NBC: let's see how low we can go (Conan thread, part 2)
01-28-10, 08:24 PM
#851
DVD Talk Special Edition
01-28-10, 09:24 PM
#853
DVD Talk Legend
Re: NBC: let's see how low we can go (Conan thread, part 2)
At least Johnny would step aside and let a guest host take over one night a week.
Has Jay's ego ever opened a door of opportunity for anyone to be a guest host?
Has Jay's ego ever opened a door of opportunity for anyone to be a guest host?
01-28-10, 09:34 PM
#854
DVD Talk Legend
Re: NBC: let's see how low we can go (Conan thread, part 2)
Jay Leno voluntarily accepted a demotion, knowing that the demotion would demote everyone and every show that came after him. Conan O'Brien didn't, however it's absolutely clear that he wasn't "thrilled" to walk away from the show, and would rather have continued to have done it at its proper timeslot for years to come.
01-28-10, 10:08 PM
#855
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Re: NBC: let's see how low we can go (Conan thread, part 2)
01-28-10, 11:16 PM
#856
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Re: NBC: let's see how low we can go (Conan thread, part 2)
01-28-10, 11:23 PM
#857
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01-28-10, 11:25 PM
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Re: NBC: let's see how low we can go (Conan thread, part 2)
01-29-10, 12:59 AM
#859
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: NBC: let's see how low we can go (Conan thread, part 2)
Leno really needs to stop acknowledging the situation at all -- every time he opens his mouth to address it, he just ends up looking more and more like a lying sack of shit.
01-29-10, 01:57 AM
#860
DVD Talk Legend
Re: NBC: let's see how low we can go (Conan thread, part 2)
Except that O'Brien made it clear that he considered The Tonight Show at 12:05 to not be The Tonight Show anymore. So in Conan's mind, walking away from The Tonight Show was the only way to save it (i.e. keep it in its proper timeslot).
Jay Leno voluntarily accepted a demotion, knowing that the demotion would demote everyone and every show that came after him. Conan O'Brien didn't, however it's absolutely clear that he wasn't "thrilled" to walk away from the show, and would rather have continued to have done it at its proper timeslot for years to come.
Jay Leno voluntarily accepted a demotion, knowing that the demotion would demote everyone and every show that came after him. Conan O'Brien didn't, however it's absolutely clear that he wasn't "thrilled" to walk away from the show, and would rather have continued to have done it at its proper timeslot for years to come.
01-29-10, 02:10 AM
#861
DVD Talk Legend
Re: NBC: let's see how low we can go (Conan thread, part 2)
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01-29-10, 02:45 AM
#862
DVD Talk Legend
Re: NBC: let's see how low we can go (Conan thread, part 2)
If you are interested, Oprah did an "After the Show" discussion with her audience about the Jay Leno interview. It's 40 minutes.
http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/Oprah...troversy-Video
Here's a summary:
Oprah defends Jay to the hilt. Really. She defends Jay like Johnny Cochrane defended O.J.
Oprah explains that Jay is a really, really, really good guy.
He's also a powerless employee of NBC, who has no choice but to cede to whatever the network asks him to do, because he really needs a job.
Despite the fact that [in the interview] Jay displays absolutely no passion about hosting The Tonight Show, and even states that he doesn't think of being a talk show host as his profession, Oprah assures her audience that Jay loves, Loves, LOVES hosting the show.
http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/Oprah...troversy-Video
Here's a summary:
Oprah defends Jay to the hilt. Really. She defends Jay like Johnny Cochrane defended O.J.
Oprah explains that Jay is a really, really, really good guy.
He's also a powerless employee of NBC, who has no choice but to cede to whatever the network asks him to do, because he really needs a job.
Despite the fact that [in the interview] Jay displays absolutely no passion about hosting The Tonight Show, and even states that he doesn't think of being a talk show host as his profession, Oprah assures her audience that Jay loves, Loves, LOVES hosting the show.
01-29-10, 05:59 AM
#863
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Re: NBC: let's see how low we can go (Conan thread, part 2)
The ratings information provided is evidence that Jay Leno had the most popular prime-time line-up feeding into his show for the first years of his run as the most popular late night host.
The theory is [a theory with which I'm sure you disagree] that all those incredibly popular prime-time shows provided a platform for NBC to promote Jay Leno, and convince people to sample the show.
No one at this forum has ever denied that Jay Leno is very popular.
However, he never would have become popular unless viewers had been made aware of his show, in the first place.
The shows I listed [the information in the post that you and Mr Lopez have decided to ignore] included the popular dramas that aired at 10pm during the 2000s.
Y'know, the kind of shows that Conan never benefited from because NBC had the Jay Leno suckfest on every night at 10pm.
The theory is [a theory with which I'm sure you disagree] that all those incredibly popular prime-time shows provided a platform for NBC to promote Jay Leno, and convince people to sample the show.
No one at this forum has ever denied that Jay Leno is very popular.
However, he never would have become popular unless viewers had been made aware of his show, in the first place.
