NBC: let's see how low we can go (Conan thread, part 2)
01-23-10, 08:01 PM
#627
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Re: NBC: let's see how low we can go (Conan thread, part 2)
Re: Conan's bad ratings losing money for NBC
I can't find the article now because I've read so many from so many different places in the last couple weeks.
But when this first came out about how Conan's Tonight Show was losing money, I read an article pointing out that Conan's rating were similar to what Letterman's had been for years when he was #2 or #3 in the time-slot, and that the charge for ads on Conan's show was not very different from what they were charging for ads on Letterman.
So, the writer asked, if Letterman's show had been making money for CBS all those years, how could NBC claim that Conan was suddenly losing money for them?
I can't find the article now because I've read so many from so many different places in the last couple weeks.
But when this first came out about how Conan's Tonight Show was losing money, I read an article pointing out that Conan's rating were similar to what Letterman's had been for years when he was #2 or #3 in the time-slot, and that the charge for ads on Conan's show was not very different from what they were charging for ads on Letterman.
So, the writer asked, if Letterman's show had been making money for CBS all those years, how could NBC claim that Conan was suddenly losing money for them?
01-23-10, 08:29 PM
#628
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Re: NBC: let's see how low we can go (Conan thread, part 2)
Don't know if this is true or not, but damn, if it is. 
A tweet from one of the Roots over at Late Night explained that despite the 'expensive bits' gags being fake... some of the stuff slipped in are indeed real. The song that was used for Tom Hanks' walkon is on the restricted list and costs 1/2 a million dollars to play on the air. Freebird is also restricted. These two bits may not show up on Hulu.
01-23-10, 09:45 PM
#630
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Re: NBC: let's see how low we can go (Conan thread, part 2)
01-23-10, 10:15 PM
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Re: NBC: let's see how low we can go (Conan thread, part 2)
Actually if we were to audit these numbers we might see Winter Olympic costs calculated into Conan's 'loss'
Last edited by Tommy Ceez; 01-23-10 at 10:21 PM.
01-24-10, 01:42 AM
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Re: NBC: let's see how low we can go (Conan thread, part 2)
Just watched the final show. The last part with Will Ferrell was one of the worst things I've ever seen on TV. Just a complete and total bastardization of a classic song. Not one thing funny about it. Oh what, did he pull out the "cow bell" gag, again? And that's supposed to be funny? What's with the making out with his woman on stage during the song? Was that supposed to be funny? Kicking the mic stand? Really? I have to seriously wonder about anyone who found any of that to be entertaining at all. Jay Leno is 100 times funnier on his worst night than Will Ferrell is on his best.
I love Conan, always will, but I seriously have to wonder how in the world he thought THAT would be a good note to end his Tonight Show run on. Just terrible.
If you ever need proof that this world is not just, remember that Chris Farley is dead and Will Ferrell is still alive.
I love Conan, always will, but I seriously have to wonder how in the world he thought THAT would be a good note to end his Tonight Show run on. Just terrible.
If you ever need proof that this world is not just, remember that Chris Farley is dead and Will Ferrell is still alive.
01-24-10, 01:48 AM
#633
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01-24-10, 02:06 AM
#634
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: NBC: let's see how low we can go (Conan thread, part 2)
Just watched the final show. The last part with Will Ferrell was one of the worst things I've ever seen on TV. Just a complete and total bastardization of a classic song. Not one thing funny about it. Oh what, did he pull out the "cow bell" gag, again? And that's supposed to be funny? What's with the making out with his woman on stage during the song? Was that supposed to be funny? Kicking the mic stand? Really? I have to seriously wonder about anyone who found any of that to be entertaining at all. Jay Leno is 100 times funnier on his worst night than Will Ferrell is on his best.
I love Conan, always will, but I seriously have to wonder how in the world he thought THAT would be a good note to end his Tonight Show run on. Just terrible.
I love Conan, always will, but I seriously have to wonder how in the world he thought THAT would be a good note to end his Tonight Show run on. Just terrible.
Farley killed himself with drugs and a very unhealthy lifestyle. Justice really had nothing to do with it - he was an irresponsible person.
01-24-10, 03:43 AM
#635
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: NBC: let's see how low we can go (Conan thread, part 2)
Just watched the final show. The last part with Will Ferrell was one of the worst things I've ever seen on TV. Just a complete and total bastardization of a classic song. Not one thing funny about it. Oh what, did he pull out the "cow bell" gag, again? And that's supposed to be funny? What's with the making out with his woman on stage during the song? Was that supposed to be funny? Kicking the mic stand? Really? I have to seriously wonder about anyone who found any of that to be entertaining at all. Jay Leno is 100 times funnier on his worst night than Will Ferrell is on his best.
I love Conan, always will, but I seriously have to wonder how in the world he thought THAT would be a good note to end his Tonight Show run on. Just terrible.
If you ever need proof that this world is not just, remember that Chris Farley is dead and Will Ferrell is still alive.
I love Conan, always will, but I seriously have to wonder how in the world he thought THAT would be a good note to end his Tonight Show run on. Just terrible.
