanteuse
    • 0
      Chanteuse  

    • Conan is the best. He's in such predicament but in the long run he will be more successful than he is now. Forget NBC, Spread your wings my red headed friend, COCO!!!

    • 2 years ago
  • bailey78
    • 0
      bailey78  

    • Well I never liked Conan well let me rephrase that I never liked his stand up. I have never met him to say I dislike him. I hope all the best for the guy. Jay Leno has always been funny in my book. I like the way he tells jokes and he has some good writers. I must say though I do like David letterman a lot he is like jay he can joke about his own misfortune. I also like to watch jay then the news the david then go to sleep. Now I guess I'm back to flipping back and forth between the two of them.

    • 2 years ago
  • BangBoomCrash
    • 0
      BangBoomCrash  

    • i always was a fan of Conan and preferred him over Leno (never cared for Leno and never watched him). I've really enjoyed his Tonight Show and hope it continues, later time or not. If he does change networks, i'd follow him.

    • 2 years ago
  • ThoughtNu
    • 0
      ThoughtNu  

    • I don't think much of late night media, but after reading this I might dust off my old television. I appreciate honest remarks about things that are out of one's control. I used to watch Conan , but stopped after the time change... can't stand 'Falon' 'cause everyone is awesome to him ...But I will take a closer look at Conan

    • 2 years ago
  • Found_Avenue
    • 0
      Found_Avenue  
    • ThoughtNu:

      It's as if Jimmy Fallon and Carson Daly existing this big huge hole, devoid of all things comedic. Watching them is actually painful for me. They seem uncomfortable up there, and nothing is remotely funny. Maybe it's a generational thing, I don't know.

      I have always found Leno so annoying that I want to punch him in his face every time I see it. I enjoy Conan and Letterman equally nowadays, and sometimes watch one or the other, but Craig Ferguson is my Late Night hero...! Never miss him!

    • 2 years ago
  • dereks
    • 0
      dereks  
    • ThoughtNu:

      i think you hit the nail on the head when you said its a generational thing. My parents (boomers) love jay. I like conan (i just turned 30) but you have to be in on the joke. My
      brother loves jimmy (he is 24). but usually i just dvr most show any way so i dont care what time they are on.

    • 2 years ago
  • dougiestardust
    • 0
      dougiestardust  
    • ThoughtNu:

      @Found Avenue: I'm not a Carson Fan either, but in his defense, his show is not meant to be a source of comedy. It's purpose is to garner to exposure up and coming celebrities to a wider audience. I also don't think Jimmy Fallon is'nt that funny. I found him annoying on SNL from day one. He does serve as a great host in terms of how he not only gets the guest, but audience involved in the show's segments. Not to mention, The Roots are just about the best you could ask for in a house band. I agree with you about liking Conan. I have always been a fan of his, so what I'm about to say might be a biased statement. After spending so much of his time with NBC,for them to have so little faith in Conan is a slap in the face from the get go, bringing back Jay Leno an hour and a half before his show. Conan deserves better. I would much rather see him taking over for Jimmy Kimmel. As far as I'm concerned that hack has no right in the late night circuit or on television for that matter. In a very long, round about, TL;DR, and somewhat partial sort of way, I hope Conan finds a better opportunity, whether that be late-night or elsewhere.

      P.S. Craig Ferguson is hilarious. If only I remembered CBS was a channel, I wouldn't miss him!

    • 2 years ago
  • thea_inthecity
  • Found_Avenue
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