The shows I listed [the information in the post that you and Mr Lopez have decided to ignore] included the popular dramas that aired at 10pm during the 2000s.
Y'know, the kind of shows that Conan never benefited from because NBC had the Jay Leno suckfest on every night at 10pm.
01-29-10, 07:03 AM
#864
DVD Talk Legend
Re: NBC: let's see how low we can go (Conan thread, part 2)
I haven't decided to "ignore" your list of popular shows NBC had, I just don't buy that the so called leadins are the reason people watch Leno. Everybody has a remote. For the undecided viewers, maybe it helps somewhat but still, had Leno not been their favourite host, they would have switched to Letterman. Late Night TV is pretty much all about the host for the first part, and if the viewers don't like the guests then they switch. If leadins were so important, Letterman would have regained the ratings crown years ago.
http://forum.dvdtalk.com/9969005-post809.html
01-29-10, 07:22 AM
#865
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: NBC: let's see how low we can go (Conan thread, part 2)
Understanding that executives, objectives, and margins change with the times (not time slots), let's look at it from this perspective. Letterman had been getting beat by Leno for over a decade. Sometimes the gap was bigger than other times but it was always in Leno's favor. So why would CBS not fire Letterman? Why not bring in some fresh new talent to try and win the ratings war?
Because I don't think the networks really care all that much about the late night ratings. Would they like to be #1? Absolutely. But being in second place by a few tenths of a point or even a full point. Is it really that big of a deal in that time slot? If it is, how does Letterman keep a job? What, only NBC cares about ratings? Maybe it's that nobody else could do good enough to keep them in second?
If late night ratings were really so cut-throat, CBS wouldn't even try? Conan dips below Letterman by, what, a .1 and all the sudden it is time for his firing?
In reality, it did have to do with ratings. But not Conan's. It had everything to do with Jay's ratings failure. He was averaging half of what a decent prime-time show does. The affiliates wanted his show gone. NBC's wonderful contracting ($150 million payout and guaranteed timeslot -- and Jay's unwillingness to give on those) did the rest.
Because I don't think the networks really care all that much about the late night ratings. Would they like to be #1? Absolutely. But being in second place by a few tenths of a point or even a full point. Is it really that big of a deal in that time slot? If it is, how does Letterman keep a job? What, only NBC cares about ratings? Maybe it's that nobody else could do good enough to keep them in second?
If late night ratings were really so cut-throat, CBS wouldn't even try? Conan dips below Letterman by, what, a .1 and all the sudden it is time for his firing?
In reality, it did have to do with ratings. But not Conan's. It had everything to do with Jay's ratings failure. He was averaging half of what a decent prime-time show does. The affiliates wanted his show gone. NBC's wonderful contracting ($150 million payout and guaranteed timeslot -- and Jay's unwillingness to give on those) did the rest.
01-29-10, 07:27 AM
#866
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: NBC: let's see how low we can go (Conan thread, part 2)
Oprah's site has a poll up on The Tonight Show "controversy".
http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/The-T...ntroversy-Poll
http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/The-T...ntroversy-Poll
01-29-10, 07:49 AM
#867
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: NBC: let's see how low we can go (Conan thread, part 2)
Understanding that executives, objectives, and margins change with the times (not time slots), let's look at it from this perspective. Letterman had been getting beat by Leno for over a decade. Sometimes the gap was bigger than other times but it was always in Leno's favor. So why would CBS not fire Letterman? Why not bring in some fresh new talent to try and win the ratings war?
Because I don't think the networks really care all that much about the late night ratings. Would they like to be #1? Absolutely. But being in second place by a few tenths of a point or even a full point. Is it really that big of a deal in that time slot? If it is, how does Letterman keep a job? What, only NBC cares about ratings? Maybe it's that nobody else could do good enough to keep them in second?
If late night ratings were really so cut-throat, CBS wouldn't even try? Conan dips below Letterman by, what, a .1 and all the sudden it is time for his firing?
Because I don't think the networks really care all that much about the late night ratings. Would they like to be #1? Absolutely. But being in second place by a few tenths of a point or even a full point. Is it really that big of a deal in that time slot? If it is, how does Letterman keep a job? What, only NBC cares about ratings? Maybe it's that nobody else could do good enough to keep them in second?
If late night ratings were really so cut-throat, CBS wouldn't even try? Conan dips below Letterman by, what, a .1 and all the sudden it is time for his firing?
Last edited by Double_Oh_7; 01-29-10 at 07:56 AM.
01-29-10, 07:53 AM
#868
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: NBC: let's see how low we can go (Conan thread, part 2)
That is just another convenient excuse that seems acceptable and palatable to people but falls completely apart when examined in any true detail.