If you ever need proof that this world is not just, remember that Chris Farley is dead and Will Ferrell is still alive.
01-24-10, 04:58 AM
#636
DVD Talk Legend
Re: NBC: let's see how low we can go (Conan thread, part 2)
I usually like Ferrell and I didn't quite hate it as much as you did, but I do agree with this sentiment to an extent. My main issue was that Will completely upstaged Conan in that bit... it just felt to me the final moments of Conan's Tonight Show became The Will Ferrell Show. I also think Will staying 'in character' throughout that routine added nothing to the segment and took away from Conan's moment a little. Just my opinion. Maybe that was Conan's choice, though, and if so, ah well.
01-24-10, 05:11 AM
#637
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Re: NBC: let's see how low we can go (Conan thread, part 2)
It's hilarious to see NBC bitching about Conan losing them money when their whole prime time line-up is hovering in UPN territory.
01-24-10, 05:32 AM
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Re: NBC: let's see how low we can go (Conan thread, part 2)
They are bitching because they gambled moving Leno to give Conan a shot. And when that didn't work Conan acts like the bitch because NBC wants to put back the way things were.
01-24-10, 08:21 AM
#639
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: NBC: let's see how low we can go (Conan thread, part 2)
The licensing fee for the original recordings of well-known songs is expensive (although a band covering them is a lot cheaper), so they did spend some $$$ for that. But given that NBC is one of the few networks with a current broadcast contract to show NFL games, I doubt the football footage cost that much for the show to air.
01-24-10, 10:52 AM
#641
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: NBC: let's see how low we can go (Conan thread, part 2)
While Conan did say 'restricted' football footage, was it really or was it footage of some random game they are allowed to air?
01-24-10, 10:53 AM
#642
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01-24-10, 11:53 AM
#643
Senior Member
Re: NBC: let's see how low we can go (Conan thread, part 2)
I usually like Ferrell and I didn't quite hate it as much as you did, but I do agree with this sentiment to an extent. My main issue was that Will completely upstaged Conan in that bit... it just felt to me the final moments of Conan's Tonight Show became The Will Ferrell Show. I also think Will staying 'in character' throughout that routine added nothing to the segment and took away from Conan's moment a little. Just my opinion. Maybe that was Conan's choice, though, and if so, ah well.
I didn't think of Free Bird as a Will Ferrel bit; Yeah, Ferrel was acting goofy and doing a character, but that's how he always is. The whole thing was just about everybody having fun, it wasn't supposed to be some serious and solemn thing. Conan purposely made it so it wasn't all about him, instead it was all about the fun and comradery.
If Ferrell already rubs you the wrong way though I can see how someone might not of liked it.
01-24-10, 12:50 PM
#644
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Re: NBC: let's see how low we can go (Conan thread, part 2)
Conan kept saying "We're going to have fun on television" this week that I wonder of Fun on Television with Conan O'Brien is a possible show title
01-24-10, 12:52 PM
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Re: NBC: let's see how low we can go (Conan thread, part 2)
Just watched the final show. The last part with Will Ferrell was one of the worst things I've ever seen on TV. Just a complete and total bastardization of a classic song. Not one thing funny about it. Oh what, did he pull out the "cow bell" gag, again? And that's supposed to be funny? What's with the making out with his woman on stage during the song? Was that supposed to be funny? Kicking the mic stand? Really? I have to seriously wonder about anyone who found any of that to be entertaining at all. Jay Leno is 100 times funnier on his worst night than Will Ferrell is on his best.
I love Conan, always will, but I seriously have to wonder how in the world he thought THAT would be a good note to end his Tonight Show run on. Just terrible.
If you ever need proof that this world is not just, remember that Chris Farley is dead and Will Ferrell is still alive.
I love Conan, always will, but I seriously have to wonder how in the world he thought THAT would be a good note to end his Tonight Show run on. Just terrible.
If you ever need proof that this world is not just, remember that Chris Farley is dead and Will Ferrell is still alive.
It was an awesome ending to a great show, and if you can't see the reasons why, then Leno will be back on for you soon I guess.
01-24-10, 01:25 PM
#646
DVD Talk Legend
Re: NBC: let's see how low we can go (Conan thread, part 2)
Freebird is exactly what happens when a bunch of friends get together to rock. Just having fun and goofing around. Just look at the joy on Conan's face as hes playing.
01-24-10, 01:50 PM
#647
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Re: NBC: let's see how low we can go (Conan thread, part 2)
01-24-10, 02:04 PM
#648
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Re: NBC: let's see how low we can go (Conan thread, part 2)
I thought it was "restricted NFL Superbowl football coverage".
Last edited by devilshalo; 01-24-10 at 02:08 PM.
01-24-10, 02:08 PM
#649
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Re: NBC: let's see how low we can go (Conan thread, part 2)
Of course, they could have just said it was Superbowl footage. It could have easily have been non-Superboowl footage. For what they showed, it could come from any game those two teams were in together.