Jay Leno stays at NBC, moves to 10 p.m. slot!
Next fall, you won't have to stay up for Jay Leno. Or bother to set the TiVo.
Jay Leno is leaving "The Tonight Show," and Conan O'Brien is taking over. But Jay's got a new show that will air on 10 p.m. weeknights.
The prime-time move news is expected to be announced today in L.A. There have been rumors that Leno was leaving NBC. ABC, Fox and Sony were among the networks vying for his show.
Instead, network honcho Jeff Zucker talked him into the earlier time slot.
But the earlier time may not be such a smart move. According to the New York Times, there have been no hits in that time slot for almost four years. Ratings for shows in that time slot continue to drop.
But since Jay is already an established hit with a built-in audience, maybe they figured they have nothing to lose.
Your favorite bits will stay -- Headlines and Jay Walking will be on Leno's new gig. Conan's "Tonight Show" will air at 11:35 on NBC. So you might as well watch the news in between. Or get a late-night snack.
Did we mention that Leno will keep on earning about $30 million a year?
Is Leno worth that much? Or should he leave now to make room for some fresh new blood in TV Talk Show Land?
Who would you like to see doing a prime-time talk show? Steve Carell? Russell Brand? Rush Limbaugh? Kidding. Just kidding....
Photo: WireImage
this is the plan I thought Jay should go with all along. I think it is great and we will be watching!!
Thank you NBC!!!! You guys made a smart decision!!! I love the Jay Leno show and now I don't have to stay up so late to watch it!!!! Oh and also I hate Conan O'Brien I don't think his funny at all...
Thank God Jeff Zucker came to his senses and understands what a national treasure he has in "Jay Leno"! FINALLY I can get to bed at decent time, AFTER watching my favorite show; Jay Leno!
That's probably a smart move on NBC's part. At 10pm I usually watch reruns of Judge Judy or Sponge Bob because there's nothing on. I like Conan's antics (don't know how Tonight show fans feel) so I'll get to see them more often now. The news break in between Jay & Conan is the perfect time for me to get ready for bed.
Believe it or not, Limbaugh once had his own TV talk-show. It's been off the air for years now.
What's wrong with Rush Limbaugh?
Makes sense because - Conan is awful! NBC will lose the late late slot - the tonight show audience will move to Leno at 10 PM - and both late night slots will be owned by CBS.
This is going to be great for Craig Ferguson and Letterman.
Leno should be replaced, move to someone fresh. I don't think I've even let out a chuckle watching his show. It's just plain not funny.
Conan is edgier and much more interesting. This should have happened years ago.
What is so great about Conan ? He's no Leno. And he is no Johnny Carson either. Man, I sure miss the likes of Johnny Carson. A one in a trillion.
It's exciting to see a network change its formula.
If Leno's ratings double in prime-time, then NBC and Jay will have won the late night war.