Heeeere’s . . . Conan!!! *UPDATED*

[FilmCritic3000]

BEHOLD! The set of The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien!

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x18/jasoncinema/24conan3-650-1.jpg

Maybe it's just me, but I'm getting an old school Carson vibe from the design; I love it.

Here's the official website, with a video of Conan giving a tour of the new set.

http://www.tonightshowwithconanobrien.com/

Here's a really great new article in The New York Times about Conan's new gig.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/24/magazine/24Conan-t.html?_r=4&hp=&pagewanted=all

And I love this quote from Conan...

“What I realized is, I’m still doing ‘The Tonight Show.’ That was my dream. When I can’t sleep and it’s 3 in the morning, I’m not thinking about Jay. I’m thinking about all the things I want to do on the show. And I’m not thinking about how I’m going to change myself to fit a certain demographic. I just have to block that nonsense out. In entertainment, you have to stake out what you think is right, you have to put out that signal, make sure it’s pure and then do it and do it and do it and know that they will come. And if they don’t, you have to pack up your bags and say: ‘I enjoyed my time here. Sorry it didn’t work out.’ But the biggest mistake would be to alter my signal to make sure that I reach all these different people. Because then you’re lost.”

[TiVo'Brien]

Wow, that's a beautiful set. :up:

[Alfer]

I'm diggin it...I actually am looking forward to watching the Tonight Show again!


GO CONAN!

[FilmCritic3000]

I'm diggin it...I actually am looking forward to watching the Tonight Show again!

Me too!

GO CONAN!

+1

[jlb]

when does he start again?

[Alfer]

June

[FilmCritic3000]

when does he start again?

June 1st.

[DevdogAZ]

Fascinating article. Thanks for posting.

[FilmCritic3000]

Fascinating article. Thanks for posting.

You're very welcome.

And I agree the article is well-written and quite in-depth.

[terpfan1980]

June 1st approaches quickly. Thank the gods I might finally be able to watch the Tonite Show and be entertained again. Johnny, I still miss you! Jay, so long and not so good luck as I hope the new show tanks and NBC has to rediscover more scripted series :up:

[Michelle5150]

Looks great. I hated that set he's had for the last few years on Late Night. It was so old school and ugly. I'm excited for the new Tonight Show.

[MickeS]

Looking forward to checking this out, but a little Conan goes a long way for me. :) Nice set though.

[FilmCritic3000]

...and NBC has to rediscover more scripted series :up:

Hear, hear.

[Enrique]

Really Sad to see the start of the end of the Tonight show.:( I give it a year or two before NBC cancels it.

[Mike Lang]

Will Conan finally be forced to mature a bit or will he continue to be sophomoric?

[jstack]

Will Conan finally be forced to mature a bit or will he continue to be sophomoric?

Who the hell wants to see a mature Conan? We love Conan for his off the wall immature antics.

[lambertman]

Fun fact: Conan will be the oldest new host of "The Tonight Show" in history.

[JLucPicard]

Fun fact: Conan will be the oldest new host of "The Tonight Show" in history.
Yet still the most immature. :)

[rawbi01]

I wonder how long it will take before he starts taking shots at the old administration. I hope this works out for him, I've been watching the tonight show for many many years.

[ElJay]

Will Conan finally be forced to mature a bit or will he continue to be sophomoric?
Conan said he's not going to change. And I can't see NBC forcing him to change either, especially given they've already neutered him with Leno at 10pm. Are we going to see the Masturbating Bear? Probably not, but he's not going to suddenly turn into a fake person because of this move.

[IJustLikeTivo]

Yet still the most immature. :)

And will have the worst ratings ever. Another first.

[FilmCritic3000]

And will have the worst ratings ever. Another first.

Hmmm...I'd rather have Conan's comedy versus Leno's Nerf comedy - safe and dull.

[MickeS]

Hmmm...I'd rather have Conan's comedy versus Leno's Nerf comedy - safe and dull.

What's not considered "safe"? I understand dull, but what is so "safe" about Jay, and by extension, what is it about Conan or others that make them supposedly less "safe"?

[FilmCritic3000]

What's not considered "safe"? I understand dull, but what is so "safe" about Jay, and by extension, what is it about Conan or others that make them supposedly less "safe"?

Letterman and Conan don't placate to generic sensibilities, i.e. "safe" comedy, like Leno. Their bits tend to border on the surreal/sarcastic/ironic and are edgier than anything Leno does. Sure, some people like Leno. But vanilla ice cream every day gets boring. Much like Leno's "comedy".

I'm sure The Jay Leno Show won't have a single Dancing Judge Ito or Bill/Monica joke. At least, not until a minute-and-a-half into the first episode.

