Fez is the man: Leno Conan perdiction pans out.

[hydee]

He might have been off with the weeks but he nailed the Leno situation cold

http://www.tmz.com/2010/01/07/jay-leno-nbc-conan-obrien-tonight-show/#comments

NBC Shakeup -- Jay Leno Comes Out on Top

Jay Leno is going back to his 11:30 PM time slot, and it's looking like Conan O'Brien is the odd man out ... sources tell TMZ.

Jay Leno, Conan O'Brien

We've learned Jay's 10:00 PM show will go on hiatus February 1. After the Olympics, Jay will take back his 11:30 PM time slot. What has not been decided -- whether Jay's show will be a half hour, followed by Conan, or whether Jay's show will be an hour and NBC says sayonara to Mr. O'Brien.

We're told Jay and Conan have both been told of the changes. As for Jay, interestingly, he'll get what he always wanted -- his 11:30 PM time slot.

Wonder what this will mean for Jimmy?

[pennington]

This is a smart move for NBC. Leno will be where he belongs and frankly Conan is the one who should have the 10pm variety show (once or twice a week, tops). I hope this is true.

[STC-Dub]

It means Jimmy might have to keep his Sirius/XM job? I do not think this is good news for him.

[KingGeno]

Comcast hates gingers.

[EliSnow]

It means Jimmy might have to keep his Sirius/XM job? I do not think this is good news for him.

I'm not seeing it. Why can't Jimmy be on the 11:30 slot. It's taped earlier in the day.

It's TMZ, so we'll have to see some more confirmation from a more reliable source.

But if true, Fez is going to be very, very happy. Good for him if so.

[sailor]

Brava, Fez!

[Furtherman]

When Fez first said that, I said to the radio, "Fez, you're crazy!"

Well, Fez, you were right.





I'll still be yelling "Fez, you're crazy" though.

[KEITHJAY]

Fez proves if you throw enough darts your bound to hit a bulls-eye:clap:

[KnoxHarrington]

NBC is denying the report.

In the statement, NBC reiterated its commitment to the primetime talk show by saying “Jay Leno is one of the most compelling entertainers in the world today. As we have said all along, Jay’s show has performed exactly as we anticipated on the network. It has, however, presented some issues for our affiliates. Both Jay and the show are committed to working closely with them to find ways to improve performance.”

So do they mean it, or is this the dreaded "vote of confidence"?

http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2010/01/07/nbc-jay-leno-not-yanked/

[Furtherman]

NBC is denying the report.



So do they mean it, or is this the dreaded "vote of confidence"?

http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2010/01/07/nbc-jay-leno-not-yanked/

HA! I KNEW IT!!! YOU'RE CRAZY FEZ!!!

[lleeder]

Fez was definately right.

The only problem now is that 11:30 is getting Jay back in worse condition than Forrest Gump got Jenny. I anticipate the same results.

[midwestjeff]

I think his name is Leonard Cohen.

[Meataball23]

HA! I KNEW IT!!! YOU'RE CRAZY FEZ!!!

:lol:

Maybe it was a slow day for TMZ and they picked up what Fez was laying down.


Whos crazy now?!

Seriously though as weird/not true as this is, Im glad Fez got somewhat of a victory

[K.C.]

Yes!

Sweet vindication!

I made this prediction as well, and some obnoxious ex-girlfriend of a buddy of mine's, who was in love with Conan and even interned for him, got so pissed at me just predicting it, that she pretty much stopped talking to me then and there.

I have half a mind to find a way to get in touch with her just to remind her not to mess with an enlightened such as myself.

[disneyspy]

i see deer relocation in the near future

[Dan 'Hampton]

i see deer relocation in the near future


Haha. Better not yell at my wife tonight. Fez is on a roll

[EliSnow]

Yes!

Sweet vindication!

I made this prediction as well, and some obnoxious ex-girlfriend of a buddy of mine's, who was in love with Conan and even interned for him, got so pissed at me just predicting it, that she pretty much stopped talking to me then and there.

