NBC Late Night Comedy in 2009

[Shifty]

Conan Succeeds Leno in June of 2009
Source: NBC
July 21, 2008

NBC has made the official announcement on when exactly Conan O'Brien will take over "The Tonight Show" from Jay Leno:

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.

Mixed feelings but know we have exact dates for Jay and Consie. But no word on the last Late Night which should be amazing.
I'll tune in to Fallon out of curiosity but don't have any expectations.
Leno has said he won't be working for NBC in any capacity. The rumours are he will move to ABC, Fox or Sony will syndicate a show. There was even a rumour CBS would replace Letterman with Leno in 2010.

 

[Dr. Evil]

So what happens with The Max Weinberg Seven and Joel Goddard? And how about the Conan sketches? I am afraid that we won't be seeing "If They Mated" or "Recliner of Rage" or any of those sketches anymore in a year.

 

[PyroChamber]

So who'll take over Late Night when Conan's at The Tonight Show?

 

[strikezone89]

So who'll take over Late Night when Conan's at The Tonight Show?

its most likely jimmy fallon

 

[bullets]

its most likely jimmy fallon

or Sarah Silverman.

 

[X-Ray]

So who'll take over Late Night when Conan's at The Tonight Show?

Jimmy Fallon will step in as the "Late Night" host.

 

[Shifty]

So what happens with The Max Weinberg Seven and Joel Goddard? And how about the Conan sketches? I am afraid that we won't be seeing "If They Mated" or "Recliner of Rage" or any of those sketches anymore in a year.

Max and the band are going, no mention on Joel or if he will retire. They did build him a brand new studio for the show.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

It's gonna be weird seeing Conan on The Tonight Show. I hope he's allowed to keep his weirdness even though he'll be on the bigger show.

 

[Jennifer Walters]

Yeah. I can't see alot of what goes down between Joel, Max, and Conan flying on the ''stable" of late night television.

I mean gay asian lovers, shoot outs between the band and Conan? This stuff just seems out of place on The Tonight Show.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

I think the audience for Late Night is a bit younger than that of The Tonight Show, too. Most of the fogeys are in bed by the time Conan's on now. So even if he does bring that stuff to The Tonight Show, he may be forced to tone it down if it doesn't resonate with his new audience.

 

[Shifty]

I do think the ratings will drop when Conan hosts. I watched the Tonight Show before the guests came out last night... that's why you never see Jay nominated for writing, hosting or even overall best show at the Emmys onnce Jon Stewart, Colbert and Maher came along with their shows. It was unfunny garbage.

One interesting note that wasn't mentioned Michaels mentioned that Jimmy Fallon will air his show online for "five or six months" before it airs in Conan O'Brien's old timeslot, in order to give it a head start in finding its creative legs. "We learned with Conan how brutal it was to find a show when it was on the air," he said.

Colbert was on TDS longer than Jon (7 years at the time) so his character/show was set pretty much with the first episode. Going online is smart, but bumping Carson Daly for 5 months would be better.

I hope they bring Andy back for the last week.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Haha, bumping Carson Daly is always a better idea.

 

[Jennifer Walters]

I dread Fallon's show.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

I predict many fumbled lines and lots of uncontrollable laughter.

 

[Shifty]

Haha, bumping Carson Daly is always a better idea.

Anyone remember when they had SCTV reruns instead of Carson? Those were the days...

 

[Pink Ranger]

The Tonight Show gets good ratings because of its guests. If they can book the same talent, Conan should do just fine. He's actually funny, whereas it's pretty obvious about a third of Jay's jokes completely bomb every night.

 

[Shifty]

The Tonight Show gets good ratings because of its guests. If they can book the same talent, Conan should do just fine. He's actually funny, whereas it's pretty obvious about a third of Jay's jokes completely bomb every night.

Conan gets just as many big name stars as Leno or Dave does. People hawking movies, TV shows, CDs or books would stupid to ignore the show with the younger demo.
The timeslot, the host and writers are the main factors.

 

[Dr. Evil]

Conan will also get the big name stars that he's never had before on his show once he makes the move. There are plenty of them out there that have never appeared on his show. Conan has gotten many big name stars that have appeared on his shows. Next week, he has Kevin Costner, and I don't think Costner has ever appeared on his show.

I will miss his interactions with Newsman Brian Williams and the people from the Today Show. In fact, last week, he had one of those wacky waving inflatables of himself, in an effort to promote his show even more, only to find out that it annoyed the hell out of NBC Today Show Anchor Matt Lauer.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Isn't annoying Matt Lauer one of the top ten reasons to do anything?

 

[Dr. Evil]

Isn't annoying Matt Lauer one of the top ten reasons to do anything?

Yes. Conan is also known to annoy Brian Williams.

 

[fu manchu]

damn, less than a year away. i'm going to have a hard time to decide who to watch. i like both Letterman and Conan.

Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien.....looks strange to me now. i'll probably get used to it next year.

kinda interested on what jimmy fallon will be as a host of Late Night. look forward to those online show that are being planned.

 

[Manic]

I predict many fumbled lines and lots of uncontrollable laughter.

At least this time he'll have an excuse to constantly look at the camera.

 

[Catman]

Conan gets just as many big name stars as Leno or Dave does.

Not really. The BIG stars like Will Smith, Johnny Depp, and Tom Cruise have never been on his show. Also, he's rarely had BIG musical guests. His musical guests usually revolve around indie bands. All that is gonna change when he gets Tonight.

 

[Dr. Evil]

Conan and Will Smith would be very interesting.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Not really. The BIG stars like Will Smith, Johnny Depp, and Tom Cruise have never been on his show. Also, he's rarely had BIG musical guests. His musical guests usually revolve around indie bands. All that is gonna change when he gets Tonight.

I'm gonna miss the indie bands. I've learned about a lot of great bands on his show.