[5thcrewman]

Will the bear still be furiously searching for his cell phone?

[FiftyoneFifty]

Who the hell wants to see a mature Conan? We love Conan for his off the wall immature antics.


+1

[Bierboy]

Meh...looks like any other talk show set with minor modifications....not caring...

[IJustLikeTivo]

Letterman and Conan don't placate to generic sensibilities, i.e. "safe" comedy, like Leno. Their bits tend to border on the surreal/sarcastic/ironic and are edgier than anything Leno does. Sure, some people like Leno. But vanilla ice cream every day gets boring. Much like Leno's "comedy".

I'm sure The Jay Leno Show won't have a single Dancing Judge Ito or Bill/Monica joke. At least, not until a minute-and-a-half into the first episode.

So, getting crap ratings is a plus for that brand of comedy? This is commercial TV, ratings are the only thing that matters. Forget that and lose a job. There is no way that Conan will pull the same ratings as Leno.

[Lori]

June 1st approaches quickly. Thank the gods I might finally be able to watch the Tonite Show and be entertained again. Johnny, I still miss you! Jay, so long and not so good luck as I hope the new show tanks and NBC has to rediscover more scripted series :up:

Oh, man, this.

I haven't watched more than about 20 minutes of the tonight show since Jay took over. I miss Johnny, too.

Can't wait for Conan.

[naiLS1]

Jay is old and tired. It so good to see him go. He is just so sterile and boring.

Conan is going to be such a breath of fresh air. He is actually funny!

[VegasVic]

Sure ratings are important but higher ratings don't go hand in hand with higher quality. Laverne & Shirley was a highly rated show. Nuff said.

[wmcbrine]

Really Sad to see the start of the end of the Tonight show.:( I give it a year or two before NBC cancels it.I think there's zero chance of that. Worst-case scenario, they replace Conan after only a short tenure. But remember, he's been on Late Night for 16 years already. It would be a mistake to underestimate him.

[Enrique]

Sure ratings are important but higher ratings don't go hand in hand with higher quality. Laverne & Shirley was a highly rated show. Nuff said.Networks don't do quality, they do ratings. Dance with the Stars(And The Biggest Loser)
....Nuff said.

[Enrique]

I think there's zero chance of that. Worst-case scenario, they replace Conan after only a short tenure. But remember, he's been on Late Night for 16 years already. It would be a mistake to underestimate him.It would be a mistake Overestimate him(Which NBC is doing). Hell, Ferguson beat Conan in ratings!:eek:

[Bierboy]

It would be a mistake Overestimate him(Which NBC is doing). Hell, Ferguson beat Conan in ratings!:eek:
Exactly...some of you here are treating him like the second coming of Christ. Conan wears thin on a lot of people very quickly...including me.

[Roadblock]

Conan wears thin on a lot of people very quickly...including me.

Why?

Do you like Jay Leno's monologues?

[wmcbrine]

Hell, Ferguson beat Conan in ratings!:eek:Where do you get that? Wikipedia says "O'Brien's last season on Late Night attracted an average of 1.98 million viewers, 60,000 viewers more than The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Late_Night_with_Conan_O'Brien) They don't mention earlier seasons. Anyway, it would be nothing to be ashamed of -- Ferguson does a great show. (I just wish it would go HD.)

[Enrique]

Where do you get that? "O'Brien's last season on Late Night attracted an average of 1.98 million viewers, 60,000 viewers more than The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Late_Night_with_Conan_O'Brien)http://www.tvsquad.com/2008/12/02/fergusons-ratings-beat-conans/

My point being is, If he can't even beat Ferguson in the ratings there's no change in hell he'll beat Jay Lenos ratings or keep them up.(Who has a nightly average of 5.7 million viewers).

Anyway, it would be nothing to be ashamed of -- Ferguson does a great show. (I just wish it would go HD.)I don't find him funny at all.

[ElJay]

My point being is, If he can't even beat Ferguson in the ratings there's no change in hell he'll beat Jay Lenos ratings or keep them up.(Who has a nightly average of 5.7 million viewers).

Except you don't have a point. As reported, Conan won on average in the last season. Ferguson won a week or two... Great. But Conan was on top over the past decade. He's done well enough so that NBC has now given him a promotion. Also, it seems this would go without saying, but it's impossible to compare viewership of a 12:37 show with that of a 11:35 one.

[MickeS]

Letterman and Conan don't placate to generic sensibilities, i.e. "safe" comedy, like Leno. Their bits tend to border on the surreal/sarcastic/ironic and are edgier than anything Leno does.