I have half a mind to find a way to get in touch with her just to remind her not to mess with an enlightened such as myself.

Um, NBC has denied it.


And remember it's TMZ reporting it.

But go ahead and call her and let us know how she laughs at you.

[Death Metal Moe]

Fezzie ALWAYS wins in the end.

http://b8.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/01299/80/74/1299184708_m.jpg

[hydee]

Um, NBC has denied it.


And remember it's TMZ reporting it.

But go ahead and call her and let us know how she laughs at you.

The Huffington Post has picked this up, not that they are an authority but they mention more details like Leno was to be canceled after the Olympic coverage was over.

[Reephdweller]

I've seen other reports that suggest it will just be Leno's show moving to 11:30 and the Tonight show with Conan to stay going on at 12. I think regardless of this move Conan will stay on as the host unless Leno's ratings dramatically improve...which I think they won't.

[pennington]

Fezzie ALWAYS wins in the end.

That's what Fez gets in the end?

[disneyspy]

this just in from the wall street jornal

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704130904574644422209879370.html?m od=WSJ_hpp_MIDDLETopStories

[Death Metal Moe]

GO FEZ!!!

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_7NduKsyhQUo/SwsKxA8kfaI/AAAAAAAAHPo/rhj68HLOwnY/captain-picard-full-of-win-500x381.jpg

[epo]

Kudos to Fez. I thought he was wrong, but alas it was I who was wrong.

Bravo, Big Cat!

[Recyclerz]

Huzzah for Fez Marie!! :clap:


Vince McMahon better go to Audible & download the show where Fez told him how to fix rasslin'.

[mikeyboy]

i see deer relocation in the near future

:clap:

[SinA]

New York Times agrees: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/08/business/media/08leno.html?src=twt&twt=nytimes

When he sits on his bench in the shower and closes his eyes, Fez can see the future.

[Maddog00]

Leno coming back to Late Night TV (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100108/ap_on_en_tv/us_tv_jay_leno;_ylt=AkXnQwiCltL2G9RL7i5ipbN0fNdF)

Fez was right after all...

[mikeyboy]

http://www.ronfez.net/forums/showthread.php?t=86179

[disneyspy]

http://www.ronfez.net/forums/showthread.php?t=86179

wow, trippy

[TjM]

This better be today's Ichiban

[KnoxHarrington]

Yeah, it's a TMZ story, but sources are saying that Conan O'Brien has been told to either take the 12-1 slot or GTFO.

Our sources say Conan has not decided what he wants. We do know he's pissed, because he was given no advanced warning this was coming. Conan's people told NBC they are considering the offer. Translation: Mr. O'Brien -- I have Rupert Murdoch on line one, Stephen McPherson on line two, John Landgraf on line three, Jeff Wachtel on line four ...

We're told if Conan gets another offer, even though NBC could block the move, they will let him go and give Leno the full hour.

I wonder where Conan could end up if he leaves NBC. I don't know how long Letterman wants to keep on, or if he's considering retirement, so I don't know if that slot's open. ABC seems happy with Jimmy Kimmel at midnight. So I guess Fox is the logical guess here, but I don't think ending up on cable would be bad for him either.

[NewYorkDragons80]

When Fez first said that, I said to the radio, "Fez, you're crazy!"

Well, Fez, you were right.





I'll still be yelling "Fez, you're crazy" though.

When Fez first said that Ithought it was a bit... and it probably was. But now Fez has been proven almost 100% correct. I've never been this terrified in all my life.

Years ago when Leno announced he would be leaving, we all thought this would avoid controversy. Yet here we are facing intrigue twice as dramatic as when Carson left. How would Conan stay AND save face? Conan is better off jumping off the sinking ship that is NBC... and get the opportunity tocome back to the East Coast where he belongs.

[KnoxHarrington]

Comcast should probably bring Fezzie in to run NBC, because he seems to get this stuff better than anyone else there now.

[CruelCircus]

How would Conan stay AND save face? Conan is better off jumping off the sinking ship that is NBC... and get the opportunity tocome back to the East Coast where he belongs.

