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FOX on Conan O'Brien: No real talks yet
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FOX weighed in on the NBC late-night situation Monday -- sort of. All network chairman Peter Rice and FOX Entertainment president Kevin Reilly really had to say was that they were fans of Conan O'Brien."We're kind of digesting it the same way you are. We're a little bit in 'wowee' mode right now," Reilly told reporters Monday (Jan. 11) during FOX's time at the TV Critics Association press tour.
The Wall Street Journal reported Monday that FOX has had "early talks" with O'Brien, but Reilly says he's only chatted with "his people" in the course of other business: "We talk to them all the time. So we've had some informal conversations with them, mostly commiserating about the situation."
Reilly also said that while launching a late-night show "is never entirely off the agenda," there would be a lot of hurdles to jump before anything could happen. The biggest and most obvious is that O'Brien would have to want out at NBC, but beyond that there would be conversations with FOX affiliates, who make good money with syndicated programming in late-night, dealing with any waiting period NBC might impose and the general difficulty of breaking through what's already a pretty crowded late-night field.
"It's probably the hardest form in show business," Reilly says. "Having done everything, trying to create and home-grow a talk show -- very few people can actually do it. ... You've seen what happens. They can be painful."
Rice does say that if "a talent" became available, "it would of course have an impact on our decision process." But Reilly notes that affiliates have been hurt by the recession and the changing media landscape, so it's not as simple as just plugging Conan O'Brien in after the late local news.
"It's not something that's going to be handed down from on high," Reilly says. "If, IF, it comes to pass, there are a host of challenges involved in it. It's not as simple as we want him, turn key, he's on."
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We shouldn’t feel bad for any of them their both stinkly rich, they took there chances they knew what was involved. We are the ones who are made to suffer. My only wish that comcast fire Zucker and Gaspin, their the ones I blame for this disaster, then I will watch NBC again.
You hit the nail right on the head Craig. There is a 10% unemployment rate, we can be attacked at any moment, and we worry about these two. Wonder why other countries hate us. I adore Jay, is fair but can be a little harsh. Conan is in a world of his own.
The Associated Press now mentions that Carson Daly's late-night show might end if Conan stays with NBC. Rules state that 2:05 a.m.(EST)goes to the local affiliates. Carson Daly could have his show be on after "Saturday Night Live" at 1:00 a.m.(EST)His show would only be on once-a-week, but this way it will keep Carson Daly on NBC.
Well, sure, Jay and Conan are rich but there are plenty of people that work for them that could wind up unemployed in this mess - as well as the crew of Carson Daly's awful show if that gets cancelled. It also could screw up local NBC affliates, which don't typically employ millionaires.
The reports are that if NBC follows through with moving Leno back to 11:35, O'Brien could walk out on NBC for breach of contract (while still getting the $80 million NBC owes him). If Fox offered him less than $20 million a year (Conan's contract is for 4 years), NBC would have to make up the difference.
As for Carson Daly, I couldn't care less about his fate. My local NBC affiliate has never aired his show anyways (they air infomercials after "Late Night" ends).
Please NO Conan!!!! He hasn't been funny for years, strange, not funny.
Please somebody just place the pillow over the mouth of Jay Leno's dying comedy act. It's old and moldy and used up. His dated humor and milk toast interviews are sooo incredibly boring- Just hearing the beginning of the theme song makes my stomach churn. Like the feeling of "after really bad sex" when you see him come running out. It's just a travesty what they did to that poor young man, Conan. That Jay Leno should no better. Didn't they sign a contract- Mr Obama should have something to say.
Rest easy NBC- This is one 94 year old viewer that won't be returning after Conan leaves.
Did you see this letter offering to help Conan with his unemployment...
http://www.joblessandless.com/2010/01/open-letter-to-conan-obrien-offering-job-search-help/