It's just a different style of comedy. To me, Letterman and Conan feel very 90's, that "surreal/sarcastic/ironic" comedy had its heyday back then (and I'd agree that back then it COULD be called "edgier" than the traditional comedy), but feels rather dated now. Even back then, I'd say that both of them were closer to the standard late night style comedy championed by the likes of Carson. Today, I don't think they could be called "edgy" by any stretch of the imagination.

Leno has a different style that's much more stand-up influenced, for obvious reasons. He does fewer "bits" for that reason (and has abandoned all the bits he USED to do, like Iron Jay). Whether you like it or not is one thing, but claiming that it's less "edgy" than Conan is pretty silly IMO. Neither of them are edgy - which is why they got their jobs in the first place.

I was thinking too about what someone said about Conan being juvenile. It's funny, but I would watch Conan recorded sometimes, with my young son. I never had any problems doing so, felt that something rarely was inappropriate enough for him.

But Jay, I would usually avoid, because he would always make some crude jokes about porn, sex, or drugs. I always found it a bit amusing that the earlier show was the one I rather would not show my son, but the later one was pretty much always OK. :)

[Bierboy]

Why?

Do you like Jay Leno's monologues?

I didn't say I liked Leno...I really don't care for any of them. Conan's style just rubs me the wrong way. Not my cup of tea.

[Enrique]

Except you don't have a point. As reported, Conan won on average in the last season. By just 60,000 viewers. That's negligible.


Also, it seems this would go without saying, but it's impossible to compare viewership of a 12:37 show with that of a 11:35 one.Of course you can. They're all most back to back in airings.

[wmcbrine]

Of course you can. They're all most back to back in airings.That's irrelevant. Lots of people watch the Tonight Show (or the Late Show), and then go to bed. They're not up for the next hour. (Obviously this doesn't matter to us TiVo users, but it does to Nielsen.)

I'm not saying Conan will match Leno's numbers. I'll make no prediction on that. But you absolutely can't compare 11:30-12:30 with 12:30-1:30.

[TheDewAddict]

That's irrelevant. Lots of people watch the Tonight Show (or the Late Show), and then go to bed. They're not up for the next hour. (Obviously this doesn't matter to us TiVo users, but it does to Nielsen.)

I'm not saying Conan will match Leno's numbers. I'll make no prediction on that. But you absolutely can't compare 11:30-12:30 with 12:30-1:30.

Exactly. I'm in the Central time zone, so we're an hour earlier, but I go to bed at 11:30. I don't watch Jay. I'll most likely watch Conan. I didn't generally watch Conan before because I didn't want to stay up that late, but I'll watch him now. Ferguson is OK, but I can't stand Letterman. I think I'd watch just about anything before Letterman. I'm excited about Conan's big move.

[5thcrewman]

I think of Ferguson as a Scottish Dudley Moore. Bleah.

[rawbi01]

All of these guys are better then Jimmy Fallen, I had high hopes for him but I think he is bombing..

[marksman]

http://www.tvsquad.com/2008/12/02/fergusons-ratings-beat-conans/

My point being is, If he can't even beat Ferguson in the ratings there's no change in hell he'll beat Jay Lenos ratings or keep them up.

I am pretty sure that David Letterman's audience grew when he went from the later slot to the earlier slot.

More people watch tv at 10:30/11:30 than at 11:30/12:30.

When Letterman moved, he went from getting much lower ratings than the tonight show to having higher ratings then the Tonight Show.. at least for a time.

[USAFSSO]

The times have changed. Leno and Letterman were the new ones to take over from Carson. Carson was different from Parr and even Allen. Now we have Conan and Kimmel.

They are going to the comedian now as apposed to a funny guy who can interviewer, like Carson.

Conan will change just as Letterman changed when he moved up an hour. That is a more adult hour (1130-1230) than the collage kid hour (1230-130)

I was never a fan of Conan in the late show, I will give him some time in The Tonight Show seat.

[FilmCritic3000]

Triumph The Insult Comic Dog & The Masturbating Bear, among others, will indeed make the move to 11:35PM.

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/2009/05/27/2009-05-27_conan_obrien_bringing_familiar.html

Here's a report from a test show.

http://aintitcool.com/node/41201

[sonnik]

Conan's been a writer on SNL (late 80's, early 90's) and The Simpsons. While that era of SNL may or may not be your favorite - I don't see how you can deny a comedy writing ability here.

In the beginning of LNw/CO - I appreciated the pairing of O'Brien + Richter. When Richter left, I didn't know if Conan was going to be sharp enough on his toes on his own.

He's certainly improved in his interaction/interview abilities.

This is one of my favorite LNw/CO clips - the chemistry with Associate Producer Jordan Slansky is outrageously funny.

http://www.hulu.com/watch/22480/late-night-with-conan-obrien-my-dinner-with-jordan-5908

Starts of a little slow, but becomes obnoxiously funny.