01-29-10, 07:54 AM
#869
DVD Talk Legend
Re: NBC: let's see how low we can go (Conan thread, part 2)
Oprah's site has a poll up on The Tonight Show "controversy".
http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/The-T...ntroversy-Poll
http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/The-T...ntroversy-Poll
Current results:
1. Did you watch Oprah's interview with Jay Leno?
Yes (92%)
No (8%)
2. After watching the show, did your opinion change?
Yes (8%)
No (92%)
3. Whose side were you on before the interview?
Jay (30%)
Conan (70%)
4. Whose side are you on now? Jay or Conan?
Jay's (33%)
Conan's (67%)
5. Do you care about the Jay Leno/Conan O'Brien controversy?
Yes (81%)
No (19%)
6. Do you think Jay Leno should go back to The Tonight Show?
Yes (33%)
No (67%)
1. Did you watch Oprah's interview with Jay Leno?
Yes (92%)
No (8%)
2. After watching the show, did your opinion change?
Yes (8%)
No (92%)
3. Whose side were you on before the interview?
Jay (30%)
Conan (70%)
4. Whose side are you on now? Jay or Conan?
Jay's (33%)
Conan's (67%)
5. Do you care about the Jay Leno/Conan O'Brien controversy?
Yes (81%)
No (19%)
6. Do you think Jay Leno should go back to The Tonight Show?
Yes (33%)
No (67%)
01-29-10, 08:38 AM
#870
DVD Talk Hero
Re: NBC: let's see how low we can go (Conan thread, part 2)
That's actually a really interesting poll. I imagine the Oprah audience and the Leno audience roughly overlap.
01-29-10, 09:33 AM
#872
Senior Member
Re: NBC: let's see how low we can go (Conan thread, part 2)
That Opera poll is retarded. If you opinion of Leno improved but you're still behind Conan, the poll doesn't reflect that. Picking either Conan's side or Leno's side is a pretty narrow way to look at things, especially when the real villain here is NBC.
01-29-10, 09:39 AM
#873
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: NBC: let's see how low we can go (Conan thread, part 2)
It'll be great if he shows the clip of saying he told only one cheap-shot joke and then Letterman shows the 4-5 he actually made.
01-29-10, 09:43 AM
#874
Moderator
01-29-10, 09:50 AM
#875
DVD Talk Hero
Re: NBC: let's see how low we can go (Conan thread, part 2)
Originally Posted by MovieLine
Sundance 2010
Tilda Swinton on Playing Conan O'Brien: 'Yes, Yes, Yes, Absolutely'
Written by Kyle Buchanan | 25 Jan 2010, 1:10 PM | 8 comments
On Conan O’Brien’s final Tonight Show, he earned one of his biggest laughs when he said that if HBO decided to make a movie about the recent late-night fiasco, he’d “like to be played by Academy Award-winner Tilda Swinton.” I just finished interviewing Swinton at Sundance to promote her new film I Am Love, and I decided (without any authorization from HBO whatsoever) to make her a formal offer for the red-headed role. Do we have a rare bit of good news for the beleaguered O’Brien?
“I’ve heard about Conan!” Swinton said excitedly when I broached the subject. “I’m so thrilled.”
So would she be willing to take on the challenge of playing him? After all, Swinton has bent genders onscreen before, as anyone who’s seen her 1992 film Orlando would know.
“I would just be only too happy,” she beamed. “Yes, yes, yes, absolutely.”
Then, pondering the offer, she decided to return the favor and solicit from O’Brien. “What I really would love to do is get him to do some of the things I get to do. It would be nice if he were here at Sundance maybe, wearing this coat, talking about I Am Love.”
It might seem like a tall order for O’Brien, but he certainly has several months of unemployment to pull off such a switch. “And why not?” Swinton said. “Every girl should have a doppleganger.”
Tilda Swinton on Playing Conan O'Brien: 'Yes, Yes, Yes, Absolutely'
Written by Kyle Buchanan | 25 Jan 2010, 1:10 PM | 8 comments
On Conan O’Brien’s final Tonight Show, he earned one of his biggest laughs when he said that if HBO decided to make a movie about the recent late-night fiasco, he’d “like to be played by Academy Award-winner Tilda Swinton.” I just finished interviewing Swinton at Sundance to promote her new film I Am Love, and I decided (without any authorization from HBO whatsoever) to make her a formal offer for the red-headed role. Do we have a rare bit of good news for the beleaguered O’Brien?
“I’ve heard about Conan!” Swinton said excitedly when I broached the subject. “I’m so thrilled.”
So would she be willing to take on the challenge of playing him? After all, Swinton has bent genders onscreen before, as anyone who’s seen her 1992 film Orlando would know.
“I would just be only too happy,” she beamed. “Yes, yes, yes, absolutely.”
Then, pondering the offer, she decided to return the favor and solicit from O’Brien. “What I really would love to do is get him to do some of the things I get to do. It would be nice if he were here at Sundance maybe, wearing this coat, talking about I Am Love.”
It might seem like a tall order for O’Brien, but he certainly has several months of unemployment to pull off such a switch. “And why not?” Swinton said. “Every girl should have a doppleganger.”
I'd watch that.
heh
Last edited by RichC2; 01-29-10 at 10:01 AM.