$28 million/year says he figures out a way to deal with it.

[Captain Geech]

Great win Fez!!

I have thoroughly enjoyed the Tonight Show since Jay returned in October.

[Tenbatsuzen]

If Conan leaves NBC, he probably won't come back to NYC for a bit because of all his staffers had to move to LA.

[spoon]

If Conan leaves NBC, he probably won't come back to NYC for a bit because of all his staffers had to move to LA.

Why? If he can move back for a job, so can they if they want one.

[spoon]

perdiction?

Are you making fun of Fez's Floridan speak?

[Tenbatsuzen]

Why? If he can move back for a job, so can they if they want one.

Because some of those staffers don't make 28 million dollar a year and it's kinda hard to uproot your entire family so quickly after you followed your boss across the country. That's one of the reasons why Joel didn't go with them.

[spoon]

Because some of those staffers don't make 28 million dollar a year and it's kinda hard to uproot your entire family so quickly after you followed your boss across the country. That's one of the reasons why Joel didn't go with them.

So Joel will be ready in New York. And he's HARDLY a needed component of the team. Sorry, I hate his announcing...his main job. Andy pretty much being back may be the ACTUAL reason he was left behind...and he's 70.

[hydee]

perdiction?

Are you making fun of Fez's Floridan speak?

I wish I were that clever, but I type fast and make mistakes. I didn't proof my title.

Anyone want to move the R for me?

[Fallon]

I wish I were that clever, but I type fast and make mistakes. I didn't proof my title.

Anyone want to move the R for me?

It's perfect the way it is.

[spoon]

It's perfect the way it is.

I think it's prefect.

[sailor]

I think it's prefect.

http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-images/Film/Pix/pictures/2008/06/04/hitch460.jpg

[scjr]

http://www.deadline.com/hollywood/nbc-officially-cancels-leno-at-10pm-nothing-else-a-done-deal/

[TeeBone]

I love the title of this thread.:help:

[fezident]

All the "drama" surrounding this story is, IMO, unwarranted.
It doesn't matter who has what ratings. It doesn't matter who finishes last. None of that matters.
EVERY SINGLE true player involved with this situation has earned tens of millions of dollars. From where I'm sitting... nobody looks like a "loser". Conan and Jay are both household names. They're both on legend-status. They both have 100 million dollars in their f'ing checking account. Their names are brands. They rode this wave for damn near 20 years. (and before they ruled late night, they were already quite successful, thankyouverymuch.)

Yes, this was the end of the ride. Yes, it's anti-climactic for their shows to end on a low but, I think history will be kind to them. Both shows will be remembered as true successes. Both men will go on to do other things. And all the while, they will be sitting on mountains of money that this scheduling debacle as provided for them.

[hydee]

All the "drama" surrounding this story is, IMO, unwarranted.
It doesn't matter who has what ratings. It doesn't matter who finishes last. None of that matters.
EVERY SINGLE true player involved with this situation has earned tens of millions of dollars. From where I'm sitting... nobody looks like a "loser". Conan and Jay are both household names. They're both on legend-status. They both have 100 million dollars in their f'ing checking account. Their names are brands. They rode this wave for damn near 20 years. (and before they ruled late night, they were already quite successful, thankyouverymuch.)

Yes, this was the end of the ride. Yes, it's anti-climactic for their shows to end on a low but, I think history will be kind to them. Both shows will be remembered as true successes. Both men will go on to do other things. And all the while, they will be sitting on mountains of money that this scheduling debacle as provided for them.

I think the drama surrounding this situation is warranted. It shows the lengths that NBC will go to and how much they are willing to bully people in order to meet their whims and attempts to keep someone who's time has come.

Conan and his staff moved their lives to the west coast with hopes of putting their own mark on that time slot, then they gave Leno that stupid time slot in hopes to what out shadow Conan, to change TV? It was a lame attempt at keeping Jay and it failed. The only right thing to do is let Jay go and let the cards fall but NBC is just stupid.