EDIT: There have been several edits of the above sketch. The one above is missing a scene where Conan states he is going to hire someone to Kill jordan (Conan was drunk at this point, so his delivery is priceless). Not the way the sketch may have aired, but still pretty funny.

[ElJay]

Here's a report from a test show.

http://aintitcool.com/node/41201

I'd like to see Richter on the couch as well... Hopefully it can progress to that.

[balboa dave]

I'd like to see Richter on the couch as well... Hopefully it can progress to that.He's listed as a regular, so, he has.

[MickeS]

He's listed as a regular, so, he has.

Did you read the report from the test showing? It stated he is behind a podium, not a couch. ElJay was literally talking about getting him on the couch, not about getting him on the show. :)

[LoadStar]

Richter is the show's announcer (the role currently being held by John Melendez). He will also participate in occasional sketches. He isn't technically doing the same thing he did previously on Late Night.

[wmcbrine]

Richter is the show's announcer (the role currently being held by John Melendez).I see it more as the role formerly held by Joel Godard. :D

[trainman]

I see it more as the role formerly held by Joel Godard. :D

So they're going to make Andy grow a ponytail? :D

(A bit off-topic, but given that Don Pardo has apparently retired from "SNL," I wonder if Joel is going to be the new announcer there...)

[Jesda]

Conan is funny. Jay is a great guy, but not as funny.

[lambertman]

(A bit off-topic, but given that Don Pardo has apparently retired from "SNL," I wonder if Joel is going to be the new announcer there...)

I like this idea. It would help SNL reach a younger generation. :)

[jlb]

I doubt I'll be recording Jay. I've always had a SP with KAM 1 for Letterman. I figured I would do the same now for Conan. He is going to have great guests next week. And the wya I see it, having KAM 1 for Dave and Conan works fine. Anything I miss I can always grab other ways. They're there if I watch, no biggie if not.

I'm VERY much looking forward to Will Ferrell on his first night.

No, regardless of what I said about Jay, I am recording him tonight. "Last nights" always seem to be pretty good.

[Alfer]

I'll watch the last Jay version just to see how he wraps things up, just like I did when Carson left, but won't miss Jay at all...he was not an amusing person to watch IMO.

[TiVo'Brien]

Richter is the show's announcer (the role currently being held by John Melendez). He will also participate in occasional sketches. He isn't technically doing the same thing he did previously on Late Night.During the intro, John Melendez looks like he's sitting there taking a dump, raising his mug. Hopefully Andy won't continue that "tradition".

[dilbert27]

Sneek Peek of the Tonight Night Show with Conan!

http://www.clearspring.com/widgets/4727a250e66f9723?p=4727a250e66f9723&flv=clipID%3D1106823%26video%5Ftitle%3DtheTitle%26video%5Fur l%3Dundefined

[DianaMo]

Classic late-night hosts and guests - photo essay

http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/chi-090515-talk-talkshows-pictures,0,482167.photogallery

[DianaMo]

Curtain call protocol: Leno an exception

Phil Rosenthal | Media
May 29, 2009

It will be less a farewell to the millions of viewers he ushers to bed each night than to the late-night institution it was his long-held ambition to preside over.

Jay Leno will say goodbye to NBC's "The Tonight Show" on Friday, 17 years after he replaced Johnny Carson as host, no doubt echoing the thanks Carson offered his audience in 1992 for making his run on the program both worthwhile and possible.

Not everyone in broadcasting gets that kind of closure with their audiences.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/chi-fri-phil-rosenthal-0529may29,0,3076997.column

[marksman]

I watched this last episode tonight. Probably the first Tonight Show episode with Jay I watched entirely, on purpose.

Whatever people say about Jay, including myself, he seems to be a genuine and nice guy.

I have decided I am stoked now for Conan. I have enjoy Conan for a long time, but probably stopped regularly recording him 18 months ago or so. The only late night I have a season pass for right now is Kimmel. Because he is pushed back here 30 minutes, I can get both of them now, with no overlap, which improves the odds of being recorded.

Conan might bore me quickly, but I am intrigued to see more of the focus group they teased on the last Jay show.

It is interesting that Conan will have replaced both Letterman and Leno. Was very interesting seeing Conan the day he found out he got the Late Night gig when he had just turned 30. He looked so young, and his voice, what on earth were they thinking that this guy could be a tv host.

[MickeS]

I watched this last episode tonight. Probably the first Tonight Show episode with Jay I watched entirely, on purpose.

Whatever people say about Jay, including myself, he seems to be a genuine and nice guy.

