NBC: Conan to replace Leno in 2009 (1 Viewer)

[Chris Lockwood]

I'm surprised Jay is giving up his lucrative gig. Today is the 50th anniversary of the show.

From Jeff Zucker, issued to NBC staff via email:

Jay Leno will continue to be at the helm of "The Tonight Show" for another five years, well into 2009, after which time Conan O'Brien will become the host of "The Tonight Show." Jay will officially make the announcement on his show tonight.

http://www.drudgereport.com/flash5.htm

 

[Paul McElligott]

That'll give Jay a good run as host, 17 years. By that time, he'll be 59 years old. It not like he needs the money.

 

[Matt Stone]

Here's the article at the NY Times. Have to register, but it's free.

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/27/bu...ND-NBC.html?hp

 

[Paul McElligott]

I wonder if O'Brien will move to L.A. Unlike Letterman, his humor is not tied into being in New York.

 

[Timothy Alexander]

It may be five years down but that is awesome news. I'm happy for Conan, I think he deserves it completely. I've been a fan of "Late Night" for over a decade and he's always been consistently entertaining.

 

[MickeS]

They sure plan ahead of time. A lot of things could happen in five years...

/Mike

 

[Bryan_O]

I'm not really suprised. Everything I've ever read about Jay said that he just simply wanted to do stand-up, and that he only did the Tonight Show to pay the bills--and to finance all of those cars.

 

[GARY C]

If anything it was done to make sure Conan doesn't leave anytime before that. He may have wanted to take Dave's spot if he (Dave) retires before Leno.

 

[Chris]

Remember, though, in the eighties they announced the plan of succession from Carson was to Letterman.. then kind of backed away from it (read "Late Shift") I think NBC is trying to take care that nothing like that happens again.

 

[Marty M]

I'm wondering if Jay has been "coaxed" out of the Tonight Show like Johnny Carson was. I think this was NBCs decision, not Jay Leno's. They didn't want to lose Conan to another network.

 

[Lew Crippen]

quote:A lot of things could happen in five years...

Just so. This is a business where decisions change weekly.

 

[Scott L]

If they just brought back Andy in time for 2009 the show would be perfect.

 

[Casey Trowbridg]

quote: It may be five years down but that is awesome news. I'm happy for Conan, I think he deserves it completely. I've been a fan of "Late Night" for over a decade

and he's always been consistently entertaining.

I agree, I think Conan is halarious.

 

[James T]

quote:They sure plan ahead of time. A lot of things could happen in five years...

It is too far ahead for me. Craig Kilborn quit late night after five years.

 

[Francois Caron]

*Sniff* Goodbye masturbating bear! Goodbye Walker, Texas Ranger clips! Goodbye Frankenstein Wastes a Minute of Our Time! I'll miss you all!

 

[Jeff Brooks]

Why wait?! Leno sucks!

 

[David Galindo]

Yeah! In with Conan!



I can't wait...but 2009 is so far away.

 

[teapot2001]

If it's Leno's decision to leave the show, I am surprised. He seems to really enjoy hosting it; he isn't doing it just for the money and probably puts in a lot more hours into his show than any other host for his/her show.



~T

 

[EricW]

maybe Conan thought Dave wouldn't be retiring before Jay, or that both would be doing it close enough that waiting for 2009 is okay. i actually prefer Conan at 12:30, not because he has more freedom for humour (he'll be just as funny at 11:30, just not as dirty), but alot of the time i'm still doing stuff at 11:30. at 12:20 everything is winding down and i can get into the Cone Zone

surprisingly, at cnn.com a poll asked "Do you think Conan O'Brien is the right person to take over from Jay Leno?"



the response was:

yes 56%

no 44%

Total: 43485 votes



i'd have thought the yes side would be alot higher

 

[Robin Warren]

Thank god, I can't stand leno, always tying to please everyone...take a stand~!~