It makes no sense to me to keep Leno on the air. His failure at 10:00 speaks volumes about his relevance not to harp on it but he is over. NBC is holding on to the past with keeping him around. To me this isn't about men getting rich and socking money away Scrooge McDuck style. It's watching NBC be shady with business ethics and fucking with other peoples lives.

You see hype but I see anger. Watching people get pushed around and such like they are doing with Conan, Jimmy Fallon and Carson Daly regardless of their paychecks it's slimy,selfish and greedy. My god I have never see the Carson Daly show but how do you think he feels about his time slot being 2 in the morning. That shit matters to those people, it's too bad it doesn't matter to NBC.

[Contra]

I think the drama surrounding this situation is warranted. It shows the lengths that NBC will go to and how much they are willing to bully people in order to meet their whims and attempts to keep someone who's time has come.

Conan and his staff moved their lives to the west coast with hopes of putting their own mark on that time slot, then they gave Leno that stupid time slot in hopes to what out shadow Conan, to change TV? It was a lame attempt at keeping Jay and it failed. The only right thing to do is let Jay go and let the cards fall but NBC is just stupid.

It makes no sense to me to keep Leno on the air. His failure at 10:00 speaks volumes about his relevance not to harp on it but he is over. NBC is holding on to the past with keeping him around. To me this isn't about men getting rich and socking money away Scrooge McDuck style. It's watching NBC be shady with business ethics and fucking with other peoples lives.

You see hype but I see anger. Watching people get pushed around and such like they are doing with Conan, Jimmy Fallon and Carson Daly regardless of their paychecks it's slimy,selfish and greedy. My god I have never see the Carson Daly show but how do you think he feels about his time slot being 2 in the morning. That shit matters to those people, it's too bad it doesn't matter to NBC.

Yes!

[fezident]

I see this as nothing more than NBC throwing money at a problem. Or... for that matter... wanting to have their cake and eat it too.

But, I don't view that as a "bad" thing.
From where I'm sitting, it's very typical for a network (hell, ALL networks) to saturate the airwaves with "more of the same". The f'ing INSTANT people started to walk around and say "you ARE the weakest link, goodbye!" and "is that your FINAL answer?".... the networks flood the schedule with a million others shows exactly like it and/or take a one-night-per-week show and turn it into a nightly series. I think Millionaire was on TWICE a day.

They had Jay. They had Conan. They both had ratings.
Contracts expired. Time went on. And situations changed. So... NBC got creative and tried to hold on to all their cards.
It was an experiment. Yes, it was an experiment that failed but, think about this;
what if it worked?!! If it worked... you better believe that every other network would be airing talkshows at 10. NBC would be complimented for their innovative programming ideas.

The staff that supports the show are not our concern. They moved out there because that's where the work is (was). They had faith in it, and perhaps they were right to do so. But remember, they work in TV... and TV shows get canceled.

This whole situation was a win/win for EVERYBODY ... that is... until the ratings came in. And it's all about the ratings.
People aren't tuning in.
That isn't NBC's fault. Or Leno's. Or Conan's. Or Fallon's. Or Daly's. Or......

People aren't watching. SOMETHING needs to be done, ya know. That network is hemmoraging money.

[ShowerBench]

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w294/oneifbyland/fezzieright.jpg

[DolaMight]

it'll be a tough transition for today show viewers grabing thier cup of mornin joe to discover last call with carson daly has been bumped into the 7am timeslot.

[hydee]

That network is hemmoraging money.

They could have saved a load of money by canceling Heroes after season two. They could save money by cutting the Today show back to 3 hours. They could have saved money by not re upping Jeff Zucker's contract quietly in the night like they did. The guy who caused all this bullshit in the first place. All the savings that could be done isn't being done because the powers that be at NBC have no clue how to do their jobs anymore.

They could have saved money by hiring competent executives, looking for creative teams to give them decent shows and by not putting all there hope Leno. Let him go home and spend time with that cat loving wife that he has been ignoring for years. There is a business ethics violation happening here on top of that, they just want to slap a 30 minute band-aid on an issue that has been coming for NBC since must see TV Thursdays lost it's power.