This episode was very much in line with how Jay usually is. He seems a little uncomfortable with praise, and is usually very gracious towards others. Since I don't know him privately, I'd say that at least on TV he has always been a nice guy. :)

I liked the ending and the "legacy" he left behind.

Can't wait to check out Conan!

[Bierboy]

...Conan might bore me quickly....

Thank you! That's exactly my feeling about Conan put into words. I had a hard time putting my finger on it, but that's exactly what happens when I've tried to watch Conan late night. And, unfortunately, I expect nothing to change when he moves into the earlier slot. He seems way too one-dimensional.

[TIVO_GUY_HERE]

I usually watch Tonight Show over Letterman, and because of Cable conflicts at 9 PM, I usually catch the repeat showing of cable shows at 10 PM and I miss both Leno/Letterman. But Leno used to rerun last weeks episodes at 2am, I wonder if Conan will do that, or they will let Leno's new show repeat at 2:05.

[getreal]

I know this is a Conan thread, but Leno's last shows are relevant -- especially since there is no other thread for it.

On Leno's second-to-last show, where he had Prince as his musical guest, did you notice the message Prince wrote to Jay on the large sheet which Jay held up and said he would frame? It read "Jay is the Best. Even Paul Shafer knows it!"

I thought it was inappropriate, and I think Jay hadn't really read it when he was holding it up and saying that he would frame it. Prince didn't even sign the sheet, so it was just an unnecessary and inappropriate slap to Letterman. Glad it wasn't the last scene of the last show.

I wonder who will eventually replace Letterman when he eventually steps down?

I'll catch some of Conan's new show, as well as Leno's, but I don't really expect a lot of difference from what they put on in the recent past. Maybe Conan will have less "characters" and more of the regular "Tonight Show" format: monologue, interviews from desk, guests performing stand-up or singing, and some video remotes.

[wmcbrine]

I wonder who will eventually replace Letterman when he eventually steps down?If anyone... The Tonight Show is an institution, but the Late Show was created solely as a vehicle for Letterman. It might die with him. Who knows?

[FilmCritic3000]

If anyone... The Tonight Show is an institution, but the Late Show was created solely as a vehicle for Letterman. It might die with him. Who knows?

Exactly. Letterman's production company, Worldwide Pants, owns Late Show with David Letterman and The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. Whenever Letterman retires, CBS will have to premiere a new late night talk show. Rumors have abounded for years that they'll go after Jon Stewart but I think Jon's quite happy where he's at, as Comedy Central affords him the creative freedom and control to do what he wants. Network television, in comparison, would be a total 180 from that, something Stewart's even admitted in at least one interview.

[vertigo235]

If anyone... The Tonight Show is an institution, but the Late Show was created solely as a vehicle for Letterman. It might die with him. Who knows?

I doubt that, they will at least try someone in it. Heck it might end up being LENO! heh heh.

If it dies, it will die with the replacement.

[getreal]

I doubt that, they will at least try someone in it. Heck it might end up being LENO! heh heh.

If it dies, it will die with the replacement.

In that case, my vote is for Amy Sedaris to take over from Letterman.
Second choice would be for Tracy Ullman.

[trainman]

Whenever Letterman retires, CBS will have to premiere a new late night talk show.

Well, they don't literally have to -- they could, for example, go back to the reruns and TV-movies they used to have in that time slot.

[Bierboy]

...Second choice would be for Tracy Ullman.
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k137/Bierboy/Emoticons/puke.gif

[jlb]

This episode was very much in line with how Jay usually is. He seems a little uncomfortable with praise, and is usually very gracious towards others. Since I don't know him privately, I'd say that at least on TV he has always been a nice guy. :)

I liked the ending and the "legacy" he left behind.

Can't wait to check out Conan!

+1. I thought it was touching with all the Tonight Show babies.......

Thank you! That's exactly my feeling about Conan put into words. I had a hard time putting my finger on it, but that's exactly what happens when I've tried to watch Conan late night. And, unfortunately, I expect nothing to change when he moves into the earlier slot. He seems way too one-dimensional.

That's why for Conan, and what I do for Letterman, is do a KAM1. It's there if I want it. No more than 1. If I want to save it I can do that. If I hear about someone good, odds are I can catch the interview, or whatever, online if I miss it from my recording....etc......

I am very stoked for Conan's guests in week 1.

[DevdogAZ]

I'll catch some of Conan's new show, as well as Leno's, but I don't really expect a lot of difference from what they put on in the recent past. Maybe Conan will have less "characters" and more of the regular "Tonight Show" format: monologue, interviews from desk, guests performing stand-up or singing, and some video remotes.
The typical format for all of these shows is Monologue, misc. comedy bit, Guest 1, Guest 2, Musical Guest. For Jay, the misc. comedy bit was things like Headlines and Jaywalking. For Dave, that segment is for things like Will it Float, Viewer Mailbag, Hello Deli, etc. For Conan, that will be where his "characters" will appear.

