Jay Leno Taking Over 10 P.M. On NBC
Jeff Zucker keeps Leno and O'Brien with Leno strip
By Ben Grossman -- Broadcasting & Cable, 12/8/2008 2:19:00 PM
In a surprise move, Jay Leno is taking over the 10 p.m. slot weeknights on NBC.
The move is a huge coup for NBC Universal chief Jeff Zucker, who has long said he wanted to keep both Leno and his replacement, Conan O’Brien, in the NBC family.
The move would be a cost-effective manner in which to essentially cut down the amount of hours it must program with fare from the entertainment division. Jeff Zucker foreshadowed the move at a
Monday, saying that
NBC has to look at options including programming less primetime hours.
It would be a much-needed victory for struggling NBC in the wake of
and
a re-organization of the entire way the network and studio are structured
as the network continues to languish in fourth place.
The move would also bring to an end a potentially messy transition in the coming year that had industry speculation centered on Leno potentially moving to ABC, which would set up a three-way brawl for the dwindling late-night dollars between Leno, O’Brien and CBS’s David Letterman.
Leno’s start date is undecided, but expected to be by next fall.
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I'm thrilled Jay Leno is coming back to us at 10pm. TV needs a show like his instead of the stupid reality shows they now give us, and I don't have to stay up until 12:30pm to watch his show. Don't know what prompted NBC to replace him with Conan O'Brien, but having him on TV at any time is great. He a man's man and women love him too. Great personality,and a funny, fast moving show. Thanks Jay for coming back and not holding it against NBC for replacing you.
Dee Giorgi - 5/15/2009 8:09:44 PM EDT -
Not certain if this will work but it is the only creative thought Jeff Zucker
has ever had since he left the Today show. From a cost-cutting
standpoint (i.e. now NBC only needs to fill 2 hours per night) it's brilliant.
I would think Conan feels deflated. Maybe he's trying to figure out with
his lawyers if he is eligible for that $40 million payout he was supposed to
get if NBC kept Leno [?]
Michael Schwartz - 12/8/2008 10:40:00 PM EST -
This is a terrific move by a network that is just desperate to get any eyeballs to focus on their nonsense. Silverman will be a dead duck by the beginning of the new year as he'll get slowly phased out and maybe some new blood will surface there and make primetime watchable once again. It's a start.
Richard - 12/8/2008 10:02:00 PM EST -
PERSONAL TO JEFF Z: Am I psychic, or are you really listening to guys like Shales and me? (I called this one earlier today in a post here...) Whatever, it's a brilliant move. Comedy meets variety in primetime -- finally. A boomer TV junkie's dream... I hope you do it live on the East and Midwest to add to the excitement. Now... how about that "Live Sunday Spectacular" with Justin Timberlake at Radio City? Make in a duece. Such mazel! 2008 is turning out to be "That Wonderful Year" at NBC.
Vic livingston, columnist, members.nowpublic.com/scrivener - 12/8/2008 9:53:00 PM EST -
In five years this will be viewed as one of two things. It will be viewed as one of the most innovative ideas in television history, ir it will be viewed as a worse debacle than "Cop Rock".
The answer to which one sits solely on the shoulders of Leno. At that hour (9 PM in the Midwest) he needs to be a little less vulgar and a little more diverse than at 11:30. A constant parade of stars shilling for their latest book and movie won't make it. His best humor, like Jaywalking and his great man-on-the-street interviews could translate well at any hour.
Dr. Ken Minarik - 12/8/2008 8:37:00 PM EST
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