The only winner here is Jay. Maybe you want to see this as some sort of cut and dry network issue, but there is a people issue here that I feel bad about. I do sympathize with Conan, and his staff. I feel bad that they weren't given a fair shot. I feel bad for Fallon and his people because he might lose his cult audience due to the time difference and I do feel for Daly. It's not always about sitting at home happily not thinking about the people that are entertaining you, and going on with your life after the half hour or hour is over.
Sometimes it's just human to feel bad for a bad, low handed situation.

[hydee]

Also they planned for Conan to take over for Leno for over 4 years. . You would think that a network would have thought about there grand 10 pm plan and how it would effect their affiliates. Instead of easing them into it, or offering help to sell it to their audience, or even giving them an option to opt out of the Leno show totally. Something that one Boston affiliate tried to do but instead they were bullied into to going with the flow.

[fezident]

I value your opinion, as I can tell you given this a lot of thought. Having said that, I simply don't think it's our responsibility to consider the employment-status of all the staffers of the late night talkshow circuit. It's just not our role.
I don't mean this in a disrespectful way but... why do you seem to care so much about the people who build the show MORE than you care about the show they're building? It's a weak show. Or, at the very least, it isn't GREAT. And this is a situation that called for greatness.

Again... a year ago, Leno was on the cover of TIME magazine with a bold caption "Jay Leno Will Save Television" or something like that.
The network had faith. The network sank money into it. Nobody can say they didn't promote the shit out of it. The network CREATED jobs for all those staffers by doing what had never been done. They created a new show where there wasn't one. It was the PUBLIC that failed. They bailed. They simply didn't care. (this happens with great shows too, like Arrested Development etc )

Heroes was a ratings bonanza for that network. For a minute or two, it was NBC's answer to Lost. It kinda lost it's way for a while there and the network thought, "well... ABC didn't cancel Lost when THOSE viewers started to rebel against the show, maybe OUR viewers will stay onboard with Heroes too." That didn't happen but, we only know that with hindsight.

I do think that the network fucked up by flooding us with all that talkshow content. Fallon online, then his premiere, then Conan and Jay moving around and premiering. It was constant. IMO, it backfired. "Enough already!"
But when all's said and done, those shows premiered to AMAZING numbers. Day by day, people tuned out...and now NBC is mortally wounded.

I can't see this as anything other than an experiment that failed.

[Furtherman]

Team Conan

[hydee]

http://www.thewrap.com/ind-column/conan-i-dont-want-do-tonight-1205-am-12861

Conan's statement regarding changes at NBC

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.

[Furtherman]

People of Earth. Conan rules. I will follow.

TEAM CONAN!

[epo]

I read that statement from Conan and damn....how can you not feel for the guy?

Team Conan.

[KnoxHarrington]

I read that statement from Conan and damn....how can you not feel for the guy?

Team Conan.

Even if Leno does get the 11:35 slot back, his reputation has been damaged forever. He's always made his reputation on being a "nice guy", and everything about this has made him look like a douche.

[joegirolamo]

Jim Norton is in a NY Post article today about "chucklefuckers"!

http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/funny_honeys_1ss6YCgC311a0ifroaaSYJ

[fezident]

SPY REPORT:
Lorne Michaels is going to produce The Beantown Comedy Cavalcade featuring Jay AND Conan. Weeknights on NBC. Must see!

[EliSnow]

Even if Leno does get the 11:35 slot back, his reputation has been damaged forever. He's always made his reputation on being a "nice guy", and everything about this has made him look like a douche.

Wasn't it damaged following how he got the Tongiht Show job in the first place, especially after "The Late Shift?"

I think this just further confirms what many already knew.

[hammersavage]

Fucking love Letterman

<script src="http://player.ooyala.com/player.js?height=253&width=450&embedCode=54dHY1MTr0sYET0tX5oHiejEQqw8ZnzT"></script>

[hammersavage]

Lonnie Donnaghan

[sailor]

Lonnie Donnaghan

http://www.p.griggsy.btinternet.co.uk/Untitled/LonProg/IMAG013.JPG