[apar01]

The typical format for all of these shows is Monologue, misc. comedy bit, Guest 1, Guest 2, Musical Guest. For Jay, the misc. comedy bit was things like Headlines and Jaywalking. For Dave, that segment is for things like Will it Float, Viewer Mailbag, Hello Deli, etc. For Conan, that will be where his "characters" will appear.

Well about 90% of the time on Late Night the format was monologue, misc. comedy bit, guest 1, misc. comedy bit (usually where the "characters" were shown), guest 2, musical guest/comedian.

I wonder if Conan will continue the second comedy bit or scratch that to spend more time interviewing guests. Either way he's going to be better than Leno.

[trainman]

Well about 90% of the time on Late Night the format was monologue, misc. comedy bit, guest 1, misc. comedy bit (usually where the "characters" were shown), guest 2, musical guest/comedian.

I wonder if Conan will continue the second comedy bit or scratch that to spend more time interviewing guests.

They were changing the format up a bit during the last year or so of Conan's "Late Night." Sometimes the show would go as you said above, but sometimes they "front-loaded" the two comedy bits (sometimes with a commercial break between them, or sometimes with a commercial break between the monologue and the comedy bits), and sometimes they only did one comedy bit and instead did two segments with the first guest.

Experimenting, in order to pick a "Tonight Show" format? Perhaps. I guess we'll find out tonight...

[DevdogAZ]

They were changing the format up a bit during the last year or so of Conan's "Late Night." Sometimes the show would go as you said above, but sometimes they "front-loaded" the two comedy bits (sometimes with a commercial break between them, or sometimes with a commercial break between the monologue and the comedy bits), and sometimes they only did one comedy bit and instead did two segments with the first guest.

Experimenting, in order to pick a "Tonight Show" format? Perhaps. I guess we'll find out tonight...
I think a lot of times that depends on who Guest #1 is. If they're very A-List, they'll automatically get two segments, unless they have to leave, then sometimes they'll only get one by their own choice.

[MickeS]

For those who might have a SP to Leno, remember to update it: http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=426856

[brianric]

For those who might have a SP to Leno, remember to update it: http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=426856

No thanks. :down:

[JYoung]

So if Conan got a new studio over at Universal, does Jay keep the Burbank studio for his new show in the Fall?

[Enrique]

So if Conan got a new studio over at Universal, does Jay keep the Burbank studio for his new show in the Fall?No, NBC sold the Burbank studio, that's why they moved The Tonight Show (Conan) to the Universal lot.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tonight_Show#Conan_O.27Brien_.282009-present.29

[DevdogAZ]

No, NBC sold the Burbank studio, that's why they moved The Tonight Show (Conan) to the Universal lot.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tonight_Show#Conan_O.27Brien_.282009-present.29
Proof that Wikipedia is not infallible:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Jay_Leno_Show#Overview
The Jay Leno Show will air weeknights at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT on NBC, and will originate from the same NBC studio in Burbank, California where Tonight filmed.

Not sure which is correct, but I seem to recall that I've heard from other sources that Jay will be staying at the Burbank studio, despite the fact that it was sold by NBC.

[JYoung]

No, NBC sold the Burbank studio, that's why they moved The Tonight Show (Conan) to the Universal lot.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tonight_Show#Conan_O.27Brien_.282009-present.29

Well, I'd be curious about the terms of the sale because when I drove past the Burbank studio last week, it still had all the NBC signage and it looked like a number of people were working there.

[MickeS]

Proof that Wikipedia is not infallible:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Jay_Leno_Show#Overview


Not sure which is correct, but I seem to recall that I've heard from other sources that Jay will be staying at the Burbank studio, despite the fact that it was sold by NBC.

The first Wikipedia article is ambiguous about whether the studio was actually sold. It does not say anything about any sale being responsible for the new Tonight Show filming location.

And of course, the studio could still have been sold by NBC even if Jay's new show will be filmed there.

[Bierboy]

Proof that Wikipedia is not infallible:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Jay_Leno_Show#Overview....

We need proof? :D

[MickeS]

http://www.seeing-stars.com/TVstudios/NBC.shtml

This site claims this:
In 2007, NBC reported that the studio will leave "beautiful downtown Burbank", the historic studio where Johnny Carson and Jay Leno taped "The Tonight Show" and Bob Hope taped his annual specials.

NBC is planning to sell the land (34 acres in all) and will reportedly relocate its facilities to a new, state-of-the-art facility planned for Universal City, just north of Universal Studios Hollywood, near the existing Red Line station. (Universal is owned by NBC.) The new headquarters (to be called "The West Coast News Headquarters") won't be finished until 2011, so NBC will probably lease back some of the studio space until their new facilities are ready for prime time.

"The Tonight Show", which will see Conan O'Brian become the new host in 2009, will reportedly move to Stage 1 at Universal Studios Hollywood.


No idea if they are correct or not or how old that info is.

EDIT, from Variety: http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117973843.html?categoryid=14&cs=1

So looks like the sale has not happened yet, but they will be out of there by 2011.

[DevdogAZ]

The first Wikipedia article is ambiguous about whether the studio was actually sold. It does not say anything about any sale being responsible for the new Tonight Show filming location.

And of course, the studio could still have been sold by NBC even if Jay's new show will be filmed there.
Right. I was simply addressing the fact that one article says the new Leno show won't be taped at Burbank because it was sold, while the other one says it will be.

As for why Conan's show originates from the Universal lot: that makes a lot of sense. NBC/U undoubtedly plans for that to be their base of operations from now on, and obviously intends for The Tonight Show to be on the air for a long time, so if they're going to put the money into building a brand new set/studio, it may as well be where the network is headquartered.

On the flip side, it makes sense for Jay to stay in Burbank. He's got everything already set up there, and there's no guarantee how long his new show will last. It would be trivial for NBC to lease that building back from whoever they sold it to (assuming it was actually sold).

[MickeS]

Right. I was simply addressing the fact that one article says the new Leno show won't be taped at Burbank because it was sold, while the other one says it will be.

The first article says nothing about the new Leno show.

[DevdogAZ]

The first article says nothing about the new Leno show.
Not directly, but it's implied with this line:
NBC Universal had previously decided in 2007 to vacate and sell NBC's Burbank studio properties.

[MickeS]

Not directly, but it's implied with this line:
I'm just saying that the Wikipedia article is not incorrect. NBC is planning to vacate and sell the studio. In the article itself, it makes no mention of the new Leno show. It only says that this is the reason they are moving the Tonight Show, which certainly seems correct.

I see what you mean though, the article implies by saying NBC will "vacate" the studio that no more NBC productions will be filmed there after the Tonight Show moves, Leno or not.

[smak]

http://www.seeing-stars.com/TVstudios/NBC.shtml

This site claims this:

In 2007, NBC reported that the studio will leave "beautiful downtown Burbank", the historic studio where Johnny Carson and Jay Leno taped "The Tonight Show" and Bob Hope taped his annual specials.

NBC is planning to sell the land (34 acres in all) and will reportedly relocate its facilities to a new, state-of-the-art facility planned for Universal City, just north of Universal Studios Hollywood, near the existing Red Line station. (Universal is owned by NBC.) The new headquarters (to be called "The West Coast News Headquarters") won't be finished until 2011, so NBC will probably lease back some of the studio space until their new facilities are ready for prime time.

"The Tonight Show", which will see Conan O'Brian become the new host in 2009, will reportedly move to Stage 1 at Universal Studios Hollywood.



No idea if they are correct or not or how old that info is.


Hmmmm, that's very interesting since it's right by my house. I guess they'd get rid of the big parking lot for the red line station. There doesn't seem to be THAT much room there, but i'm guessing it won't be a whole gigantic studio like NBC was.

Seems like it'll just be Conan, Leno, the local news, and maybe a few other things.

Maybe they'll do something like ESPN does at 11pm with their new live show from L.A.

-smak-

[trainman]

Hmmmm, that's very interesting since it's right by my house. I guess they'd get rid of the big parking lot for the red line station. There doesn't seem to be THAT much room there, but i'm guessing it won't be a whole gigantic studio like NBC was.

I've gotten a couple of pieces of snail mail in the last couple of years promoting the proposed project, which is supposed to be a whole commercial/residential/studio complex -- I'm surprised you haven't gotten the same thing. (Or maybe you did, but threw away the junk mail without looking at it.)

Here's the web site for the project (http://www.metrostudiolankershim.com/) -- last I heard, it still hasn't been approved by the city of Los Angeles, due to too many worries about traffic and parking.

I believe NBC has indeed sold their Burbank studios, but is leasing at least part of the complex back from the new owner for the time being. I read somewhere (but can't find it right now) that Leno's new show will be from Stage 9 there; "The Tonight Show" was on Stage 3.

[JYoung]

Here's the web site for the project (http://www.metrostudiolankershim.com/) -- last I heard, it still hasn't been approved by the city of Los Angeles, due to too many worries about traffic and parking.


Considering that traffic's already bad in that area, I'd say that's a valid concern.

[balboa dave]

From this (http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2009/06/jay-leno-gets-a-primetime-premiere-date.html)article:

Leno hosted his final "Tonight Show" on Friday, and new host Conan O'Brien took over Monday. He'll now have 15 weeks to retool his Burbank studio for the new show, which will keep some of the features of his "Tonight" tenure -- a sizable monologue and familiar comedy bits like Headlines -- while incorporating some new elements.

[trainman]

Considering that traffic's already bad in that area, I'd say that's a valid concern.

Which is probably why the developers have been sending out snail mail to addresses at least as far away as Van Nuys -- in the hopes that our pleas for this wonderful new development to be built will outweigh the outcry from the people who would be more directly affected by the traffic there. :D

[DevdogAZ]

Hmmmm, that's very interesting since it's right by my house. I guess they'd get rid of the big parking lot for the red line station. There doesn't seem to be THAT much room there, but i'm guessing it won't be a whole gigantic studio like NBC was.
-smak-
According to the website trainman posted, the project will have 800 park and ride spaces, which is a 40% increase over what's there now.

[DianaMo]

Conan O'Brien's run from New York, through Chicago and to Los Angeles
Opening 'Tonight Show' bit seems to misplace Wrigley Field

By Rob Manker | Tribune Reporter
June 3, 2009

As Chicago viewers surely noticed, Conan O'Brien's path through town during Monday night's opening "Tonight Show" bit wasn't quite true to Windy City geography.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/chi-talk-conan-runjun03,0,399321.story

[DianaMo]

I wonder how long this web page will remain available:

http://www.nbc.com/The_Tonight_Show_with_Jay_Leno/

http://www.nbc.com/leno

It would be a shame to lose the archive of the headlines collection...

[TheDewAddict]

Conan O'Brien's run from New York, through Chicago and to Los Angeles
Opening 'Tonight Show' bit seems to misplace Wrigley Field

By Rob Manker | Tribune Reporter
June 3, 2009


http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/chi-talk-conan-runjun03,0,399321.story

I can't believe they actually wrote an article about that.... I guess I should complain, because the direction they showed Conan running past the Arch had him running due South, not West. Technically, as the "Gateway to the West", he should have run right under/through it. :rolleyes:

[DevdogAZ]

Thread bump.

I read this article (http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090707/en_nm/us_leno_2) and figured it would clear up our earlier discussion about where Leno's new show will originate from.

When Jay Leno's new 10 p.m. show goes on air in September, some of his vintage cars will be making guest appearances. The host intends to drive his prized possessions onstage some nights.

The gambit is one reason NBC is using a larger venue than Leno has been accustomed to. Workers are busy customizing the soundstage once used by "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" and the Disney Channel sitcom "Sonny With a Chance," both of which have moved out.

Leno's primetime show will be taped on the NBC lot in Burbank on Stage 11, which is even larger than the 17,000-square-foot garage that houses Leno's car collection. The largest on the lot, Stage 11 is near Leno's former "Tonight Show" home at Stage 3, which is about 5,000 square feet smaller.

While Leno's plan to roll onstage in an expensive car could be viewed as an unnecessary display of opulence in the midst of a recession, he might be using his car collection as a Trojan horse to position his show as the place to advertise automobiles. Maybe he'll drive his 1906 Stanley Steamer onstage one night and the latest offering from Ford the next in a bit of high-octane product placement.

[DevdogAZ]

The ratings aren't looking good for Conan:

Link

NEW YORK – There could be a new king emerging in late-night television.

David Letterman's CBS "Late Show" whipped NBC's "Tonight" show in the ratings last week by nearly 800,000 viewers, according to Nielsen Media Research. Letterman generally lost to "Tonight" when Jay Leno was the host, and he hasn't had this big a victory margin since returning from heart surgery in 2000.

Significant numbers of the traditional late-night audience have made the switch, even though O'Brien continues to be very popular with young viewers who liked him when he was on a later time slot.

Last week Letterman averaged 3.68 million viewers, compared to O'Brien's 2.82 million, Nielsen said.
Can't say I'm surprised. Things just keep getting worse for NBC.

[ElJay]

A late-night generation gap also appears to be emerging: The median age of O'Brien's audience last week was more than 10 years younger than Letterman's. NBC says that's good news, since advertisers pay a premium to reach youthful audiences.

In the 18- to 49-year-old age demographic for which NBC sells advertising, O'Brien won each night last week, NBC said.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ghA2OvKSmFj_kELHUlTzCQ1P8KYAD99FS8DO3

I think Conan will do just fine.

[loubob57]

Conan is growing on me. But then I can't stand Dave. YMMV of course.